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L.A. '56: A Devil in the City of Angels
Los Angeles, 1956. Glamorous. Prosperous. The place to see and be seen. But beneath the shiny exterior beats a dark heart. For when the sun goes down, L.A. becomes the noir city of James Ellroy’s L.A. Confidential or Walter Mosley’s Easy Rawlins novels. Segregation is the unwritten law of the land. The growing black population is expected to keep to South Central. The white cops are encouraged to deal out harsh street justice. In L.A. ’56, Joel Engel paints a tense, moody portrait of the city as a devil weaves his way through the shadows.
While R&B and hot jazz spill out of record shops and clubs and all-night burger stands, Willie Fields cruises past in his dark green DeSoto, looking for a woman on whom he can bestow the gift of his company. His brilliant idea: Buy a tin badge in the five-and-ten to go along with his big flashlight and Luger and pretend to be an undercover vice cop. The young white girls doing it with their boyfriends in the lovers’ lanes dotting the L.A. hills would never say no to a cop. Into the car they go for a ride downtown on a “morals charge,” before he kicks out the young man in the middle of nowhere and takes the girl for a ride she’ll spend a lifetime trying to forget.
There’s a bad guy on the loose in the City of Angels.
Enter Detective Danny Galindo—he’d worked the Black Dahlia case back in ’47 as a rookie. The suave Latino—one of the few in the department—is able to move easily among the white detectives. Maybe it’s all those stories he’s sold to Jack Webb for Dragnet. When Todd Roark, a black ex-cop, is arrested, Galindo knows he’s innocent. But there’s no sympathy for Roark among the white cops on the LAPD; Galindo will have to go it alone.
There’s only one problem: The victims aren’t coming forward. The white press ignores the story, too, making Galindo’s job that much more difficult. And now he’s fallen in love with one of the rapist’s first victims. If he’s ever found out, he can kiss his badge good-bye.
With his back up against a wall, Galindo realizes that it will take some good old-fashioned Hollywood magic to take down a devil in the City of Angels.
While R&B and hot jazz spill out of record shops and clubs and all-night burger stands, Willie Fields cruises past in his dark green DeSoto, looking for a woman on whom he can bestow the gift of his company. His brilliant idea: Buy a tin badge in the five-and-ten to go along with his big flashlight and Luger and pretend to be an undercover vice cop. The young white girls doing it with their boyfriends in the lovers’ lanes dotting the L.A. hills would never say no to a cop. Into the car they go for a ride downtown on a “morals charge,” before he kicks out the young man in the middle of nowhere and takes the girl for a ride she’ll spend a lifetime trying to forget.
There’s a bad guy on the loose in the City of Angels.
Enter Detective Danny Galindo—he’d worked the Black Dahlia case back in ’47 as a rookie. The suave Latino—one of the few in the department—is able to move easily among the white detectives. Maybe it’s all those stories he’s sold to Jack Webb for Dragnet. When Todd Roark, a black ex-cop, is arrested, Galindo knows he’s innocent. But there’s no sympathy for Roark among the white cops on the LAPD; Galindo will have to go it alone.
There’s only one problem: The victims aren’t coming forward. The white press ignores the story, too, making Galindo’s job that much more difficult. And now he’s fallen in love with one of the rapist’s first victims. If he’s ever found out, he can kiss his badge good-bye.
With his back up against a wall, Galindo realizes that it will take some good old-fashioned Hollywood magic to take down a devil in the City of Angels.
294 pages, Hardcover
First published April 10, 2012
22 people are currently reading
215 people want to read
About the author
Joel Engel
29 books3 followersJoel Engel authored or co-authored more than 15 books (including a New York Times bestseller)—narrative nonfiction, essays, sports, satire, pop culture, biography, and autobiography. As a journalist for the New York Times and Los Angeles Times, among other papers and periodicals, Engel reported on everything from politics to hot-air ballooning, pregnancy to cancer research, pop culture to business. Engle has also sold several feature-film scripts to Hollywood and produced about 60 hours of (cable) television.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews
August 12, 2012
Ok, an interesting read that somewhat blurs the lines between fiction and non-fiction. Obviously a great deal of the dialogue was fictionalized in order to make this an interesting and dramatic read.
Was a bit disappointed how long it took to build up steam and finally nail the criminal. However, this disappointing pace did provide some interesting and peculiar insights into the criminal's odd, little mind.
