On January 15, 1947, the torture-ravished body of a beautiful young woman is found in a vacant lot. The victim makes headlines as the Black Dahlia-and so begins the greatest manhunt in California history. Caught up in the investigation are Bucky Bleichert and Lee Blanchard. Both are obsessed with the Dahlia-driven by dark needs to know everything about her past, to capture her killer, to possess the woman even in death. Their quest will take them on a hellish journey through the underbelly of postwar Hollywood, to the core ...
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On January 15, 1947, the torture-ravished body of a beautiful young woman is found in a vacant lot. The victim makes headlines as the Black Dahlia-and so begins the greatest manhunt in California history. Caught up in the investigation are Bucky Bleichert and Lee Blanchard. Both are obsessed with the Dahlia-driven by dark needs to know everything about her past, to capture her killer, to possess the woman even in death. Their quest will take them on a hellish journey through the underbelly of postwar Hollywood, to the core of the dead girl's twisted life, past the extremes of their own psyches-into a region of total madness.
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Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
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Fair. May have some shelf-wear due to normal use. Your purchase funds free job training and education in the greater Seattle area. Thank you for supporting Goodwill's nonprofit mission!
Choose your shipping method in Checkout. Costs may vary based on destination.
Seller's Description:
Very good. Connecting readers with great books since 1972! Used books may not include companion materials, and may have some shelf wear or limited writing. We ship orders daily and Customer Service is our top priority!
"The Black Dahlia" novel is the story of a crime similar to those committed by Jack the Ripper fifty years earlier. I suppose you could call it a police procedural. The protagonist, Bucky Bleichert, an LAPD cop, is tough as nails - and he needs to be - because even Jack Reacher would have a hard time surviving in this hellish version of 1940's LA. All the other characters are the dregs of humanity - corrupt, morally bankrupt or mentally ill, not to mention psychotic.
There is no doubt in my mind that Ellroy can write but the reader needs a strong stomach. This is the first novel by Ellroy I have read. If there is anything else to read (phone books, dictionaries or advertising flyers), I will read those things before I read another novel like it. It will stick in your mind and give you nightmares. Down these mean streets no man should go unless he is a masochist.
carriej
Aug 24, 2009
Ugh....
This book was ALSO a struggle for me to finish. My book club read the book so I felt the need to finish... but, honestly - the back story between the cops was not entertaining and made the book drag on and on. The actual crime and clues part was interesting... but seriously - why did we need to read about the boxing? boring... Also, some parts were pretty gruesome. I don't recommend reading.
GilThelander
May 10, 2007
My Favorite Book
This is my favorite book that I've ever read. It is a brilliantly twisted fictional take on the infamous Black Dahlia murder case. I emphasize that this is a fictional perspective, as Elizabeth Short's murder remains unsolved to this day. Though I did like the 2006 movie adaptation, many people did not. Don't let this stop you from reading the book though because it blows the movie away in terms of characters and its overall dense plot. I would think it would be nearly impossible to truly adapt a James Ellroy novel to the screen. I highly recommend this book, and I have recommended it to friends. You will not be disappointed if you pick up The Black Dahlia.
Trilless
Apr 14, 2007
Good Story, Dull writing
This book was a struggle for me to get through. The plot and actual storyline points are very interesting and it does keep you guessing who is the true killer. However, the writing was so difficult and dry, I felt like tossing the book about halfway through.
Being a mutilation murder crime there may be certain points that have a cringe factor for some readers.
Based on a true story, and told as a first person view from one of the two main detectives assigned to the case. They are one of the first discovers of a horribly mutilated young woman. The media paints her as a sweet innocent, but the detectives uncover a more painted past that assists them in solving the case.
