While I believe the subject matter of this book is highly significant and warrants further discussion, I found that it does not provide a comprehensive overview of the history of the rape kit. For a narrative that aims to highlight the true creator of this important development, the book appears rather complex, and ultimately, it does not offer substantial insights about her. Instead, it focuses more on individuals who obstructed her efforts or took credit for her work. I had a bit of trouble getting through this one.

The Secret History of the Rape Kit by Pagan Kennedy tells the inspiring and overlooked story of Martha "Marty" Goddard, a woman who helped change how sexual assault cases are handled in America. In the 1970s, Marty volunteered at a crisis hotline and became determined to understand why so many sexual predators were going unpunished. This led her to create the rape kit, a tool that would allow hospitals and police to collect evidence from assault survivors with more care and respect. Despite her crucial role in developing it, a man took credit for her work, and Marty’s contributions were largely forgotten.

Journalist Pagan Kennedy takes readers on a journey to uncover Marty’s story while reflecting on her own experiences with sexual assault. Her research delves into the history of forensics and the challenges survivors face in seeking justice.

The book is both eye-opening and personal, shedding light on a forgotten pioneer and the evolution of justice for assault survivors. While it’s a compelling read, sometimes the focus feels like it is too centered on the author rather than her subject and the broader impact of the rape kit. Still, it’s an important and thought-provoking book, earning 4 out of 5 stars for its story and the way it tackles a tough topic.

This compelling nonfiction book explores the 1970s introduction of the modern rape testing kit in hospitals and police departments across the country. At its center is Marty Goddard, a brilliant yet overlooked woman who developed the rape kit—only to have her contributions erased by a man due to the deep-seated misogyny of the time.

The book is filled with surprising details, from how social issues like racism and sexism influenced the kit’s development to the unexpected role Hugh Hefner played in its creation. It also delves into how misogyny not only denied Marty recognition but also contributed to law enforcement’s reluctance to investigate and prosecute rape cases. Despite her groundbreaking work, Marty’s personal life was marked by immense struggles. The "true crime" portion of this book--where Kennedy tries to find out what happened to Marty after she disappeared from public life--is as fascinating as the rape-kit creation portion.

These elements make the book incredibly powerful. I’m grateful that Kennedy unearthed this history, giving Marty—the complex, pioneering woman she was—the recognition she so rightfully deserves.

This was an interesting history topic. As a fan of Law & Order SVU, the idea of someone needing a rape kit is not an unknown idea. But I had no idea that the history of how the kit came to be and the hurdles that had to be overcome to get it's creation into the hands of hospital workers was way more interesting and tragic than I realized. Unfortunately, women's health is still not at the level it should be nor are claims of assault taken as seriously as they should be. This was a fantastic book and a great read for women's history month!

This was an interesting story about the history of the rape kit's creator who has been buried in history. I overall enjoyed this and found it easy to follow, I just wish it went more into the history of the actual rape kit, not solely its creator if that makes sense.

What an amazing novel. I never knew this history and was fascinated by the research, dedication and context that the author provided. I appreciated how nuanced the conversations around over policing, brutality/ corruption of forces at the time, and the acknowledgment of people of color being disproportionately affected by these issues, even as the main texts focused mostly on white women and figures.

I also loved that there were some alternative solutions of the time and how those solutions were perceived or portrayed and how the pandemic changed some of that. It’s an absolute shame an average rape kit can take around 8 hours of waiting to obtain. I never considered how COVID affected victims’ ability to report their rapes or get rape kits done.

My only critique is it felt white savior-y that the author made it her mission to avenge Marty’s legacy and projected ideals onto her, which I believe she acknowledges in the book.

This is a hard book to read if you’re any sort of victim of sexual assault, so be careful if you are before reading this. Some descriptions are very graphic in their nature.

The Secret History of the Rape Kit by Pagan Kennedy is a true crime history book documenting the invention of one of the most widely used rape kits and forensic sexual assault procedures, as well as the life of its true inventor, Marty Goddard. Both Kennedy and Goddard are SA survivors, and are fervent advocates for justice for all survivors, even if doing so leaves these women vulnerable themselves.