Was hoping for a bit more on the gritty, noir life that ws LA at the time, but it did offer some very interesting, if not embarassing background on the racial tensions of the time.
Not as interesting as some more recent investigative/true crime books I've read, but certainly not upset that I gave it a go.
Was a bit disappointed how long it took to build up steam and finally nail the criminal. However, this disappointing pace did provide some interesting and peculiar insights into the criminal's odd, little mind.
Was hoping for a bit more on the gritty, noir life that ws LA at the time, but it did offer some very interesting, if not embarassing background on the racial tensions of the time.
Not as interesting as some more recent investigative/true crime books I've read, but certainly not upset that I gave it a go.
September 24, 2024
This is a very interesting case written in an okay style. Engel’s sentences are often choppy, and the short chapters enhance the overall feel of choppiness. He goes for a noir feel but it doesn’t come off as feeling natural. He does well, though, it giving clear perspectives to the parties involved and in highlighting the racial and class dynamics of 1950s Los Angeles, bringing a somewhat deeper level of thought to this true crime book that might otherwise just have been tawdry.
April 21, 2018
Highly recommend this book!
My father in law had told me some stories about growing up in Boyle Heights and about his “cousin” Danny Galindo, the detective. I briefly met both Margie and Danny at a family event on one occasion and of course this story did not come up. But I got the sense of how close knit his family was. I briefly spoke with Mr. Galindo and met his beloved dog. I had the honor of attending the celebration of life memorial, Margie organized after his passing and I was amazed by the honor, respect and sense of loss people expressed that day.
Additionally, I lived in L.A. in the early 2000’s and drove an ambulance all over the city and the county for 6 years. As I read the book, I tried to imagine what the city looked like in the 1950’s compare to what it looked like when I lived/worked there and how much it has changed to present day.
As I read the story of how Danny and Margie met, and how they drove around the city looking for the rapist, Mr. Engel took me along for the ride. Specially, because I drove on the same streets and went into the same neighborhoods when I drove an ambulance in the city of angels.
Though a hard story to read because of the subject matter and the reality Mr. Engel further injects into the book by putting news stories appearing or not appearing in the newspapers as these events developed, he truly paints the picture of what L.A. was and continues to be in so many ways.
Now, I’m going to go back and ask my father in law for more stories about old L.A., his “cousin” Danny and will continue to insist that he should write his own memories. Mr. Espinosa will be turning 90 this year and he has had an amazing life himself. Mr. Galindo and Mr. Espinosa are part of that amazing generation we are losing as father time rolls on.
My father in law had told me some stories about growing up in Boyle Heights and about his “cousin” Danny Galindo, the detective. I briefly met both Margie and Danny at a family event on one occasion and of course this story did not come up. But I got the sense of how close knit his family was. I briefly spoke with Mr. Galindo and met his beloved dog. I had the honor of attending the celebration of life memorial, Margie organized after his passing and I was amazed by the honor, respect and sense of loss people expressed that day.
Additionally, I lived in L.A. in the early 2000’s and drove an ambulance all over the city and the county for 6 years. As I read the book, I tried to imagine what the city looked like in the 1950’s compare to what it looked like when I lived/worked there and how much it has changed to present day.
As I read the story of how Danny and Margie met, and how they drove around the city looking for the rapist, Mr. Engel took me along for the ride. Specially, because I drove on the same streets and went into the same neighborhoods when I drove an ambulance in the city of angels.
Though a hard story to read because of the subject matter and the reality Mr. Engel further injects into the book by putting news stories appearing or not appearing in the newspapers as these events developed, he truly paints the picture of what L.A. was and continues to be in so many ways.
Now, I’m going to go back and ask my father in law for more stories about old L.A., his “cousin” Danny and will continue to insist that he should write his own memories. Mr. Espinosa will be turning 90 this year and he has had an amazing life himself. Mr. Galindo and Mr. Espinosa are part of that amazing generation we are losing as father time rolls on.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 23, 2012
“L.A. ‘56” by Joel Engel, published by Thomas Dunne Books.
Category – True Crime
Whether you are a fan of True Crime, Mystery/Thriller, or just an excellent – make that superb – read. This book will even of interest to those who enjoy Fiction/Literature and Biographies.
Detective Danny Galindo, who worked on both the “Black Dahlia” and “Manson Murders”, is faced with tracking down a serial rapist.
