
Format: Audiobook
A False Report: A True Story of Rape in America by T. Christian Miller, Ken Armstrong
Narrator: Hillary Huber
Length: 10 hrs and 6 mins
Date Read: February 6, 2018
Genre: Non-Fiction

More Information:Two Pulitzer Prize-winning journalists tell the riveting true story of Marie, a teenager who was charged with lying about having been raped, and the detectives who followed a winding path to arrive at the truth. On August 11, 2008, eighteen-year-old Marie truthfully reported that a masked man broke into her apartment near Seattle, Washington, and raped her, but within days police and even those closest to Marie became suspicious of her story. The police swiftly pivoted and began investigating her. Confronted with inconsistencies in her story and the doubts of others, Marie broke down and said her story was a lie. Police charged her with false reporting. One of her best friends created a web page branding her a liar.
More than two years later, Colorado detective Stacy Galbraith was assigned to investigate a case of sexual assault. Describing the crime to her husband that night--the attacker's calm and practiced demeanor, which led the victim to surmise "he's done this before"--Galbraith learned that the case bore an eerie resemblance to a rape that had taken place months earlier in a nearby town. She joined forces with the detective on that case, Edna Hendershot, and the two soon realized they were dealing with a serial rapist: a man who photographed his victims, threatening to release the images online, and whose calculated steps to erase all physical evidence suggested he might be a soldier or a cop. Through meticulous police work the detectives would eventually connect the rapist to other attacks in Colorado--and beyond.
Based on investigative files and extensive interviews with the principals, An Unbelievable Story is a serpentine tale of doubt, lies, and a hunt for justice, unveiling the disturbing reality of how sexual assault is investigated today--and the long history of skepticism toward rape victims.
Publisher: Crown Publishing Group (NY)

Listened for Review (Publisher)
Overall Rating: 4.50
Narrator Rating: 4.50
Book Thoughts: This is not an easy listen. It is true and that makes it even more horrifying. The subject matter is rough but it was such an important subject to tackle. This is the reality of what rape victims go through. This covered the one not believed (and pressured into saying she filed a false report), the one where they wasn’t much to go on, and the one that finally had some leads they could follow. All 3 were raped by the same guy (along with others). This is a brutal look at all POVs (including the rapist). It definitely needs all the trigger warnings but I am glad I listened.
Audio Thoughts: Hilary Huber did a great job of delivering the subject matter. She was great at keeping clinical where needed and using emotion where needed. This was a hard listen but she did a fantastic job.
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Felicia S
During her non-reading time you can find her hanging with her rescue furr children named after book characters: Lizzie a beautiful cattle dog mix (Pound Pup), Cinder a beautiful Shep/Pitt mix (Pound Pup), and Minerva a beautiful Shep/Pitt mix (Foster Fail). Gathering with friends and family, attending conventions, watching movies/tv shows, rooting for the 49rs, and crocheting.
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I think I heard about this case a few years ago. I didn’t realize they had found the rapist and that she was telling the truth though. Sad that she went through all this in the first place.
Sounds like an impactful and informative read, I would do better reading this than listening so I can skim parts that make me uncomfortable.
It was super tough. I listen to a lot of True Crime but if you aren’t used to it—it can bristle. Plus this just pissed me off so I would suggest reading so you can skip some parts.
No, no, I could not listen to this. It would make me angry adn sad
Both!!