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The Darkest Places: Unsolved Mysteries, True Crimes, and Harrowing Disasters in the Wild
Longtime readers have come to understand that Outside’s true gift is in chronicling misadventure. The Darkest Places chronicles mysterious disappearances, unsolved murders, and deadly disasters, taking us to far-flung places no sane person would want to go.
408 pages, Paperback
Published September 1, 2021
289 people are currently reading
798 people want to read
About the author
Outside Magazine
25 books17 followersOutside is an American magazine focused on the outdoors. The first issue debuted in September 1977 with its mission statement declaring that the publication was "dedicated to covering the people, sports and activities, politics, art, literature, and (especially) hardware of the outdoors..."
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
November 2, 2022
I love to read the in depth reporting in Outside magazine, so this was a treasure trove of those stories all compiled in a 400 page tome. These are various misadventures, involving murders, poaching, con artists and other dark subjects whose only connection is they take place as the magazine states "outside".
I can't say that only one type of story interested more than others. Some were devastating, like the one about SeaWorld and its killer whale or the poor forest ranger killed at Mt. Rainer by a deranged ex-soldier. Rhino poaching was another that broke my heart, the sheer greed and despicable criminals and public officials involved are unfathomable.
This is a big book, so it took me a long time to finish, not because it was boring, but because most of the stories are so thoughtful and meaningful that I would turn to the internet afterward to look up more about it.
I can't say that only one type of story interested more than others. Some were devastating, like the one about SeaWorld and its killer whale or the poor forest ranger killed at Mt. Rainer by a deranged ex-soldier. Rhino poaching was another that broke my heart, the sheer greed and despicable criminals and public officials involved are unfathomable.
This is a big book, so it took me a long time to finish, not because it was boring, but because most of the stories are so thoughtful and meaningful that I would turn to the internet afterward to look up more about it.
September 16, 2021
3.5 stars for content, 0 for book.
Most of the articles are good, some riveting. Outside generally uses quality journalists (Krakauer being their poster boy) and this collection has a lot of what is promised in the title.
But here's the problem: I asked a friend a question about the subject of one of the pieces and she replied by asking me how I knew about it (it's years old). When I told her she said, incredulously, "You paid for that?!?"
Turns out the articles are available for free on Outside's web site. This did not please me. But unlike some of the people whose stories are told I got away whole: copied table of contents, returned book, read the rest for free.
Most of the articles are good, some riveting. Outside generally uses quality journalists (Krakauer being their poster boy) and this collection has a lot of what is promised in the title.
But here's the problem: I asked a friend a question about the subject of one of the pieces and she replied by asking me how I knew about it (it's years old). When I told her she said, incredulously, "You paid for that?!?"
Turns out the articles are available for free on Outside's web site. This did not please me. But unlike some of the people whose stories are told I got away whole: copied table of contents, returned book, read the rest for free.
March 26, 2025
This was a collection of random bizarre tales, outdoor misadventures and various crimes of differing degrees of seriousness. The crimes section didn't really do it for me if I'm honest. And some of the stories I enjoyed the most from the mysteries section were ones that I'd read about before in different books regarding those who have gone missing or been killed on American Trail paths.
My favourite stories were these:
Mysteries section:-
Long Gone, Why Noah Went To The Woods, Up on Cove Mountain, A Shot In The Night
Strange Phenomena section:-
Foot. Loose. & The Killer in The Pool
Some of the writing was very good, professional and journalistic with seemingly good fact checking and objectivity. Other entries seemed like hatchet jobs, with casual almost lazy writing that is far too jovial and jokey for the subject being covered.
A 3 star read, some good some bad.
My favourite stories were these:
Mysteries section:-
Long Gone, Why Noah Went To The Woods, Up on Cove Mountain, A Shot In The Night
Strange Phenomena section:-
Foot. Loose. & The Killer in The Pool
Some of the writing was very good, professional and journalistic with seemingly good fact checking and objectivity. Other entries seemed like hatchet jobs, with casual almost lazy writing that is far too jovial and jokey for the subject being covered.
A 3 star read, some good some bad.
August 10, 2020
The book consists of feature length articles from Outside magazine ranging from the 1990s through approximately 2017. The articles are arranged in three main categories: Mysteries, Strange Phenomena and Wild Crimes. There are 26 articles in all, if I counted correctly, and all are penned by a different author. Each article is preceded by a brief synopsis that sets up the story very well.
The writing tilts towards outdoorsiness, as should be expected, and is of a consistent high quality and a mostly uniform style (i.e. it wouldn't be a stretch to think that the same writer authored each article). The articles appear as originally written and aren't updated. I did some internet research after almost each story and found no new information on some and interesting post scripts on others.
