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Trial by Ambush: Murder, Injustice, and the Truth about the Case of Barbara Graham
In this dramatic true account about the power of sensationalized crime, one woman’s case is exposed for its sexism, flagrant disregard for the truth, and, ultimately, the dangers posed by an unbridled prosecution.
Unwanted and neglected from birth, Barbara Graham had to overcome the odds just to survive. Her beauty was both a blessing and a curse—offering her too many options of all the wrong kind. Her innate sensitivity left her vulnerable to the harsh realities of the street, where she was left to fend for herself before she reached double digits. Her record of petty crimes spoke to a life that constantly teetered on the brink of disaster.
But in 1953, a catastrophic twist of fate would catapult her out of obscurity and into the headlines.
When a robbery spiraled out of control and escalated into a brutal murder, Barbara became the centerpiece of a media circus. Her beauty enraptured the press, and they were quick to portray her as a villainous femme fatale despite abundant evidence to the contrary—a fiction the prosecution eagerly promoted.
The frenzy of public interest and willful distortion paved a treacherous path for Barbara Graham. In Trial by Ambush, author and criminal lawyer Marcia Clark investigates the case exposing the fallacies in the demonizing picture they painted and the critical evidence that was never revealed.
Unwanted and neglected from birth, Barbara Graham had to overcome the odds just to survive. Her beauty was both a blessing and a curse—offering her too many options of all the wrong kind. Her innate sensitivity left her vulnerable to the harsh realities of the street, where she was left to fend for herself before she reached double digits. Her record of petty crimes spoke to a life that constantly teetered on the brink of disaster.
But in 1953, a catastrophic twist of fate would catapult her out of obscurity and into the headlines.
When a robbery spiraled out of control and escalated into a brutal murder, Barbara became the centerpiece of a media circus. Her beauty enraptured the press, and they were quick to portray her as a villainous femme fatale despite abundant evidence to the contrary—a fiction the prosecution eagerly promoted.
The frenzy of public interest and willful distortion paved a treacherous path for Barbara Graham. In Trial by Ambush, author and criminal lawyer Marcia Clark investigates the case exposing the fallacies in the demonizing picture they painted and the critical evidence that was never revealed.
284 pages, Hardcover
First published December 1, 2024
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About the author
Marcia Clark
21 books1,315 followersMarcia Clark is a former LA, California deputy district attorney, who was the lead prosecutor in the O.J. Simpson murder case. She wrote a bestselling nonfiction book about the trial, Without a Doubt, and is a frequent media commentator and columnist on legal issues. She lives in Los Angeles.
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December 27, 2024
the setup…
On March 9, 1953, Mabel Monohan, a 64-year old widow, opened the door of her Burbank home to a woman claiming car trouble and needing to use the phone to call for service. She allowed the woman in and details vary about what happened next. Four men eventually ransacked her house looking for a safe of cash they believed her former notorious son-in-law had left behind. Mabel was murdered and three of the alleged perpetrators were later arrested. Barbara Graham was the lone woman but became the main focus and target by the prosecutors. Former Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Marcia Clark examines the case and Graham’s trial, exposing how the toxic cocktail of misogyny, media sensationalism and prosecutorial misbehavior led to her execution.
the heart of the story…
I found it fitting that the lead prosecutor for the modern trial of the century revisited one that was considered the same in the 1953. Clark knows better than most how the power of the media can infiltrate the judicial process. Barbara Graham had a tragic life leading up to the robbery but had never been convicted of anything but petty larceny and non-violent infractions, mostly to help provide for her children or assist a friend. Clark meticulously researched the details of Graham’s life, the evidence and the trial (she found the trial transcripts!) and it showed. Her assessments are based on fact and less personal opinion, providing a riveting dissection of a trial that abused the defendant and the judicial system in the process, further manipulated by a biased press.
the narration…
I loved everything about Clark’s narration. Most have heard her speak and she clearly knows how to tell a story and have you hanging on to every word.
the bottom line…
Barbara Graham would probably not have been convicted today and Clark convincingly lays out that case. I loved how she compared and contrasted the elements of the evidence, witness testimonies and courtroom behaviors with the laws today, making it easily digestible for laypersons. What was tragic for Clark is how she went into this thinking she’d be able to see one her heroes in action, legendary prosecutor J. Miller Leavy, but was left with something far less than admiration. If you prefer true crime stories that lean more heavily on facts but still with a powerful narrative, you’ll love this book.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
On March 9, 1953, Mabel Monohan, a 64-year old widow, opened the door of her Burbank home to a woman claiming car trouble and needing to use the phone to call for service. She allowed the woman in and details vary about what happened next. Four men eventually ransacked her house looking for a safe of cash they believed her former notorious son-in-law had left behind. Mabel was murdered and three of the alleged perpetrators were later arrested. Barbara Graham was the lone woman but became the main focus and target by the prosecutors. Former Los Angeles County Deputy District Attorney Marcia Clark examines the case and Graham’s trial, exposing how the toxic cocktail of misogyny, media sensationalism and prosecutorial misbehavior led to her execution.
the heart of the story…
I found it fitting that the lead prosecutor for the modern trial of the century revisited one that was considered the same in the 1953. Clark knows better than most how the power of the media can infiltrate the judicial process. Barbara Graham had a tragic life leading up to the robbery but had never been convicted of anything but petty larceny and non-violent infractions, mostly to help provide for her children or assist a friend. Clark meticulously researched the details of Graham’s life, the evidence and the trial (she found the trial transcripts!) and it showed. Her assessments are based on fact and less personal opinion, providing a riveting dissection of a trial that abused the defendant and the judicial system in the process, further manipulated by a biased press.
the narration…
I loved everything about Clark’s narration. Most have heard her speak and she clearly knows how to tell a story and have you hanging on to every word.
the bottom line…
Barbara Graham would probably not have been convicted today and Clark convincingly lays out that case. I loved how she compared and contrasted the elements of the evidence, witness testimonies and courtroom behaviors with the laws today, making it easily digestible for laypersons. What was tragic for Clark is how she went into this thinking she’d be able to see one her heroes in action, legendary prosecutor J. Miller Leavy, but was left with something far less than admiration. If you prefer true crime stories that lean more heavily on facts but still with a powerful narrative, you’ll love this book.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Brilliance Audio and NetGalley for my complimentary copy. All opinions are my own.)
November 27, 2024
Looks like Christmas came early!!! Guys… I loved this book!! Thank you so much @mbc_books 🫶@amazonpublishing for my gorgeous gifted copy!! 🥰 Pub date is 12/1/24… but WAIT… there’s more.😂 I know.. I sound like a infomercial. Seriously though this is an Amazon First Reads Selection..FREE digital copy for Prime members… 😉 Okay let me tell you WHY I loved it…
First off.. this is THE Marcia Clark!! 😍 If you don’t know.. she is truly an icon. A master at her craft. I was so excited to get a peek into her world. How is this the first book I have read by her?? Sign me up for her backlist!! 🙋♀️ Okay listen to this…
True story… yep this is for you… my true crime lovers and #nonfictionnovember !! 🙂 It’s 1953… women are supposed to be home tending to their husbands and children… or so society has deemed. So when mother, wife and an attractive woman named Barbara Graham is accused of murder… well it turns into a media frenzy.
Look Barbara wasn’t a saint 😇… but was she capable of a gruesome murder?? AHHH…. @thatmarciaclark presented this case with such amazing details!! I felt like I was right there living it… and let me tell you… I was mad… Hell I still am. 🤷♀️ Why were they SO determined to make her pay for this?? What about the lack of evidence? What about all the hearsay? OMG it was mind blowing.🤯
Did Barbara get off of the murder charge? I will leave you to find that out. 🤫 Don’t Google it!! Go in blind!! This case is going to stay in my mind rent free for a VERY long time. I can’t wait to read more by @thatmarciaclark !! I highly recommend this!!
