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Black Tunnel White Magic: A Murder, a Detective’s Obsession, and ’90s Los Angeles at the Brink
Detective Rick Jackson, a decorated LAPD detective and a key inspiration in the development of Harry Bosch, delivers a shocking and immersive look into the one case he could never let go.
In June 1990, Ronald Baker, a straight-A UCLA student, was found repeatedly stabbed to death in a tunnel near Spahn Ranch, where Charles Manson and his followers once lived. Shortly thereafter, Detective Rick Jackson and his partner, Frank Garcia, were assigned the case. Yet the facts made no sense. Who would have a motive to kill Ron Baker in such a grisly manner? Was the proximity to the Manson ranch related to the murder? And what about the pentagram pendant Ron wore around his neck?
Jackson and Garcia soon focused their investigation on Baker’s two male roommates, one Black, and one white. What emerges is at once a story of confounding betrayal and cold-hearted intentions, as well as a larger portrait of an embattled Los Angeles, a city in the grip of the Satanic Panic and grappling with questions of racial injustice and police brutality in the wake of Rodney King.
In straightforward, matter-of-fact prose, Rick Jackson, the now-retired police detective who helped inspire Michael Connelly’s beloved Harry Bosch, along with co-writer, Matthew McGough, take us through the events as he and his partner experienced them, piecing together the truth with each emerging clue. Black Tunnel White Magic is the true story of a murder in cold blood, deception and betrayal, and a city at the brink, set forth by the only man who could tell it.
In June 1990, Ronald Baker, a straight-A UCLA student, was found repeatedly stabbed to death in a tunnel near Spahn Ranch, where Charles Manson and his followers once lived. Shortly thereafter, Detective Rick Jackson and his partner, Frank Garcia, were assigned the case. Yet the facts made no sense. Who would have a motive to kill Ron Baker in such a grisly manner? Was the proximity to the Manson ranch related to the murder? And what about the pentagram pendant Ron wore around his neck?
Jackson and Garcia soon focused their investigation on Baker’s two male roommates, one Black, and one white. What emerges is at once a story of confounding betrayal and cold-hearted intentions, as well as a larger portrait of an embattled Los Angeles, a city in the grip of the Satanic Panic and grappling with questions of racial injustice and police brutality in the wake of Rodney King.
In straightforward, matter-of-fact prose, Rick Jackson, the now-retired police detective who helped inspire Michael Connelly’s beloved Harry Bosch, along with co-writer, Matthew McGough, take us through the events as he and his partner experienced them, piecing together the truth with each emerging clue. Black Tunnel White Magic is the true story of a murder in cold blood, deception and betrayal, and a city at the brink, set forth by the only man who could tell it.
528 pages, Hardcover
Published March 4, 2025
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380 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 56 reviews
November 27, 2024
ARC for review. To be published March 4, 2025.
3 stars for this true crime recounting.
Detective Rick Jackson of the LAPD (said to be one of the inspirations for Michael Connelly’s detective Harry Bosch and Connelly makes an appearance here as a newspaper reporter) focuses in the real life death of Ronald Baker in June 1990. Baker was a straight A student at UCLA when he was stabbed to death in a park near the ranch that Charles Manson and his followers used. He had a pentagram pendant on. He was known to participate in Wiccan activities on campus. Was his murder related to that? To Manson? Who killed Baker and why?
Ultimately there’s not a ton of mystery about the “who” here and the occult and Manson stuff and mainly draws for newspaper headlines and, now, to draw people into the book, I suspect, but this is an interesting look at how difficult it can be to make a murder case stick and, perhaps, injustices when it comes to race in how criminals are treated (you’ll have to decide.).
The book reads as if Jackson actually had input in it; it’s written in short, choppy sentences, just how I would expect a police officer to talk. At 400 pages it felt a bit long, perhaps it could have used a bit more editing. Overall decent work.
3 stars for this true crime recounting.
Detective Rick Jackson of the LAPD (said to be one of the inspirations for Michael Connelly’s detective Harry Bosch and Connelly makes an appearance here as a newspaper reporter) focuses in the real life death of Ronald Baker in June 1990. Baker was a straight A student at UCLA when he was stabbed to death in a park near the ranch that Charles Manson and his followers used. He had a pentagram pendant on. He was known to participate in Wiccan activities on campus. Was his murder related to that? To Manson? Who killed Baker and why?
Ultimately there’s not a ton of mystery about the “who” here and the occult and Manson stuff and mainly draws for newspaper headlines and, now, to draw people into the book, I suspect, but this is an interesting look at how difficult it can be to make a murder case stick and, perhaps, injustices when it comes to race in how criminals are treated (you’ll have to decide.).
The book reads as if Jackson actually had input in it; it’s written in short, choppy sentences, just how I would expect a police officer to talk. At 400 pages it felt a bit long, perhaps it could have used a bit more editing. Overall decent work.
March 14, 2025
I read a lot of true crime, and this is the first time I’m going to use this single word to describe my thoughts: Tedious.
