Victim: The Secret Tapes of Marilyn Monroe

by Matthew Smith

Sir Robert Menzies by Janet Merkur. The Real Lives books are about famous people from the worlds of: Australian Politics and History; Sport; Film and Music. This book tells the story of the Liberal politician Sir Robert Menzies. It has many photographs of Sir Robert during his political career.

Genres: Nonfiction, Biography, History, Media Tie In, True Crime

320 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2003

About the author

Matthew^^Smith

Reviews

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

Smith delves into the personal archives of Marilyn's recorded psychiatric sessions with her doctor. He claims to have heard, first-hand, Marilyn's experiences from these so-called lost tapes, regarding her childhood, career, affairs and three marriages. The tapes were supposedly recorded into the months leading up to her death. Interestingly, the tapes also feature accounts Marilyn made when she was on her own, for later psychiatric analysis by her doctors.

The tapes in question remain a controversial topic. Some doubt their very existence. However, Smith maintains a neutral approach to such claims, taking time to explain how he came to listen to the tapes in the first place, right through to his own personal analysis of Marilyn's words. The author is a believer of the cover-up theory regarding Monroe's death in August 1962; and uses the tapes as valid references as to why the successful actress would never consider intentionally taking her own life at this given time. Smith also looks at the shortcomings surrounding the overall investigation into Monroes' death; inclusive of the fumbled police investigation and conflicting reports of Monroes' staff.

The book does focus well on scientific analysis, as well as psychiatric issues. From a medical perspective, the book is intreiguing. Where Smith neglects to offer much new to the Marilyn death theory, this is what ultimately is his downfall - this is little to distinguish his work from the hundreds - if not thousands - of other Marilyn related books on the market. However, for hardcore Monroe fans, this is undoubtedly an interesting addition to any collection.

[Sarah Nicoloff · Rating 1 out of 5]

Too much hearsay, no evidence was produce, too much repetition and a misleading title.

This book dragged on and on. It did nothing to prove that Marilyn was murdered. It was just a lot of hearsay from people who claimed to be her friend or heard about this or that. And as for the "tapes" — what tapes? The author is going by someone who said they heard them, but doesn't have them because they were lost/destroyed etc...

So how are the "tapes" featured in this book — well by the memory of the man who claimed to have heard them more than twenty years ago (note: this book was published in 2003) wrote them down for the author to put in this book! The tapes apparently were recorded by Marilyn for her psychiatrist just before ahe died, and amount to about five or so pages by what this man, who I should say was John Miner, Deputy to the District Attorney, and was present at Marilyn's autopsy, can remember. In the "tapes" she does mention the Kennedy brothers, how she thinks JFK will change America, and that she doesn't know what to "do about Bobby" she wants to break off the affair but worries about hurting him. As to the truth about that we will never truly know.

So my question to the author is why make the title of this book " The Secret Tapes of Marilyn Monroe", when it amounts to five or more pages out of a three hundred plus book, on hearsay without proof?

PS. I do not believe the "Marilyn was murdered conspiracies". I only read, and own this book as I am a collector of books on Marilyn, from the good, the bad, and the outright trashy.

[Danielle Foley · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too much "evidence" with out citing. I picked up this book out of curiosity because I too wonder if perhaps this wasn't a suicide and while some of the book does provide some nice evidence of how the case was botched by the L.A.P.D. and coroner's office the rest of the theories are just that, theories. No hard evidence was produced by this book. Most of his evidence is un-cited and a TON of hearsay. Very disappointing. Not to mention that I found the book to be a slow read, a lot of repetitiveness. Felt like this book was dragged out with opinion on what may have happened. Perhaps a few chapters of good info . . . may have been better if just a 100 page book consisting of just the facts that could argue a suicide. Certainly not a book that solves a case in anyway. Moreover, find it hard to rely on "tapes" that have been destroyed and then transcribed from memory years after the fact.

[Marilyne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Un livre beaucoup trop long à lire, des répétitions à chaque chapitre, pour au final pas grand chose. Intéressant pour les adeptes de la théorie du complot surement...

