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Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour
Natalie Wood was a Hollywood icon, beloved by millions for her performances in such classics as Miracle on 34th Street , West Side Story and Rebel Without a Cause . Married for the second time to actor Robert Wagner and the mother of young children, Natalie had everything to live for. Her bizarre death on or near the yacht Splendour on a chilly November evening in 1981 has been shrouded in mystery. In his recent best-selling memoir Pieces of My Heart , Robert Wagner told his version of what happened on the yacht Splendour on the night his wife died. But is Wagner's version accurate? Who knows the truth? Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour is the result of a decades-long investigation by journalist Marti Rulli and Dennis Davern, Natalie's friend, confidant, and captain of the Splendour on that controversial night. Painstakingly researched and written from the heart, here is an in-depth examination of Natalie Wood's life -- and death.
335 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 2009
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 95 reviews
July 11, 2019
I do not know how to rate this.
I was so angry when I finished this book. It seems to me a massive cover up went on. I still cannot quite believe what I read. In a way I wish I had not read it but I can't unsee it.
I was very young when Natalie Wood died but I still remember I was home watching television when the announcement hit. My parents, particularly my mom were devastated. They loved her.
I think everyone loves her. But I do not know to this day why, if there was a cover up, it is still going on. All I know is, unfair or not, it made me regard Wagner with deep suspicion and I still do even though I read the book a few months ago.
It is a tough book to recommend because it is going to make you mad. And baffled. And sad..very sad. I do hope that one day The great Natalie Wood gets justice if there is justice to get.
I was so angry when I finished this book. It seems to me a massive cover up went on. I still cannot quite believe what I read. In a way I wish I had not read it but I can't unsee it.
I was very young when Natalie Wood died but I still remember I was home watching television when the announcement hit. My parents, particularly my mom were devastated. They loved her.
I think everyone loves her. But I do not know to this day why, if there was a cover up, it is still going on. All I know is, unfair or not, it made me regard Wagner with deep suspicion and I still do even though I read the book a few months ago.
It is a tough book to recommend because it is going to make you mad. And baffled. And sad..very sad. I do hope that one day The great Natalie Wood gets justice if there is justice to get.
April 7, 2011
I really enjoyed this book. I had a hard time putting it down. Dennis Davern finally tells the whole truth, about what he saw and heard that fateful night aboard the Splendour. The author goes into great detail about how she came to the conclusion that Dennis Davern was telling the truth. The book shows how power, privilege and being famous had a great impact on the Natalie Wood drowning investigation. I still remember when Natalie Wood died. There were many unanswered questions. This book helps to answer those questions. Who better to tell what happened that night than someone who was there and experienced the events. Dennis Davern was there,and although he was less than honest in the past about that night, he wants to come clean. He took lie detector tests for THIS book. He passed. Need I say more? If you wondered what happened to the beautiful actress the night she died, read this book. Marti Rulli did a great job telling this tragic story.
September 29, 2011
Way too long for what this book contains. You have to go through the star-struck "witness" to hopefully find a kernel of truth. I'm not sure I found it, but I look at Robert Wagner with great suspicion now.
October 19, 2009
Well, "Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour" blew me away. I've read the other Natalie Wood books but this one is a stunner. I like that its revelations are backed by the prime character's polygraph test results (former Splendour Captain Dennis Davern). But it is author Marti Rulli who deserves the accolades here. In an effort to support her friend Davern's claims, she performs her own homemade investigation and evidence testing and she not only ends up supporting Davern's account, she exposes an entire professional investigation to be substandard. All I can say is that, I WANT MORE! But, Rulli takes us to the point where there is no mystery to this death left behind. Anyone with a brain knows now how Natalie Wood, who was deathly afraid of water her entire life, ended up found dead in it. Highly recommended. A page-turner MUST read!
September 7, 2015
Something Stinks...
