A very well written, and important book! It was easy to follow and understand and it gave me new information I wasn't aware of before.

Easy to follow, read and understand.

Very well written.

This is such an important read and I have to say thank you to the author and publishers for bringing this book into fruition.

Thank you NetGalley, Pagan Kennedy, Knopf, Pantheon, Vintage, and Anchor for giving me an ARC of this book!

Sometimes when I start a nonfiction book, I am a little worried going in that I will be overwhelmed either by the content or the speech. As I often have told my husband, "I am not smart enough for this book."

Pagan Kennedy's "Secret History of the Rape Kit" was so easy to read and follow. It's well written and has the perfect amount of details, so I feel her book is most accessible to EVERY level of reader which is so important with this topic.

This was a fascinating, educating read and her book is IMPORTANT. I worried that this book could potentially be graphic or triggering to people who had been assaulted, and while it may bother some-- I truly felt that Pagan was mindful of reader's experiences.

I highly recommend this book. Thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for an advanced copy!

This was so interesting. There was a lot history that I was not aware of, plus the storyline of finding Marty was really well done.

4 stars

Thank you to NetGalley and Vintage for providing me with an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

In The Secret History of the Rape Kit, Pagan Kennedy uncovers the hidden story behind one of the most transformative innovations in forensic science: the rape kit. The book revolves around Martha "Marty" Goddard, a little-known pioneer whose work changed how sexual assault cases were handled by hospitals and police departments. Kennedy meticulously details Goddard's crusade in the 1970s to provide survivors of sexual violence with dignity, accountability, and justice, revolutionizing evidence collection in the process. Yet despite her monumental efforts, Goddard allowed a man to take credit for her work—a detail that adds layers of complexity to her story.

This is such an important book. While I know that Kennedy has received criticism for sharing her own story, I think that this was a powerful way for her to acknowledge the importance of Marty’s work while calling out broader systemic failures that allowed sexual predators to evade justice for so long. This is not only an eye-opening history of a crucial forensic development, but also a moving tribute to the enduring fight for women's rights.

This was quite an interesting read. I had no idea that one woman, Marty Goddard, was responsible for pushing for a better system for rape/molestation victims. There was quite a taboo when this was created and girls/women were made to feel shame and horrible for rape happening to them. Marty was an innovator and fought for victims of rape to be treated with dignity.

This book was written from a journalistic point of view. While it had good background and history the graphic descriptions of assaults didn't seem to be needed. Yes the book is about the rape kit you know rape will be discussed didn't expect graphic descriptions was more expecting to read how the kit was developed and put into use.

This book is a true work of journalism and the way it highlights and uncovers the truth, while telling the story of both the author’s and Marty Goddard’s life. Thanks to Kennedy’s many years of hard work, the woman that deserves the credit (Marty Goddard), now has that and we also get to see how Goddard’s life led her to this path. The main criticism I saw before reading this book was that the author tells too much of her own story, but I don’t agree with that at all. To me, learning Kennedy’s story helps the reader to understand how she relates topic and why she was so passionate in uncovering the truth. The only real criticism I do have is how Kennedy did center r*pe as something that only happens to women - almost always referring to survivors in general as her or she. This was definitely a tough read but also such an important topic and I truly do feel like I learned so much both on the history and modern day technology pertaining to the topic.

This was a great read! I can't believe rape kits aren't talked about more. This book was very informative without being boring, and kept you wondering what the next chapter would be about. Books like this make me remember that I do like non-fiction books.

This book is an interesting read about something a lot of us don't think about often. Rape kits. I was drawn to the story because it is your average historical event where a woman is swept under the rug and a man is called a hero. Unfortunately this wasn't quite what I wanted for this important of a subject. The author was informal and kept calling the Martha Goddard by her nickname. She would call all the male professionals involved by their last name and then call her Marty in the same sentence. It felt a little infantilizing and gave a weird vibe. My other issue is that he story was not as linear and cohesive as it could be. We bounced around a lot in time and then would have the author's trauma thrown in randomly. I understand the intended purpose of sharing the trauma but it wasn't something that felt necessary and could be jarring. I wish there was more of a focus on the actual rape kits and their general impact. I was simply left wanting more from this book. I still think everyone should read it to learn a little about Martha Goddard and her life's work though.

Fascinating, I'm not sure you can enjoy reading some of these themes but I feel more enriched and empowered as a woman to continue fighting for other women after reading.

Ida Tarbell, the investigative reporter of the early 20th century, once said about women and inventions, “What does the record show? Three things worth knowing and believing that women have invented large number of useful articles: that these patents are not confined to ‘clothes and kitchen’ devices as the skeptical masculine mind avers; that invention is a field in which woman has large possibilities.” The Secret History of the Rape Kit by Pagan Kennedy is the story of Martha “Marty” Goddard who made the Rape Kit a reality and then disappeared from public life. Kennedy lays down the story of the invention of the kit and then her search for the elusive Goddard.

Goddard and her story are intriguing. She did a lot of good work on behalf of women in the early seventies by working with the police and hospitals to come up with a system to help victims of rape and sexual assault. Goddard did a lot of good social justice work. In the book, we ride along with Kennedy as she tracks down and interviews Goddard’s friends and family. We also learn that the Kit was named after a male detective instead of Goddard as an effort to make the kit more palatable. Goddard herself, being more concerned that the Rape Kit being used may have pushed that. Goddard’s later life took a turn, which I won’t reveal as a spoiler. We also learn more about Kennedy herself as she tells her own story of sexual assault.

