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She's Gone: Five Mysterious Twentieth-Century Cold Cases
She’s Gone collects the true stories of five different women living in different decades who all have one thing in one moment they were busy living their lives and the next moment … they were gone.
From the 1910 disappearance of New York heiress Dorothy Arnold to the 1977 vanishing of teenager Simone Ridinger, author Brunelle details both famous and lesser-known cases that remain unsolved. Board a luxury liner with Agnes Tufverson as she embarks on a European honeymoon before her mysterious 1933 disappearance over the Atlantic; follow Jean Spangler to a famous 1940s Hollywood nightclub as she arrives for a clandestine meeting in a private booth.
Due to a strong belief that good girls didn’t disappear, when authorities and family members were presented with missing women in the twentieth century, it was often assumed that they had simply ran away. Most investigations were funded by family members, and when women were found to be the victims of violent crime, they were faulted for placing themselves in dangerous situations. On the rare occasions when authorities investigated cases, they relied on interviews and cash trails in combination with rudimentary forensics such as blood typing and fingerprinting to find missing persons. For those reasons, many of the real stories from this time period have yet to be told.
Featuring never-before-seen letters and documents, personal interviews, and genealogical research alongside captivating storytelling, Brunelle delves deep into the lives of those who disappeared and the circumstances surrounding their disappearances.
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From the 1910 disappearance of New York heiress Dorothy Arnold to the 1977 vanishing of teenager Simone Ridinger, author Brunelle details both famous and lesser-known cases that remain unsolved. Board a luxury liner with Agnes Tufverson as she embarks on a European honeymoon before her mysterious 1933 disappearance over the Atlantic; follow Jean Spangler to a famous 1940s Hollywood nightclub as she arrives for a clandestine meeting in a private booth.
Due to a strong belief that good girls didn’t disappear, when authorities and family members were presented with missing women in the twentieth century, it was often assumed that they had simply ran away. Most investigations were funded by family members, and when women were found to be the victims of violent crime, they were faulted for placing themselves in dangerous situations. On the rare occasions when authorities investigated cases, they relied on interviews and cash trails in combination with rudimentary forensics such as blood typing and fingerprinting to find missing persons. For those reasons, many of the real stories from this time period have yet to be told.
Featuring never-before-seen letters and documents, personal interviews, and genealogical research alongside captivating storytelling, Brunelle delves deep into the lives of those who disappeared and the circumstances surrounding their disappearances.
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272 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 21, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews
May 14, 2024
This book is a compilation of five different women during different times that all disappeared. The author does a great job of explaining what happened with all the research and presenting the information associated with each case. At times I found the book a bit bland and I really like true crime stories. If you are a fan of true crime and like the basic facts and information about a case, then I’d recommend this book.
Thank you Kathleen Brunelle and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book before it’s released ❤️
Thank you Kathleen Brunelle and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book before it’s released ❤️
May 10, 2024
She's Gone by Kathleen Brunelle has two things going for it and one major knock against it. The two good things are Brunelle's prose and research. The major knock is fatal to this book, though. There is no, "Why?"
Brunelle looks at five cold cases involving women who were never found. Each case is a bit different, but I should point out that three of the cases have a crystal clear culprit. Even still, Brunelle had to do a tremendous amount of research to fill out the stories. They are still short, though. You get all the details about the case but not a lot about the women from a personal standpoint. I think Brunelle dug up all she could, but the backgrounds are somewhat minimal.
Ultimately, the thing which keeps me from fully recommending this book is the lack of a reason for it. In only one case is there information about the ongoing search which means this book isn't about reopening cold cases. The women themselves don't have enough backstory to pull in the reader. Finally, the cases don't even have a theme which runs between them. Three of them could definitely be about partner violence but the other two are head scratchers. Brunelle does a short page or so at the end of each story to pull it all together but it is not enough to leave an impression.
She's Gone is both well written and researched, but there is not enough to make the book a must read.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by the publisher.)
Brunelle looks at five cold cases involving women who were never found. Each case is a bit different, but I should point out that three of the cases have a crystal clear culprit. Even still, Brunelle had to do a tremendous amount of research to fill out the stories. They are still short, though. You get all the details about the case but not a lot about the women from a personal standpoint. I think Brunelle dug up all she could, but the backgrounds are somewhat minimal.
Ultimately, the thing which keeps me from fully recommending this book is the lack of a reason for it. In only one case is there information about the ongoing search which means this book isn't about reopening cold cases. The women themselves don't have enough backstory to pull in the reader. Finally, the cases don't even have a theme which runs between them. Three of them could definitely be about partner violence but the other two are head scratchers. Brunelle does a short page or so at the end of each story to pull it all together but it is not enough to leave an impression.