Galindo is also faced with a Los Angeles that is very segregated. Segregated in real estate, segregated in newspapers, and segregated in the police force, not only is Los Angeles segregated by Black and White, but also the Latinos, and Galindo is Mexican.
Young men and women who are frequenting lover’s lanes are being accosted by a man pretending to be a police officer. He drives the young man some distance from the scene and comes back to rape the young women. Little is known about the rapist other than that he is a huge Negro and drives a DeSoto.
Galindo’s problem becomes difficult when a former police officer is accused and arrested for the crimes.
Galindo is able to bring the rapist to justice; however, the reader will be absolutely floored at the ending.
Joel Engel has put together a wonderful noir mystery that is made even better when one considers that this is a true story. He also brings to his story the music and personalities of the time.
Category – True Crime
Whether you are a fan of True Crime, Mystery/Thriller, or just an excellent – make that superb – read. This book will even of interest to those who enjoy Fiction/Literature and Biographies.
Detective Danny Galindo, who worked on both the “Black Dahlia” and “Manson Murders”, is faced with tracking down a serial rapist.
Galindo is also faced with a Los Angeles that is very segregated. Segregated in real estate, segregated in newspapers, and segregated in the police force, not only is Los Angeles segregated by Black and White, but also the Latinos, and Galindo is Mexican.
Young men and women who are frequenting lover’s lanes are being accosted by a man pretending to be a police officer. He drives the young man some distance from the scene and comes back to rape the young women. Little is known about the rapist other than that he is a huge Negro and drives a DeSoto.
Galindo’s problem becomes difficult when a former police officer is accused and arrested for the crimes.
Galindo is able to bring the rapist to justice; however, the reader will be absolutely floored at the ending.
Joel Engel has put together a wonderful noir mystery that is made even better when one considers that this is a true story. He also brings to his story the music and personalities of the time.
September 4, 2016
A heartbreaking story about how endemic racism in and out of a police department can ruin even a good cop's life. Definitely recommended for true life crime stories.
July 11, 2021
Joel Engel presents an intriguing overview of life in Los Angeles in 1956 when, as the subtitle indicates, a devil ran riot in the city of angels. The story shifts perspective between Detective Danny Galindo who, as a rookie in 1947, found himself involved in the Blue Dahlia murder, and Willie Fields who thinks he is God's gift to women. The problem starts when Fields gets himself a tin sheriff's badge and starts using it to roust couples necking at area lover's lanes, then running the guy off before raping the girl. Galindo sees the pattern and eventually catches him. Along the way, readers get references to Jack Webb and his Dragnet series that uses stories from real life written up by people such as Galindo and Gene Roddenberry, as well as some background on Police Chief William H. Parker, for whom L.A.'s police headquarters is named, and Sergeant Tom Bradley, who eventually become mayor of Los Angeles.
September 7, 2023
A very interesting book for sure. This is a book based on actual facts. The conversations and various musings of some of the real life characters have been added by the author. At the very end of the book the author describes what happened to several individuals involved in this crazy story of a serial rapist that haunted L.A. back in 1956. So even though it could be called like a true crime due to some things be inserted for the book I placed it on my historical fiction shelf. And I will say this was a most enjoying read. See you all in my next review. Take care all!
April 20, 2018
I struggled to get into this book. At times it felt like a James Patterson with it's short chapters (many only a page long) and aspects of it didn't feel fleshed out enough.
The epilogue was probably the best part of the book as it ties up the loose ends and reveals injustices in the criminal system in the States in the 1950s to 1970s.
The epilogue was probably the best part of the book as it ties up the loose ends and reveals injustices in the criminal system in the States in the 1950s to 1970s.
September 5, 2017
Solid example of the true crime genre.
July 28, 2025
Wordpress Is Justice Served review: https://isjusticeserved.wordpress.com...
February 16, 2018
Several years ago, journalist Joel Engel was conversing with retired Los Angeles police detective Danny Galindo about cases and Galindo told him the story of convicted rapist Willie Fields and his arrest in 1956. It took a little while before Engel came back to the case and finished a book about it, but his L.A. '56 tells a very important story about law enforcement, race and culture in Los Angeles in the 1950s.
