The Third Rainbow Girl

The Third Rainbow Girl examines the 1980 murders of two young women in Pocahontas County, West Virginia, who were hitchhiking to a counterculture festival called the Rainbow Gathering. The case remained unsolved for 13 years, casting suspicion on numerous local residents and affecting the entire community. Author Emma Copley Eisenberg brings a unique perspective as someone who lived in Pocahontas County during a 2007 internship. She documents the investigation's many turns, including a local farmer's conviction and subsequent release after a confession from another person. The book combines true crime narrative with memoir and social commentary, exploring life in rural Appalachia and the complex relationship between locals and outsiders. The story challenges common stereotypes about Appalachian communities while examining how a single violent act can reverberate through generations. This work raises questions about truth, justice, and the stories we tell about places and people we don't fully understand.

Readers found this book different from what they expected - many thought it would be a straightforward true crime narrative but instead encountered a blend of memoir, social history, and murder investigation. Readers appreciated: - The complex portrayal of Appalachian culture and life - Deep reporting and research - Fresh perspective on gender and violence - Beautiful writing about rural West Virginia Common criticisms: - Confusing structure that jumps between timelines - Too much focus on author's personal story - Lack of resolution about the crime - Difficulty keeping track of numerous characters "The memoir portions felt forced and unnecessary" was a frequent comment. Multiple readers noted they would have preferred either a pure true crime book or a pure memoir. Ratings: Goodreads: 3.5/5 (3,800+ ratings) Amazon: 4/5 (430+ ratings) LibraryThing: 3.7/5 (150+ ratings)

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🌈 The Rainbow Gathering, the festival the victims were heading to, continues today as one of America's largest non-commercial counterculture peace gatherings, attracting thousands annually. 🔍 Local suspect Jacob Beard was initially convicted of the murders in 1993, but later exonerated in 2000 after serial killer Joseph Paul Franklin confessed to the crimes. 📝 Emma Copley Eisenberg spent five years living and working in Pocahontas County as a Vista volunteer before writing this book, giving her unique insider-outsider perspective. 🏆 The book was named one of the New York Times' "100 Notable Books of 2020" and was a finalist for the Edgar Award for Best Fact Crime. 🗺️ Pocahontas County, where the murders took place, is home to the National Radio Quiet Zone, where radio transmissions are heavily restricted to protect the Green Bank Observatory, adding another layer of isolation to the region's identity.