This book is an expansion of Kennedy's previous NYT article (https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2...), so it includes the article text (if not the accompanying photographs) as well as other, new content. It does discuss potentially triggering topics, such as domestic abuse and SA on minors, but is done in a way that feels very personal to the author. Kennedy is open about her motivations and connections to the topic, and documents her research journey not only regarding Goddard, but also about the rape kit itself and its many evolutions from the past to the post-pandemic present.

Focusing on the rape kit as the main connecting thread rather than on Goddard herself lends a clearer structure to the book, though it does also discuss a variety of contemporaneous topics related to the development and implementation (or lack thereof) of the rape kit, including disability rights activists and police brutality and racism. Kennedy includes the on-going flaws in the US police system that keep rape kits and SA cases an ongoing issue, especially for BIPOC women (she uses the term 'women' to include both cis and transwomen, according to her author's note at the beginning of the book), and provides both evidence of solutions that work and the pioneers who create them. This book was an engaging, informative, and highly relevant read, but it is up to the reader to decide if this is a book they are comfortable picking up. Self-care is first and foremost.

Readers looking for similar topics may be interested in: I'll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara, I Know Who You Are by Barbara Rae-Venter, Second City Sinners by Jon Seidel, Sin in the Second City by Abbott Kahler, and Lay Them to Rest by Laurah Norton.

The first half of this? Great.

The second half loses a lot of steam and relies on the author’s bold and wide sweeping supposition once the paper trail runs out.

I think it’s worth reading still, but keep in mind that the second half of the book is almost a memoir.

This was a really interesting read. I never thought about ‘the history’ of the rape kit which is what originally made me interested in this book. This has a lot more history on the person who created it and why which was also interesting. I’m not phased by a lot so I thought it was insightful but do warn anyone who may be triggered by sexual assault.

Kennedy discovers and brings to light the life of pioneering Marty Goddard and the amazing work she did as the inventor of the rape kit and tireless victim advocate in Chicago during the 1970s and 1980s. I found the first half a bit meandering and repetitive, but I really enjoyed the second half. The first half focuses on the author trying to track down Goddard and piece together what happened to her.

I learned a lot about that time period and how transformative forensic evidence became in cases of SA. Although far from a perfect solution, the rape kit and training provided transformed the way SA is treated by medical professionals and law officers. I found the inclusion of historical and cultural background as well as the author’s personal story to be really effective to provide a fuller picture really effective.

Thank you to the publisher for providing this ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Thank you so much to NetGalley, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for an e-arc!
This has been a book I desperately wanted to read right when I heard about it so I was absolutely ecstatic to have the opportunity to read it early. This is an eye opening story about a topic that is very close to me. There were many things that surprised me about the rape kits history and how innovative the idea was which goes to show how the people working right alongside victims unfortunately aren’t taking notice of their needs or what could make the system better.
Nonfiction is sometimes intimidating for me to read but this book was different. The writing was incredibly readable with a fascinating topic. The only thing that prevented me from reading this all at once is that it was very heavy. This is a book to read slowly and to take notes on and journal and reflect about. I’ve been thinking a lot about this book with the current political climate (but really any political climate) and I love hearing about the power Marty and the women beside gave to themselves, each other and all of us.
I love Chicago, whenever I go there I can feel myself becoming who I’m supposed to be and I’m so grateful to Marty for starting this in my city
I will say that the structure of the book was a little interesting at times however that doesn’t really bother me and is sometimes just the nature of nonfiction
I highly recommend this book and am so grateful again for the e-arc

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
**A Fascinating and Frustrating History**

Pagan Kennedy’s *The Secret History of the Rape Kit* is a deeply researched and eye-opening account of how one of the most important forensic tools in sexual assault cases was developed—and how systemic failures prevented it from being widely implemented for decades. Kennedy does an excellent job highlighting the tenacity of its creator, Marty Goddard, while also exposing the frustrating reality of bureaucratic resistance and neglect. The book is both inspiring and enraging, shedding light on a crucial but often overlooked part of history. While at times the narrative could feel dense, the subject matter is essential reading for those interested in justice, advocacy, and forensic science.

