Did not finish. I got 9% of the way in at it is a drag of overly redundant information. I can't recommend.

Deeply Researched..
A deep dive account into the case of a murdered family, a quest for justice and the questions that still remain. The McStays, a family of four, went missing from their home in San Diego seemingly without a trace until remains were discovered some four years later in the Mojave Desert. The author provides an eloquent and detailed account of the case and of the controversy that still remains. Well presented and deeply researched.

Such a sad story. Such a tragedy. But the author really did it justice in the retelling. I couldn't stop reading this book. I was hooked.

Caitlin Rother delivers a thoroughly researched and compelling true crime narrative with Down to the Bone. I had never heard of this case before, and I was fascinated by how much I learned through Rother’s in-depth investigation.

The book examines the shocking disappearance and murder of the McStay family, whose remains were discovered years after they mysteriously vanished from their California home. Rother meticulously unpacks the evidence, the twists in the investigation, and the trial of Charles “Chase” Merritt, the man convicted of the crime. But was justice truly served? Through extensive research and interviews, Rother raises critical questions about Merritt’s conviction, exploring whether he was wrongfully accused or if the evidence truly proves his guilt.

With a masterful blend of investigative journalism and gripping storytelling, Down to the Bone keeps readers engaged while challenging them to consider the complexities of the case. A must-read for true crime enthusiasts who appreciate deep dives into forensic evidence, legal battles, and the pursuit of justice.

This is like the Mary Celeste of disappearance cases. An entire family disappears, leaving food out to rot and decay and the family pet to potentially starve to death. Was this a case of murder suicide or something even more sinister intensively researched and presented in a non-sensationalistic way, this is a chilling account of murder and madness.

As with Rother’s previous books, this was meticulously researched and crafted. Down to the Bone is a gripping deep dive into the tragic case of the McStay family, who vanished from their Southern California home in 2010. Rother unravels the chilling mystery of their brutal murders, the controversial conviction of Chase Merritt, and the lingering doubts that haunt the case. A haunting true-crime read that challenges the boundaries of justice and leaves readers questioning what really happened.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Kensington Publishing for providing an eARC of Down to the Bone:
A Missing Familys Murder and the Elusive Quest for Justice prior to publication.