Some stories won’t let go of us — not because they’re sensational, but because they matter.
That’s the kind of work Lauren Samples does.
Lauren didn’t set out to become a true crime author in the classic sense. What began as a podcast — Paradise After Dark: Missing & Unsolved — grew into something deeper: a search for truth, recognition, and the people behind the headlines.
Her debut book, Through the Shadows: Unsolved Crimes and the Search for Truth, blends memoir, investigative reporting, and advocacy. It brings into focus cases that have gone quiet with time but resonate with lingering questions — and lingering loss.
What feels important about Lauren’s approach is less the thrill of mystery and more the humanity in the margins: the families who still hope for answers, the quiet grief that isn’t wrapped up in dramatic twists, the persistence it takes to keep looking when others have stopped.
If you’re interested in stories that go beyond “did they?” and into “what does it mean to those left waiting?”, or if you’ve ever felt pulled by curiosity and compassion at the same time, her work is worth a look.
You can explore Lauren’s books and learn more about her work here:
👉 https://geniusbookpublishing.com/pages/lauren-samples
As with all the authors we publish, our goal isn’t to convince you of a particular view — it’s to introduce a voice you might want to spend a little time with.