First off.. this is THE Marcia Clark!! 😍 If you don’t know.. she is truly an icon. A master at her craft. I was so excited to get a peek into her world. How is this the first book I have read by her?? Sign me up for her backlist!! 🙋♀️ Okay listen to this…
True story… yep this is for you… my true crime lovers and #nonfictionnovember !! 🙂 It’s 1953… women are supposed to be home tending to their husbands and children… or so society has deemed. So when mother, wife and an attractive woman named Barbara Graham is accused of murder… well it turns into a media frenzy.
Look Barbara wasn’t a saint 😇… but was she capable of a gruesome murder?? AHHH…. @thatmarciaclark presented this case with such amazing details!! I felt like I was right there living it… and let me tell you… I was mad… Hell I still am. 🤷♀️ Why were they SO determined to make her pay for this?? What about the lack of evidence? What about all the hearsay? OMG it was mind blowing.🤯
Did Barbara get off of the murder charge? I will leave you to find that out. 🤫 Don’t Google it!! Go in blind!! This case is going to stay in my mind rent free for a VERY long time. I can’t wait to read more by @thatmarciaclark !! I highly recommend this!!
October 19, 2024
First and foremost, a large thank you to NetGalley, Marcia Clark, and Thomas & Mercer for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
I have long enjoyed the work of Marcia Clark, particularly her legal thrillers. However, Clark’s past as a trial lawyer, made popular during the O.J. Simpson debacle, helps show her ability to explore the legal aspects of this non-fiction book that is sure to educate many readers. This book is one such attempt to shed light on an actual case, one in which the accused was met with significant issue and a conviction seemed to come to fruition due to the press sensationalism and poor legal handling of this 1950s murder. Clark provides detailed analysis of the Barbara Graham case and how the courts propelled the press to create a headline-creating trial that would pull the general public into the daily drama of events and skew the truth.
Marcia Clark found herself unable to stop thinking about the 1953 case of Barbara Graham when she first discovered it. Said to be a murder trial that depicted the female suspect as a cold-blooded murderer by a media that was so skewed, Clark seeks to shed light on the truth. Graham was said to be part of a group of three who duped Mabel Monahan to gain access to her home, where she was robbed and left to die. Graham was to have pistol-whipped the victim and caused the injuries that led to her death. However, as Clark explains, there was much more at stake here, including Graham’s pleas that she was nowhere near the scene of the crime.
Barbara Graham grew up unwanted and neglected, as the early chapters depict. This childhood helped develop a poor foundation for Barbara, as Clark argues throughout. While women at the time were supposed to be “calm and kind”, Barbara’s tough demeanor did not play into this stereotype and helped paint her as a menace, which might have fuelled the dislike shown by journalists and court officers through the trial.
Clark continues the discussion in the middle portion of the book, focussing on the trial itself and the evidence put forward to the court. This is essential to better understanding the basis for guilt that was levied against Barbara Graham and for which Clark feels there was little justification. The case rested on proving that Barbara was not present during the crime, as even being on the premises with the two men who might have committed the murder would tie Barbara into the mix. As Clark explores, Barbara found herself drawn to a young woman who would help bridge the gap to ensure an alibi could be provided. This individual was, however, a plant serving to help the prosecution and sought to stymie Barbara from the outset. This, alongside poor legal ruling from the bench and blatantly sexist depicting of Barbara by journalists made it an uphill battle to get justice for the accused.
Clark also explores the legal decisions made by all officers of the court, from the judge’s handling of the cases to the way both lawyers presented their arguments. While it is difficult to assess completely, as legal precedent and Supreme Court decisions have changed many of the accepted practices of the day. That said, Clark effectively argues that the fact Barbara Graham was set to be sentenced to death with a guilty verdict, all angles must be explored and assessed. Clark does so well and provided the reader with much of the needed explanatory notes to better understand legal processes. A strong book that seeks to bring the layperson into the middle of the legal happenings from 1953.
While I do not read a great deal to true crime, when I do, I want something that pulls me in from the opening pages. Marcia Clark does so with ease and provides the reader with a great analysis. Clark is able to explore the case and backstory with ease, leaving the reader to better understand all aspects of the case. The pace is clear and easy to comprehend, leaving the reader to simply follow all that is taking place. That Clark sought to provide analytical assessments helps the reader to see some of the pitfalls of the case and how different things were in 1953. Whether Barbara Graham deserved the guilt assigned to her is up to the reader, but it is with better analysis that they can decide if the death penalty was a reasonable sentence to put on Barbara and the role she played in the crime. I enjoyed this book from the outset and was able to learn a great deal. Marcia Clark has provided yet another strong book to impress readers.
Kudos, Madam Clark, for another great piece of legal writing.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
I have long enjoyed the work of Marcia Clark, particularly her legal thrillers. However, Clark’s past as a trial lawyer, made popular during the O.J. Simpson debacle, helps show her ability to explore the legal aspects of this non-fiction book that is sure to educate many readers. This book is one such attempt to shed light on an actual case, one in which the accused was met with significant issue and a conviction seemed to come to fruition due to the press sensationalism and poor legal handling of this 1950s murder. Clark provides detailed analysis of the Barbara Graham case and how the courts propelled the press to create a headline-creating trial that would pull the general public into the daily drama of events and skew the truth.
Marcia Clark found herself unable to stop thinking about the 1953 case of Barbara Graham when she first discovered it. Said to be a murder trial that depicted the female suspect as a cold-blooded murderer by a media that was so skewed, Clark seeks to shed light on the truth. Graham was said to be part of a group of three who duped Mabel Monahan to gain access to her home, where she was robbed and left to die. Graham was to have pistol-whipped the victim and caused the injuries that led to her death. However, as Clark explains, there was much more at stake here, including Graham’s pleas that she was nowhere near the scene of the crime.
Barbara Graham grew up unwanted and neglected, as the early chapters depict. This childhood helped develop a poor foundation for Barbara, as Clark argues throughout. While women at the time were supposed to be “calm and kind”, Barbara’s tough demeanor did not play into this stereotype and helped paint her as a menace, which might have fuelled the dislike shown by journalists and court officers through the trial.
Clark continues the discussion in the middle portion of the book, focussing on the trial itself and the evidence put forward to the court. This is essential to better understanding the basis for guilt that was levied against Barbara Graham and for which Clark feels there was little justification. The case rested on proving that Barbara was not present during the crime, as even being on the premises with the two men who might have committed the murder would tie Barbara into the mix. As Clark explores, Barbara found herself drawn to a young woman who would help bridge the gap to ensure an alibi could be provided. This individual was, however, a plant serving to help the prosecution and sought to stymie Barbara from the outset. This, alongside poor legal ruling from the bench and blatantly sexist depicting of Barbara by journalists made it an uphill battle to get justice for the accused.
Clark also explores the legal decisions made by all officers of the court, from the judge’s handling of the cases to the way both lawyers presented their arguments. While it is difficult to assess completely, as legal precedent and Supreme Court decisions have changed many of the accepted practices of the day. That said, Clark effectively argues that the fact Barbara Graham was set to be sentenced to death with a guilty verdict, all angles must be explored and assessed. Clark does so well and provided the reader with much of the needed explanatory notes to better understand legal processes. A strong book that seeks to bring the layperson into the middle of the legal happenings from 1953.
While I do not read a great deal to true crime, when I do, I want something that pulls me in from the opening pages. Marcia Clark does so with ease and provides the reader with a great analysis. Clark is able to explore the case and backstory with ease, leaving the reader to better understand all aspects of the case. The pace is clear and easy to comprehend, leaving the reader to simply follow all that is taking place. That Clark sought to provide analytical assessments helps the reader to see some of the pitfalls of the case and how different things were in 1953. Whether Barbara Graham deserved the guilt assigned to her is up to the reader, but it is with better analysis that they can decide if the death penalty was a reasonable sentence to put on Barbara and the role she played in the crime. I enjoyed this book from the outset and was able to learn a great deal. Marcia Clark has provided yet another strong book to impress readers.
Kudos, Madam Clark, for another great piece of legal writing.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
August 31, 2024
Please indulge a personal diatribe, dear reader, before I dive into my review of Trial by Ambush by Marcia Clark. (And yes, the author is THAT Marcia Clark. She's so self-aware that it is literally her Twitter handle and no I will never call it X.)
When OJ decided to take his very slow drive in 1994, I was 12 years old. Even as an east coaster, the OJ trial was everywhere you looked. While there are many memorable aspects of the case, one thing I remember vividly is the first time I recognized sexism on a big scale. Sure, I had seen sexism before, but what I recall is thinking in my not quite developed brain, "Hey, they seem to be treating the lady lawyer a lot different than the guy lawyers." I then immediately laughed when someone said, "Let the juice loose!" Again, undeveloped brain. Please forgive the young idiot.
Is any of this relevant to my review of Trial by Ambush? Actually, yes! The book is about the 1953 murder of Mabel Monohan in one of the dumbest home invasions of all time. Was Barbara there? Did she assault Mabel? According to the prosecution, Barbara was a vicious killer and they would do whatever they could to make sure she was issued a state-sponsored passport to the afterlife.
This is not a traditional true crime book and it is exceptional because it isn't. The vast majority of the narrative is not the crime and the investigation, but Clark excoriating the prosecution's case which is held together by hidden evidence, shoddy ethical questioning, and the over-reliance on an accomplice who shouldn't be trusted at all.
I am generally against authors in non-fiction inserting themselves into their stories. However, Clark is speaking from her own extensive experience with prosecuting people. It is very much an expert walking you through the back and forth of the case and adding insight a non-lawyer wouldn't have. Yes, she does reference the OJ trial but also other cases she tried. Before anyone gets the wrong idea, this is not a legal treatise, but a true crime book with a bigger focus on the trial and the tricks used which led to (probably) a miscarriage of justice.
I wonder if Clark had any experience with one of those in her career? Eh, who knows. The book is great and you should read it.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer Books.)
When OJ decided to take his very slow drive in 1994, I was 12 years old. Even as an east coaster, the OJ trial was everywhere you looked. While there are many memorable aspects of the case, one thing I remember vividly is the first time I recognized sexism on a big scale. Sure, I had seen sexism before, but what I recall is thinking in my not quite developed brain, "Hey, they seem to be treating the lady lawyer a lot different than the guy lawyers." I then immediately laughed when someone said, "Let the juice loose!" Again, undeveloped brain. Please forgive the young idiot.
Is any of this relevant to my review of Trial by Ambush? Actually, yes! The book is about the 1953 murder of Mabel Monohan in one of the dumbest home invasions of all time. Was Barbara there? Did she assault Mabel? According to the prosecution, Barbara was a vicious killer and they would do whatever they could to make sure she was issued a state-sponsored passport to the afterlife.
This is not a traditional true crime book and it is exceptional because it isn't. The vast majority of the narrative is not the crime and the investigation, but Clark excoriating the prosecution's case which is held together by hidden evidence, shoddy ethical questioning, and the over-reliance on an accomplice who shouldn't be trusted at all.
I am generally against authors in non-fiction inserting themselves into their stories. However, Clark is speaking from her own extensive experience with prosecuting people. It is very much an expert walking you through the back and forth of the case and adding insight a non-lawyer wouldn't have. Yes, she does reference the OJ trial but also other cases she tried. Before anyone gets the wrong idea, this is not a legal treatise, but a true crime book with a bigger focus on the trial and the tricks used which led to (probably) a miscarriage of justice.
I wonder if Clark had any experience with one of those in her career? Eh, who knows. The book is great and you should read it.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer Books.)
November 6, 2024
Recently, I decided that, not only could I DNF a book, but I SHOULD!!
I have read many true crime books in my life, but I just was not enjoying reading this one. I suppose this was mostly down to the structure, which made it read like a text book.
You win some 🤷
I have read many true crime books in my life, but I just was not enjoying reading this one. I suppose this was mostly down to the structure, which made it read like a text book.
You win some 🤷
June 19, 2024
Thanks to Netgalley and Thomas & Mercer for providing a digital arc of Marcia Clark's latest!
I hoped to sleep it off, but the events depicted in this book kept coming back to me even in sleep. If a book that invokes rage, helplessness & unfairness, then this is the one.
So right from the start, the coverage of Barbara was not only excessively focused on her appearance; it was overtly sexualized, voyeuristic, and deliberately titillating.
In this book, the author depicts the chilling events leading up to the death of Mabel Monahan, the results after that & finally the death of Bloody Babs Barbara Graham. As the cops pinpoint the perpetrators - 3 men & 1 woman, Barbara becomes the focal point of a media shitstorm. Her beauty was a stark contrast to her co-defendants, which the media took to portray her as a villainous femme fatale. Every move of her were scrutinized in agonizing sharpness, only to paint a picture of how Bloody Babs acts. She couldn’t even cough in peace, a fall that severely injured her during the ongoing trial, only to be summarized as fake by the media.
Throughout the trial, the press had strained to embellish descriptions of Barbara's reactions, saying she'd "glared" at the witness or "smirked" or "frowned angrily" at one person or another.
Having had tough, neglected childhood, living a life of petty crimes throughout her adulthood, Barbara was anything but demure. Further, it was expected of a woman in the 50s to be demure, gentle & given in her position to be scared and white-faced.
Not only that, the justice system, ironically did her no justice. The prosecution ambushed her while she is in jail, setting traps to have forced confessions. Hence the title. But though the process was nasty, it wasn’t exactly illegal. Moreover, the trap created by the prosecution happened to be another female inmate, leading them to have a romantic liaison. This didn’t help her either, making herself portray as a sexual deviant. It felt as if the prosecutor held a personal vendetta against her, but Barbara had bravely held ground
There is too much to say, too less to do.
I'm too enraged 😠 to be reviewing this! I need to recover from this and would probably take a lot of time.
I guess this is the month for arcs! Let's goooo!!
Thoughts while reading:
1. How does sexualizing a defendent help a case case??!!! 😤
2. It's sad how most criminals turn out to be victims themselves. 😔
3. I'm EnraGedddd!!!!!
4. I'm shedding angry tears!!!!!
I hoped to sleep it off, but the events depicted in this book kept coming back to me even in sleep. If a book that invokes rage, helplessness & unfairness, then this is the one.
So right from the start, the coverage of Barbara was not only excessively focused on her appearance; it was overtly sexualized, voyeuristic, and deliberately titillating.
In this book, the author depicts the chilling events leading up to the death of Mabel Monahan, the results after that & finally the death of Bloody Babs Barbara Graham. As the cops pinpoint the perpetrators - 3 men & 1 woman, Barbara becomes the focal point of a media shitstorm. Her beauty was a stark contrast to her co-defendants, which the media took to portray her as a villainous femme fatale. Every move of her were scrutinized in agonizing sharpness, only to paint a picture of how Bloody Babs acts. She couldn’t even cough in peace, a fall that severely injured her during the ongoing trial, only to be summarized as fake by the media.