[Mimi Witsken · Rating 3 out of 5]

Marilyn's Last Words; by Matthew Smith

I'm a huge fan of Marilyn Monroe. I loved being able to look in depth into the scandal and rumours of her death and possible suicide. Personally, I think the book was too slow and repetitive. It stated one fact after the next, as opposed to telling the story of her death.

If you want to learn more about Marilyn’s death, go ahead and find a copy of this book and give it a read. It’s worth reading if you want to learn more about her death, it’s just to factual for my taste. The book contains Marilyn’s autopsy report, and the secret tape recordings of her “Stream of consciousness” with her Psychologist. Marilyn says to her doctor in one of the tapes, “That’s funny. I ask you to be patient, but I am your patient. Yet to be patient and to be your patient makes kind of Shakespearean sense, doesn’t it? (185 Smith)” Not only is this a good example of a simile, but it also shows her famous way of being ditzy, naive, and maybe a little flirtatious.

[Gemma Ireland · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is without a shadow of a doubt, my favourite book Ive ever read about Marilyn's life.
Fantastically written, great details about her work life and behind closed doors with Joe;
the abuse she used to have, verbally and mentally, but you see it from both points of view, you understand why Joe wanted her out of the limelight, because he seen how delicate she was.
Amazing book.

[Noel · Rating 4 out of 5]

well it was very interesting, terrible how it is so obvious that her death was due to someone else hand and yet they have got away it. CIA or FBI ,those kennedys have a lot to answer for and several others too, my mind is all of a whirl ,sinatra and lawton you dirty dogs.

[Gabrielle V. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I would say this is the best book about Marilyn's life and death that I have ever read (and I have gone through quite a few)!

'Monroe's death is based not only on the full and true forensic evidence from the time, but also on the tapes that Marilyn made for her psychiatrist in the weeks before her death, tapes that portray a woman in full charge of her life and looking forward to a bright, busy, successful future.'

So many details and curious facts - you are not going to leave this book once you have started it! Amazing combination of the story of her being told and the evidence in regards to what REALLY happened to her. If you are a big fan of Marilyn, please read this book and forget about all the rest!

[Ashley Hobgood · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had read this book for an English class in high school. I enjoyed reading this book because I learned more about Marilyn Monroe. I loved that it was informative and well researched. I thought the book was well written. It is a must read.

[Sand · Rating 4 out of 5]

Personnellement, j'ai trouvé ce livre brillant. l'auteur a une approche intéressante de l'entourage de la star avec leur mini biographie qui ajoute de la contenance pour évincer l'idée cruelle du suicide de Marilyn.

[Darla Ebert · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very thorough and filled with detail. Recommended to anyone who wants to delve into a slice of history about which there are still many questions.

[Sophie · Rating 3 out of 5]

For the zealous, ultimately devoted herds of Monroe connoisseurs, this book may easily be dismissed as yet another novel, written to scrape the barrel of the sparse details remaining to be spoken of about both her enigmatic life and death with the promise that there is "startling new evidence" or "rare interviews" within its pages. There are hundreds, perhaps even straddling the boundary of thousands, of novels casting Marilyn Monroe as their muse.

They would be right. I have sampled and read many of such novels, and both are the reflection of each other, aside from use of different words. However, this one caught my eye. What was enticing, I felt, about this one, was the transcript of her tapes she made to her psychiatrist, Ralph Greenson, which were intended to never have been revealed to the public. I understood that what had been disclosed would only be limited, but nevertheless, nothing could prepare me for how little there truly was of it.

Don't misunderstand me - I appreciated what there was. It revealed a candid, otherwise inimitable side to Marilyn which is like gold dust amongst novels such as these. But at the bones of it, what this book was isn't what it promises on the cover. That was my problem with it. It regurgitated the same facts, stories and interviews that had been spewed a thousand times before. I found myself rifling through the pages to get to the aspect of the tapes, which, compiled together, would've only amounted to about 5 pages worth throughout the novel. I didn't mind, as such, reading the same mundane facts which were ingrained upon my mind before, but what I wanted was not really what I got. I wanted to explore the life of Marilyn Monroe, not the death. I was becoming quite blasé about that.