Each article was worth my time and I strongly preferred some to others. I particularly enjoyed three consecutive stories from the last section (The Devil on Paradise Road; Take the Money and Run; and Hornswoggled).
I'd recommend the book to most readers. If you don't want to just read one article after another it might make sense to keep this book handy to read the stories in between other books.
The writing tilts towards outdoorsiness, as should be expected, and is of a consistent high quality and a mostly uniform style (i.e. it wouldn't be a stretch to think that the same writer authored each article). The articles appear as originally written and aren't updated. I did some internet research after almost each story and found no new information on some and interesting post scripts on others.
Each article was worth my time and I strongly preferred some to others. I particularly enjoyed three consecutive stories from the last section (The Devil on Paradise Road; Take the Money and Run; and Hornswoggled).
I'd recommend the book to most readers. If you don't want to just read one article after another it might make sense to keep this book handy to read the stories in between other books.
October 8, 2020
Reading books like this is, I must admit, something of a guilty pleasure for me. I love the challenge of working through classic literature and the joys of learning more about history but every now and then I like to read books that appeal to somewhat less serious and weighty matters. Sometimes I am very disappointed, but at other times, such as this, I very much enjoy myself.
This book is a series of articles written over the years (although mostly within the last 10 to 15 years) by writers from Outside Magazine and very gifted writers they are. This was one of the particular joys of this read - the high quality of the writing. However books of this type almost always have distinct pros and cons, of which this offering is no exception.
On the plus side, there are a large number of topics covered and these can all spark interest. There were many times a story written here had me scurrying to Google to get an update on the latest developments. Sometimes there were some, sometimes not. It is always nice to know that if you are reading an article of less interest, that one is always just a few minutes and pages from another one.
However this is also the downside. The stories are necessarily somewhat shallow, told as they are over the course of 20 pages or so. Also, inevitably, some will fall into the category above which are less interesting to the reader although I have to say, this was relatively rare for me in this well put together portfolio.
I do, however, think the secondary title to be somewhat misleading. There are certainly mysteries and crimes and even disasters here but some of the offerings are not nearly as dark or mysterious as I was expecting. This may be my fault and my false expectations. Some articles are somewhat bland, but who wouldn't feel a shiver down the spine when imagining coming across a murderer on the Appalachian Trail or being dragged to ones death by Tilikum the Killer Whale? Some stories are indeed gripping and again, the writing is excellent.
This is one of the best collections of writings of this type that I have read and I did enjoy it. Now, back to Dickens and Tolstoy......
This book is a series of articles written over the years (although mostly within the last 10 to 15 years) by writers from Outside Magazine and very gifted writers they are. This was one of the particular joys of this read - the high quality of the writing. However books of this type almost always have distinct pros and cons, of which this offering is no exception.
On the plus side, there are a large number of topics covered and these can all spark interest. There were many times a story written here had me scurrying to Google to get an update on the latest developments. Sometimes there were some, sometimes not. It is always nice to know that if you are reading an article of less interest, that one is always just a few minutes and pages from another one.
However this is also the downside. The stories are necessarily somewhat shallow, told as they are over the course of 20 pages or so. Also, inevitably, some will fall into the category above which are less interesting to the reader although I have to say, this was relatively rare for me in this well put together portfolio.
I do, however, think the secondary title to be somewhat misleading. There are certainly mysteries and crimes and even disasters here but some of the offerings are not nearly as dark or mysterious as I was expecting. This may be my fault and my false expectations. Some articles are somewhat bland, but who wouldn't feel a shiver down the spine when imagining coming across a murderer on the Appalachian Trail or being dragged to ones death by Tilikum the Killer Whale? Some stories are indeed gripping and again, the writing is excellent.
This is one of the best collections of writings of this type that I have read and I did enjoy it. Now, back to Dickens and Tolstoy......
December 21, 2020
I want to start by saying I found the writing on 90% of these articles to be fantastic, however this is not the type of book I typically find engrossing. Interesting, yes, but not engrossing, which means I really had to fight to finish it. I am a procrastinator who loves a deadline so when I set "end of year" as my finish goal I really buckled down. One thing I did appreciate is hearing about true crime stories that aren't widely talked about and done over and over again in podcasts, etc.
If I'm being honest, the 3 stars are more about me than they are about the book. I'm working on getting some variety in my reading list and unfortunately that means I'm not going to be all-in crazy about every book I read.
If I'm being honest, the 3 stars are more about me than they are about the book. I'm working on getting some variety in my reading list and unfortunately that means I'm not going to be all-in crazy about every book I read.
November 13, 2020
This is a compilation of various essays kind of tangentially related to outdoors stuff.
Some were very interesting (the essay that's the basis for blackfish, the one about the teenager who steals airplanes, the lobster mafias, the rhino horns, the large scale nut thefts in central california by the armenian power, & the map stealer).
