An in-depth look at the 1994 case of 'Jane Doe', a Black lesbian who was raped in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, & who faced several decades of waiting for justice. Not only did Doe survive the attack, she also survived the smear campaign headed by reporter Mike McAlary who wrote several articles basically accusing Doe of making the whole thing up. It took 23 years before the case was finally reopened, & closure & an apology was gained for 'Jane Doe' by the tenacity of the author, a retired detective & lead investigator on the case at the time.

This is a harrowing read at times due to the subject & the roadblocks that 'Jane Doe' & the investigators of the case faced. It was soul-destroying to read the numerous setbacks that were experienced in the quest for justice & it is no wonder that so many survivors give up.

The author looks at the changes & breakthroughs in forensics which allows cold cases to now be solved using techniques which were not available back then, & also discusses the US law in regards to journalists & freedom of speech. It was concise, it was evidence-based, & it explained the law well, but it was written in a very dry style, a lot like what I would imagine reading a police report is like. I'm afraid my attention would start to wander at times. 3.25 stars (rounded down)

My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Bloomsbury Academic, for the opportunity to read an ARC.

This book delves into the mishandling of a rape investigation that occurred in Brooklyn, New York in April of 1994.

Times have definitely changed since this crime happened, but unfortunately it is not surprising that something this outrageous and disgusting happened to the survivor of one of the most horrific crimes. Miscarriage of justice doesn’t even come close to what occurred with this case. The blatant disregard for Jane and her experience was absolutely atrocious and sickening. This book focused quite a bit on statistics, research, and details of other cases. I particularly was interested in how DNA was processed and the advancements in that technology between the time of the rape and the re-opening of the case. I also felt it important that the author included copies of the articles written regarding Jane’s case. This book will make you feel a wide range of emotions. Such a heavy topic was addressed respectfully and thoroughly.

Brooklyn's Jane Doe by S.A. Mather is a powerful book that often angered and frustrated me, and one that will stay with the reader long after the last page is turned.
Former New York detective turned author S.A. Mathers shines a light on one of the most disgraceful cases that she encountered during her time on the force, the horrific story of Jane Doe, who in her own words "was raped twice - once in the park and again in the media". Brooklyn 1994, a young Black woman known only as Jane Doe was brutally raped by a stranger, The assault would become infamous because of a series of articles by Pulitzer Prize winning crime writer Mike McAlary, which were based on misleading information from an unknown source in the NYPD, and asserted that the assault never happened but was fabricated by Jane Doe for political purposes. The articles effectively devolved into a smear campaign which not only further victimised Jane Doe but in no small way added to the barriers that victims face when reporting assault and the fear that they will not be believed. Unsolved at the time the case was reopened by a cold case unit decades later and given the progress in forensic techniques and DNA analysis in particular the identity of her attacker was established, a man with a history of violent crime who was imprisoned for a series of rapes committed in the late 1990s. Unbelievably the statute of limitations at the time of Jane's attack was just 5 years, a ridiculously short time given the lasting physical and psychological effects experienced by the victims of the crime, and I was glad to learn that this has since been changed for the better. There was quite a lot of detail about both the forensic processes and the legalities involved in pursuing a conviction for these types of crimes and while it was interesting it definitely bogged me down a little in the middle of the book,
This is a disturbing book about power and abuse and while I am hopeful that things have changed for the better I am not yet fully convinced, especially given the current political climate in the States that a queer woman of colour would fare much better today than Jane Doe did all those years ago.
I read and reviewed an ARC courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher, all opinions are my own.

This is one of those books which leaves you shaking your head and disgusted at the way we treat our fellow humans. It is also a book about rape, about credibility, and about the politics of policing. A woman ~ the titular Jane Doe ~ is raped in a park in New York. Unlike many victims, she reports her assault and her life changes in unforeseen ways. This isn’t a book about solving historical crimes. This is a book about an innocent woman being betrayed by the very people who should have been protecting her.

NYPD officials leaked incorrect details to the press and a respected reporter printed them. Even when he was told his story was incorrect, the reporter doubled down and even managed to make himself some sort of victim.

Years later a cold case squad find the perpetrator and Jane Doe is finally vindicated.

There is so much to unpack in this book. I’d like to think things have improved over the years but I’m not that sure they have. Politics too often plays a part in policing. I cringe when I hear the phrase "innocent victim" like there’s a scale of culpability in crime. But then we have to face the fact that there is and usually a queer woman of colour will not get the same respect as a middle class white woman. But as long as there are dedicated police officers like the original detective on this case and the author, I believe there is hope in the world.

A shocking true story of power and abuse. It needs to be told and understood.

I was given a copy of this book by NetGalley

Brooklyn's Jane Doe: Tbhe Mishandling of a Sexual Assault Investigation by S. A. Mathers covers the handling of a case the media titled Booklyn's Jane Doe.

Jane Doe is a queer woman of color, the media portrayed that she was making uo her story for political amplication, and a journalistic smear campaign began against her. This resulted in Jane Doe suffering even more and let to survivors keeping quiet rather than speaking up so that they don't have to face the same treatement.

