Have questions about the McStay family murder case or my new book, Down to the Bone?

I have some, but not all of, answers...

I’m thrilled to say that I’ve been getting some really nice feedback from readers of my new book, Down to the Bone, which is very rewarding after spending so many years in isolation researching and writing this book.

It took me 12 years in this case, which is longer than probably any of the other books I’ve written, partly because it started out as a missing person’s case, and then turned into a death penalty case, which always take a long time to get to trial.

Although most readers are saying that they found the book fascinating and the research exhaustive, some are also expressing frustration 1) that our criminal justice system is so messed up, and 2) that they still have questions about the case after they’ve finished the book, although they admit that is not necessarily my fault, but rather seems to be inherent to this case in particular.

They also want to know my opinion about whether Charles “Chase” Merritt really killed this family of four, and if not him, then who.

If they ask me that question at a book talk, I repeat my constant refrain, that I am not taking a position on that topic other than this: After all those years of research—going through investigative reports, witness interviews and background info gathered by both sheriff’s agencies that worked this case—I still don’t know who killed this family.

Unfortunately, for legal and liability reasons the book will have to speak for itself in many aspects, in terms of how this case was handled, and who was thoroughly investigated—and not investigated. I have to be careful about what I say for those reasons, but I also don’t feel it’s my place as a journalist to express my opinion about whether I think these sheriff’s agencies are corrupt or inept, no matter how many times readers ask me to.

I have chosen not to offer speculation, alternate theories or suspects in the case, only to point to holes or discrepancies in the ones presented in court. I’ve simply laid out the relevant evidence in the book to raise questions for you, the reader, to the podcast hosts, and to the media to ponder and discuss. And based on all of these questions I’m hearing, I’m happy to say that I have achieved my goal.

That said, I thought it would be helpful for those of you who are not able to attend one of my book talks, where I do spend a good amount of time answering questions, to post several links to recent podcast interviews I’ve done about the book and how I put it together:

“Ivy League Murders” with Sarah Alcorn and Laura Rodrigues McDonald

“True Murder” with Dan Zupansky

“House of Mystery” with Alan Warren

“Websleuths Live” with Tricia Arrington Griffith

“Darkness Radio” with Tim Dennis

I’ve still got a bunch more talk-signings scheduled in the next six weeks and beyond, including at the Poisoned Pen in Scottsdale, AZ, (Aug. 15) and at Peregrine Books (Aug. 16) in Prescott, AZ, and also a speech, Q&A and signings at Killer Nashville (Aug. 21-24).

I welcome you to attend one of these and ask whatever questions you have. Although I can’t answer some of these I’ve just stated, there are plenty more that I can. I take great satisfaction in the fact that many attendees are shaking their heads at the new details I’ve revealed about the case that have never been made public before. That’s why I became a journalist in the first place. To tell the truth, because that’s what matters.