The reason I gave this book 3 stars is because I questioned the credibility and intentions of the authors from the beginning. From the start, I felt uncomfortable and suspicious that the captain and later his co-author needed SO bad to have a book written about the events of Natalie's death rather than focusing on seeking justice. I thought his primary concern should have been to notify authorities with what he failed to reveal during the initial investigation rather than thinking of publishing a book immediately. Plus, didn't he mention Wagner was on Hart to Hart? After Natalie's death, surprise, surprise, he became an actor on the same show and Wagner gave him money and found him acting jobs. He was also living the celebrity life in Wagner's home after the death of Natalie. Was Wagner buying his silence? I don't doubt there was something foul going on between the two of them and Natalie's death was at the center of their behavior. The Captain seemed to have taken to the opportunities very quickly when they were presented. It seemed like when the money train stopped and the friendship of convinience became distant that the Captain became resentful.
Additionally, I don't doubt that the skipper knew more about the day of Natalie's death than he originally led on but I also think he was an opportunist in the beginning who had a taste of the celebrity life and used the information he knew about Natalie's death to get famous. Instead of feeling torn about doing the right thing about revealing what he knew about the death of Natalie due to his "friendship" with Robert Wagner and the impact it would have on Natalie's daughters, I got the impression that finally coming forward with the truth was not a means of bringing justice for Natalie, it may have been an afterthought or secondary objective, rather it was an opportunity to make some money and acquire fame first while at the same time, do the right thing for Natalie. Sometimes the way we say things gives a bad impression and he demonstrated what his primary motivation was in the beginning of this book and it certainly didn't seem like he needed to set things right for the sake of justice for Natalie but was frightened and apprehensive about the consequences the truth may bring. If he was so concerned about his safety as he claimed, and the feelings of Natalie's little girls why on earth would he do interviews putting out partial information of the events that day. This doesn't seem like the actions of someone in fear for his life or caring about how Nat's daughters would feel from his revelations.
I do have to give Ms. Rulli credit in her quest to uncover the truth. She did put in a lot of time and effort to test and disprove the theories or simply cast doubt about the conclusions reached by the Police, Medical Examiner, the media, and the official statements of Mr. Wagner, authors, and guest on the yacht that fatal day. I wondered why so much of this book focused on the authors when they could have just written a detached version focusing strictly on the events of Natalie's death, recollections by the Captain of the Wagner family on and off the yacht, details about the investigation, theories proven and disproven etc.. There was just so much that could have been written to make this book so much better leaving out some of more damaging things. Then I thought, they probably didn't have an option but to write in this way because of all the damaging and discredible actions made in their quest for "justice" for Natalie. I'm sure they must have thought it would be a smart idea to put all the truth out there first making them look honest before the media cast doubt on their credibility. Even a polygraph test could be questionable because some people have found ways to manipulate the outcome and for whatever reason it is not admissible in court. The only good thing to come out of this book is that it cast doubt on the Police findings/investigation causing the case to be reopened, hopefully the truth will finally be revealed, uncovering a murderer and meeting their secondary objective of: Justice for Nataile.
The reason I gave this book 3 stars is because I questioned the credibility and intentions of the authors from the beginning. From the start, I felt uncomfortable and suspicious that the captain and later his co-author needed SO bad to have a book written about the events of Natalie's death rather than focusing on seeking justice. I thought his primary concern should have been to notify authorities with what he failed to reveal during the initial investigation rather than thinking of publishing a book immediately. Plus, didn't he mention Wagner was on Hart to Hart? After Natalie's death, surprise, surprise, he became an actor on the same show and Wagner gave him money and found him acting jobs. He was also living the celebrity life in Wagner's home after the death of Natalie. Was Wagner buying his silence? I don't doubt there was something foul going on between the two of them and Natalie's death was at the center of their behavior. The Captain seemed to have taken to the opportunities very quickly when they were presented. It seemed like when the money train stopped and the friendship of convinience became distant that the Captain became resentful.
