The Forgotten Briefcase: The world knows her name. Few really knew her.

by Joseph T Perrulli

The Forgotten Briefcase is an intimate memoir of love, loss, and the long road back to oneself. Drawn from decades-old journals, letters, and personal mementos, Joseph recounts his private relationship with Nicole Brown Simpson at a pivotal moment in her life, as she was beginning to reclaim and rediscover herself - revealing a fresh and profoundly human portrait of the woman behind one of America's most public tragedies.

Thirty-three years after burying the past inside a forgotten briefcase, Joseph rediscovers the memories he never allowed himself to photographs, cards, letters, and a century-old novel he had once given Nicole - a book she claimed had changed her life forever. But it isn't until Joseph's own near-death experience that he realizes the briefcase held more than reminders of Nicole - it held the fractured pieces of himself.

As Joseph returns to the places they once shared, he begins to understand why the novel - and Nicole's memory - never truly left him. The Forgotten Briefcase is a moving testament to the power of love, memory, and second chances, and to the freedom that can only come from finally confronting the past.

Genres: Nonfiction

204 pages, Paperback

Published June 11, 2026

Reviews

[Jodi · Rating 5 out of 5]

I finished this book in one sitting—I simply couldn’t put it down. It is so beautifully written, with such respect and love. You can feel his love for her through his words.

I was 10 years old when Nicole was taken, and this case has stayed with me ever since. As a child, her face was etched into my memory, and over the years, Nicole Simpson often felt more like a character from a book than a real person.

Learning that she experienced a pure, gentle love before her life was stolen filled me with both happiness and sadness. Happiness because she knew what it felt like to be loved, safe, and protected. Sadness because that love was taken from her by her abuser.

After experiencing the loss of a great love in my own life, I find myself hoping that Mr. Perrulli has found some peace in knowing that he gave Nicole that love then—and continues to give it to her now by sharing her story. Through his words, he has shown the world a vibrant, loving woman who cherished her children, Joseph, her friends, and life itself.

May Nicole’s memory always be a blessing to those who knew and loved her.

[Judie sherk · Rating 5 out of 5]

PNW avid reader.

Extremely well written and I hope he writes something again. He writes from his heart with such feeling and truth.

[Sandra Holloway · Rating 5 out of 5]

surprisingly good

I gravitated to this book because of the subject matter. I have always been curious about that situation. I’m glad someone could tell a story of a woman who found herself and enjoyed life after making a big mistake who she fell in love with!

[Irene Ferraro · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sacrificial Lamb

I just read Nicole husband’s biography to understand his life.

This book showed Nichole was totally out of her element. The author did an excellent job of explaining her side of the story. She was trapped in fear and violence and the inability to leave an abusive relationship because she didn’t want to lose custody of her son and daughter. The vindictive behavior by Oj was reprehensible. I also felt sad about his infidelities that were swept under the rug. She was completely naive and had no clue what was in store for her crossing cultural differences. She married out of her league. The old adage spoke volumes here. “If I can’t have you no body else can!” She stepped out of her situation during a legal separation to feel normal and it cost her, her life. She was just an ordinary person trying to find love. She never had a chance. I think of Princess Diane. They both lost their lives in the end.

I think of Joe DiMaggio here, he left roses on Marylin Monroe’s grave quite often. I think Joseph, with all respect to Rebecca, should visit her at Ascension cemetery, and leave her a rose.

[Virginia Marie · Rating 5 out of 5]

A story of love and friendship

I have read almost all of the books written about Nicole and Ron. This book is the only one that gives me a true picture of what Nicole was like. Everyone that knew her said she was nothing like what the tabloids were reporting. I think this book does a great job showing Nicole as a great mother,and a spiritual Catholic with a great deal of faith in God. I read this book in 2 days, I loved it that much! Joseph be proud of your portrayal of Nicole, you did a good job. Next book is Siddhartha for me!

[Patricia Daly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like Being There

Mr. Perrulli's memoir--written with respect, honesty, and love for its subject (Nicole) and for the beautiful, and all too often brief, microworld that romantic love creates--weaves moments and memories into a portrait of Nicole and the love she and Mr. Perrulli shared and brings us into the joy of their love and into the triumph of that love over the tragedy of Nicole's murder. Now, may we all read and ruminate on Hesse's "Siddhartha."

[Donna Kreiser · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was well written and you honestly felt like you were a part of the story. It was beautiful and equally heartbreaking at the same time. I would recommend it.

[Coffeeandbooks · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed taking a trip down memory lane, as I reminisced about the early 90s. I thought their brief spring love was beautifully described, and it was nice to get to learn more about Nicole from someone who knew and loved her, if only for a while.

I'll be honest, the only thing that bothered me was how the author got a bad vibe from. Oj and bailed on the relationship.

[Jeanne Shanklin]

Forgotten 30 years too long

So this guy writes a book about the love he shared for a woman he was afraid to mention until OJ died. Other than his own personal photos he was never mentioned anywhere to have been associated with Nicole Brown as a love interest online