Some were less so (the guy who died and had his boat looted in an area known for pirates & looting, the dude who shot one national park ranger and froze to death in rainier)
It was nice to read 2-3 before bed.
Some were very interesting (the essay that's the basis for blackfish, the one about the teenager who steals airplanes, the lobster mafias, the rhino horns, the large scale nut thefts in central california by the armenian power, & the map stealer).
Some were less so (the guy who died and had his boat looted in an area known for pirates & looting, the dude who shot one national park ranger and froze to death in rainier)
It was nice to read 2-3 before bed.
June 18, 2019
A collection of mostly really great magazine stories from Outside magazine. Each story is written about some crisis, often a death, and what happened in its aftermath. Nothing bloody or disgusting; all stories written very nicely examining an event, not necessarily a death. Only a couple duds in the whole book.
July 29, 2019
This book is a compelation of adventure stories and mysteries, the best of the best from "Outside" magazine and available through Amazon.
I am a lover of nature and adventure, but primarily a participant through the experiences of others. None-the-less, these are edge of your seat experiences, many unsolved.
If you are familiar with this magazine, you know when a story compels the editors to cover it, the writer frequently becomes an investigator and these stories can run many pages when printed. Here, all the thrills and chills and details are compiled in one place and it is perfect for picking up and putting down as you have the time.
I read the book from beginning to end, but, as it is divided into chapters, listed in the beginning, it is possible to read what strikes your fancy at any time.
A weathy couple runs off to Costa Rica, buys many acres of jungle, build a 4 level home with no walls, establish a sanctuary for the wildlife, hire border guards and body guards, and slowly go mad.
An elderly woman aquires many acres of mostly marshly land in NC and cares for the many black bears, going so far as to having them in her trailer snd sleeping with them. She turns up dead but there is never any proof it was the bears.
Running shoes, appearing singly, with sock and feet inside, start appearing in Oregon.
The sad, fairly recent killing of 2 hikers, traveling together, on the Appslachian Trail-one of the few mydteries solved.
If adventure in nature interests you, this is the book for you! I loved every moment-my favorite book so far this year.
I am a lover of nature and adventure, but primarily a participant through the experiences of others. None-the-less, these are edge of your seat experiences, many unsolved.
If you are familiar with this magazine, you know when a story compels the editors to cover it, the writer frequently becomes an investigator and these stories can run many pages when printed. Here, all the thrills and chills and details are compiled in one place and it is perfect for picking up and putting down as you have the time.
I read the book from beginning to end, but, as it is divided into chapters, listed in the beginning, it is possible to read what strikes your fancy at any time.
A weathy couple runs off to Costa Rica, buys many acres of jungle, build a 4 level home with no walls, establish a sanctuary for the wildlife, hire border guards and body guards, and slowly go mad.
An elderly woman aquires many acres of mostly marshly land in NC and cares for the many black bears, going so far as to having them in her trailer snd sleeping with them. She turns up dead but there is never any proof it was the bears.
Running shoes, appearing singly, with sock and feet inside, start appearing in Oregon.
The sad, fairly recent killing of 2 hikers, traveling together, on the Appslachian Trail-one of the few mydteries solved.
If adventure in nature interests you, this is the book for you! I loved every moment-my favorite book so far this year.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 16, 2019
This was really good. I'm not giving it 5 stars because it made me depressed for a couple of days. I spent a day reading this book & got through half of it & just felt really dark & heavy because that's what the first part of the book is. The real life stories lighten up a bit toward the end & I wonder if it wouldn't have been better to spread the tone around a little although maybe I had just hardened up by the end or unsolved mysteries seem sadder. It also would have been good if the editors had added a modern epilogue, of the few I looked up some were unsolved but a couple had neat resolutions. Other than that it was well written, all by different authors & I recommend it. Just don't take it camping or you won't sleep.
June 10, 2022
Collections like this have the danger of being real up and down/hit or miss but this was pretty solid all the way through, just about every story kept my attention and the writing from Outside is always great.
January 19, 2024
empty calories, haltingly completed across five libby loans. some gems in here, but was really hoping for "best of outside mag" bangers, rather than "crimes that happened outside"
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October 3, 2019It was good filled with different mysteries that people couldn't solve or that were weird
March 30, 2023
Outside Magazine was my go to pickup at the airport before boarding a longer flight and I would read the issue cover to cover. This book did not disappoint any expectations. Well written intreging and interesting narratives of harrowing experiences, but not for the faint of heart or those looking for feel good stories.