Additionally, I don't doubt that the skipper knew more about the day of Natalie's death than he originally led on but I also think he was an opportunist in the beginning who had a taste of the celebrity life and used the information he knew about Natalie's death to get famous. Instead of feeling torn about doing the right thing about revealing what he knew about the death of Natalie due to his "friendship" with Robert Wagner and the impact it would have on Natalie's daughters, I got the impression that finally coming forward with the truth was not a means of bringing justice for Natalie, it may have been an afterthought or secondary objective, rather it was an opportunity to make some money and acquire fame first while at the same time, do the right thing for Natalie. Sometimes the way we say things gives a bad impression and he demonstrated what his primary motivation was in the beginning of this book and it certainly didn't seem like he needed to set things right for the sake of justice for Natalie but was frightened and apprehensive about the consequences the truth may bring. If he was so concerned about his safety as he claimed, and the feelings of Natalie's little girls why on earth would he do interviews putting out partial information of the events that day. This doesn't seem like the actions of someone in fear for his life or caring about how Nat's daughters would feel from his revelations.
I do have to give Ms. Rulli credit in her quest to uncover the truth. She did put in a lot of time and effort to test and disprove the theories or simply cast doubt about the conclusions reached by the Police, Medical Examiner, the media, and the official statements of Mr. Wagner, authors, and guest on the yacht that fatal day. I wondered why so much of this book focused on the authors when they could have just written a detached version focusing strictly on the events of Natalie's death, recollections by the Captain of the Wagner family on and off the yacht, details about the investigation, theories proven and disproven etc.. There was just so much that could have been written to make this book so much better leaving out some of more damaging things. Then I thought, they probably didn't have an option but to write in this way because of all the damaging and discredible actions made in their quest for "justice" for Natalie. I'm sure they must have thought it would be a smart idea to put all the truth out there first making them look honest before the media cast doubt on their credibility. Even a polygraph test could be questionable because some people have found ways to manipulate the outcome and for whatever reason it is not admissible in court. The only good thing to come out of this book is that it cast doubt on the Police findings/investigation causing the case to be reopened, hopefully the truth will finally be revealed, uncovering a murderer and meeting their secondary objective of: Justice for Nataile.
July 21, 2011
Marti Rulli is one of the finest true crime writers I've ever read. For those who say this book doesn't deliver, I question their expectations. "Goodbye Natalie Goodbye Splendour" is filled with information in regards to the Natalie Wood case that I NEVER knew existed! Marti Rulli was thorough enough to perform her own evidence testing and have other experts perform testing for her as well. The comparison of Rulli's evidence next to that of the police department's is polarizing. Rulli is to be commended for working with a reluctant captain (for various reasons EXPLAINED thoroughly in this magnifect work) and finally convincing him to reveal what paralyzed him for decades. She goes so far as to put the captain through certified polygraph tests, even though she is his friend. No, this book leaves NOTHING to the imagination. As for how Natalie Wood got into the ocean that fateful night on November 28, 1981, there's no question left in my mind after reading this stunning book. For Natalie Wood fans, you will also see a side of Natalie you will love in this work. As for Robert Wagner fans, oh well, the truth hurts, doesn't it? EXCELLENT BOOK, EXCELLENT WRITING, TRUE PAGE-TURNER, AND THE ANSWERS WE'VE ALL WAITED DECADES FOR, right here, right now, in this book I highly recommend. Rene
May 3, 2011
I really hope it didn't happen this way but the Captain's story does seem to fit with what the other witnesses heard and the condition of Natalie's body. Totally changes my view of Robert Wagner.
July 20, 2015
It's a tedious read that finally gets to the point about two-thirds through. The coauthor and former yacht captain of the Splendour is a patsy for Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner. That ultimately leads him to be caught up in all the intrigue and still unanswered questions about Natalie Wood's death.