She's Gone is both well written and researched, but there is not enough to make the book a must read.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by the publisher.)
June 15, 2024
This true crime book gives cold hard facts on 5 cases whete women disappeared . The writing is detailed and highly factual. Some cases are very long and some short. They are all km different time periods and little is known about the women or he why. Ths shines through and can make it very factual and I found my attention slipping in places. Also there was little explanation as to why these cases were chosen and it did seem nothing connected them.
I like true crime bit I needed more background that wasn't factual. It was too factual and felt a rehash of other attempts of the same story. The last surprised me as it seemed to have a point. I always enjoy true crime but this would appeal more to people who love facts only.
Thank you netgallery and publisher and author
I like true crime bit I needed more background that wasn't factual. It was too factual and felt a rehash of other attempts of the same story. The last surprised me as it seemed to have a point. I always enjoy true crime but this would appeal more to people who love facts only.
Thank you netgallery and publisher and author
May 4, 2024
In this compilation of true crime cases, the author delves into five unsolved murders, ranging from 1910 to 1977. I had heard of some of the cases (Dorothy Arnold and Jean Spangler) but the other cases were unfamiliar to me.
In each case, the author does an excellent job in creating a narrative that gives us the facts of the case, a good understanding of the time and setting, and insight into how the murders affected their families and loved ones. The bibliography shows the extensive job done in researching the cases and interviewing family members.
Dorothy Arnold was an attractive young woman from a wealthy family, who disappeared in New York City mid-December 1910.
Anna Locascio was married at 15, had four children, and a husband who disapproved of her working outside the home. Anna disappeared in 1918, and after a very casual investigation by the police, her husband was tried, resulting in a hung jury. Anna's body was never found.
Agnes Tofverson was an amazing woman - a well-respected corporate lawyer with a substantial amount of money earned by her hard work. At age 42, she falls madly in love and marries a man who claims to be a millionaire, who wants to take her to India for a honeymoon, then to live in England. Agnes is never seen again after December 20, 1933.
Jean Spangler was a Hollywood bit actress and dancer slowly working her way into movie roles. A devoted mother of five-year old Christine, Jean leaves Christine with her sister-in-law before heading out supposedly to a meeting and then work. Jean's disappearance on October 7, 1949 has never been solved.
The final brief case involves Simone Ridinger, a 17-year-old just on the cusp of her adult life, who disappears while hitchhiking to Martha's Vineyard in 1977.
In each of these tragic cases, the women were never found. There was no body and no closure for the family. Kathleen Brunelle tells their stories no matter their status or celebrity and her narrative is so well done and insightful, although I thought the chapter on Agnes Tofverson was a bit too long and unnecessarily detailed. I think anyone interested in true crime would find the stories particularly interesting and moving. 4 stars.
I received an ARC from the Publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Cross-posted at "I Love True Crime Books"
In each case, the author does an excellent job in creating a narrative that gives us the facts of the case, a good understanding of the time and setting, and insight into how the murders affected their families and loved ones. The bibliography shows the extensive job done in researching the cases and interviewing family members.
Dorothy Arnold was an attractive young woman from a wealthy family, who disappeared in New York City mid-December 1910.
Anna Locascio was married at 15, had four children, and a husband who disapproved of her working outside the home. Anna disappeared in 1918, and after a very casual investigation by the police, her husband was tried, resulting in a hung jury. Anna's body was never found.
Agnes Tofverson was an amazing woman - a well-respected corporate lawyer with a substantial amount of money earned by her hard work. At age 42, she falls madly in love and marries a man who claims to be a millionaire, who wants to take her to India for a honeymoon, then to live in England. Agnes is never seen again after December 20, 1933.
Jean Spangler was a Hollywood bit actress and dancer slowly working her way into movie roles. A devoted mother of five-year old Christine, Jean leaves Christine with her sister-in-law before heading out supposedly to a meeting and then work. Jean's disappearance on October 7, 1949 has never been solved.
The final brief case involves Simone Ridinger, a 17-year-old just on the cusp of her adult life, who disappears while hitchhiking to Martha's Vineyard in 1977.
In each of these tragic cases, the women were never found. There was no body and no closure for the family. Kathleen Brunelle tells their stories no matter their status or celebrity and her narrative is so well done and insightful, although I thought the chapter on Agnes Tofverson was a bit too long and unnecessarily detailed. I think anyone interested in true crime would find the stories particularly interesting and moving. 4 stars.