What can't be denied, however, is the sympathy and potency of the novel. It was written wonderfully, and that cannot be taken away from it. I had enjoyed it for what it was, and that was all that mattered, I believe.

If you are uncertain as to whether you would like to read this, I would recommend that you do. For even if you are ultimately disappointed, you will find that the biography which you have been given is more than competent and sufficient. However, if you are new to the realms of Marilyn Monroe, I would advise you go elsewhere.

[Ape · Rating 3 out of 5]

2010 bookcrossing journal:

I have a stack of books about old Hollywood film stars that I've picked up second hand out of charity shops and second hand book shops, and I have barely read any of them yet! Well, I have now read this one! It's well written, in an engaging way that really keeps you going. It's the first of my Marilyn books I've read, and maybe not the best start as this isn't a biography in the obvious sense, but focuses on her death and discussing the various facts and evidence, looks at whether it was suicide or murder.

The secret tapes mentioned in the title of the book do appear in a few chapters as transcripts, but they do form a small part of the book and first turn up over half way through so maybe the title is a bit misleading. But it's all interesting reading, even though I can't say I agreed with everything he wrote. He came across as being quite sympathetic to her psychiatrist, but to be honest, having read what he did, I didn't like him and I thought him controlling and sneaky.

Before I read this book I didn't know anything about her death really apart from something about a drug overdose. Having read this book now, I know a heck of a lot more about it, but to be honest I am still not 100% convinced either way whether it was suicide or murder. Certainly there was a cover up of sorts, and people were in the house getting incriminating documents out of the way... but even if she had died of natural causes, a lot of that would have still gone on anyway - people protecting their interests. It did get quite depressing in a way. There was so much activity and discussion, and yet they all seemed to miss such a crucial point in it all - a woman had died. No one seemed to care.

I haven't read so much talk about enemas either! That was a bit of a surprise. Because there were no needle marks and no capsule remains in the stomach or staining from capsules of yellow on the stomach wall, he has decided that the drugs must have gone in through enema. Hey, I'm no pathologist, but couldn't the capsules just have been opened up and mixed with a drink? I don't know, like I said, I'm not completely sure one way or the other having read this as to whether she took her own life or not. And I don't suppose we will ever know now.

[Chris Beal · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this book very quickly -- unusual for me -- so it obviously pulled me in. I have to say, though, that in the end, it was a disappointment.

A mysterious death usually means a lot of complicated facts to sort through, so it is somewhat understandable that this book is so convoluted -- that the author repeats himself and repeats himself and can't seem to decide what order to tell things in. He's also written before about Marilyn as well as about the Kennedy deaths, so I'm not sure how much is new here. Supposedly, the reason for the book is to reveal the tapes Monroe made for her psychiatrist just before she died. But only three or four out of about twenty chapters deal with these tapes. They are interesting, but certainly not definitive in terms of shedding light on how she died. What they mainly illuminate is her relationship with her shrink.

What is annoying about this book is that Smith doesn't have any hard evidence at all for his theory that a renegade group from the CIA killed Marilyn. I think it's likely, but a little bit of proof would help. Even if the proof that it wasn't a suicide were definitive -- and it isn't, although it is definitively suggestive -- there are lots of others who had reason to kill her. The author dismisses each of these not with hard facts but with subjective reasoning: e.g., if I were Robert Kennedy, I wouldn't kill Marilyn because people would think --. The same logic is used for the Mafia, etc.

The bottom line is that while I know a lot more about Marilyn after reading this book, I don't know much more about why she died.