Davern is treated like family and therefore used by the Hollywood golden couple. He does their bidding above and beyond the call of duty like identifying Natalie's body.
The book goes like this: "Marti (author), I need to tell you what really happened the night Natalie died." "Dennis, tell me." "I can't." Next chapter, "Dennis, you need to tell what happened that night." "I know I do but I can't."
This goes on for years and hundreds of pages yet Davern does tell his story to a few tabloids and there's some Geraldo Rivera happenings. The ultimate revelation is chilling but by the time you get to it, it almost doesn't register.
Much stronger are the people in nearby yachts who come into the story late. Lots for the conspiracy lovers.
Somewhere between this version of Natalie Wood's death and Robert Wagner's sort of telling in his autobiograpy proably lies the truth.
Unforgivable is a macabre depiction of what Natalie's last moments of life must have been like. For a pair of writers who claim they only have the best intersts of Natalie's daughters at heart, it's horrible.
Davern is treated like family and therefore used by the Hollywood golden couple. He does their bidding above and beyond the call of duty like identifying Natalie's body.
The book goes like this: "Marti (author), I need to tell you what really happened the night Natalie died." "Dennis, tell me." "I can't." Next chapter, "Dennis, you need to tell what happened that night." "I know I do but I can't."
This goes on for years and hundreds of pages yet Davern does tell his story to a few tabloids and there's some Geraldo Rivera happenings. The ultimate revelation is chilling but by the time you get to it, it almost doesn't register.
Much stronger are the people in nearby yachts who come into the story late. Lots for the conspiracy lovers.
Somewhere between this version of Natalie Wood's death and Robert Wagner's sort of telling in his autobiograpy proably lies the truth.
Unforgivable is a macabre depiction of what Natalie's last moments of life must have been like. For a pair of writers who claim they only have the best intersts of Natalie's daughters at heart, it's horrible.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 14, 2013
A true tribute to Natalie. At times I became frustrated as I'm sure Marti did while working on the book. Denis had a difficult time revealing what he knew, because he was a loyal friend to Natalie and RJ, and even he doesn't have all the pieces to the puzzle. To say the book doesn't deliver because it doesn't definitively solve the mystery, is just not so. GNGS is non-fiction. When writing a novel the author can tie up all the loose ends. An author recounting a true crime story does not have that luxury. Only RJ knows what really happened, and how Natalie ended up in the water. We can only hope that RJ will finally come clean about what happened aboard the Splendour that night. Thank you Marti for a wonderful book.
November 19, 2011
This book answers so many questions that Natalie Wood's fans have pondered. Now that the case has been officially re-opened we can say that it was successful in exposing the truth. Robert Wagner is shielded by celebrity and some fans who don't know enough about what happened to see just how responsible he was for Natalie's death are unaware of the facts of the case. Wagner is the one who should be doubted, questioned and held responsible.
September 11, 2012
Very good I highly recommend it if you want to know info from the only person aboard the boat Natalie died on that will talk of what really happened. I learned alot.
September 8, 2015
Truly eye-opening and really makes you question how Natalie Wood died (and what really happened that night). A very convincing account.
May 25, 2011
Wow! If you are a Natalie wood fan then this is a definite must read! It starts off kinda slow but I found myself not being able to put it down and wanting to know more and more of what happened. This version does seem to make more sense than the police report and the coroner's report. I really wish they would open the case up again and investigate some more into what really happened.
November 20, 2015
Revelations
This pretty much sets the record straight about the death of Natalie Wood, despite what Robert Wagner and Christopher Walken have been saying for decades. I found it to be informative and believable. A mystery solved, sad as the facts reveal.
This pretty much sets the record straight about the death of Natalie Wood, despite what Robert Wagner and Christopher Walken have been saying for decades. I found it to be informative and believable. A mystery solved, sad as the facts reveal.
January 5, 2010
This book really blows your mind and forces you to rethink your feelings about Robert Wagner!!