Honestly, I consider it a feat that the authors were able to make this otherwise interesting and tragic murder case tedious to read about. This was more of a step-by-step account than an engaging narrative.
The whodunit was never really in question. This case was a matter of catching the suspects in lies and getting them to turn on one another. So we weren’t so much investigating possibilities as going over and over—and over—the ways in which the detectives might get one to roll on the other.
Most of the interviews with the two suspects (eventually the convicted killers) were recorded, and these conversations were transcribed verbatim. Parts were insightful and interesting; a lot of it was repetitive and dull. These interviews easily could have been condensed to give us the important highlights. Surprisingly, full interviews are, here’s that word again, tedious to read or listen to, especially when the same person is being interviewed multiple times and recounting the exact same details.
In fact, I started off reading this book, but my eyes were glazing over so I borrowed the audiobook. Even then, I had to fast forward through the repetition.
Then, in the end, I didn’t understand the detective’s reaction to something that happened with the accomplice, which I don’t want to discuss because of spoilers. But his indignation came off, to me, as sanctimonious, considering early on before the trial, he would have gone along with exactly the way things wound up playing out.
*Thanks to Novel Suspects Insiders and Mulholland Books for the free copy.*
Honestly, I consider it a feat that the authors were able to make this otherwise interesting and tragic murder case tedious to read about. This was more of a step-by-step account than an engaging narrative.
The whodunit was never really in question. This case was a matter of catching the suspects in lies and getting them to turn on one another. So we weren’t so much investigating possibilities as going over and over—and over—the ways in which the detectives might get one to roll on the other.
Most of the interviews with the two suspects (eventually the convicted killers) were recorded, and these conversations were transcribed verbatim. Parts were insightful and interesting; a lot of it was repetitive and dull. These interviews easily could have been condensed to give us the important highlights. Surprisingly, full interviews are, here’s that word again, tedious to read or listen to, especially when the same person is being interviewed multiple times and recounting the exact same details.
In fact, I started off reading this book, but my eyes were glazing over so I borrowed the audiobook. Even then, I had to fast forward through the repetition.
Then, in the end, I didn’t understand the detective’s reaction to something that happened with the accomplice, which I don’t want to discuss because of spoilers. But his indignation came off, to me, as sanctimonious, considering early on before the trial, he would have gone along with exactly the way things wound up playing out.
*Thanks to Novel Suspects Insiders and Mulholland Books for the free copy.*
June 14, 2025
Thank you to Novel Suspects and Mulholland Books #partner for the finished copy to review.
What a crazy story! It took too long to get justice, in part due to unrelated events going on in LA. This was excellent on audio, very well researched and written, and I was not lost or bored. In June 1990, Ronald Baker was found repeatedly stabbed to death in a tunnel near Span Ranch, which is where Charles Manson and his followers once lived. Detective Rick Jackson and his partner Frank Garcia were assigned to the case, and while they centered on two main suspects, the picture was not adding up exactly enough to bring this to a swift conclusion. While this was going on, Los Angeles was in the midst of the Satanic Panic, racial injustice, and police brutality with the Rodney King incident, and OJ Simpson had an indirect effect at some point too.
I recommend this one; the case itself is fascinating, as well as the other cultural events going on in LA at the time. I think the point of including these events is to show how long it can take to bring someone to trial, right, wrong, or indifferent. While I think this could have used a bit of editing, I understood why they included all of this in the story, and painting the entire picture helped me a lot. Audio is definitely the way to go here if you can do it that way.
What a crazy story! It took too long to get justice, in part due to unrelated events going on in LA. This was excellent on audio, very well researched and written, and I was not lost or bored. In June 1990, Ronald Baker was found repeatedly stabbed to death in a tunnel near Span Ranch, which is where Charles Manson and his followers once lived. Detective Rick Jackson and his partner Frank Garcia were assigned to the case, and while they centered on two main suspects, the picture was not adding up exactly enough to bring this to a swift conclusion. While this was going on, Los Angeles was in the midst of the Satanic Panic, racial injustice, and police brutality with the Rodney King incident, and OJ Simpson had an indirect effect at some point too.
I recommend this one; the case itself is fascinating, as well as the other cultural events going on in LA at the time. I think the point of including these events is to show how long it can take to bring someone to trial, right, wrong, or indifferent. While I think this could have used a bit of editing, I understood why they included all of this in the story, and painting the entire picture helped me a lot. Audio is definitely the way to go here if you can do it that way.
March 20, 2025
A travesty of California “justice”. For a family of a murdered kid. So disappointed in the DAs/governors clemency for the murderer.
March 17, 2025
Kiss 17 hours goodbye. Honestly, I don’t know why I kept listening to this audio book. I bought it because of a recommendation by Michael Connelly, an author I really like. This true crime story had interesting moments and I came away with a deep appreciation for the work investigators do to solve a murder. This could have been done much better had it been heavily edited. It went on and on and on, repeating verbatim the interviews with the lying criminals that went on for years. Boring, repetitive interviews!