There is a bigger story here, introduced late in the book, and perhaps a more significant crime in an actual crime book. And that is how the rape kits were used, or not used, misplaced, and how, in many circumstances, the one device that would help a victim left them abused by police, the emergency rooms, and left waiting for hours in an ER when the only place you’d want to be is at home taking a shower. Of how kits moldered on shelves or were dumped, and there was no system to catch the perps despite what you see on Law & Order: SVU allowing serial rapists to roam free.

There are many mini-stories in this book. I appreciated a section where the magical “profiling” we hear about may be a crock. That chapter alone was worth a read and makes you go, “Huh.”

I was also intrigued by the information about how changes to the rape kit were shelved until the pandemic made them all of a sudden okay. For instance, women are pushing for at-home kits, which make complete sense post-pandemic. If anything, I believe that with a new focus on women’s health, we are about to see an explosion of inventions by and for women. I recently read that we may soon be doing at-home pap smears because, for decades, we never questioned if going into an exam room for a humiliating poking and prodding and speculum wasn’t the only possible way to find out about our health. That is unless we vote Trump back in, and the Heritage Foundation and Project 2025 folks have their way. Then it is back to not even reporting rapes and sexual assaults.

So hurray for technological advances. I grew up in Northern California, where my 70s childhood neighborhood was terrified by the Golden State Killer (then the East Area Rapist), and it was through today’s DNA technology that he was finally caught. While I’m here for a true crime, I do recommend I’ll Be Gone in the Dark by Michelle McNamara.

All in all, this book was a good read. It taught me and made me think. I’m happy to see Marty Goddard get the recognition she deserves.

It should go without saying that everyone should read this book. At the very least, it should be required reading in school. The great Pagan Kennedy has taken a topic that very little is known about and illuminated it beyond just the history. By utilizing historical documents, infusing her own personal stories, and personifying the individuals involved, Kennedy has made a very readable treatise on sexual assault, and of course forensics.

This story is so intriguing, and while the history won't surprise you, it does dislodge another brick in the former sexist, misogynistic wall that keeps women from thriving in today's world. Not a sermon, but a powerful story for all.
#knopfvintageanchort #vintage #knopf #pagankennedy #thesecrethistoryoftherapekit

**⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ | A Fascinating and Important History**

Pagan Kennedy’s *The Secret History of the Rape Kit* shines a much-needed light on the development and impact of a critical tool in the fight for justice for sexual assault survivors. Kennedy’s thorough research uncovers the little-known story behind the creation of the rape kit, weaving together the scientific, legal, and social challenges that shaped its evolution. The book is both informative and compelling, offering readers a deep appreciation for the people who fought to bring this tool into existence. While some sections may delve heavily into technical details, the overall narrative is powerful and enlightening, making it an essential read for those interested in justice and women’s rights.

he Secret History of the Rape Kit was very informative, and personable. So many hurdles to jump through but I am glad to say that Marty Goddard has her story out there. So many gaps shows just how dedicated she was to her job that getting to know the real woman is elusive. I am saddened by the trauma Marty, the author Pagan and so many others have experienced in this world, and the lack of empathy shown by this patriarchal society we live in. DNA evidence is a wonderful thing, but it is so unfortunate that someone claiming bodily harm has been so readily questioned for the truth. I admit the book has gaps as far as gender equality as it centers mostly on women, but in all honesty, that is the demographic this kit benefits the most. Evidence is only as good as the collection procedure and analyzation. Great read, easy to understand, and is a page turner.

This book has brought so much light to the truth behind the creation of the rape kit, the stigma of being raped, and how rape victims are still being denied their human right to heal from the rape on their own terms.

This book was a very interesting read. I know just in general sexual assault is more common than people say. But the history on how and why the rape kit was developed was intriguing to learn about as well as just shocking how things were done back in the 1960s-1980s. Even still there are issues with the store of these evidence kits and the practices of using them.

I really liked how the Pagan was getting into the nitty gritty of finding Marty Goddard and all her research. I might have to look more into this.

An exploration of a criminal investigation tool whose history is seldom thought much about, despite its importance, along with the complicated history of the woman who created it.

Thanks to Vintage and NetGalley for the free e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

The Secret History of the Rape Kit by Pagan Kennedy is, well, exactly what it sounds like: a deep dive into how the rape kit as we know it came to be. In order to tell us about how the rape kit was created, Kennedy tells us about Marty Goddard, the woman behind the man credited for the rape kit. Her crusade made the world a demonstrably safer place, though there's still a long way to go.

I appreciated a lot of what this book was doing, but at times, it felt very disjointed and unorganized. The writing was good, but it didn't feel well paced or put in the most compelling way. You can tell from how Kennedy reveals parts of Goddard's story that this isn't an "I talked to this person and got their perspective" type of book, so you can kind of guess what happened to her. The messiness is a reminder that everyone's human and the toll life can take on people.

Writing this took a lot of guts, which I applaud, but I wish it was better organized and ended with something more than a fizzle.

This book is complicated. While it is a history of the rape kit, it is also a somewhat muddled mess of a memoir, as well as a biography of the person who created the kit. Honestly, I feel like the original article would suffice, but I can’t make a definitive statement as it is now hidden behind a paywall. The history of how victims have/are treated is appalling, and the kit is easily one of the greatest inventions in crime history. Unfortunately, this book struggles on focus. I’m glad I read it, because I learned a lot, so please don’t think the research isn’t there. It is simply in-between stories of the author’s history and her search for the kit creator. Both which I found to be unnecessary, or at least given out or context and not cohesive with the rest of the story. Thank you NetGalley for the arc!