23 years later, the lead detective on the case, retired detective S.A. Mathers helped Jane Doe finally receive her apology and closure on the case.

This book highlights not only her story but the struggle that so many survivors face. Jane Doe is quoted as saying " I was raped twice, once in the park and once in the media." I think this explains how a lot of survivors feel when they come forward with their story and aren't believed..

Thank you S.A. Mathers for working with NetGalley. I received an advanced reader copy of this book in exchange for my honest opinion and review.

Arrives in stores Sept. 4th 2025

You know those books that leave you sitting there, coffee going cold, just turning things over in your mind? That was me after finishing Brooklyn’s Jane Doe, a powerful, infuriating, and deeply human non-fiction account that’s stayed with me.

This isn’t a “true crime for entertainment” kind of read. It’s the real-life story of a woman, Jane Doe, who survived a brutal sexual assault in a Brooklyn park in 1994, only to be assaulted again in the headlines. In her own words, she was “raped twice, once in the park, and again in the media.” Pulitzer Prize–winning journalist Mike McAlary, fed inaccurate information by police, ran with a story accusing her of fabricating the assault for political reasons. He didn’t fact-check, he didn’t question his sources, and the smear stuck.

Decades later, the Special Victims Unit cold case team finally did what should have been done from day one. Using modern DNA testing, they identified the attacker, for other Sexual assualts, he was a man with a long history of sexual violence, already behind bars for other crimes; it was a bittersweet victory: Jane Doe finally had the truth on record, but the years of damage caused by the media and the justice system could never be undone.

The book has information on statute of limitations laws, the mechanics of DNA testing, the intricacies of cold case investigations, and the role of the press in shaping public perception. I won’t lie: at times, it felt like a lot to take in. But the balance is there. The research is thorough, the writing empathetic, and the heart of Jane Doe’s story never gets lost in the legal and procedural details.

What frustrates me, and still does, is the statute of limitations on crimes like this. The idea that someone can commit a heinous act, evade justice long enough, and then live free from fear of prosecution is something I’ll never understand. And McAlary’s refusal to admit he was wrong just reinforced how careless and damaging bad journalism can be.

Despite the heaviness of the subject, Brooklyn’s Jane Doe is an essential read. It challenges how we think about justice, truth, and the systems that are meant to protect victims, and it’s as relevant today as it was in 1994.

I’m giving it four out of five stars. It’s a tough but necessary book, and I think it will resonate with anyone who cares about accountability, whether in the courtroom, the newsroom, or beyond.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bloomsbury Academic for supplying me with the e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

The first half of this book held my interest. I wish I could say the same for the 2nd half, but not so much. My eyes glazed over from so much DNA details. Guess I just wasn't up for this type of a read now.

"Brooklyn’s Jane Doe," authored by S.A. Mathers, presents a poignant narrative centered on a woman identified solely as Jane Doe, who was sexually assaulted in Prospect Park, Brooklyn, in 1994. The account reveals how journalist Mike McAlary disparaged her allegations as a "hoax," exacerbating the victim's trauma. Years later, Mathers, a former NYPD detective, ultimately exonerates Jane Doe when new DNA evidence unveiled a suspect. Each chapter of the narrative uncovers layers of bureaucratic indifference and negligence. This book transcends this individual case to address systemic issues within law enforcement. This book is a powerful critique of systemic failures and a call for justice and accountability. This book has an empathetic tone, and recounts Jane Doe’s experiences in an unbiased way. This novel is a true account of highlighting a failure to protect some of the most vulnerable people. This book is a great contribution to discussions surrounding sexual assault and justice. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the advance review copy in exchange for my review.

Brooklyn’s Jane Doe is the retelling of the traumatic story of a woman, know only as Jane Doe, who was raped in Brooklyn’s Prospect Park in 1994, in which a newspaper columnist labeled the accusation a “hoax”, and the aftermath of that storyline. The author is a retired NYPD detective who reopened the investigation after she was instrumental in forming a sexual assault cold case squad. The author devotes a great deal of the book eviscerating celebrated columnist Mike McAlary who, citing “inside sources” accused Jane Doe of fabricating the rape. Many years later new DNA testing identified a suspect, vindicating Jane Doe. Unfortunately the book is a bit dry, with a lot of repetition and mundane details whereas the subtitle spotlighted a “mishandling” of the investigation, but instead focused on McClary’s poor reporting. A powerful and disturbing story indeed, but the tile is extremely misleading. I received an ARC of this book from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

S.A. Mathers’ Brooklyn’s Jane Doe is not just a book—it’s a reckoning. With the precision of a seasoned journalist and the empathy of a survivor-centered advocate, Mathers exposes the harrowing collapse of justice in a case that should have galvanized protection, not silence. This is a story about a young woman brutalized twice: first by her assailant, and then by the very institutions sworn to protect her.