January 25, 2021
This book was pretty good, there were definitely some super interesting, engaging stories but I did find a few of them a bit slow so I skipped them. My main complaint, though, is that I found it very hard to place the stories on a timeline in my head. Most if not all of the stories have dates in them, but they were not all published immediately and I definitely think it would've been helpful if the original publishing dates of each of them were listed at the front or at the beginning of the stories, because I got confused a few times about when everything was happening while reading. Also, I'm a little disappointed to see how few female authors are included in the book, but what's new?
January 25, 2023
This book does not fully admit what it is about from the cover or the title. I expected stories with one major key in common and it is not that these are all "mysteries". Its lack of cohesion really makes every other story hit or miss. While some stories were intriguing others fell flat and felt like a chore just to get to the end.
July 31, 2022
I’d never read an anthology of long-form articles like this before and I absolutely loved it. It’s remarkably cohesive given the distinct voice of each article’s author and the range of topics- the reporting is excellent. Big fan, even if I had trouble reading it in the dark.
September 26, 2024
I would give this 3.5 stars. It wasn’t quite what I expected. A lot of the stories didn’t take place in the wild. I read most of the stories and while they were good, it wasn’t exactly what I was looking for.
July 5, 2019
Great stories from Outside Magazine, but super lazy editing job. No updates to any of the stories, some of which chronicled ongoing events.
November 3, 2021
Lots of short stories/articles about things that really happened to people in the wilderness. I enjoyed it very much.
January 2, 2022
Neat collection of true crime mysteries. Loved the mysteries and strange phenomena portions, but the actual true crime essays weren't super interesting.
August 23, 2022
Best kind of "outdoor" writing.
January 11, 2024
My parents are longtime subscribers to Outside Magazine. I’ve always enjoyed reading their copies when I visit them. So, I jumped at the chance to order The Darkest Places, which is a collection of Outside’s “greatest hits” through the years.
I rarely give books five stars, but The Darkest Places deserves all five. It’s quite long and there isn’t a bad story in the bunch. Each entry includes a short description of the story’s plot at the beginning. You can read the stories in any order. Best of all, for me, was that some of the stories that I didn’t anticipate liking that much ended up being my favorites.
Find a copy of The Darkest Places and read it.
I rarely give books five stars, but The Darkest Places deserves all five. It’s quite long and there isn’t a bad story in the bunch. Each entry includes a short description of the story’s plot at the beginning. You can read the stories in any order. Best of all, for me, was that some of the stories that I didn’t anticipate liking that much ended up being my favorites.
Find a copy of The Darkest Places and read it.
January 15, 2024
I had my fill of high profile cases in 2023. So it was pleasant to read a collection of cases I wasnt very familiar with. Plus, these cases were written with that "I-Write-For-a-Magazine-but-I-am-Clearly-Far-Better-Than-This" style........curt and compelling. I looked into all the authors and realized I had already read some of their other works. Solid read all the way through. This was a much needed break from the trials I am always watching. Close, sincere, and organic.
June 4, 2020
I really liked this book, they present mysteries and bizarre cases of crime and sheer oddities. Proves that life is truly stranger than fiction sometimes. Also pleasing is the short chapters that enable the reader to take in one or two stories before bedtime. I promise you won't limit yourself to one, though. I was up many nights past midnight telling myself, just one more...
July 24, 2020
Great collection.
I really liked this collection of real life stories of the good, the bad and the ugly. I especially appreciated learning about wildlife and conservation crimes, and the loopholes in the systems that are meant to protect species of all kinds. Also liked seeing the challenges that people that work in environments not typically native have to face. Great read.
I really liked this collection of real life stories of the good, the bad and the ugly. I especially appreciated learning about wildlife and conservation crimes, and the loopholes in the systems that are meant to protect species of all kinds. Also liked seeing the challenges that people that work in environments not typically native have to face. Great read.
February 6, 2024
This book is a strange compilation of dark , unsolved true stories. I actually went and researched a couple of them because I just couldn't believe it! While I wouldn't recommend it to young people, it really isn't a bad idea to read it if you are an avid hiker. Hike with your eyes wide open and always be aware of your surroundings. Typically, safety in numbers...
October 14, 2019
This book was very sad. These stories were about people who went missing and never found missing off the face of the earth, to never return as without so much as a trace as to how? Why?! I felt very down by this.
January 20, 2023
I adored this high quality collection
This is top-quality journalism. Diverse stories; many fascinating angles about all the danger found in the outdoors. Spoiler: Mankind is the danger.
This is top-quality journalism. Diverse stories; many fascinating angles about all the danger found in the outdoors. Spoiler: Mankind is the danger.
September 30, 2023
From Outside magazine, which gave us the fabulous Jon Krakour, comes this compendium of articles about outdoor misadventures - death, murder, theft, disasters. Makes me glad to stay inside to read it.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews