Searching for Patty Hearst : A True Crime Novel

by Roger D. Rapoport, Roger Rapoport

On the night that Patty Hearst was kidnapped in 1974, journalist Roger D. Rapoport, was a short drive away in his El Cerrito home. He quickly became one of the primary reporters covering the saga as it unfolded in real time. His reporting gave local and national readers a window into one of the most bizarre and polarizing crimes in U.S. history. Now, fifty years later, he has written a novel, Searching for Patty Hearst , that draws heavily from that time. In this compelling new book, he explores alternative theories of the crime and delves into the complex psychology of many of the key actors in a drama that kept the country riveted. Using the techniques of fiction, Rapoport gives voice to much of the story that fell outside of the bounds of journalistic coverage. “I wrote this novel because I believed the American public deserved nothing but the truth,” he says. With a wry sensibility and insider knowledge that Rapoport is one of the few people to possess, Searching for Patty Hearst , goes beyond the tabloid headlines to tell the story in all its depth. Rapoport takes on such questions Why did Patty participate in the kidnapping of a high school student hours before six of the SLA kidnappers were killed in a firefight with the Los Angeles police department? Did celebrity coroner Thomas Noguchi, whom Rapoport interviewed, mishandle the autopsies of six SLA victims? Why did Patty’s lawyers dump her fiancée Steve Weed as a key witness at her trial at the last minute? It’s often said that fiction can offer insights into the truth that reporting can’t. If that is the case, the story of Patty Hearst, the SLA, and the kidnapping that carved them into the American psyche just may be told for the first time with Searching for Patty Hearst .

332 pages, Paperback

Published January 16, 2024

About the author

Author writes under the penname Roger Rapoport as well

Reviews

[Marilyn Fisher · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you watched the news in the 1970s, it was hard not to follow the events surrounding the kidnapping of Patty Hearst. Roger Rapoport’s new novel is a unique treatment on the subject—it’s innovative, interesting and exciting.

[Dyan · Rating 3 out of 5]

gave this book 3 stars.

I was about 10 years old when Patty was kidnapped. I know my parents talked about it a lot but it wasn't something that really stuck with me. I read this book to find out what happened.

This book just wasn't for me. If you were someone that was very into this situation I bet this book would be very interesting. There are so many players and characters that I kept getting confused. And then there was someone said this and then someone else said, NO! That wasn't how it happened, so I still don't know the whole story!

This book goes to show you will never know the whole story because people are going to tell you what will make them look better in the situation regardless if it's a complete lie.

I honestly think someone that was interested in this situation and knows some of the back story and some of the names will enjoy reading it. Obviously, the people that have read the book for Goodreads thought it was good.

Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC of this book for my honest opinion.

[Feisty Fifty · Rating 5 out of 5]

Addictive Page-Turner! Every American who lived through the 1960s and ‘70s was riveted by one of the most memorable events of the times: the kidnapping and subsequent capture of Patty Hearst. In honor of the 50th anniversary of that watershed moment in history, Roger Rapaport (an early and key reporter of the kidnapping) has written a fascinating book on the topic.

Deftly weaving aspects of the cultural upheaval of the period, with facts of the kidnapping and added fictional elements to support his narrative, Rapaport has created one heckuva great read. Each chapter provides several revelations and “aha moments” guaranteed to transport you back to the gripping events that made the story so compelling.

One caution you should know: this book is so addictive and that it’s guaranteed to keep you turning pages well into the night!

Mary Eileen Williams
Feisty Side of Fifty

[Lisa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I’ve always been fascinated by the Patty Hearst kidnapping and have read a number of books about it. This one, since it was written as fiction, was very confusing to me. I know what happened – and remember hearing about the events in real time – so I’m not sure why the author thought readers would get the “real” story through fiction. This book seemed written mainly to coincide with the 50th anniversary of Hearst’s kidnapping and to disparage Steven Weed, Hearst’s former fiancé

[groove · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story sells itself but Rapoport's compelling, unique and smart version of the events is riveting. I found myself immediately drawn back into the drama. The truth is often stranger than fiction but what is even more strange is a creative mash up of the two.

[Rosemary · Rating 1 out of 5]

This book was a disappointment. I learned a lot about Roger D. Rapoport, what he likes to eat, what he drives, how mean Steve Weed was to him, and how truly wonderful Roger is. (Read the last bit with sarcasm, please.)
I did not read much about Patty Hearst.