🧩 Mathers structures the book like a forensic dossier that breathes. Each chapter peels back another layer of bureaucratic indifference, police negligence, and prosecutorial apathy. The pacing is taut, yet never sensationalized. Instead, Mathers allows the facts—painful, infuriating, and often surreal—to speak for themselves. The result is a narrative that reads like a thriller but lands like a gut punch.

💔 What makes Brooklyn’s Jane Doe so devastating is not just what is said, but what is left unsaid. The anonymity of the survivor—referred to only as “Jane Doe”—becomes a haunting symbol of how survivors are erased, anonymized, and ultimately forgotten. Mathers never exploits her subject’s pain; instead, she restores her dignity by refusing to let her story be buried under red tape and procedural failure.

⚖️ This book is not just about one case—it’s about a pattern. Mathers deftly connects Jane Doe’s story to broader systemic issues: the backlog of untested rape kits, the culture of disbelief within law enforcement, and the racial and socioeconomic biases that determine whose pain is prioritized. The book becomes a damning indictment of a justice system that too often protects power over people.

🎙️ Mathers writes with a controlled fury that simmers beneath every sentence. Her voice is clear, authoritative, and unflinching. She does not posture as a savior or a voyeur; she is a witness, and she demands that we become witnesses too. Her meticulous sourcing and refusal to sensationalize lend the book a moral clarity that is rare in true crime.

Required Reading for a Culture in Denial - Brooklyn’s Jane Doe is not an easy read, nor should it be. It is a necessary one. For readers who value investigative rigor, social justice, and survivor-centered storytelling, this book is essential. Mathers doesn’t just tell a story—she issues a call to action.

Rating: ★★★★★ (5/5)

This is a powerful and deeply moving account that sheds light on the painful journey survivors face—both during and long after their assault. It highlights how our justice system too often fails those it should protect, especially when the survivor is someone society tends to overlook.

Telling the true story of a queer woman of color whose rape was ignored, distorted, and mocked by the media and police, this book does more than recount a crime—it exposes systemic injustice. The trauma inflicted was permanent, but years later, author S.A. Mathers revisited the case, helping to give Jane Doe the voice and apology she always deserved.

Everything is laid out clearly and compassionately, making difficult topics accessible and impactful. This isn’t just a true crime story—it’s a call for justice. A painful yet powerful reminder of how often survivors are doubted, silenced, and discarded—and how truth can still rise, even decades later.

This book is an essential read. Read it. Remember it. Share it. It’s not just important—it’s necessary. I was blown away by this book - an easy 5 stars.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for my review.

Brooklyn’s Jane Doe is one of the most important and devastating reads I have picked up this year. This book is a must-read for anyone who cares about justice, LGBTQ+ advocacy, true crime, or the power of investigative journalism to both harm and heal.

S.A. Mathers revisits the heartbreaking case of a queer woman of color who was raped in 1994 and then retraumatized by the media and law enforcement. Her story was cruelly twisted by journalist Mike McAlary, who doubted her credibility and turned a survivor’s trauma into tabloid fodder. The case became a symbol of everything wrong with the system: disbelief, silencing, and the erasure of marginalized voices.

Mathers reopens the case decades later and finally brings the dignity, truth, and justice Jane Doe deserved all along. This is not just a true crime story; it is a reckoning. The writing is clear, passionate, and full of integrity. The fact that the author was the lead investigator adds weight to every page.

It is not an easy book to read, but it is necessary. I hope this story is never forgotten.

S.A. Mathers’ Brooklyn’s Jane Doe is a devastatingly honest, deeply compassionate, and ultimately hopeful account of one woman’s brutal mistreatment—not only at the hands of her attacker, but by a justice system and media machine that should have protected her. This is not only the story of a horrific assault, but of a reckoning, a restoration, and a powerful testimony to the resilience of survivors.

Written with both investigative precision and immense empathy, Mathers reopens a case long buried under misinformation and media bias. At its heart is Jane Doe, a queer woman of color whose voice was cruelly stripped from her by the very institutions meant to support her. The book does what few ever manage—it restores dignity to a silenced woman, and accountability to those who wronged her.

Mathers writes not just as a detective, but as a human being deeply moved by the injustice he uncovers. His care in reconstructing what happened—and why it was ignored—is a masterclass in trauma-informed storytelling. Without sensationalism, Brooklyn’s Jane Doe walks the reader through the damage caused by disbelief, the insidiousness of media narratives, and the strength required to speak the truth again, and again, and again.

This is an essential read for anyone invested in justice, in the integrity of journalism, and in believing survivors. While painful at times, it is also redemptive. It reminds us that it is never too late to listen, to act, and to make things right. Jane Doe's courage and Mathers’ unwavering pursuit of the truth make this book not only important, but unforgettable.

I received a copy for review. All opinions are my own. This is an eye opening look at what a victim has to go through during and after their assault. It is something that occurs still to this day and this book did an amazing job of explaining the flaws of our systems that make it so hard to get justice with crimes like this. Everything was laid out so well and explained in a way I could understand. This is a very important story and this book is an absolute must read!