Ruth Markel is the mother of the late Dan Markel, a noted law professor who was murdered in Tallahassee, Florida, in 2014. In The Unveiling, she describes her experiences since the day of Dan's death from several distinct perspectives:

- As a devastated mother with the unique human perspective of becoming a homicide survivor and victim.

- As a woman whose attempts to achieve normalcy and live a healthy life are continually interrupted by painful reminders, a rollercoaster of hearings, frequently changing trial dates, verdicts, and appeals.

- As an engaged citizen using what she has learned to help other victims of homicide and violent crimes recover from trauma and begin an optimistic outlook on life.

- As an insider who shows how our collective network of family, friends, and experts have helped her family remain involved, motivated, and hopeful.

- As a grandmother who had not been allowed to see her grandchildren in many years, she used advocacy to inspire the Florida State Legislature to pass a grandparent visitation bill.

- And as an experienced author of nine books using the written word to effectively address the shift from grief to promise.