Throughout the trial, the press had strained to embellish descriptions of Barbara's reactions, saying she'd "glared" at the witness or "smirked" or "frowned angrily" at one person or another.
Having had tough, neglected childhood, living a life of petty crimes throughout her adulthood, Barbara was anything but demure. Further, it was expected of a woman in the 50s to be demure, gentle & given in her position to be scared and white-faced.
Not only that, the justice system, ironically did her no justice. The prosecution ambushed her while she is in jail, setting traps to have forced confessions. Hence the title. But though the process was nasty, it wasn’t exactly illegal. Moreover, the trap created by the prosecution happened to be another female inmate, leading them to have a romantic liaison. This didn’t help her either, making herself portray as a sexual deviant. It felt as if the prosecutor held a personal vendetta against her, but Barbara had bravely held ground
There is too much to say, too less to do.
I'm too enraged 😠 to be reviewing this! I need to recover from this and would probably take a lot of time.
I guess this is the month for arcs! Let's goooo!!
Thoughts while reading:
1. How does sexualizing a defendent help a case case??!!! 😤
2. It's sad how most criminals turn out to be victims themselves. 😔
3. I'm EnraGedddd!!!!!
4. I'm shedding angry tears!!!!!
January 20, 2025
Marcia Clark who rose to fame as the prosecutor in the OJ Simpson trial, has spend decades being obsessed with the case of Barbara Graham. Graham was executed in 1955 for the brutal murder of Mabel Monahan. Her trial and the press coverage was filled with misogyny. The press gave Barbara the nickname "Bloody Babs". Her beautiful appearance is used as proof of her guilt. The prosecutor and judge seemed to have little concern for judicial fairness.
Trial By Ambush is an exploration of Barbara Graham's trial. It also explores whether Barbara is guilty, innocent or somewhere in between. Either way it's clear that Barbara shouldn't have been executed. I am 100% anti death penalty. The death penalty has been proven to be highly racist in who is given the sentence. Many people have been executed only to be later found to be innocent. I don't know if you know this but once someone has been executed you can't bring them back to life if evidence of their innocence is found. One innocent person being executed means that it's wrong and should be abolished. I don't think the United States can be considered a civilized nation as long as it has the death penalty.
This book infuriated me. Justice is often not just. My hatred of the criminal justice system continues to grow with each passing day. This book is a very good read. It's well researched and it's clear that Clark was very unsettled the deeper she dug into this case.
I highly recommend this book!
Trial By Ambush is an exploration of Barbara Graham's trial. It also explores whether Barbara is guilty, innocent or somewhere in between. Either way it's clear that Barbara shouldn't have been executed. I am 100% anti death penalty. The death penalty has been proven to be highly racist in who is given the sentence. Many people have been executed only to be later found to be innocent. I don't know if you know this but once someone has been executed you can't bring them back to life if evidence of their innocence is found. One innocent person being executed means that it's wrong and should be abolished. I don't think the United States can be considered a civilized nation as long as it has the death penalty.
This book infuriated me. Justice is often not just. My hatred of the criminal justice system continues to grow with each passing day. This book is a very good read. It's well researched and it's clear that Clark was very unsettled the deeper she dug into this case.
I highly recommend this book!
December 12, 2024
"Thus was Barbara left to the mercy of forces beyond her control— just as she had been from birth. But while her bleak history of neglect and abuse may have doomed her to a life on the fringes, it didn’t have to mean that life would end in the gas chamber."
I have mixed feelings about this one, Ms. Clark writes well enough and she certainly knows a thing or two about the law, however, I am somewhat confused as to why she felt this case was so special that it inspired her to write a book about it. This case is from the 1950's and many times throughout the book, Ms. Clark tells us that the most outrageous shenanigans perpetrated by the prosecutors would not pass muster today (thank heavens!), so it is interesting to me that with the countless more current wrongful conviction cases and death penalty cases all over the country, she chooses an old case where the defendant happens to be a young, beautiful, white woman🤔. Having said that, I am opposed to the death penalty since it has been made clear that it can't be applied fairly and without prejudice, but with regards to this case I will say that plenty of people of color are currently sitting on death row convicted with a lot less evidence than was presented in the Graham case.
I believe state sanctioned murder is wrong and it is a tragedy that Ms. Graham was put to death, and based on what I read I am unsure as to her guilt, which at the end of the day would have gotten her a "not guilty" verdict from me.
I have mixed feelings about this one, Ms. Clark writes well enough and she certainly knows a thing or two about the law, however, I am somewhat confused as to why she felt this case was so special that it inspired her to write a book about it. This case is from the 1950's and many times throughout the book, Ms. Clark tells us that the most outrageous shenanigans perpetrated by the prosecutors would not pass muster today (thank heavens!), so it is interesting to me that with the countless more current wrongful conviction cases and death penalty cases all over the country, she chooses an old case where the defendant happens to be a young, beautiful, white woman🤔. Having said that, I am opposed to the death penalty since it has been made clear that it can't be applied fairly and without prejudice, but with regards to this case I will say that plenty of people of color are currently sitting on death row convicted with a lot less evidence than was presented in the Graham case.
I believe state sanctioned murder is wrong and it is a tragedy that Ms. Graham was put to death, and based on what I read I am unsure as to her guilt, which at the end of the day would have gotten her a "not guilty" verdict from me.
November 23, 2024
I'm a fan of Marcia Clark, but this is my first dive into her writing. I was not at all surprised that it was phenomenal. I was entertained and informed. I became attached to the story and its characters, desperate to gather a solution. Riveting, captivating, and well researched. I highly recommend this for any true crime readers.
November 15, 2024
3 Stars
November 2, 2025
3.5 ⭐️
December 2, 2024
Trial by Ambush: Murder, Injustice, and the Truth about the Case of Barbara Graham
By: Marcia Clark
Pu date: December 1, 2024
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Tour: MB Communications
I remember watching the movie “I Want to Live” with Susan Hayward about the trial of Barbara Graham and was memorized by the novel and likewise with this true crime book. Most are familiar with Marcia Clark as a lawyer, but her books are perfect for true crime lovers. The prologue in her own words is working reading as well.
The trial of Barbara Graham gripped the headlines in the 50’s. Her life was filled with turmoil and the life she chose was difficult. Her mother did not want her. Barbara found a life of crime and after a fateful night, a lady ends up brutally murdered.
Clark spent years of research and tells Barbara’s story and in the end tells us what she thinks really happened that fateful night.
Thank you MB Communications for this gifted eARC and a spot on the tour. This was my second novel by Clark and her books are riveting.
By: Marcia Clark
Pu date: December 1, 2024
Publisher: Thomas & Mercer
Tour: MB Communications
I remember watching the movie “I Want to Live” with Susan Hayward about the trial of Barbara Graham and was memorized by the novel and likewise with this true crime book. Most are familiar with Marcia Clark as a lawyer, but her books are perfect for true crime lovers. The prologue in her own words is working reading as well.
The trial of Barbara Graham gripped the headlines in the 50’s. Her life was filled with turmoil and the life she chose was difficult. Her mother did not want her. Barbara found a life of crime and after a fateful night, a lady ends up brutally murdered.
Clark spent years of research and tells Barbara’s story and in the end tells us what she thinks really happened that fateful night.
Thank you MB Communications for this gifted eARC and a spot on the tour. This was my second novel by Clark and her books are riveting.
February 3, 2025
the truly heartbreaking case of barbara graham and the mistreatment and injustice she faced during her trial. her story is told by a crimal defense attorney which gave some interesting insight on how horribly her case was treated and at the end left me extremely heartbroken that barbara was failed again and again- first by her mother and then justice system.
December 20, 2024
Very, very dry. The story never came to life.
January 18, 2025
I struggled with this review, as far as stars. I enjoyed reading the book and feel that it was well written and very detailed.
My struggle is with the author’s suggestion that Barbara was “ambushed” and/or innocent.
The book is packed full of contradictions, speculations, hypocrisy and unfounded assumptions. I stopped reading so many times to debate her claims in my own head. She repeatedly speaks out against the character assassination of Barbara, yet engages in so much character assassination of everyone else involved. She speaks of what others “knew” or “thought” as if there is factual evidence to back it up. She talks in circles about evidence and statements, using them to “prove” her points and then attacking their merit at the next corner.
She describes Barbara as a victim and her accomplices as monsters even though they were all involved in the murder of an innocent woman and likely another man. They all repeatedly lied, yet she takes Barbara’s explanations as gospel and everyone else’s as criminal.
All of the evidence points to Barbara being there and she admits that she believes Barbara was there. There isn’t much evidence that anyone involved believed that Barbara wasn’t there, only that she didn’t physically commit the murder. That doesn’t make her innocent as the author repeatedly suggests.
The further I read, the more I saw Barbara as manipulative, not as an ambushed victim.
There were some good points made about the ethicality of tactics used in historical cases, but as time goes by societies improve on such things, and we have.
I don’t feel that there were egregious acts of violations of Barbara’s rights that lead to an unfair verdict. The case was reviewed by every available means of appeals and every one came up with the same conclusion.
Ambushed is a reach. The entire country and the entire court system nationwide were not all in cahoots to railroad this woman. Even those who felt sorry for her and fought for her life seemingly believed she was there that night. Under the law she was absolutely guilty.
Whether you support the death penalty or not, the punishment fit the crime as the law stood in 1953.
The only ambushed victim involved was Mabel Monahan.
My struggle is with the author’s suggestion that Barbara was “ambushed” and/or innocent.
The book is packed full of contradictions, speculations, hypocrisy and unfounded assumptions. I stopped reading so many times to debate her claims in my own head. She repeatedly speaks out against the character assassination of Barbara, yet engages in so much character assassination of everyone else involved. She speaks of what others “knew” or “thought” as if there is factual evidence to back it up. She talks in circles about evidence and statements, using them to “prove” her points and then attacking their merit at the next corner.
She describes Barbara as a victim and her accomplices as monsters even though they were all involved in the murder of an innocent woman and likely another man. They all repeatedly lied, yet she takes Barbara’s explanations as gospel and everyone else’s as criminal.
All of the evidence points to Barbara being there and she admits that she believes Barbara was there. There isn’t much evidence that anyone involved believed that Barbara wasn’t there, only that she didn’t physically commit the murder. That doesn’t make her innocent as the author repeatedly suggests.
The further I read, the more I saw Barbara as manipulative, not as an ambushed victim.
There were some good points made about the ethicality of tactics used in historical cases, but as time goes by societies improve on such things, and we have.
I don’t feel that there were egregious acts of violations of Barbara’s rights that lead to an unfair verdict. The case was reviewed by every available means of appeals and every one came up with the same conclusion.
Ambushed is a reach. The entire country and the entire court system nationwide were not all in cahoots to railroad this woman. Even those who felt sorry for her and fought for her life seemingly believed she was there that night. Under the law she was absolutely guilty.
Whether you support the death penalty or not, the punishment fit the crime as the law stood in 1953.
The only ambushed victim involved was Mabel Monahan.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Read
January 20, 2025DNF 40%
I'm just gonna look up the rest of the case on Wikipedia or something, this is dragging for me unfortunately
I'm just gonna look up the rest of the case on Wikipedia or something, this is dragging for me unfortunately
December 17, 2024
How do you find your next read? Over the years, I've developed several ways to discover books, but nothing compares to a recommendation from a trusted fellow reader. Since I first began blogging, John Valeri has been one of my favorite and most reliable book-reviewing friends. He's a prolific reviewer, author, interviewer, and an all-around professional reader. He's also among the nicest people I've met in the book world. So when John contacted me about reviewing Marcia Clark's latest true crime book, Trial by Ambush, I jumped at the chance. Even more compelling was the fact that John had helped Clark, his personal friend, with research for the book. Never one to turn down a recommendation from John, especially for a project he was personally involved in, I eagerly dove in.
Marcia Clark is no stranger to high-profile, controversial murder trials. As the prosecuting attorney in the O.J. Simpson case, she became a household name, and her extensive career in law has provided her with unique insight into the world of crime and justice. In recent years, Clark has shifted gears, finding success as a bestselling author of crime novels. When she decided her next book would be non-fiction, she struggled to find a case that genuinely captured her interest and inspired her to dedicate hours of research. It wasn’t until she stumbled upon a striking photograph of Barbara Graham, a woman on trial for murder in the 1950s, that Clark knew she had found the perfect subject for her book.
Barbara Graham's early years were marred by neglect and hardship. With little support from her parents, she relied on her striking looks and survival instincts, turning to petty crimes just to get by. Her life seemed destined for a downward spiral, and she appeared to have little power to change that trajectory. But things were about to take a dark turn. In 1953, Barbara allegedly became one of three people involved in an attempted robbery that escalated into the murder of a local woman. The media quickly seized on the case, portraying her as a femme fatale—a woman whose beauty masked a ruthless killer. Yet, there was a significant flaw in the narrative. Barbara maintained her innocence, and compelling evidence supported her claims. Despite this, the media sensationalized the story, and a jury, influenced by the prosecution's relentless drive to convict, ignored the facts and rushed to judgment. What followed was a trial riddled with injustice, where the desire for a scandalous conviction overshadowed the truth.
Barbara Graham's story has been explored before, with her enigmatic trial inspiring several books and even a film. What sets Trial by Ambush apart is the perspective Marcia Clark brings to this infamous case. Drawing on her extensive legal experience, Clark uncovers the truth buried in the court transcripts, revealing the trial’s proceedings in a way never seen before. The result is a riveting and infuriating story of injustice. Having already made her mark in crime fiction, Clark proves her skill extends seamlessly into true crime. Trial by Ambush is a gripping, fast-paced read that meticulously exposes the flaws in Barbara Graham’s trial and the crucial evidence that was unjustly concealed.
Marcia Clark is no stranger to high-profile, controversial murder trials. As the prosecuting attorney in the O.J. Simpson case, she became a household name, and her extensive career in law has provided her with unique insight into the world of crime and justice. In recent years, Clark has shifted gears, finding success as a bestselling author of crime novels. When she decided her next book would be non-fiction, she struggled to find a case that genuinely captured her interest and inspired her to dedicate hours of research. It wasn’t until she stumbled upon a striking photograph of Barbara Graham, a woman on trial for murder in the 1950s, that Clark knew she had found the perfect subject for her book.
Barbara Graham's early years were marred by neglect and hardship. With little support from her parents, she relied on her striking looks and survival instincts, turning to petty crimes just to get by. Her life seemed destined for a downward spiral, and she appeared to have little power to change that trajectory. But things were about to take a dark turn. In 1953, Barbara allegedly became one of three people involved in an attempted robbery that escalated into the murder of a local woman. The media quickly seized on the case, portraying her as a femme fatale—a woman whose beauty masked a ruthless killer. Yet, there was a significant flaw in the narrative. Barbara maintained her innocence, and compelling evidence supported her claims. Despite this, the media sensationalized the story, and a jury, influenced by the prosecution's relentless drive to convict, ignored the facts and rushed to judgment. What followed was a trial riddled with injustice, where the desire for a scandalous conviction overshadowed the truth.