I devoured this book! I'm in awe of Marty Goddard and her hard work for creating the rape kit and not even taking credit for it as it would not have been as successful. I hear all the news stories on how many rape kits are currently backlogged(infuriating!!!) and how rapists are rarely prosecuted(infuriating again!!), but I had never thought of the making of the rape kit and how it came to be. This is such a important book that EVERYONE must read. This issue needs to be talked about more.

An informative read from a part of inventive history that is often not learned about.

I found this FASCINATING and maddening (due to the history). I am so glad I read this. Everyone should read this. It's real history that haunts you, that leaves you thinking about it for months to come.

It's definitely one of my favorite reads this year!

4.75/5 ⭐

First of all, I'd like to thank NetGalley as well as the Knopf, Pantheon, and Vintage catalog for approving my request for the eARC. I read The Secret History of the Rape Kit June 2024 and it still lives rent free in my head – 8 months later.

I read this book June 2024, cover to cover within 3 days. It was so compelling. I just devoured this book. Almost left no time to write notes. And obviously, I didn’t write a review right away. I told myself I needed to let it simmer. All the while, I kept telling myself I should just reread it. But oh how time gets away from us...

Overall, the existence of this book makes me so mad. The content, not the author. Every other page I felt I was pausing for a “did she say what I think she said” and “how did we not know” and of course “everything we know about profiling, and creeper behavior is based on assumptions and lies!”. Okay, that last one may be a bit specific…but you get the point.

I appreciate the inclusion of the crime drama, police procedural and actual real life tales within the pages. It helped carry the book and took me from the creation of the rape kit all the way through to how it is used today, and the state of our nations backlog (just maddening).

Given that the book is less than 300 pages, I don't expect that it was supposed to be a comprehensive source on the subject matter. However, my biggest complaint is that I felt that I needed more. I don't have a background in the subject matter, but I was left feeling like I needed more of the history the title promised. I wanted more answers for the how, why’s, and where do I learn more.

And for that, I'm considering buying my own copy just for the bibliography. I want to look up all the things.

This was a really interesting account of how the rape kit came about, and the woman behind the invention, although, unsurprisingly, it's credited to a man.
The story of Marty Goddard, who worked tirelessly, often to the detriment of her own mental health, to advocate for victims of sexual abuse, is awe-inspiring. She is so worthy of all of the accolades that she never cared about.
This book also helps illustrate how low sexual assault crimes have been, and still are, prioritized. It's both infuriating and disappointingly expected.
Thanks to #netgalley and #vintagepublishing for this #arc of #thesecrethistoryoftherapekit by #pagankennedy in exchange for an honest review.

Really fascinating read that finally gives credit to the woman who deserves it.. a compelling and heartbreaking story

This was an impactful and deeply personal read. Naturally, much of the content is sensitive and unsettling, but I appreciate the author’s willingness to open up about her own story while creating a safe space for readers to become better informed.

One of my favorite things about this book is its length—it’s incredibly efficient. We get a wealth of information while also following Kennedy’s journalistic journey, shining a light on the forgotten woman behind the rape kit. The writing is clear, focused, and poignant.

It’s no surprise that a woman was behind the invention of the rape kit. What’s heartbreaking is the struggle to have it taken seriously—a struggle that, in many ways, continues today. The book also highlights the countless ways survivors' voices are suppressed and the systemic obstacles that remain in place to undermine their protection and justice. One of the most fascinating (and equally frustrating) aspects was learning about the various attempts to create in-home kits and the behind-the-scenes processes of forensic evidence collection.

Reading this, you can’t help but feel a heavy heart. While the book honors Mary Goddard in a powerful, almost heroic way, it’s devastating to see the hardships she endured—both in her personal life and in her fight for justice. The author does an excellent job depicting Goddard’s resilience, making this a truly necessary read.

Thank you to Netgalley & Vintage for this egalley!

e-ARC from NetGalley.

If you were to ask me who spearheaded the use of rape kits in US police departments, I'd tell you I don't know.

If you told me it was a woman whose credit was then stolen by a corrupt police officer, I'd tell you that sounds about right.

Anyway. That's what happened. Then the woman became an alcoholic, went crazy, & died.

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers copy of The Secret History of the Rape Kit by Pagan Kennedy!