Malice in Wonderland: The Inside Story of the Police Investigation of the Laurel Canyon Murders

by Tom Lange, Robert Souza

A true story of one of the most gruesome mass murders in Los Angeles history. This incredible twenty-year saga includes brutal murder, vicious robbery, corruption at the highest levels of the judiciary and law enforcement, bought off witnesses and jury tampering, intimidation, bribery, organized crime, as well as drug dealing and all its violent repercussions. All of these barriers seem insurmountable to the cops who are assigned to pick their way through this "garden of evil." Several other high profile cases of the period are high lighted.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction, Crime

295 pages, Kindle Edition

Published February 15, 2018

Reviews

[Michelle · Rating 5 out of 5]

I watched a documentary recently "The Wonderland Massacre & The Secret History Of Hollywood" hosted by Michael Connelly about the killings on Wonderland Drive that happened in Laurel Canyon in 1981. I was still a young kid, but this documentary was excellent and the two authors of this book were interviewed and their book mentioned. It was a fascinating read-- full of investigation thoughts/case progression by these authors (who were also Homicide Detectives that were assigned this case). It even went on to discuss the years that the cases were opened, other things that suspects did, etc. I loved it. This was what I was hoping the previous book I read "Long Haul" would be structured. Highly recommend if you like true crime or are interested in Hollywood murders, Black Dahlia for example.

[Isabell · Rating 2 out of 5]

The oh so bitchy account of the policemen who investigated the whole Wonderland murders ordeal. Don't you dare criticize the flawless LAPD or these two will have it coming for you. Yes the book has a lot of facts on the investigation of the whole thing, but absolutely non regarding information on the victims. You'll hear about Eddie Nash and his co conspirators but not much else. Also of course you hear about the police force and how they have never even made a mistake in any case. The authors bring up several other famous cases that happened during the 80/90s but curiously leaves out Rodney King and the whole very well documented problem with racism in the LAPD. When a fellow policeman accuses the authors of being bribed by Eddie Nash and an investigation is launched against them their egos almost explode. They become so salty against the fellow policeman that he is even called a sociopath. If that wasn't enough to turn themselves off for the reader, they also spew absolute shit against the movie on the case (starring Val Kilmer) that was actually well received and many people happened to like. Overall this is just a waste of time and money. It's just something to boost the ego of two weak men who obviously feel unfairly hated by society since associated with the doomed police force. And oh, one last thing, don't you dare bring up political correctness, thats not how the LAPD works!!!1111

[Boyd · Rating 5 out of 5]

Highly Recommend

I strongly recommend this book, especially if you are interested in true crime, or true police work genre, or historical aspects of LAPD in the 80s/90s.

Initially I enjoyed one of the co-author’s book “Evidence Dismissed,” as I had a strange desire to find out what the whole OJ Simpson Murder case was about. Although I was a teenager when it occurred, I did not have a full understanding.

Subsequently I somehow found a path to this book and also enjoyed it very much. I was just a young child when these horrendous Wonderland murders took place, but realized somehow I had heard some version of them before from TV, or movies.

This book really explains and gives the reader a more realistic account and understanding regarding what it was all about.

This work is also a great resource historically. It is also a great narrative and hard to put down once started.

***One disappointment is my Amazon Kindle ebook version has no cover artwork mentioned in the postscript?*** Just a pale green.

[Christian Michael · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fascinating look into a sordid story

Great book from the detectives who investigated the infamous “Wonderland Murders.” If ever a case had more lowlifes than this one, it hasn’t been discovered yet. Most notable is the down and out porn star John Holmes who seemed to have an incredible ability to get himself into big messes. It’s truly a great read from beginning to end.

[Peggy Dressell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Finally

The story told from trusted sources with nothing to hide. Just the facts, thank you. Plus the little side trips to other stories is a plus.

[I’m a Paula too… Thompson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Malice in Wonderland…

I’m trying to remember whether this case was ever on my radar. I lived in LA for only a year, and my boyfriend at the time had parents who lived in Tarzana. It was definitely after the Tate-LaBianca events and people were still scared. I was pretty young though, and had no real clue about that side of life. So this book is actually sort of a revelation for me. The 70’s had a lot going on. The activities that this book addressed were a lot bigger business than I ever thought. John Holmes was not a name I knew, either. Again, I was pretty young and his “profession” was not really something I knew much about.

So this case was the basis for the Val Kilmer movie, which I discovered by doing a deeper dive into his career. I’d forgotten about this one, and perhaps my usual, I got interested in the case. And then I saw an interview with Mr. Lange. And it talked about his books. So next will be the O.J. book…

Interesting, and I recommend it if true crime interests you…

[MaggieThe Cat · Rating 2 out of 5]

meh

It’s the “inside story” in that it’s from the detective pov. Otherwise it’s as informative and enlightening as a police press conference,and just as entertaining. It skims over police corruption (even corruption that was later litigated)using it as a mild background descriptor to scene events and describes one of the detectives constantly and gleefully as being physically frightening with suspects. Since the detective is also one of the writers,it’s cringey and off putting. At one point the book even makes an allusion that the one surviving victim was malingering about her injuries and was flirting with an associate criminal from her hospital bed fresh from learning her husband had died.
It’s a dimly lit, shadow filled mis en scene with paper cut outs,falsetto voices,low chuckles,and muttered sentences.

[Andee · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The story in general is so convoluted and there are so many characters, locations, and moving parts involved. However, the authors did an excellent job of organizing it in an order that makes the most sense, both in timeline and order or characters. I liked their writing style. And as a lifelong LA native, I enjoyed the misc facts, lore, places, and criminal cases, and various named people that are recognizable for a local.

[Terry Pollard · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good guys, Mediocre book

I was looking forward to this book when I found it. However, it is very general and kind of darts all over the place, including a lot of information on other cases(unrelated to Wonderland). In all honesty, I didnt think it was very good. But I do think the Detectives who wrote it are stand up guys, for whatever thats worth

[Megan Vincent · Rating 3 out of 5]

The story of the Wonderland/Laurel Canyon murders itself was supremely interesting to me. I was especially intrigued by the idea that it was written by the head detectives on the case. Unfortunately, I’d say at least a third of this book felt like pure filler. Sure, other cases are interesting too, but I was here to read about THIS case. It was an okay read but didn’t wow me at all.

[Eric Jones · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great story !!

I’ve followed the Wonderland case since I was a teenager, and I watched the news reports about it. I always kept tabs on it and this book was a wonderful opening into the LAPD investigation.

[Michelle Pritchard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read for true crime lovers!

Great perspective from the homicide detectives who worked the case for years. The book is Much more informative than the movie.

[Mike Burke · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good story and easy to follow.