Barbara Graham's story has been explored before, with her enigmatic trial inspiring several books and even a film. What sets Trial by Ambush apart is the perspective Marcia Clark brings to this infamous case. Drawing on her extensive legal experience, Clark uncovers the truth buried in the court transcripts, revealing the trial’s proceedings in a way never seen before. The result is a riveting and infuriating story of injustice. Having already made her mark in crime fiction, Clark proves her skill extends seamlessly into true crime. Trial by Ambush is a gripping, fast-paced read that meticulously exposes the flaws in Barbara Graham’s trial and the crucial evidence that was unjustly concealed.
December 5, 2024
✨A R C • R E V I E W✨
#ad Much love to @thatmarciaclark + @amazonpublishing + @mbc_books #partner
🅷🅰🅿🅿🆈 🅿🆄🅱 🅳🅰🆈
~~~~~~~⊱✿⊰~~~~~~~~
🆃🆁🅸🅰🅻 🅱🆈 🅰🅼🅱🆄🆂🅷
As someone who is obsessed with all things true-crime - trials, documentaries, limited series, crime shows, the ID channel - I knew I had to read this book. Clark has been a prosecutor, a defense lawyer, and an appellate lawyer. She draws from her experiences and her books never disappoint.
This is a historical nonfiction crime about the life and trial of Barbara Graham, who was found guilty of murder and sentenced to death. It takes place in the 1950’s and is a book you won’t be able to put down. It’s also a bit of a hard read. It’ll make you angry - as it should - it’ll make you sad. It might open your eyes and show you things you might not like.
This book pulls the curtain back on how the media and the prosecution can manipulate bits of information. How misogyny and disregard for the truth ends up prosecuting innocent people, ruining their lives or ending it completely, with no accountability.
We’ve often seen things like this play out in current times. The prosecution teaming up - though unspoken - with the media to paint a narrative of how they want you to see things. Ignoring critical evidence because it doesn’t align with their story. Has much changed since then?
A court ruling isn’t always justice; sometimes it’s about who told the better story. Courtrooms become arenas, become a stage to put on a show. It doesn’t matter who gets hurt in the process.
A compelling and thought-provoking read.
I had totally forgotten Clark’s other legal thrillers, which I loved, until after I finished this one and went searching for more of her books. If you enjoy legal thrillers you need to read this author’s previous books.
The Fall Girl, The Competition, and Guilt by Association are some of my favs!
#ad Much love to @thatmarciaclark + @amazonpublishing + @mbc_books #partner
🅷🅰🅿🅿🆈 🅿🆄🅱 🅳🅰🆈
~~~~~~~⊱✿⊰~~~~~~~~
🆃🆁🅸🅰🅻 🅱🆈 🅰🅼🅱🆄🆂🅷
As someone who is obsessed with all things true-crime - trials, documentaries, limited series, crime shows, the ID channel - I knew I had to read this book. Clark has been a prosecutor, a defense lawyer, and an appellate lawyer. She draws from her experiences and her books never disappoint.
This is a historical nonfiction crime about the life and trial of Barbara Graham, who was found guilty of murder and sentenced to death. It takes place in the 1950’s and is a book you won’t be able to put down. It’s also a bit of a hard read. It’ll make you angry - as it should - it’ll make you sad. It might open your eyes and show you things you might not like.
This book pulls the curtain back on how the media and the prosecution can manipulate bits of information. How misogyny and disregard for the truth ends up prosecuting innocent people, ruining their lives or ending it completely, with no accountability.
We’ve often seen things like this play out in current times. The prosecution teaming up - though unspoken - with the media to paint a narrative of how they want you to see things. Ignoring critical evidence because it doesn’t align with their story. Has much changed since then?
A court ruling isn’t always justice; sometimes it’s about who told the better story. Courtrooms become arenas, become a stage to put on a show. It doesn’t matter who gets hurt in the process.
A compelling and thought-provoking read.
I had totally forgotten Clark’s other legal thrillers, which I loved, until after I finished this one and went searching for more of her books. If you enjoy legal thrillers you need to read this author’s previous books.
The Fall Girl, The Competition, and Guilt by Association are some of my favs!
November 4, 2024
Marcia Clark researched and analyzed the 1953 case of Barbara Graham, a suspect in the brutal killing of an elderly woman in her California home. Marcia Clark researched and analyzed this case extensively and her narrative reads like a suspenseful novel, but it is a true story. Clark has an engaging style of writing even when the subject matter is difficult. It was hard to read about this woman, who had been abandoned and betrayed by her own mother numerous times in her life, was mistreated by the press and the justice system. Her beauty was sensationalized and newspapers printed blatant lies about her to sell more papers. Barbara Graham was not perfect, but Clark says it was as if the prosecution had a vendetta against the woman, using both illegal and unethical means to ensure a conviction. This is a heartbreaking story, but I'm so glad I read it.
Thank you to Amazon Publishing and MBC Communications for the gifted hardcover copy.
Thank you to Amazon Publishing and MBC Communications for the gifted hardcover copy.
March 28, 2025
This was an Amazon First Reads pick awhile ago and so far has been my favorite! I had never heard of this case before reading this book, but Marcia wrote about it in a way that was so interesting to me! It was so interesting to learn about how different things are now than they were back then as far as laws and how trials go. Marcia at times got a little wordy and info dumpy which is why I gave it 4 stars, but it was still super fascinating and kept me wanting to read more! Marcia was one of the lawyers involved with the O.J. Simpson case and has written a book about that too which I am definitely interested to read! Highly recommend if you enjoy reading true crime.
December 2, 2024
“In this dramatic true account about the power of sensationalized crime, one woman’s case is exposed for its sexism, flagrant disregard for the truth, and, ultimately, the dangers posed by an unbridled prosecution.”
This is the true story of a burlary gone wrong when an elderly woman is brutally murdered. Two men and a woman, Barbara Graham, are on trial and the penalty is death.
⚖️ My thoughts: Wow. What an incredible story. This book had me captivated from page one. I am a big Marcia Clark fan and have read all of her legal thrillers, as well as her previous nonfiction.
⚖️ This case took place in the 1950’s at a time when women were objectified and not treated fairly. The egregious behavior of the prosecution would not be allowed today. Many of the tactics that they used in Graham’s trial have been prohibited by case law. Even though Graham was not an angel by any means, I do not believe she was a violent murderer. As an attorney, I was appalled by the prosecutor’s utter lack of ethics. This would not fly today.
⚖️ This book was meticulously researched and Marcia Clark’s vast knowledge of criminal and trial law are evident in her writing. Her insight into the case puts this book on another level. She does not just give you details, but explains why and how she came to the conclusions that she did. (Also, I LOVE when she refers to the O.J. trial. It still fascinates me to this day.)
⚖️ I am not going to tell you the outcome of the trial, you just have to read the book. If you like true crime stories, it does not get better than this.
⚖️ This will definitely be one of my top nonfiction books of the year. I can’t wait to see what THAT Marcia Clark writes next!
Thank you to @mbc_books and @amazonpublishing for my ARC and finished copy.
April 19, 2025
An insightful, well researched read! I only rated this a 3* because it was a bit heavy on the details, which made it a struggle to read because it read like ‘assigned reading’ (I.e. very fact heavy/dense). I did however, enjoy the commentary given by Clark and her insights into the case.
Would recommend to fans of true crime/legal non-fiction
Would recommend to fans of true crime/legal non-fiction
December 3, 2024
Thank you @mbc_books and @amazonpublishing for the #gifted copy to review! This one is available now!