Fields spent several months during 1956 terrorizing the parking spots and lover's lanes of L.A., posing as an undercover police officer to separate the couples and assault the girls and young women. Because Fields is black and his victims white, Hispanic or Asian, and because Los Angeles in 1956 is as segregated as anywhere the Stars and Bars once flew, police can't get a lead on him. But they have another possibility, a former black LAPD officer fired for dating a white woman. The case is weak and Galindo knows it, but he also knows that the deck is stacked against the accused man unless he can find the real criminal. His growing affection for one of the witnesses in the case threatens to complicate things even more.
Even though it's a true-crime book, Engel manages to give L.A. '56 a hard-boiled, noirish feel and weave politics -- departmental and otherwise -- into his narrative to show as much as anyone could of what law enforcement and racial issues were like in southern California in the mid-1950s. He pulls few punches when assessing how easily the former officer is suspected, arrested and nearly railroaded into prison. He also gives full credit to the way the detectives, led by Galindo, went to work to try to find the real attacker once it was obvious they had the wrong man.
Engel tells L.A. '56 mostly in the present tense, but might have been stronger with the more ordinary third-person past. Either way, it's a thoughtful and thought-provoking examination of an incident in U.S. history that's probably not as much in the past yet as it should be.
Original available here.
Fields spent several months during 1956 terrorizing the parking spots and lover's lanes of L.A., posing as an undercover police officer to separate the couples and assault the girls and young women. Because Fields is black and his victims white, Hispanic or Asian, and because Los Angeles in 1956 is as segregated as anywhere the Stars and Bars once flew, police can't get a lead on him. But they have another possibility, a former black LAPD officer fired for dating a white woman. The case is weak and Galindo knows it, but he also knows that the deck is stacked against the accused man unless he can find the real criminal. His growing affection for one of the witnesses in the case threatens to complicate things even more.
Even though it's a true-crime book, Engel manages to give L.A. '56 a hard-boiled, noirish feel and weave politics -- departmental and otherwise -- into his narrative to show as much as anyone could of what law enforcement and racial issues were like in southern California in the mid-1950s. He pulls few punches when assessing how easily the former officer is suspected, arrested and nearly railroaded into prison. He also gives full credit to the way the detectives, led by Galindo, went to work to try to find the real attacker once it was obvious they had the wrong man.
Engel tells L.A. '56 mostly in the present tense, but might have been stronger with the more ordinary third-person past. Either way, it's a thoughtful and thought-provoking examination of an incident in U.S. history that's probably not as much in the past yet as it should be.
Original available here.
August 12, 2012
A good read. L.A. '56 by Joel Engle is subtitled: A Devil in the City of Angels.
In Chapter 1 readers are introduced to Willie Roscoe Fields. It becomes obvious Willie is the devil in Los Angeles California.
In Chapter 2 readers meet Detective Danny Galindo. He is one of the first Mexican/Americans to be employed by the LAPD. After a woman is butchered in 1947 there were nearly 150 confessions to the crime ~ 38 of the people claiming to be responsible for the gruesome crime spoke only Spanish. Danny was called upon to deal with those confessions. It depresses Danny that "...every one of them wanted to suffer infamy and death because being known as the Black Dahlia's butcher was as close as they were ever going to get in this life to mattering."
Chapter 3 reprints a news article that was published only by black press. This continues through out the book. Any acts of racism or police brutality against Negroes was ignored by the White Press.
Although L.A. '56 is a true crime story, Engel has fabricated or invented dialogue based on facts, evidence, interviews. Some names have been changed to protect privacy of those involved, especially the rape victims. Engel extensively interviewed Detective Galindo which adds to authenticity of those recreated conversations.
The times were changing in 1956. LAPD and Los Angeles liked things the way they were ~ blacks and whites not mixing. Engel brings the year alive mentioning songs playing on the radio, television shows and even print advertisements. Engel is actually telling two stories here; one about a serial rapist, the other about discrimination and racism. A good read.
In Chapter 1 readers are introduced to Willie Roscoe Fields. It becomes obvious Willie is the devil in Los Angeles California.
In Chapter 2 readers meet Detective Danny Galindo. He is one of the first Mexican/Americans to be employed by the LAPD. After a woman is butchered in 1947 there were nearly 150 confessions to the crime ~ 38 of the people claiming to be responsible for the gruesome crime spoke only Spanish. Danny was called upon to deal with those confessions. It depresses Danny that "...every one of them wanted to suffer infamy and death because being known as the Black Dahlia's butcher was as close as they were ever going to get in this life to mattering."
Chapter 3 reprints a news article that was published only by black press. This continues through out the book. Any acts of racism or police brutality against Negroes was ignored by the White Press.