I also resent the misleading title implying a link to satanic elements which were quickly dispensed with early in the investigation. Despicable characters were not remotely interesting. While I would have appreciated the detectives’ years-long dedication to solving Ron Baker’s murder had I been his parent, I can’t believe the amount of money spent in the process. No wonder California is broke!
The miscarriage of justice at the end made me want to scream. Again, no wonder Californians are fleeing that state.
I also resent the misleading title implying a link to satanic elements which were quickly dispensed with early in the investigation. Despicable characters were not remotely interesting. While I would have appreciated the detectives’ years-long dedication to solving Ron Baker’s murder had I been his parent, I can’t believe the amount of money spent in the process. No wonder California is broke!
The miscarriage of justice at the end made me want to scream. Again, no wonder Californians are fleeing that state.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
March 10, 2025
Black Tunnel White Magic is a in depth look into the investigation of the murder of Ron Baker. The author takes you step-by-step through each phase of the case, often giving you a "fly on the wall" perspective of the investigation and interviews that ensued. As a true crime follower I appreciated the detailed case information. Many interviews and conversations were provided verbatim which was a doubled-edged sword. So much detail was provided, but there was also quite a bit of repetition that made this a hefty read. I think this would have a wider appeal if some editing and trimming of the repeated elements had been done. The author does an excellent job outlining his thought process as the investigation moved forward which provided a unique perspective into the case. I also appreciated his insight about how politics & staff turnover impacted this case.
Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
April 4, 2025
This is a fascinating story. I had never really appreciated what it takes to follow a case over years. The ups and downs of this case and the commitment of Rick Jackson to getting justice done is compelling.
Some people think it is tedious to read through the transcripts of the long conversations with the suspects, but you need to read them to understand the subtle ways the conversations are directed towards revealing the truth. The combination of logic and gut feelings that guided the detectives made the journey even more interesting.
Some people think it is tedious to read through the transcripts of the long conversations with the suspects, but you need to read them to understand the subtle ways the conversations are directed towards revealing the truth. The combination of logic and gut feelings that guided the detectives made the journey even more interesting.
August 5, 2025
Sooooo much detail and bonhome (all the detectives are flawless and great chums) don’t drag down a compelling, well researched true detective story
July 27, 2025
Very engaging and informative. The blurb oversold the Manson, Satanic Panic, and Rodney King-police brutality elements as they were really only contextual and not a true part of the narrative. There could have been a bit more editing- entire interviews were transcribed almost word-for-word; summaries could have worked for portions. But overall an interesting read.
May 31, 2025
* Great history. With all that was going on during the time of the murder and investigation [Rodney King, The LA Riots, O.J. Simpson, the death of my Grandmother and the marriage of my beloved Aunt, and more] I do not remember ever hearing about this murder and its subsequent investigation. I think it must have gotten lost in all the other news, at least on the east coast [I was a news-hound at this time, so I probably saw a blurb about it, but I honestly have no memory of ever hearing about it], so this part of the book and how those other famous events happened alongside this investigation and sometimes interfered [especially during the O.J. Simpson trial] was particularly interesting to me and I learned quite a bit
* There are, unfortunately, sections of real boredom in this book. The word-for-word transcripts of the question of the eventual suspects, while important [I get the why behind it], was a lesson in real tedium and my absolute least favorite part of the book. It often made the book seem longer than it actually was [and at 500 pages, that is saying a lot].
* I enjoyed the look into the police world [especially from Mr. Jackson's POV; I will say this, he seems like a very decent human being], and to some extent, the DA and defense offices. During the investigation/trial [5+ years!!!!], the turnover of people/personnel involved with this case was crazy and there were moments where I wondered if ANYTHING was ever going to move forward. I am honestly not sure how anyone got ANYTHING done. LOL.
* That ending. W O W. The disappointment I felt at the injustice [and for Mr. Jackson and everyone else who had been involved]...well it was crazy. I am sure that if you read this and get to the end, you will completely understand my inability to verbalize it. W O W.
Overall, I am glad I read this as it was very eye-opening and I enjoyed most of it very much.
Thank you to NetGalley, Rick Jackson, Matthew McGough, and Mulholland Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
* There are, unfortunately, sections of real boredom in this book. The word-for-word transcripts of the question of the eventual suspects, while important [I get the why behind it], was a lesson in real tedium and my absolute least favorite part of the book. It often made the book seem longer than it actually was [and at 500 pages, that is saying a lot].
* I enjoyed the look into the police world [especially from Mr. Jackson's POV; I will say this, he seems like a very decent human being], and to some extent, the DA and defense offices. During the investigation/trial [5+ years!!!!], the turnover of people/personnel involved with this case was crazy and there were moments where I wondered if ANYTHING was ever going to move forward. I am honestly not sure how anyone got ANYTHING done. LOL.
* That ending. W O W. The disappointment I felt at the injustice [and for Mr. Jackson and everyone else who had been involved]...well it was crazy. I am sure that if you read this and get to the end, you will completely understand my inability to verbalize it. W O W.