I am familiar with @thatmarciaclark however, this specific case (Barbara Graham) was new to me. I learned a lot about both the case and how the system worked back then, and Clark did a great job of laying out how this one went down and as well as how the verdict was determined. I’m not going to spoil it but man, the stuff that was allowed back then was wild and not ok.
I want to go read more of Clark’s books now, I like her writing style, she is detailed but not dry, and writes in a way that I can follow, keeping it interesting and not losing the reader in legal jargon. This one published on 12/1, and if you like true crime, then you definitely want to add this to your list. I listened via audio, Clark does the narration and I thought she did a great job, I really enjoyed reading it that way.
I am familiar with @thatmarciaclark however, this specific case (Barbara Graham) was new to me. I learned a lot about both the case and how the system worked back then, and Clark did a great job of laying out how this one went down and as well as how the verdict was determined. I’m not going to spoil it but man, the stuff that was allowed back then was wild and not ok.
I want to go read more of Clark’s books now, I like her writing style, she is detailed but not dry, and writes in a way that I can follow, keeping it interesting and not losing the reader in legal jargon. This one published on 12/1, and if you like true crime, then you definitely want to add this to your list. I listened via audio, Clark does the narration and I thought she did a great job, I really enjoyed reading it that way.
December 19, 2024
Save your time
Clark tells us that based on the evidence Graham was there to commit a robbery. That makes her guilty of felony murder, a law that says if you involve yourself in a dangerous felony then you are liable for any of the consequences of that crime. In Graham’s case she went with her murdering boy friend to rob an old lady. The victim was killed by either by Graham or a or one of her confederates. There were two pistols involved. What did she think was going to happen? What were the guns for if not to injure the victim? That’s why we used to have a felony murder rule. She knew or should have known her friends were planning to employ violence but she went along anyway.
Graham refused to talk to the police. Okay, but she was talking and lying to her attorney. If Clark is right, and Graham was at the crime scene, if she told her attorney the truth then she could have turned state’s evidence, testified against her co-defendants and would be among us today.
Clark blames everyone but Graham. OJ didn’t do it and neither did Graham.
Clark tells us that based on the evidence Graham was there to commit a robbery. That makes her guilty of felony murder, a law that says if you involve yourself in a dangerous felony then you are liable for any of the consequences of that crime. In Graham’s case she went with her murdering boy friend to rob an old lady. The victim was killed by either by Graham or a or one of her confederates. There were two pistols involved. What did she think was going to happen? What were the guns for if not to injure the victim? That’s why we used to have a felony murder rule. She knew or should have known her friends were planning to employ violence but she went along anyway.
Graham refused to talk to the police. Okay, but she was talking and lying to her attorney. If Clark is right, and Graham was at the crime scene, if she told her attorney the truth then she could have turned state’s evidence, testified against her co-defendants and would be among us today.
Clark blames everyone but Graham. OJ didn’t do it and neither did Graham.
January 19, 2025
For this level of digging to the truth and clear explanation of the legal processes, I cannot justifiably give this book anything less than 5 stars.
Sad, unbelievable, maddening, astounding... I could come up with a whole host of adjectives to describe how I feel after reading each scene about the prosecution and trial of this matter, and it still wouldn't be enough to describe the sheer injustice that Clark has recounted in this book.
The lengths that the prosecution went to pin the murder on Barbara is digusting on so many levels:
There were so many things wrong with the the courts and journalism back in those days too, and whilst I am glad that the system has improved over the years, the bias for the police and prosecution is a sad truth that still exists, albeit to a lesser degree.
This may be a historical case, but the lessons from it are still applicable and worth reading today.
Sad, unbelievable, maddening, astounding... I could come up with a whole host of adjectives to describe how I feel after reading each scene about the prosecution and trial of this matter, and it still wouldn't be enough to describe the sheer injustice that Clark has recounted in this book.
The lengths that the prosecution went to pin the murder on Barbara is digusting on so many levels:
There were so many things wrong with the the courts and journalism back in those days too, and whilst I am glad that the system has improved over the years, the bias for the police and prosecution is a sad truth that still exists, albeit to a lesser degree.
This may be a historical case, but the lessons from it are still applicable and worth reading today.
December 4, 2024
I cannot finish this stinker. Marcia Clark? Yeah, I'll read her.
And the Barbara Graham case, oh hell yeah.
NOPE.
It probably didn't help matters that I chose to try this Amazon First Reads freebie after finishing the thoughtful and eloquent Jackie, from Dawn Tripp.
If this is Marcia's writing, she should probably not quit her day job.
And the Barbara Graham case, oh hell yeah.
NOPE.
It probably didn't help matters that I chose to try this Amazon First Reads freebie after finishing the thoughtful and eloquent Jackie, from Dawn Tripp.
If this is Marcia's writing, she should probably not quit her day job.
January 25, 2025
Trial by Ambush: Murder, Injustice, and the Truth about the Case of Barbara Graham by Marcia Clark makes a strong posthumous case for Barbara Graham. And it is smart and thorough, from start to finish. You will learn a lot about the law and jurisprudence as you read the case surrounding Graham. And Clark makes it all easy to follow, without leaving any relevant details or explanations out.
While Clark ultimately makes her own opinions known about the case, the facts she presents throughout this book about the Barbara Graham case speak for themselves. The final verdict? Barbara Graham did not receive a fair trial. Not even close.
When you start the book, you will immediately be sucked into the scene of the crime and Mabel Monahan’s gruesome murder. And then you will journey through every important part of the case as it unfolds. For the first fifth of the book, you might even find yourself confused, however, as Barbara Graham isn’t really mentioned. Until her trial gets underway.
Once Graham’s trial gets underway in the book, Clark offers detailed and cited and verbatim accounts of how both the press and prosecution overly-sexualize her and make her enemy number-one from day one, the femme fatale they must have all been reading about in cheesy detective novels at the time, as there seems to be no real justification for their damning antics otherwise. They hinge a good portion of the case against Graham on how they say she appears to be, who they say she appears to be, both in and outside the court, without ever fully looking at her as a human being, even when there are two known violent criminals sitting on either side of her who are blatantly guilty of the crime she is being accused of committing.
As you read this book, Clark will take you on an in-depth legal journey that should only happen in the movies… which this case eventually inspired. You will weave your way through highly unethical (now highly illegal) tactics prosecutors used to hide witnesses (plural) and sworn statements (plural), undercover cops wearing wires to pressure confessions, surprise and last-minute witnesses, an odd yet also oddly convenient inmate love affair, showy antics and misogynistic ad hominem attacks to sway and mislead a jury, and above all else the yellow journalism that leads to a guilty verdict in the court of public opinion long before the official verdict is delivered.
I appreciated Clark’s thoroughness and dedication to presenting Barbara Graham as the complex individual that she was. She was no damsel, but she was no battle-axe either. Clark constantly reminds us throughout the book that even though Graham was certainly no angel and made poor decisions during her life, those decisions didn’t necessarily make her a demon capable of murder either. But you will have to read this book to draw your own conclusions. And I do recommend that you read it to the very end, because while parts of the middle of the book seemed to drag on a bit too long for me, the ending nearly had me in tears.
Overall, I did enjoy this book and would recommend it to true crime junkies (especially those who like to follow court cases and arguments closely), and those who follow prominent court cases in which defendants are arguably not receiving fair trials.
Subscribe to Daily Drafts & Dialogues to receive more book reviews and posts about reading and writing in your inbox every day: dailydraftsanddialogues.substack.com
While Clark ultimately makes her own opinions known about the case, the facts she presents throughout this book about the Barbara Graham case speak for themselves. The final verdict? Barbara Graham did not receive a fair trial. Not even close.