November 20, 2018
This is probably one of the most powerful books I have ever read. However, in some ways I wish I hadn't read it. Without giving away the details, I walked away with a sense of deep sadness and disgust for all the people involved in Natalie's drowning who didn't come forth with a rescue or the truth. Suffice it to say, the fact that the LA police department still has this case open speaks volumes. Upon reading this book, one can't help but feel the truth in the way that Natalie screamed to be heard that night.
I grew up loving Natalie's looks, her talent, her movies, her life. In fact, her movies were my favorite movies until I left home at 18 years old. She was the last bastion of old Hollywood where women stars were revered and cherished. I wish I could retain my innocent memories of her life before November 29th, 1981, when authorities dragged her beautiful, lifeless body out of the dark water she feared most in life. My heart breaks for her daughters and family. Marti Rulli did a phenomenal job putting the pieces of this case together. Her research and drive are to be commended. Maybe now Natalie can rest in peace.
I grew up loving Natalie's looks, her talent, her movies, her life. In fact, her movies were my favorite movies until I left home at 18 years old. She was the last bastion of old Hollywood where women stars were revered and cherished. I wish I could retain my innocent memories of her life before November 29th, 1981, when authorities dragged her beautiful, lifeless body out of the dark water she feared most in life. My heart breaks for her daughters and family. Marti Rulli did a phenomenal job putting the pieces of this case together. Her research and drive are to be commended. Maybe now Natalie can rest in peace.
February 16, 2022
I am glad I saw the HBO documentary by Natalie Wood’s daughter before I read this.
I am sorry, but I cannot believe that someone waits so long to tell “the truth”. Until they are no longer working and in need of money
He sold his book for $26,000,000 dollars.
Natalie died in 1981.
Davern worked until 2007. He was an unstable man who said Natalie was lie a therapist to him as she helped him “navigate his demons and personal problems”
In 2009 he started selling tidbits about Natalie to the tabloids, bringing in about 75,000 a year.
In 2008 he was approached and wrote the book wth a writer for which he received a $13,000,000 advance.
He has been doing talk show since, never appearing for free.
Sorry. All I see is a lying leech. He contradicts everything he originally said, and everything Walken said.
Not badly written, but to long and draggy for the 2 minutes of what Davern has to say.
I am sorry, but I cannot believe that someone waits so long to tell “the truth”. Until they are no longer working and in need of money
He sold his book for $26,000,000 dollars.
Natalie died in 1981.
Davern worked until 2007. He was an unstable man who said Natalie was lie a therapist to him as she helped him “navigate his demons and personal problems”
In 2009 he started selling tidbits about Natalie to the tabloids, bringing in about 75,000 a year.
In 2008 he was approached and wrote the book wth a writer for which he received a $13,000,000 advance.
He has been doing talk show since, never appearing for free.
Sorry. All I see is a lying leech. He contradicts everything he originally said, and everything Walken said.
Not badly written, but to long and draggy for the 2 minutes of what Davern has to say.
December 8, 2018
Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour is the story of Captain Dennis Davern and all that he witnessed that horrible night in November when the world lost Natalie Wood and from every moment since. The beginning focuses on his relationship with the Wagners (from the moment they met until the end of his relationship with RJ). Marti not only uses Dennis's story but even does her own investigating to corroborate everything he says.
I went into this with the vaguest knowledge of how Natalie died. I knew it was a suspicious drowning and that the only logically explanation is her husband was involved. People don't just suspiciously die. There is always a cause. This just made me believe even more that he was responsible.
This world is so messed up. Being rich and powerful has guaranteed that Robert Wagner will never have to answer for what happened to Natalie. No-one will even question him in fear for their own lives and careers.
I went into this with the vaguest knowledge of how Natalie died. I knew it was a suspicious drowning and that the only logically explanation is her husband was involved. People don't just suspiciously die. There is always a cause. This just made me believe even more that he was responsible.