Overall, I am glad I read this as it was very eye-opening and I enjoyed most of it very much.
Thank you to NetGalley, Rick Jackson, Matthew McGough, and Mulholland Books for providing this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
October 24, 2025
If you like True crime, this was a very good read.
March 20, 2025
If you remember the 90s and all of the televised court cases you already know.
June 24, 2025
Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.
Rick Jackson and Matthew McGough’s Black Tunnel White Magic is a true crime memoir that reads like a noir-soaked fever dream—equal parts procedural, personal reckoning, and elegy for a city on the edge.
At its core is the 1990 murder of Ronald Baker, a straight-A UCLA student found brutally stabbed in a tunnel near the infamous Spahn Ranch. But this isn’t just a whodunit—it’s a decades-long descent into obsession, as Jackson, a decorated LAPD detective and real-life inspiration for Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch, refuses to let the case go cold. What begins as a seemingly senseless killing soon spirals into a web of betrayal, racial tension, and psychological manipulation that mirrors the chaos of early ’90s Los Aneles.
Jackson’s voice—clear, methodical, and unflinching—is the engine that drives the narrative. With McGough’s journalistic precision, the book reconstructs the investigation with painstaking detail, from polygraph failures to a suspect’s staged kidnapping and eventual confession. But what elevates the story is its refusal to simplify. The case unfolds against the backdrop of the Rodney King beating, the O.J. Simpson trial, and the city’s simmering racial divide, forcing readers to confront the uncomfortable intersections of justice, perception, and privilege43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054.
The title itself is a metaphor for the book’s duality: the tunnel as a literal crime scene and a symbol of the darkness Jackson must navigate; the “white magic” as the elusive clarity he seeks in a world clouded by bias and bureaucracy.
Black Tunnel White Magic isn’t just about solving a murder—it’s about the cost of caring too much, the burden of memory, and the thin line between justice and obsession. For fans of Mindhunter and Killers of the Flower Moon, this is a gripping, morally complex journey into the heart of a city—and a detective—on the brink.
Rick Jackson and Matthew McGough’s Black Tunnel White Magic is a true crime memoir that reads like a noir-soaked fever dream—equal parts procedural, personal reckoning, and elegy for a city on the edge.
At its core is the 1990 murder of Ronald Baker, a straight-A UCLA student found brutally stabbed in a tunnel near the infamous Spahn Ranch. But this isn’t just a whodunit—it’s a decades-long descent into obsession, as Jackson, a decorated LAPD detective and real-life inspiration for Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch, refuses to let the case go cold. What begins as a seemingly senseless killing soon spirals into a web of betrayal, racial tension, and psychological manipulation that mirrors the chaos of early ’90s Los Aneles.
Jackson’s voice—clear, methodical, and unflinching—is the engine that drives the narrative. With McGough’s journalistic precision, the book reconstructs the investigation with painstaking detail, from polygraph failures to a suspect’s staged kidnapping and eventual confession. But what elevates the story is its refusal to simplify. The case unfolds against the backdrop of the Rodney King beating, the O.J. Simpson trial, and the city’s simmering racial divide, forcing readers to confront the uncomfortable intersections of justice, perception, and privilege43dcd9a7-70db-4a1f-b0ae-981daa162054.
The title itself is a metaphor for the book’s duality: the tunnel as a literal crime scene and a symbol of the darkness Jackson must navigate; the “white magic” as the elusive clarity he seeks in a world clouded by bias and bureaucracy.
Black Tunnel White Magic isn’t just about solving a murder—it’s about the cost of caring too much, the burden of memory, and the thin line between justice and obsession. For fans of Mindhunter and Killers of the Flower Moon, this is a gripping, morally complex journey into the heart of a city—and a detective—on the brink.
October 31, 2024
Black Tunnel White Magic by Rick Jackson and Matthew McGough immerses readers in a haunting slice of LA history with the grit and detail only a real-life detective can provide. Rick Jackson, a figure familiar to fans of Michael Connelly’s Harry Bosch series, shines as he steps out from behind the fictional badge and digs into his most confounding case: the 1990 murder of Ronald Baker, a UCLA student whose life met a grisly end near the infamous Spahn Ranch.
Jackson’s investigation transports readers into the twisted underbelly of LA in 1990, where the brutal murder of this straight-A student turned a routine investigation into an obsession. The backdrop of Satanic Panic and racial tension only amps up the intrigue as Jackson takes readers on a gritty, step-by-step journey through a maze of suspects, shaky alibis, and troubling social dynamics that nearly eclipse the crime itself.
Jackson’s writing, with Matthew McGough’s sharp narrative hand, holds nothing back: facts are facts, but the details are haunting. The story emerges with each chilling revelation, from Baker’s mysterious pentagram pendant to the eerie Manson Ranch proximity, building a cityscape teetering between superstition and systemic injustice. Focused and methodical, Jackson’s perspective cuts through red herrings and rumors to expose a web of betrayal that left a lasting scar on both the city and the detective himself.
