REVIEWS

The New York Times: “Meticulously constructed and ultimately terrifying…Her story reveals a stark, maddening ­reality: that rape victims must often become their own legal advocates if they want an ­opportunity for retribution.”

Publishers Weekly (starred review): “With remarkable emotional insight and precision, mystery writer Winslow turns to memoir…Powerfully redemptive.”

Library Journal (starred review): “This important chronicle answers the question, does it serve justice to put a man on trial for a 20-year-old crime?…This eloquent memoir will be appreciated by anyone interested in cold case investigations and victim advocacy as well as true crime fans.”

Kirkus: “Urgently written with forthright prose, the memoir’s serpentine suspense elements resemble the plot points seen in the kind of crime fiction the author writes herself….Potently rendered.”

Bitch magazine: “An invaluable read for anyone interested in social justice.”

Booklover Book Reviews: “There is an immediate sense of intimacy and compelling tension as we ride shotgun with Winslow from the moment she was told the police had found her rapist…While the crime is the catalyst, the story is the act of ‘living’ – the myriad of things that influence us and fuel our journey, and the gifts there for the taking should we invest effort into better understanding ourselves and others.”

The Eggplant Emoji’s Feminist Bookshelf: “Hauntingly emotional and startlingly rational… JANE DOE JANUARY will break your heart and mend it again—and it will do that over and over. My copy is already dog-eared from my wanting to bookmark Winslow’s most beautiful, wise or heartbreaking quotes; this is a book I will flick back to.”

Joie Des Livres Book Reviews: “JANE DOE JANUARY is a book I would recommend to everyone. It will break your heart and give you hope, all while making you really angry and disappointed and sad. It can’t get any more honest than that.”

“With its multiple compelling story arcs, Jane Doe January does certainly discuss issues that, sadly, are all-too-relatable for many. Winslow does so with honesty, determination, and grace, making her memoir a fascinating and emotional ride bound to inspire important conversations.” —Stephanie Topacio Long for Bustle

“A terrible story brilliantly told…with fluidity and wit and insight along with horror and outrage as they’re called for, as they are until the stunningly ironic end…Crystalline emotional clarity on every page.” —George Ernsberger for the Ellenville Shawangunk Journal and Sullivan County Democrat

“The book is a powerful testament to the efforts of police and lawyers to ensure a rapist is punished for his crimes. It is also a thorough investigation of the legal landscape for such cases. But most of all, “Jane Doe January” is a book about resilience, individual agency, and the value of friendship and kindness.” —Rob Cline for The Cedar Rapids Gazette

“One of the trends in contemporary crime fiction is the movement away from emphasizing the puzzle of solving the crime to the shattering effect of transgressive behavior on the community itself. Both The Red Parts and Jane Doe January take the examination of the effect of crime to an even greater level of magnification—the impact on two sensitive, finely articulated consciousnesses…The cumulative effect is tremendously powerful, and challenges received attitudes about “victims” and “actors” (a technical law enforcement term for criminals) in crime narratives. In the end it’s a story of survival and, indeed, triumph.” —Jamie Agnew for Aunt Agatha’s Bookstore

“This memoir shines a spotlight on the horrific nature of rape and the ramifications for the lives left in its wake. Written with unflinching honesty, this is a book that will help many other victims.” —Bolo Books

“Complex and multilayered…It provides a considerable amount of material for discussion and debate and continues to raise important concerns regarding how American culture continues to tolerate and excuse violence against women.” —Elizabeth A. Richter for The Readers Rag

“One very honest woman’s story, told in such a way that it almost reads as a suspense legal thriller…Truly intimate…Highly recommended.” —Marni Graff for Auntie M Writes

“Winslow’s memoir is a testament to survival, overcoming a horrific assault then being brave enough to bring her story to light. But not just as a victim. Like a true crime novelist Winslow fleshes out the story by delving into Fryar’s past, beginning her own investigation along with talking to the detectives and prosecutors who handled the case to find answers to complete the healing process.” —Bookbaggers

“It took a brave person to write this powerful and gut-wrenching story. Emily Winslow felt compelled to share her experience and this is a memoir that won’t soon be forgotten by those who read it.” —Night Owl Reviews