When you start the book, you will immediately be sucked into the scene of the crime and Mabel Monahan’s gruesome murder. And then you will journey through every important part of the case as it unfolds. For the first fifth of the book, you might even find yourself confused, however, as Barbara Graham isn’t really mentioned. Until her trial gets underway.
Once Graham’s trial gets underway in the book, Clark offers detailed and cited and verbatim accounts of how both the press and prosecution overly-sexualize her and make her enemy number-one from day one, the femme fatale they must have all been reading about in cheesy detective novels at the time, as there seems to be no real justification for their damning antics otherwise. They hinge a good portion of the case against Graham on how they say she appears to be, who they say she appears to be, both in and outside the court, without ever fully looking at her as a human being, even when there are two known violent criminals sitting on either side of her who are blatantly guilty of the crime she is being accused of committing.
As you read this book, Clark will take you on an in-depth legal journey that should only happen in the movies… which this case eventually inspired. You will weave your way through highly unethical (now highly illegal) tactics prosecutors used to hide witnesses (plural) and sworn statements (plural), undercover cops wearing wires to pressure confessions, surprise and last-minute witnesses, an odd yet also oddly convenient inmate love affair, showy antics and misogynistic ad hominem attacks to sway and mislead a jury, and above all else the yellow journalism that leads to a guilty verdict in the court of public opinion long before the official verdict is delivered.
I appreciated Clark’s thoroughness and dedication to presenting Barbara Graham as the complex individual that she was. She was no damsel, but she was no battle-axe either. Clark constantly reminds us throughout the book that even though Graham was certainly no angel and made poor decisions during her life, those decisions didn’t necessarily make her a demon capable of murder either. But you will have to read this book to draw your own conclusions. And I do recommend that you read it to the very end, because while parts of the middle of the book seemed to drag on a bit too long for me, the ending nearly had me in tears.
Overall, I did enjoy this book and would recommend it to true crime junkies (especially those who like to follow court cases and arguments closely), and those who follow prominent court cases in which defendants are arguably not receiving fair trials.
Subscribe to Daily Drafts & Dialogues to receive more book reviews and posts about reading and writing in your inbox every day: dailydraftsanddialogues.substack.com
October 30, 2024
Trial By Ambush is a fascinating read that hooks you right in, especially for a true crime lover like myself. Prior to reading this book, I had not heard of Barbara Graham's case before. This book explores the fascinating and often shocking details of how the court system had operated in the past, highlighting the rampant misogyny and shocking journalism that would influence this case. The media dubbed her Bloody Babs and called her a villainous femme fatale.
Barbara had it rough, neglected childhood, living a life of petty crimes throughout her adulthood to make ends meet. Barbara was anything but straightlaced. Although, it was expected of a woman in the 50s to be gracious, gentle and in her position to be scared and yielding to the men for guidance. Not only that, the justice system, ironically did her no justice. The prosecution ambushed her while she is in jail, setting traps to have forced confessions. Hence the title. It really felt like the prosecutor held a personal vendetta against her, but Barbara bravely held ground.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I loved that the author included little side stories about her time as a defense attorney/prosecutor (including the OJ Simpson case!). This book took a compelling look at a historical case that was so poorly handled, while shedding light on how things may or may not have changed in the legal system over the years.
My thanks to Thomas and Mercer Publishing, The Author, Marcia Clark, as well as NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Trial by Ambush.
Barbara had it rough, neglected childhood, living a life of petty crimes throughout her adulthood to make ends meet. Barbara was anything but straightlaced. Although, it was expected of a woman in the 50s to be gracious, gentle and in her position to be scared and yielding to the men for guidance. Not only that, the justice system, ironically did her no justice. The prosecution ambushed her while she is in jail, setting traps to have forced confessions. Hence the title. It really felt like the prosecutor held a personal vendetta against her, but Barbara bravely held ground.
Overall, I really enjoyed this book. I loved that the author included little side stories about her time as a defense attorney/prosecutor (including the OJ Simpson case!). This book took a compelling look at a historical case that was so poorly handled, while shedding light on how things may or may not have changed in the legal system over the years.
My thanks to Thomas and Mercer Publishing, The Author, Marcia Clark, as well as NetGalley, for the opportunity to read and review an early copy of Trial by Ambush.
December 14, 2024
Fanstastic and frustrating. Marcia Clark looks at the evidence of a case from the '50s when a woman was put to death for a crime she was found guilty of. Clark looks back through the evidence, what was presented in court, what wasn't presented in court and how the way Barbara Graham's story was told by the media resulted in her being put to death. She maintained her innocence at all times. Vast chunks of the 'evidence' presented by the prosecution should never even have been allowed into court. At the time, the defence had relatively little power and no money to fight their case. This made me so angry. Barbara was found guilty because she was a women who was made, by the medial, into something she wasn't. I was appalled to realise that in the '50s if someone was found guilty the jury, at the same time, made a decision about the death penalty. Now, that has been pulled apart so you find someone guilty. Then go back and discuss whether they should be murdered by the state. Looking at this case now it's appalling to realise she was murdered by the state with no robust evidence to prove her guilt. The legal system has developed and Clark assures us that vast amounts of the 'evidence' wouldn't be allowed in court today so it's unlikely Graham would be found guilty - that's reassuring but also worrying that as things develop and we learn from our mistakes we are prepared to accept that we've made mistakes. The state murdering people who are, subsequently, found innocent is quite some mistake though (and I don't think that Graham has actually been pardoned?)
June 18, 2024
3.75
this was really solid! Marcia Clark is obviously incredibly intelligent and brings a lot of interesting perspective to the field of criminal justice. It was interesting reading from a prosecutor's perspective exactly *why* certain aspects of this case were out of line with best practice (or straight-up unjust).
I think Barbara Graham is a really interesting choice for a true crime book. There is little question as to whether or not she participated in a murder, so examining her trial as a miscarriage of justice may immediately push up against some people's instincts. At times, it was hard to discern exactly what argument Clark was trying to make. The book jumped around from condemning witnesses, to the judge, to the media. While I think all had their fault, the book lacked a central thesis or driving argument. The book focused much less on sexism and the idea of a "villainous femme fatale" than the synopsis implies, and I think Clark did maybe miss an opportunity to draw interesting parallels to her time in the spotlight. I also think some details could've been explored more—Clark talks early on about how the prosecutor of Graham's case is a local legend to this day, and someone that she herself had admired throughout her career. As she researched Graham's case and realized how poorly he had behaved in the courtroom, I would've loved a more in-depth discussion or reckoning with how history remembers him vs. her.
this was really solid! Marcia Clark is obviously incredibly intelligent and brings a lot of interesting perspective to the field of criminal justice. It was interesting reading from a prosecutor's perspective exactly *why* certain aspects of this case were out of line with best practice (or straight-up unjust).
I think Barbara Graham is a really interesting choice for a true crime book. There is little question as to whether or not she participated in a murder, so examining her trial as a miscarriage of justice may immediately push up against some people's instincts. At times, it was hard to discern exactly what argument Clark was trying to make. The book jumped around from condemning witnesses, to the judge, to the media. While I think all had their fault, the book lacked a central thesis or driving argument. The book focused much less on sexism and the idea of a "villainous femme fatale" than the synopsis implies, and I think Clark did maybe miss an opportunity to draw interesting parallels to her time in the spotlight. I also think some details could've been explored more—Clark talks early on about how the prosecutor of Graham's case is a local legend to this day, and someone that she herself had admired throughout her career. As she researched Graham's case and realized how poorly he had behaved in the courtroom, I would've loved a more in-depth discussion or reckoning with how history remembers him vs. her.
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