I received an ARC from the Publisher, via NetGalley, in exchange for an honest review.
Cross-posted at "I Love True Crime Books"
May 21, 2024
These are the true stories of five women living very different lives, under varying circumstances, even living in different decades, but who who all have one thing in common - one moment they were busy living their lives and the next moment … they were gone. From the New York heiress who disappeared in 1910, to a 1940s contemporary of Elizabeth Short (aka the Black Dahlia), five women vanished & were never seen again.
This was an in-depth look at the final days in the lives of Dorothy Arnold, Anna Locascio, Agnes Tofverson, Jean Spangler, & Simone Ridinger. I'd never heard of any of the cases so I was intrigued to find out why these cases had fascinated the author. I thought it was a very well-written & well-researched book, but it leaves you feeling very sad for these women & their relatives who have died without any closure. Each section has an epilogue where the author considers 'what could have happened' & I have definite suspicions about the perp in three of the cases. I was shocked, but sadly not surprised, that in several of the cases, the woman's lifestyle (or purported lifestyle) was used by those investigating to either put in the minimum of work on the case or victim blame & I still can't believe that no-one has ever thoroughly searched the cellar where Anna Locascio may have been buried! I mean, why ever not? Great read if you like learning about historic unsolved cases.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Globe Pequot/Prometheus, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
This was an in-depth look at the final days in the lives of Dorothy Arnold, Anna Locascio, Agnes Tofverson, Jean Spangler, & Simone Ridinger. I'd never heard of any of the cases so I was intrigued to find out why these cases had fascinated the author. I thought it was a very well-written & well-researched book, but it leaves you feeling very sad for these women & their relatives who have died without any closure. Each section has an epilogue where the author considers 'what could have happened' & I have definite suspicions about the perp in three of the cases. I was shocked, but sadly not surprised, that in several of the cases, the woman's lifestyle (or purported lifestyle) was used by those investigating to either put in the minimum of work on the case or victim blame & I still can't believe that no-one has ever thoroughly searched the cellar where Anna Locascio may have been buried! I mean, why ever not? Great read if you like learning about historic unsolved cases.
My thanks to NetGalley & publishers, Globe Pequot/Prometheus, for the opportunity to read an ARC.
April 3, 2024
She’s gone compiles five stories about 5 completely different women, the one thing they have in common is that they all disappeared.
Kathleen Brunelle does a great job of compiling and explaining the facts of each and every case thoroughly, although sometimes I found it could get a little dull. I tend to prefer true crime told with a little personal twist.
If you’re looking for true crime full of information, I highly recommend picking this one up!
Big thanks to Netgalley, Globe Pequot, and the author Katleen Brunelle for allowing me to read an E-arc of this book!
Kathleen Brunelle does a great job of compiling and explaining the facts of each and every case thoroughly, although sometimes I found it could get a little dull. I tend to prefer true crime told with a little personal twist.
If you’re looking for true crime full of information, I highly recommend picking this one up!
Big thanks to Netgalley, Globe Pequot, and the author Katleen Brunelle for allowing me to read an E-arc of this book!
April 2, 2024
Interesting look at 5 cold cases involving women spanning from the early 1900s to 1977. It's sad that their cases were never solved, leaving their families in the dark.
From a young wife and mother spreading her wings in war time New Jersey, only to disappear after an argument with her husband to the free-spirited, hitchhiker who went missing after a waitressing shift in Massachusetts, the author did thorough research.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
From a young wife and mother spreading her wings in war time New Jersey, only to disappear after an argument with her husband to the free-spirited, hitchhiker who went missing after a waitressing shift in Massachusetts, the author did thorough research.
Thanks to NetGalley for the ARC.
April 22, 2024
DNF - I didn't enjoy this novel at all. I felt it wasn't flowing and just wasn't enticing whatsoever! I'm sure if I stuck with it, it would have been okay but don't really have enough time to do that!
July 30, 2024
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC She’s Gone: Five Mysterious Twentieth-Century Cold Cases
Kathleen Brunelle masterfully unravels the enigma of five vanished women across different decades, leaving readers spellbound.
Dorothy Arnold (1910): The New York heiress who vanished without a trace. Brunelle delves into her privileged life, the cryptic last sighting, and the haunting void left behind.
Simone Ridinger (1977): A teenager’s disappearance echoes through time. Was it rebellion or something more sinister? Brunelle meticulously reconstructs the puzzle.
Agnes Tufverson (1933): A European honeymoon, a luxury liner, and an inexplicable vanishing over the Atlantic. The intrigue deepens as secrets surface.
Jean Spangler (1940s): Hollywood’s golden age conceals shadows. Jean’s clandestine meeting at a nightclub leads to a mystery that endures. Brunelle paints a vivid backdrop.
The Good Girls: In an era when women were often blamed for their own disappearances, Brunelle sheds light on the flawed investigations, societal biases, and the resilience of these forgotten souls.
She’s Gone combines meticulous research, never-before-seen documents, and compassionate storytelling. A haunting tribute to lives interrupted. 🕊️🔍
Kathleen Brunelle masterfully unravels the enigma of five vanished women across different decades, leaving readers spellbound.
Dorothy Arnold (1910): The New York heiress who vanished without a trace. Brunelle delves into her privileged life, the cryptic last sighting, and the haunting void left behind.
Simone Ridinger (1977): A teenager’s disappearance echoes through time. Was it rebellion or something more sinister? Brunelle meticulously reconstructs the puzzle.
Agnes Tufverson (1933): A European honeymoon, a luxury liner, and an inexplicable vanishing over the Atlantic. The intrigue deepens as secrets surface.
Jean Spangler (1940s): Hollywood’s golden age conceals shadows. Jean’s clandestine meeting at a nightclub leads to a mystery that endures. Brunelle paints a vivid backdrop.
The Good Girls: In an era when women were often blamed for their own disappearances, Brunelle sheds light on the flawed investigations, societal biases, and the resilience of these forgotten souls.
She’s Gone combines meticulous research, never-before-seen documents, and compassionate storytelling. A haunting tribute to lives interrupted. 🕊️🔍
May 21, 2024
She's Gone by Kathleen Brunelle tells the story 5 different women who went missing from 1910 to 1977. Dorothy Arnold, Anna Locascio, Agnes Tofverson, Jean Spangler and Simone Ridinger.
Let me start by saying this book is very different from any book I have ever read. Kathleen Brunelle does a great justice to these women by telling their stories. I have never heard of any of these cases before but I am glad their stories are being told and hopefully these cold cases can be solved one day.
The book is divided by 5 parts, each part detailing each woman and their case. Starting out with their live story, then last day they were seen, possible theories into what happened to each woman and then ending with an epilogue.
To be honest, I only read one case per day, as I wanted to do justice to which woman and focus on each story on its own.
Simone Ridinger's case is the only one of the 5 that is still active and at the end of the story there is contact information for anyone with information to reach out to.
Thank you NetGalley and Globe Pequot for giving me access to this ARC. The above review is my own thoughts.
Let me start by saying this book is very different from any book I have ever read. Kathleen Brunelle does a great justice to these women by telling their stories. I have never heard of any of these cases before but I am glad their stories are being told and hopefully these cold cases can be solved one day.
The book is divided by 5 parts, each part detailing each woman and their case. Starting out with their live story, then last day they were seen, possible theories into what happened to each woman and then ending with an epilogue.
To be honest, I only read one case per day, as I wanted to do justice to which woman and focus on each story on its own.
Simone Ridinger's case is the only one of the 5 that is still active and at the end of the story there is contact information for anyone with information to reach out to.
Thank you NetGalley and Globe Pequot for giving me access to this ARC. The above review is my own thoughts.
March 29, 2024
Author: Kathleen Brunelle
Started: March 19, 2024
Finished: March 20, 2024
Format: Digital
Genre: True Crime
Cold cases are those crimes without any definitive end. This is a book telling the story of 5 women who went missing without a clue as to what happened to them. The stories range from the early 1900s disappearance of Dorothy Arnold, who went missing while shopping to the 1977 disappearance of Simone Ridinger, who went missing while hitchhiking. All five cases in the book are unsolved and unbelievable.
I am a true crime fan but even I had never heard of these cold cases. It has always intrigued me how so many women go missing without a trace. The writing is a bit disjointed at times but the author manages to express the facts of the case and gave as much information as possible.
Started: March 19, 2024
Finished: March 20, 2024
Format: Digital
Genre: True Crime
Cold cases are those crimes without any definitive end. This is a book telling the story of 5 women who went missing without a clue as to what happened to them. The stories range from the early 1900s disappearance of Dorothy Arnold, who went missing while shopping to the 1977 disappearance of Simone Ridinger, who went missing while hitchhiking. All five cases in the book are unsolved and unbelievable.
I am a true crime fan but even I had never heard of these cold cases. It has always intrigued me how so many women go missing without a trace. The writing is a bit disjointed at times but the author manages to express the facts of the case and gave as much information as possible.