Although L.A. '56 is a true crime story, Engel has fabricated or invented dialogue based on facts, evidence, interviews. Some names have been changed to protect privacy of those involved, especially the rape victims. Engel extensively interviewed Detective Galindo which adds to authenticity of those recreated conversations.
The times were changing in 1956. LAPD and Los Angeles liked things the way they were ~ blacks and whites not mixing. Engel brings the year alive mentioning songs playing on the radio, television shows and even print advertisements. Engel is actually telling two stories here; one about a serial rapist, the other about discrimination and racism. A good read.
September 27, 2012
Joel Engel's L.A. '56: A Devil in the City of Angels is a hybrid work of true crime/nonfiction and fiction. I know that sounds clichéd, slightly chaotic, and whole lot less descriptive than it should. But it's really true. Engel did his research, dug up a bunch of facts surrounding the case, interviewing prominent participants, and investigated related news stories from the same time – all of which he includes in his book. However, and here's where it gets weird, in an effort to create characters out of actual people he makes up dialogue he had no way of ever hearing, let alone knowing. He also makes up their thoughts, actions, and lives. So in other words, he goes all fiction on the reader. And halfway through the book I'm left wondering just what am I reading? Not that it wasn't interesting. But what genre is this? And is it really kosher to call it nonfiction? I don't know the answer. Although I do think Engel should have gone the "base on true events" angle. However, it is an interesting examination of Los Angeles in the '50's, and to be honest, that's why I read the book in the first place.
February 13, 2020
I think this book captures the soul of L.A. better than L.A. Noir: The Struggle for the Soul of America's Most Seductive City even though it just glosses over the stories.
The whole unreported history of the African-American community is eye-opening and sad.
I really appreciate this book for introducing me to Galindo. That guy is the real deal if there ever was.
I'm very unsure how Fields's side was complied since it seems no one ever wants to talk about Fields. I wish there was more explanation of his sources on this side of the story. It really knocks down the rating for me.
It is a compelling book that fills you in on a bizarre story but also leaves you with a lot of questions.
The whole unreported history of the African-American community is eye-opening and sad.
I really appreciate this book for introducing me to Galindo. That guy is the real deal if there ever was.
I'm very unsure how Fields's side was complied since it seems no one ever wants to talk about Fields. I wish there was more explanation of his sources on this side of the story. It really knocks down the rating for me.
It is a compelling book that fills you in on a bizarre story but also leaves you with a lot of questions.
June 15, 2014
This was a good read but on the disturbing side for sure. Pretty graphic right out of the gate and does a pretty good job keeping up the discomfort throughout. Well written, kept me engaged, and had a nice flow.
Does a good job injecting relative news and headlines throughout the book to set the period and environment.
Overall I took away the intent of the aiuthor which was to let you into the mind of a trully disturbed individual and the ultimately the irony of fate in some circumstances.
This author left no doubt the main offender was a twisted human being who in the grand scheme of things got off a lot easier than his victims.
Also does a good job depcting the race inequality and bias which effected that time especially.
I would give this about a 3.5. In the end the story is not that interesting but the writing keeps this with a high grade.
Does a good job injecting relative news and headlines throughout the book to set the period and environment.
Overall I took away the intent of the aiuthor which was to let you into the mind of a trully disturbed individual and the ultimately the irony of fate in some circumstances.
This author left no doubt the main offender was a twisted human being who in the grand scheme of things got off a lot easier than his victims.
Also does a good job depcting the race inequality and bias which effected that time especially.
I would give this about a 3.5. In the end the story is not that interesting but the writing keeps this with a high grade.
August 20, 2016
I was in the middle of researching books about Gene Roddenberry came across an unlikely related true crime book about LA. I have had an interest in learning more about Parker's Los Angeles since watching documentaries about rise of LA Gangs. Since this was a short book I thought i would give it a read.
The story captured me and now I find myself wanting to re-watch movies like LA Confidential, Black Dahlia and Mulholland Drive.
I cannot give 5 stars because the writing was a bit too choppy for my taste. I would have liked to have much more background on the main characters.
If you like a decent crime story then this is a quick read with a 'sort of' happy ending.
The story captured me and now I find myself wanting to re-watch movies like LA Confidential, Black Dahlia and Mulholland Drive.
I cannot give 5 stars because the writing was a bit too choppy for my taste. I would have liked to have much more background on the main characters.