[Shirley · Rating 5 out of 5]

Marilyn Monroe's death in August 1962, apparently a suicide, shocked the world. The coroner's report said her death was due to an overdose of Nembutal. But what about the discrepancies between the official report and the eyewitness accounts & memories of the people who were at the scene of her death—friends,housekeeping staff, police, & doctors? What about the forensic evidence that disappeared between the time of her death and the coroner's report being issued? Looking back at thousands of documents, many never before published, and interviewing dozens of sources, Matthew Smith argues strongly for a new version of events.He paints a portrait of Monroe's day-to-day world toward the end of her life. The case he makes is based on the documents & on forensic evidence, & on the secret, confidential tapes Monroe made for her psychiatrist in the days leading up to her death—tapes that reveal a woman in charge of her life and her fate, a woman looking forward to a busy, bright future. Here, in her own words from the transcripts of the tapes, are the most private, secret thoughts of Marilyn Monroe.

[Chelsea · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a very interesting read, though there are a few faults that have kept it from being a four star book to me. The author seems to have done lots of research and background on the topic of Marilyn's death and has lots of interesting information, but there are several places where statements are made that he states as fact, when there is little to no validation of its truthfulness expressed by the author. Like most conspiracy books, he claims to have irrefutable evidence of this fact or that fact in support of his overarching idea, but no proof of these bold statements' validity. Also, there are several places throughout the book with the same information repeated in a different phrasing as if he was trying to fill in space to reach his page count.

Other than that, great read, even if you're only looking for something interesting to spark your curiosity.

[Ilze · Rating 3 out of 5]

As interesting as this book is, I found it extremely difficult to keep track of the characters. It’s easy to remember names such as “Greenson” (MM’s psychiatrist) or Engelberg (MM’s GP), but who are people such as Walter Bernstein, Bob Mitchum, “Slatzer”, “Otash”, and so on? Initially one really needs a description of them (e.g. the man with the fag, or limp, etc.). Later on the names have been used frequently enough for the reader to be able to place them, but it made it very difficult – for me – to keep track of what’s going on. Be that as it may, Smith managed to convince me that Monroe might not have committed suicide. The truth will however never be discovered as it was incinerated along with Monroe’s body in 1962, unless one of the accomplices opens his/her mouth.

[Rachel Nowakowski · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ended up flicking through the various 'chapters' in this book rather then reading it in its entirety. I was not that impressed with the writing unfortunately, there was loads of repetitive writing and things repeated over and over....repetitively! (Chortle, chortle) There was a miniscule amount from the secret tapes and it seems that most of the overriding statements of the book were cobbled together from eyewitnesses who lied and had agenda's. Although eyewitness accounts are a valid qualitative research tool the chapters were so short it came across as very patchy. The fact that there is so little information extant and that it was so badly collated and quickly destroyed does seem to point to a mahoosive cover up.

[Hannah · Rating 3 out of 5]

2/3's of this book were excellent. Very readable and easy to follow the authors thoughts about the evidence and who killed Marilyn. The last 100 pages or so were completely pointless. A review of everyone who was important in Marilyn's life- who we'd just spent the past 200 pages already knowing! Very strange. It seemed to me just to be written to make the book longer.

[Rachel · Rating 2 out of 5]

He's obviously done his research, and it's a fascinating story he weaves. However, it was too repetitive for me, with several stories, facts and observations mentioned in different chapters, and I wish he'd added more footnotes to site the source of his information as the book unfolds. I sometimes found myself wondering what was fact, opinion, or conjecture.

[Charlene]

Not to much of the secret tapes revealed

[pie · Rating 4 out of 5]

You'll learn a whole other side of THE Marilyn Monroe and how politics can get mixed up with the glitzy world of show-business.

[Tara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting read but seemed a bit repetitive, and there really wasn't much text from the tapes.

[Megan Mulholland · Rating 2 out of 5]

Too repetitive. Hard to keep track of the people at the beginning but then it got so repetitive at the end I chuckled because I knew the people. And very little of the actual tapes. Disappointing.

[Alisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

good information and easy read, but very repetitive. lots of people named and was hard to keep track of.

[Gemma Ireland · Rating 1 out of 5]

Amazing book. About Joe's abuse.

[Lyddie · Rating 2 out of 5]

Moments of potential, but ultimately disappointing.