In the fading light of a June evening in 1980, the tranquility of Pocahontas County, West Virginia, was shattered by a crime that would echo through the decades. "The Third Rainbow Girl: The Long Life of a Double Murder in Appalachia" by Emma Copley Eisenberg intricately explores the haunting murders of Vicki Durian and Nancy Santomero, two young women whose journey to a peace festival ended in tragedy. This is not just a tale of an unsolved crime but a profound examination of the community caught in the crossfire of suspicion and the enduring impact of violence on a region misunderstood and stereotyped. Eisenberg, with her own ties to the area, delves deep into the heart of Appalachia, weaving a narrative that challenges the narratives imposed on this land and its people. Eisenberg's narrative is a masterful blend of true crime and sociocultural analysis, presenting a vivid tableau of a community and a landscape as complex as the case itself. Through meticulous research and personal reflection, "The Third Rainbow Girl" transcends the genre, offering a poignant look at the scars left by the murders and the broader implications of the stories we tell about places and their people. This book is not only an investigation into a chilling crime but also a thoughtful critique of the myths and prejudices that define Appalachia in the American imagination. Eisenberg invites readers to reconsider what they thought they knew about crime, punishment, and the deep-seated human need for narrative and closure.