“Very powerful, because it allows people to think how they would have reacted. It is written in almost a diary form as Winslow recounts her quest to seek justice in a very open and honest way. People should read this memoir to get invaluable insight into the mind and heart of a victim.” —Elise Cooper for Working Mother

“Jane Doe January is a true account of justice denied to a crime victim, but it is also a journal of a courageous woman’s story of surviving. With candor, Emily recounts the trauma faced by sexual assault victims which extends far beyond the attack itself.” —Regina M. Angeli for the Iron Mountain Daily News

From China:

“This is a memoir full of courage….Reading this, what is floating on our hearts is not only the desire for justice, but also respect and empathy.” Beijing News (Google translate)

“Written with extraordinary courage and determination, [Winslow] vividly demonstrates her long-standing desire for truth and justice.” Wenhui (a Shanghai newspaper) Book List (Google translate)

“An extraordinary memoir” Sina Reading (Google translate)

Blurbs:

“With a shocking twist that rivals the best that fiction has to offer, this book is a triumph of heart over unbearable hurt. Everyone should read it.”
—Sophie Hannah, author of The Monogram Murders

“A powerful memoir of survival from a great writer.”
—Lisa Gardner, author of Crash and Burn

“Brilliant, gorgeously written, and utterly chilling.”
—Carla Buckley, author of The Good Goodbye

“This riveting, courageous story would be unbelievable if it weren’t so heartbreakingly true. Told in elegant-yet-unflinching style by a writer of considerable skill, JANE DOE JANUARY is one of the most compelling memoirs you will ever read.”
—Brad Parks, author of The Fraud

“This factual, fascinating and forensically cool memoir lays out the legal process almost as a police procedural. Then each time Winslow puts aside her detachment to express rage, contempt, impatience, love and gratitude, the memoir takes on a devastating emotional white heat. JANE DOE JANUARY had me gripped and furious.”
—Eliza Graham, author of The One I Was

“Winslow’s muscular, evocative and achingly honest voice is unforgettable.”
—Amanda Kyle Williams, author of Don’t Talk to Strangers

“The sheer bravery of the memoir alongside the lyrical writing style make it a compelling and ultimately uplifting read.”
—Kate Rhodes, author of The Winter Foundlings

“In JANE DOE JANUARY, Emily Winslow has created a new genre. This book unwinds like a page-turning mystery novel while, with gut-wrenching perspective, it embodies the most elegant of personal journalism. I’ve never read anything like it.”
—Julia Heaberlin, author of Black-Eyed Susans

“Winslow’s precision and clarity disallow us the easy exit of ‘I can’t imagine…’ You don’t have to imagine. She’s drawn an eloquent, exacting map of what it feels like to dangle on the whims of justice.”
—Jamie Mason, author of Monday’s Lie

“Searingly honest, poetic, heartbreaking, yet ultimately uplifting.”
—Menna van Praag, Author of The Witches of Cambridge

“JANE DOE JANUARY is an extraordinary memoir, written with the skill of a master novelist in beautiful, haunting prose. This story should prompt serious discussion and is one of the most important memoirs on sexual assault you will ever read. Her courage in telling it is breathtaking.”
—Allison Leotta, author of A Good Killing and a former sex-crimes prosecutor for Washington DC

“JANE DOE JANUARY should be required reading for any person who is in a position to interact with victims of crimes.”
—Retired Commander Bill Valenta of the Pittsburgh Police, the original detective from the case

From a selection of Amazon reviews:

“beautifully written: thoughtful, poetic and harshly clear”

“as far from the lurid ‘misery memoir’ as you can get—an intelligent, well written, brutally honest narrative that isn’t afraid of asking uncomfortable questions”

“sad, angry, real and thoughtful”

“candid and conversational, while meticulous and unsparing”

“incisively articulate and gut-honest”

“humbling and thought-provoking”

“deeply personal, deeply self-aware”

“accessible and humane”

“beautiful prose”

“emotionally charged”

“tough, uncompromising”

“deeply affecting”

“extremely challenging”

“brilliant”