True-crime aficionados and Harry Bosch fans alike will find Black Tunnel White Magic unmissable—a stark look into the darker sides of LA, as unearthed by a detective who couldn’t let it go.
Many thanks to Edelweiss and Mulholland Books for the opportunity to read and review Black Tunnel White Magic: A Murder, a Detective’s Obsession, and ’90s Los Angeles at the Brink prepublication.
Jackson’s investigation transports readers into the twisted underbelly of LA in 1990, where the brutal murder of this straight-A student turned a routine investigation into an obsession. The backdrop of Satanic Panic and racial tension only amps up the intrigue as Jackson takes readers on a gritty, step-by-step journey through a maze of suspects, shaky alibis, and troubling social dynamics that nearly eclipse the crime itself.
Jackson’s writing, with Matthew McGough’s sharp narrative hand, holds nothing back: facts are facts, but the details are haunting. The story emerges with each chilling revelation, from Baker’s mysterious pentagram pendant to the eerie Manson Ranch proximity, building a cityscape teetering between superstition and systemic injustice. Focused and methodical, Jackson’s perspective cuts through red herrings and rumors to expose a web of betrayal that left a lasting scar on both the city and the detective himself.
True-crime aficionados and Harry Bosch fans alike will find Black Tunnel White Magic unmissable—a stark look into the darker sides of LA, as unearthed by a detective who couldn’t let it go.
Many thanks to Edelweiss and Mulholland Books for the opportunity to read and review Black Tunnel White Magic: A Murder, a Detective’s Obsession, and ’90s Los Angeles at the Brink prepublication.
October 26, 2025
For all you Michael Connelly fans out there, here's what you need to know first:
Rick Jackson is a now retired LAPD Robbery-Homicide detective who had a 30-something year career. He's been a friend of Connelly for decades, dating back to when Connelly worked for the LA Times and Jackson was one of the detectives he tried to pump for case information. Jackson has served as one of his LAPD detective technical advisers for decades, and many aspects of the man himself have served as inspirational sources for parts of the persona Connelly has created in Harry Bosch. You know how in some of the more recent Bosch books, Bosch post-retirement is working unsolved cases as a volunteer? Guess what - that's what Jackson does and he's wrapped up dozens of open, unsolved cases.
Okay, now switch to the real world of non-fiction, a case from the 1990s. Your real live Bosch is working an impossible case. Evidence is limited. The RL detective apparently has access to the murder book as he's writing this book about the case and his investigation. There are notes available for any particular day's activities, who he spoke to, what he learned, what he's thinking about, what's he going to try next, etc. Twists and turns, advances and setbacks, all of it.
I thought this book was fantastic. Yes, reality can be stranger than fiction.
Some reviewers have said the book is too long.. Well, the investigation took several years and that's the subject matter of the book.
This book was an unexpected treat. If I could give it 7 stars, I would.
Those of you who didn't like it as well. I don't know what to say other than I'm sorry.
Rick Jackson is a now retired LAPD Robbery-Homicide detective who had a 30-something year career. He's been a friend of Connelly for decades, dating back to when Connelly worked for the LA Times and Jackson was one of the detectives he tried to pump for case information. Jackson has served as one of his LAPD detective technical advisers for decades, and many aspects of the man himself have served as inspirational sources for parts of the persona Connelly has created in Harry Bosch. You know how in some of the more recent Bosch books, Bosch post-retirement is working unsolved cases as a volunteer? Guess what - that's what Jackson does and he's wrapped up dozens of open, unsolved cases.
Okay, now switch to the real world of non-fiction, a case from the 1990s. Your real live Bosch is working an impossible case. Evidence is limited. The RL detective apparently has access to the murder book as he's writing this book about the case and his investigation. There are notes available for any particular day's activities, who he spoke to, what he learned, what he's thinking about, what's he going to try next, etc. Twists and turns, advances and setbacks, all of it.
I thought this book was fantastic. Yes, reality can be stranger than fiction.
Some reviewers have said the book is too long.. Well, the investigation took several years and that's the subject matter of the book.
This book was an unexpected treat. If I could give it 7 stars, I would.
Those of you who didn't like it as well. I don't know what to say other than I'm sorry.
April 30, 2025
This is an interesting read about two detectives investigating a murder but is waaaaaaay too long in the telling. It got tedious after reading the account of the murder (from different subjects) over and over and....... The book could have been completed in less than four hundred pages instead of over five hundred. I understand the detectives getting their teeth into this and not wanting to let go. If we had more police that felt like Det. Jackson, we may have a better society.
I was going to ding the rating due to having to read the description leading up to the murder, the murder, and the aftermath so many times, but the last section "The Final Betrayal" saved the rating. This section hit home.
SPOILER ALERT: I was a witness and victim (firearm pointed at me) in a murder. The suspect was supposed to get forty-five years WITHOUT parole but only served twenty-five years. He was paroled in 2024. I only mention this because of the frustration Jackson had for not being informed of the potential release of one of the two incarcerated individuals. I also feel for the sister of the victim also not being notified of the possible release. Fortunately, I was notified about six months before a parole hearing was scheduled in my case.