If you like a decent crime story then this is a quick read with a 'sort of' happy ending.
July 25, 2016
I debated giving this book 3 or 4 stars. Although the author's note mentions that some conversations were made up and based on research, I still feel as though this nonfiction is quite fictional. Yes, it's based on a true story and I'm sure Danny's information is fairly accurate and based on interviews, but I still had that feeling.
That being said, I give it 4 stars because I quite enjoyed it. It was a lighter read, but I enjoyed my time with it while I was riding the bus. I would recommend it to others who don't mind the subject matter!
That being said, I give it 4 stars because I quite enjoyed it. It was a lighter read, but I enjoyed my time with it while I was riding the bus. I would recommend it to others who don't mind the subject matter!
October 30, 2012
Short, terse, kind of sleazy true crime book set in Los Angeles, 1956, as a serial rapist preys on young people parked on various "Lovers Lanes" around the city. Pretending to be a cop, the guy separates male from female and then rapes the woman. Engel writes about the crimes in vivid detail [hence the sleazy vibe] while also following a Mexican-American detective who is trying to find the rapist while a wrongly arrested L.A. cop sits behind bars. Fast read, lurid and will be of interest to anyone into vintage crime cases.
December 30, 2012
Fast paced, interesting true- crime. I don't usually go in for the true crime books, like fiction more, but I thought this one looked interesting when I was looking at new books at the library. Very glad I picked it up. It read much like a Michael Connelly novel. I liked the perspective on L.A. during the late 50's, the integration/desegregation angle that you don't really get too much of these days, including real newspaper stories from the papers. Anyone who is interested in crime, L.A. or just a good story, this one is for you.
March 4, 2013
This is a slightly novelized version of a real-life noire police story which took place in 1956. The two main characters are a smart Mexican-American war hero and police detective, and a brutal serial rapist. Los Angeles at a time when the racial and ethnic dynamics are slowly changing and segregation is starting to give way could also be seen as a character. This is a really interesting story which I really enjoyed. Like L.A. Confidential? Read a real-life take on cops and crime in L.A.!
June 26, 2015
Great story, for someone like me that lives in L.A., to read about the city in the fifties and relate to the names and places we have heard about, been to, or earlier read about. Enjoyed the story very much and how the author writes but was really blown away at the end and read the "Author's Notes". Hope I"m not being a spoiler here, but the Detective and others in the book are real people from the fifties and the story is true. As per Jack Webb and "Dragnet"- "This is the City".
September 21, 2012
Very engaging. As a current resident of LA, I found his references to specifics streets and landmarks interesting. Learned a little about local history regarding the now demolished Los Angeles Wrigley field which was not too far where I currently work. Great re-imagined dialouge and clear storytelling. Highly recommend if you enjoy true stories.
March 7, 2016
In 1956, Willie Roscoe Fieldshe was terrorizing couples in lovers lane by pretending to be a cop. He would get them apart and pretend to take the woman to the station but instead rapped her. LAPD tried to pin the crimes on a black former cop who dated a white woman. I could not get into this book. I did not care for the set up of the crime plus had to many unnecessary details.
June 11, 2012
I'm a true crime buff and this was interesting because it is a case that hadn't been covered. It also has links to other cases; the primary detective, one of the first Hispanic detectives on the LA force, also investigated the Blue Dahlia and the Manson murders.
June 21, 2012
This is a non fiction book that reads like it is fiction. The way the author writes it is horrible. I picked this up because it was a true story but instead it was a book based on a true story. The dialogue was made up and so were one of the entire character's point of view.
November 23, 2015
The writing is so elementary and suspense-free, it makes Michael Connelly look like James Ellroy.
The author name drops about 10 references per page to make you feel like it's LA in 1956, but it comes across as very heavy handed instead.
This story deserved to be told by a much better writer.
The author name drops about 10 references per page to make you feel like it's LA in 1956, but it comes across as very heavy handed instead.
This story deserved to be told by a much better writer.
September 24, 2012
My dad and brother both said OJ Simpson was framed. I never believed that until I read this book. Now I think they were right.
July 8, 2012
Language a little rough, interesting true story.
July 29, 2012
How can this not be a best-selling book? The best L.A. true crime/noir story since John Buntin's L.A. Noir.
November 7, 2012
True Crime. Not the best written. Love story - good. Ending not good - bad guy survives and does well.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 37 reviews