The Fairbanks Four: Murder, Injustice, and the Birth of a Movement
by Brian Patrick O’Donoghue
Investigative Journalism at It's Finest (4/17/2025)
Professor Brian O'Donoghue, a former reporter with the local Fairbanks newspaper, notes the crime of a murder of a young white Alaskan boy in 1997. Initially he finds flaws in the prosecution's case but four Native Alaskan men are convicted of the crime. Once Professor Donoghue begins teaching at the University of Alaska he enlists his journalism students to examine all aspects of the crime and research every document that can be found as well as conducting interviews with all possible witnesses.
The book details their years of extensive research for all information in the case that could reveal the poor conduct and discrimination of the Fairbanks police and state prosecutors. They work to present their findings to the public to force a retrial of the victims. This book details the intensive techniques of investigative journalism and brings in history of discrimination against Alaskan natives. For those who enjoy a true crime story this is highly recommended.
Also a somewhat similar story to Killers of the Flower Moon. If you are interested in justice for the Native Americans in our country still fighting for recognition today then this is an important book to read.
The Last Russian Doll
by Kristen Loesch
Everything You Want in Good Historical Fiction (10/12/2022)
The Last Russian Doll will take you through the history of the Russian Revolution and into late 20th century Russia with well defined, believable and enthralling characters. You will meet also a modern day woman of Russian descent who is looking for information on her mother's past and ends up searching in Russian archives, meeting people from her mother's past and discovering much about herself. All of this presents a mystery which you will continually be trying to solve throughout the story, Bravo, Ms. Loesch for bringing it all together in one story, history, enthralling characters, and a great mystery to solve. This book is definitely for historical mystery lovers!
Mercies in Disguise: A Story of Hope, a Family's Genetic Destiny, and the Science That Rescued Them
by Gina Kolata
Facing the Fight of Your Life Against Genetic Destiny (11/23/2016)
This book is an absolutely fascinating story of a family that struggles to discover what is happening to them when they realize that each generation has faced a dreadful neurological disease that defies diagnosis. The symptoms are a combination of Parkinson's and Alzheimer's and every specialist diagnoses with Alzheimer's or has no idea. There is nothing they can offer for treatment. Finally the youngest generation, in Amanda Baxley, seeks to discover the truth about her own status and must make life-changing decisions based on the results. Ms. Kolkata also presents the research being done on this and other rare genetic mutations that cause neurological diseases. The book reads like a fast-paced mystery where you are entirely immersed in the family and their search for help. The reader can't help but develop a special empathy for Amanda as she tries to lead her life in a proud and fulfilling way in the hopes that she is providing a future for those who face these diseases.