Jackson has every right to be angry at the government officials involved. I recommend this book if you can get past reading the murder info over and over again.
I was going to ding the rating due to having to read the description leading up to the murder, the murder, and the aftermath so many times, but the last section "The Final Betrayal" saved the rating. This section hit home.
SPOILER ALERT: I was a witness and victim (firearm pointed at me) in a murder. The suspect was supposed to get forty-five years WITHOUT parole but only served twenty-five years. He was paroled in 2024. I only mention this because of the frustration Jackson had for not being informed of the potential release of one of the two incarcerated individuals. I also feel for the sister of the victim also not being notified of the possible release. Fortunately, I was notified about six months before a parole hearing was scheduled in my case.
Jackson has every right to be angry at the government officials involved. I recommend this book if you can get past reading the murder info over and over again.
March 5, 2025
Many thanks to NetGalley and Mulholland Books for gifting me a digital ARC of this fascinating true crime book by Rick Jackson and Matthew McGough. All opinions expressed in this review are my own - 5 stars!
In June 1990, Ronald Baker, a straight-A UCLA student, was found repeatedly stabbed to death in a tunnel near Spahn Ranch, where Charles Manson and his followers once lived. Shortly thereafter, Detective Rick Jackson and his partner, Frank Garcia, were assigned the case. Was there an occult factor? Their investigation soon focused on Baker's roommates, one Black and one white, and the investigators' dogged pursuit of truth and justice.
I thought this was a fascinating look back at LA in the 1990s, where race, police brutality, and satanism were the headline stories. But it's also such a close introspection of police work at its finest, where finding the truth takes priority over everything else. These detectives worked for years and even decades to get justice for families. It's a look back at the effects of the Rodney King and OJ Simpson verdicts, and you'll recognize many names from that era. Now that our movements and conversations are tracked by cellphones and cameras, this is true, gritty detective work when DNA was in its infancy. The crime itself was horrifying and such a tragic loss of a young man, but kudos to Jackson and Garcia for their devotion.
In June 1990, Ronald Baker, a straight-A UCLA student, was found repeatedly stabbed to death in a tunnel near Spahn Ranch, where Charles Manson and his followers once lived. Shortly thereafter, Detective Rick Jackson and his partner, Frank Garcia, were assigned the case. Was there an occult factor? Their investigation soon focused on Baker's roommates, one Black and one white, and the investigators' dogged pursuit of truth and justice.
I thought this was a fascinating look back at LA in the 1990s, where race, police brutality, and satanism were the headline stories. But it's also such a close introspection of police work at its finest, where finding the truth takes priority over everything else. These detectives worked for years and even decades to get justice for families. It's a look back at the effects of the Rodney King and OJ Simpson verdicts, and you'll recognize many names from that era. Now that our movements and conversations are tracked by cellphones and cameras, this is true, gritty detective work when DNA was in its infancy. The crime itself was horrifying and such a tragic loss of a young man, but kudos to Jackson and Garcia for their devotion.
March 16, 2025
These authors hit a home run with this book. I loved that it was told in the first person, which makes the reader feel like they in the investigator's seat. The plot line was sequentially straight and the segues between chapters seamless. None of the hopping around temporally between scenes like some authors do. I found the book very easy to read and follow along with. It was genius how they weaved different historical events into the story like the Mansion family at Spahn Ranch, the Rodney King beating and riots, Marcia Clark and the OJ case, and even John Belushi’s death. Knowing that Jackson is now friends with Michael Connelly, I found it interesting when he talks about Connelly in the role of LA Times beat reporter nosing around on his case. Having been a police officer and having a friend die in front of me on duty, I found Rick's tribute to Russ Kuster to be classy. The highlight of the book for me was when I got to the end of the story, and the detectives went into the prison to drop a bomb on “the coolest 'dude' they’ve ever dealt with”, I was certain he would blow them off. But he not only talked to them, but he confessed. The entire book is a record of very fantastic police work. Rick Jackson and Matt McGough are a brilliant writing team, and I literally devoured the story
March 24, 2025
Fans of Harry Bosch & Michael Connelly: you'll find a pure reading delight here! An exceptional little gem co-written by retired Rick Jackson, former Detective III of the LAPD's RHD Division. For those who don't know him, he is one of the consultants for the Bosch tv series, but above all! the inspiration, the real-life police officer behind the fictional character Harry Bosch. On the evening of the Solstice of June 21, 1990, Ronald Baker was brutally murdered in the Chatsworth Park tunnel. This non-fiction book unfolds a mind-blowing and precise chronology of this investigation from A to Z led by Rick Jackson. Rick also recounts through this investigation the major media events that occurred in Los Angeles. These would have inevitable repercussions on the progress of the investigation and the handling of the case, over several decades. A meticulous, dedicated Detective, dedicated to obtaining justice for the victims. I felt Bosch everywhere in this reading! I was deeply immersed in this fascinating and heartfelt investigation. It was very difficult to put this book down! I had an indescribable pleasure in reliving certain events from a very different perspective. An excellent read that I recommend to all Bosch / Connelly fans!