April 3, 2024
4.0. I really like the organization of this book. Could definitely be used with high school students since the cases presented are shortish and each have various points of interest. I would like using this to lead to small group discussion or research projects. I didn’t feel like I was reading nonfiction, each of these women had super interesting lives, and I love the details the author included. Also, the bibliography is so thorough, and well organized, might be a perfect example for students to look through. I had only heard about two of these cases and not in a much detail as here, My favorite case is the one of Simone Ridinger. The author really painted a great picture of her. I love how the theories are clearly stated at the end of each case, that’s a useful discussion point. All in all, a great addition for true crime readers or those who are interested in unsolved cases.
May 21, 2024
This true crime book covers five cold case disappearances of women spanning from 1910-1977.
While I enjoyed reading each of them, I did find I needed to take a break in between them so I could fully appreciate each case and not have them run together.
While the author kept to the facts of the case, she also did well in describing the era and what was going on in the world at that time. It helped me better understand the circumstances and limitations in investigating each case.
At the end of the book, the author provides a detailed bibliography providing references should you wish to read more about these cases and her sources of information.
Thank you to the publisher for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
While I enjoyed reading each of them, I did find I needed to take a break in between them so I could fully appreciate each case and not have them run together.
While the author kept to the facts of the case, she also did well in describing the era and what was going on in the world at that time. It helped me better understand the circumstances and limitations in investigating each case.
At the end of the book, the author provides a detailed bibliography providing references should you wish to read more about these cases and her sources of information.
Thank you to the publisher for providing this book for review consideration via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.
May 6, 2024
These women could be any one of us.
She could have been you.
She could have been me.
Their stories are made even worse as they have never been found. Loved ones passed on with no answers. No justice has been served - yet.
The first story truly being a mystery with the very limited information we have. Dorothy Arnold just vanished.
And excuse me but, why has the cellar on Paulison Avenue still never been dug up! At least for closure's sake.
Very well researched and put together.
Thank you for telling their story.
Free e-copy received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
She could have been you.
She could have been me.
Their stories are made even worse as they have never been found. Loved ones passed on with no answers. No justice has been served - yet.
The first story truly being a mystery with the very limited information we have. Dorothy Arnold just vanished.
And excuse me but, why has the cellar on Paulison Avenue still never been dug up! At least for closure's sake.
Very well researched and put together.
Thank you for telling their story.
Free e-copy received via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.
September 26, 2024
As someone who has had the pleasure of being a former student of Kathleen, and has always highly respected her creative nature. I was pleasantly surprised and intrigued by this book. You have to tell that she has thoroughly done her research and is truly passionate about it. If you were fortunate enough to like myself to make it to one of her book read session you could clearly see the passion in her eyes for each women’s story.
It did take me a little longer to read this as I had to take my time to read and digest every word. Every women’s story is very interesting and I hope one day they each can be solved.
If you like crime stories this is definitely a book to read.
It did take me a little longer to read this as I had to take my time to read and digest every word. Every women’s story is very interesting and I hope one day they each can be solved.
If you like crime stories this is definitely a book to read.
April 24, 2024
The book is well written and a good length. I think it is just not for me in the sense that it was not my typical book that I enjoy, so I had a hard time getting through it. I also found it super frustrating that roughly three of the cases had seemingly super obvious people that were responsible for these women going missing. Therefore part of why I wasn't the biggest fan of this book was because of the cases selected, as it seems that if these cases happened today these people would've been prosecuted.
May 26, 2024
I'm a sucker for true crime stories, and this collection did not disappoint. Basic facts were presented in the case of five missing women in the 20th century. Many details were given to describe the cases and all that was done (or not done) to attempt to solve the disappearances. There is not much conjecture on the part of the author, so you are on your own to sort through the facts and decide what you think might have happened. There truly is "nothing new under the sun." People were committing unthinkable crimes and leading sketchy lives (scam artists, sordid affairs, lavish and wild lifestyles) even in past centuries.
Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this ARC.
Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing for this ARC.
August 4, 2024
This book was ok… nothing very outlandish, they tell the stories and there are pieces missing to each one that you want to figure out what happened. But in most of the cases here, the family members have died, suspects have went on without anyone cracking these cases. Sad….
February 10, 2025
I recently started to like true crime stories and this looked interesting. I thought the 5 cases that were discussed made good topics. As other reviewers have said the book might have been more cohesive if there was a common theme or other factors connecting the stories.
May 26, 2025
Very interesting, good read
Displaying 1 - 20 of 20 reviews