I liked this book pretty good. I know other reviewers are trashing it because they fully subscribe to the "Fatal Vision" version of events. I just hope I'm never on trial with a jury of such people! Just try to keep in mind the author has spent a whole lot more time examining the case than you have. Don't write him off too fast. The book has interviews with an incredible number of those who were involved in the case.
Some of the book drags a bit. The section on McGinnis goes on way too long. Otherwise, the author does a good job of discussing evidence that was ignored or hidden. I think he does a great job of showing how the prosecution and judge rigged things, too. One prosecutor later got in all sorts of trouble for faking court documents and such and was sentenced to over 100 years in prison. I think he managed to get it reduced to three years and then was paroled after a few months. Think you would ever get such a deal?!
If you find this book interesting, you may want to read "May God Have Mercy" by John Tucker. Both of these should make you fear ever knowing anybody that gets sucked into the American legal system.
Is MacDonald guilty? We'll never know for sure but it's pretty clear he didn't get a fair trial or appeals. The original investigation was so sloppy and witnesses have died. Even the guts of the apartment were completely ripped out and destroyed. Later, the apartment was torn down.