The Secret History of the Rape Kit

Bookseller recommendation

“This book is an incredibly vital read for everyone, not only women, especially now when women's rights are being devalued and decided upon by a patriarchal regime. The book talks about one woman's exhaustive fight to get men and authority figures to see sexual assault as a valid crime, to take victim's testimonies seriously, and to provide as many paths as possible for victims and survivors to seek the help they need. ”

— Rachell • The Traveling Book Bus

Bookseller recommendation

“Such an impactful and honest and raw telling of history that it will leave you speechless. I will be thinking about this story for as long as I can imagine.”

— Maddie • Smitty's Book Cellar

Bookseller recommendation

“I can’t believe this story is just getting told. Amazing. ”

— Nancy • Bookie's

Bookseller recommendation

“I had heard a podcast about Marty Goddard, so when I saw this audiobook I knew I would find it interesting. What I didn’t anticipate was the sense of melancholy brought on by the facts of Marty’s life. As with many people advocating for others, especially female advocates in the man’s world of the 1970s and 1980s, Marty faced apathy, racism and sexism throughout her fight to get a universal rape kit implemented by law enforcement and hospitals. This relentless fight, often to little or no avail, eventually led to burnout. This was not an easy book to digest. Between Ms Goddard’s advocacy fight, her personal life, and the author’s own experiences with sexual molestation, the subject matter is often difficult and trigger inducing. But in the end I found the entire story compelling.”

— Sherry • River Bend Bookshop

Bookseller recommendation

“What an incredible tale, so well written, great style and fascinating content. Wow, Marty Godddard, what a woman. Several notes, Pagan Kennedy has done so much research, has told the story in a compelling way and having Clare Danes narrate was a treat. This is my favourite non-fiction book I have ever read or listened too. I think we should give thanks to the story of Marty the Martyr!”

— Michelle • Bear Hunt Books

Bookseller recommendation

“This book is as eye-opening as it is enraging. Pagan Kennedy delivers a deeply researched and compelling narrative about the creation of the rape kit—something that should have revolutionized how sexual assault cases are handled. Instead, we get a disturbing look at how bureaucracy, negligence, and systemic misogyny turned an essential forensic tool into a symbol of justice delayed (or outright denied). ✔ Meticulously researched, but reads like a thriller ✔ Profiles the brilliant, largely unrecognized nurse behind the kit ✔ Calls out the failures of law enforcement and the justice system Claire Danes’ narration adds a quiet urgency to the audiobook, making the story feel even more immediate. If you’re interested in true crime that focuses on justice rather than glorifying perpetrators, this is a must-read. Final thoughts: The Secret History of the Rape Kit is infuriating, essential, and a call to action.”

— Julia • Four Seasons Books

Bookseller recommendation

“An absolutely eye opening history of the rape kit, and a fascinating history touching on racism, police brutality and negligence, inequity for women, and more. Its accessible format leaves it open to many types of readers, non-fiction fans or not, to be engaged and become informed. TW: Rape, Sexual Assault, Molestation, Manipulation”

— Takyra • Let's Play Books Bookstore

Bookseller recommendation

“How to say you loved a book with a subject like this? Love doesn’t give the right feeling nor would it be enough to describe a book with such a heavy subject. I did not know this story - like many, I think. We always say women are forgotten in history and it feels like we’re just discovering all the powerful women who have lived and fought for our world. This is a biography about Marty Goddard and at the same time a biography about the author. She takes us on her journey to find out all she can about Marty and also shows her own battles she had to fight. It’s such a powerful & brave story, one that will anger you. It will leave you speechless for all the things that have happened and unfortunately, are still happening. The narrator of the story was the right fit for the importance of this story. ”

— Liz • The Little Bookshop

Bookseller recommendation

“I thought I knew a lot about this subject after writing a book on rape culture, but Pagan Kennedy's research illuminates a lot of hidden corners. The story of Marty Goddard (and her digital-era counterparts, still trying to make evidence collection less traumatic for victim/survivors) is as compelling as it is infuriating. ”

— Kate • Jarvis Square Books

Bookseller recommendation

“Rape kits have always been something I was aware of and have taken advantage of having access to. The increase of true crime interest has made us all aware of these tools in our legal system but I’ve never questioned how they got here. I never considered how much advocacy was needed. This is an engaging, devastating, and necessary history of the woman who gave her life to the cause and it is a shame it took so long to learn her name. Thank you Marty Goddard. “I felt I had to save the save the world, and I was going to start with Chicago.””

— Nahin • Seminary Co-op Bookstores

Bookseller recommendation

“Wow… I am completely speechless and not surprised at all by this history being secret/hidden from the world. Pagan Kennedy, thank you. Thank you for being brave and telling your story, and fighting to tell Marty Goddard’s. Your research is very valuable and well done. Fast paced. ”

— Jerzee • Red Fern Booksellers

Bookseller recommendation

“The Secret History of the Rape Kit by Pagan Kennedy is a hard read, especially if you're a survivor, but it's such a necessary book. It's a history of how the rape kit came to be, but it's also an examination of the flaws in the system around it. And by the end, you do get to see where they're trying to come up with a better way, so there's some hope. It was infuriating and educational and validating to my own experience. Practice self-care while you read, though. ”

— Anna • Katy Budget Books