June 16, 2025
Yeah, it’s kind of different reading for me. I usually don’t read true crime novels. This one was pretty good covered a lot of subjects and a long time span from 1990 at the summer solstice to just about the present.
The time span covered things such as the Rodney king assault. By Los Angeles, police officers. The subsequent trial. It included referencing the O.J. Simpson trial and all the racial tension surrounding those events. and also included references to Marcia Clark, who was the prosecuting attorney in the O.J. Simpson trial. It ended up including George Floyd’s killing, and it covered changes to parole guidelines within the LA prison system. Also referenced Gavin Newsom and his role in the case of these two roommates who killed their best friend and their third roommate.
Not quite sure about the title as although it mentions Wickham and some interest that the victim had in white magic. It stated specifically that occult and witchcraft were
not involved in the killing. In fact, it had no influence or involvement other than some brief speculation about the occult that was popular at the time in Los Angeles.
The time span covered things such as the Rodney king assault. By Los Angeles, police officers. The subsequent trial. It included referencing the O.J. Simpson trial and all the racial tension surrounding those events. and also included references to Marcia Clark, who was the prosecuting attorney in the O.J. Simpson trial. It ended up including George Floyd’s killing, and it covered changes to parole guidelines within the LA prison system. Also referenced Gavin Newsom and his role in the case of these two roommates who killed their best friend and their third roommate.
Not quite sure about the title as although it mentions Wickham and some interest that the victim had in white magic. It stated specifically that occult and witchcraft were
not involved in the killing. In fact, it had no influence or involvement other than some brief speculation about the occult that was popular at the time in Los Angeles.
April 9, 2025
It's ironic that the authors chose to comment on the racial atmosphere in Los Angeles during this time frame - why?
The minute the author was assigned to the case, he chose to believe the words of a (W) pathological liar's (very likely also a sociopath) version of events that blamed a "friend" (B) for the entire crime. Despite the fact that the liar did everything to prove that he was unreliable and dishonest, the case centered on his version of the events & law enforcement pandered to this idiot throughout the entire case/book.
The case follow-up mentioning that the detective made several visits to the inmate that he'd never given a nickel about to "check in on him" was another special level of bs.
The only reason I finished this book is because I kept waiting for the detectives to investigate the case fairly - it didn't happen.
So, in the end, it did reflect LAPD's well documented treatment of suspects,then and now.
Leave this bloated pile of paper wherever you find it & don't waste your time.
The minute the author was assigned to the case, he chose to believe the words of a (W) pathological liar's (very likely also a sociopath) version of events that blamed a "friend" (B) for the entire crime. Despite the fact that the liar did everything to prove that he was unreliable and dishonest, the case centered on his version of the events & law enforcement pandered to this idiot throughout the entire case/book.
The case follow-up mentioning that the detective made several visits to the inmate that he'd never given a nickel about to "check in on him" was another special level of bs.
The only reason I finished this book is because I kept waiting for the detectives to investigate the case fairly - it didn't happen.
So, in the end, it did reflect LAPD's well documented treatment of suspects,then and now.
Leave this bloated pile of paper wherever you find it & don't waste your time.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 1, 2025
I loved this book, it was a true crime version of a Harry Bosch novel filled with details of police investigations conducted amid the backdrop of 1990s Los Angeles. In the book LAPD RHD detective Rick Jackson tells the story of the murder of Ron Baker, a UCLA student, in a train tunnel in a park in Chatsworth near the Spahn Ranch where the Manson Family lived. The investigation of the murder leads to two main suspects, the victim’s roommates, one white, one black but also involves issues roiling Los Angeles in that era- the influence of the occult, the fallout from the Rodney King beating, video, and verdict, and the OJ Simpson trial. In the book the detectives methodically and doggedly follow one clue after another, some leading nowhere, others leading to unexpected places. This is a story of betrayal and deception and a murder committed in cold blood and the book demonstrates that the process for bringing the murderers to justice is not as smooth as that depicted in most movies. I could not put this book down- it was riveting and thought provoking.
November 22, 2025
This is a riveting true crime story about a homicide that occurred in Los Angeles in 1990. A young UCLA student was brutally murdered and the detectives had little evidence to solve the crime. This story takes you on a long journey to discover who had a motive to murder this nice young man, and how the crime took place. The long interviews and details that the detectives methodically investigated were very realistic. Too often we expect crimes to be solved quickly. And this was real life detective work! It took years for Detectives Jackson and Garcia to collect enough incriminating evidence to charge the murderer(s). I found the story fascinating and the real detective work was so interesting! I couldn’t put the book down while the investigation was ongoing.
By the end I was so engaged with the story that I had to google all the characters. Next I’ll be watching the “Dateline” episode that covered the investigation a few years ago. Highly recommend.
By the end I was so engaged with the story that I had to google all the characters. Next I’ll be watching the “Dateline” episode that covered the investigation a few years ago. Highly recommend.
September 25, 2025
BLACK TUNNEL WHITE MAGIC is a gripping true crime murder mystery that masterfully recounts the brutal killing of Ronald Baker in a secluded railroad tunnel. The investigation was long and arduous, but Jackson skillfully weaves the details to create a narrative that's both informative and engaging. The inclusion of recorded prison messages adds a chilling layer to the story. The trial coverage is detailed and thought provoking. What raises this book above others in the genre is its exploration of the complexities of the case and the pursuit of justice. As someone with over 31 yrs in law enforcement, I found the author's attention to detail and procedural accuracy to be particularly compelling.
Overall, BLACK TUNNEL WHITE MAGIC is a well researched and thought provoking
account of a horrific crime.
Overall, BLACK TUNNEL WHITE MAGIC is a well researched and thought provoking
account of a horrific crime.
April 12, 2025
I could count the number of true crime books I've read on one hand, so I have no reference in terms of what's good or bad or what's expected in this genre. My first reaction to this book is that if this is what it takes to spend years tracking down the truth, finding the evidence, cajoling witnesses, semi-deceiving the suspected guilty party or parties who are deceivers in their turn, and in the end not really achieving true justice, then bless the men and women who can make careers of this. Reading this makes you feel the huge effort it takes. The bare bones of the case and which of two young men, or both, is/are the killer/s, are apparent in just days. It takes almost 500 pages to reach the end, and the resulting justice is incomplete. This book is work to read.
December 3, 2025
Black Tunnel, White Magic isn’t a breezy read — and it doesn’t try to be. This book delivers a raw, unvarnished look inside a real LAPD murder investigation, told with a level of honesty and emotional weight that sets it apart from typical true crime. Rick Jackson and Matthew McGough pull you into the long grind of detective work: the misdirection, the unraveling relationships, and the unsettling ties to 1990s Los Angeles. The case itself is tragic and unpredictable, and the authors refuse to sensationalize it — instead giving you clarity, humanity, and hard truths. It’s thoughtful, serious, and deeply immersive. If you prefer true crime rooted in reality over theatrics, this one is absolutely worth your time.
April 1, 2025
(3). I don’t read much true crime, but a golf relationship with the author got me to read this one. It certainly is a wild story. Justice served, albeit on a very slow schedule. The amount of effort, work and investigating Jackson and his many partners did to put the bad guys away here is incredible. Thank goodness for our devoted public servants! The read is a little long, a little slow at times, but it certainly runs well for the second half of the book. As almost always, truth is stranger than fiction. Thanks to the good detective for turning us on to the inner workings of this case. Good stuff.
May 3, 2025
Above all, reading this establishes sympathy for what police, especially detectives, go through: endless conversations with idiots. In this case, slimy idiots.
Three guys go into a train tunnel. Two come out, the third lies there, stabbed. We follow detectives for decades as they pursue killers. The reading requires patience since the extensive dialogue repeats facts and changes facts with each passing year. The end result exposes how justice denied pervades some systems, slayed at the whim of a DA or governor.
The crime took place in California. The solving sprawled across the entire United States. The lessons learned are timeless.
Three guys go into a train tunnel. Two come out, the third lies there, stabbed. We follow detectives for decades as they pursue killers. The reading requires patience since the extensive dialogue repeats facts and changes facts with each passing year. The end result exposes how justice denied pervades some systems, slayed at the whim of a DA or governor.
The crime took place in California. The solving sprawled across the entire United States. The lessons learned are timeless.
June 27, 2025
2.5 stars.
If you’re the type wanting to read police procedurals that cover an investigation to the nth degree, then this is the book for you. If not, then prepare to die of sheer boredom. Every word in every interview was written verbatim, and there was a lot of repetition. This is the type of book I thought I’d like; instead, I found myself skipping whole chapters just to finish it. The final section contained an interesting twist which helped—a little—to rescue it, but all in all, a book to be avoided unless you’re a true fan.
Yet another lesson that one of my favorite authors (Michael Connelly) being tangentially involved with a book doesnt make it good.
If you’re the type wanting to read police procedurals that cover an investigation to the nth degree, then this is the book for you. If not, then prepare to die of sheer boredom. Every word in every interview was written verbatim, and there was a lot of repetition. This is the type of book I thought I’d like; instead, I found myself skipping whole chapters just to finish it. The final section contained an interesting twist which helped—a little—to rescue it, but all in all, a book to be avoided unless you’re a true fan.
Yet another lesson that one of my favorite authors (Michael Connelly) being tangentially involved with a book doesnt make it good.
April 9, 2025
"Black Tunnel White Magic" is a true crime chronicle of a case Rick Jackson solved in the LAPD Robbery Homocide Division in the 90s. During the so-called era of "Satanic Panic," a UCLA student who had been exploring the practices of Wicca was murdered in the "Manson tunnel" in Chatsworth Park. The case had so many unexpected twists and turns, it is nearly unbelievable. To add to the drama, unprecedented events unfolded in real time, as he was writing the novel. Read it! It's great!
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