This world is so messed up. Being rich and powerful has guaranteed that Robert Wagner will never have to answer for what happened to Natalie. No-one will even question him in fear for their own lives and careers.
May 18, 2010
The book GNGS was quite a disappointment to me. I kept reading and reading for some information that I didn’t already know. The book still left me wondering. How did Natalie end up in the water? The banging dinghy theory was squelched, however I didn’t believe that story anyway.
I believe that RJ loved Natalie with all his heart. He was drunk that night and made a horrible mistake. He knew of her fear of water and punished her by either throwing her in or letting her slip without immediate rescue. My theory has the Captain and RJ recovering her, already deceased, and then placing the down coat on her, either as a loving gesture, or to make sure she would be found. This would explain the many bruises that Natalie acquired around the time of her death, especially the bruises on her ankles. By the Captains own admission, no one on board knew CPR. I believe some of the things the Captain reported did happen, but I believe he would be incriminating himself if he ever told the entire true story. RJ did say,” She’s gone, She’s gone,” but it was when they were both staring down at her body which they had just pulled from the icy water, not as he scanned the ocean as the Captain described. They threw her back in the water at the same time the dinghy was released.
I don’t care how good an actor RJ is, I saw true pain and heartbreak in his eyes when he attended Natalie’s funeral. I know a great deal about alcohol and the Jeckle and Hyde syndrome that accompanies heavy drinking. My husband and son both died of alcoholism, and I had a drinking problem for years. I know all about black outs and drunken rages.
No doubt the case should have been investigated more thoroughly than it was back on November 29, 1981. However, I don’t believe that Natalie would have wanted RJ in prison and unable to care for those darling children. If all the facts came out he probably would have been charged with negligible homicide or involuntary manslaughter, with the Captain as an accessory. As to their physical argument, I am not sure domestic violence was an important issue in 1981. Read the words Christopher Walken said “Don’t get between a husband and wife when they are fighting.” That was the norm throughout much of history. I disliked Walken for many years after Natalie’s death because I believe he was awake and feigning sleep. I mean how fast can a person fall asleep with all that noise, arguing, and music going on. What Natalie saw in him is beyond me.
I did appreciate the description of the boat and the house that Natalie so proudly decorated, the pictures of the good times on the Splendour, and the hard work and investigation which went into the book. I see nothing wrong with someone profiting, but the book is what it is, a conversation between the author and the Captain for 30 long years. RJ is 80 years old, let him live out the rest of his life in peace.
I believe that RJ loved Natalie with all his heart. He was drunk that night and made a horrible mistake. He knew of her fear of water and punished her by either throwing her in or letting her slip without immediate rescue. My theory has the Captain and RJ recovering her, already deceased, and then placing the down coat on her, either as a loving gesture, or to make sure she would be found. This would explain the many bruises that Natalie acquired around the time of her death, especially the bruises on her ankles. By the Captains own admission, no one on board knew CPR. I believe some of the things the Captain reported did happen, but I believe he would be incriminating himself if he ever told the entire true story. RJ did say,” She’s gone, She’s gone,” but it was when they were both staring down at her body which they had just pulled from the icy water, not as he scanned the ocean as the Captain described. They threw her back in the water at the same time the dinghy was released.
I don’t care how good an actor RJ is, I saw true pain and heartbreak in his eyes when he attended Natalie’s funeral. I know a great deal about alcohol and the Jeckle and Hyde syndrome that accompanies heavy drinking. My husband and son both died of alcoholism, and I had a drinking problem for years. I know all about black outs and drunken rages.
No doubt the case should have been investigated more thoroughly than it was back on November 29, 1981. However, I don’t believe that Natalie would have wanted RJ in prison and unable to care for those darling children. If all the facts came out he probably would have been charged with negligible homicide or involuntary manslaughter, with the Captain as an accessory. As to their physical argument, I am not sure domestic violence was an important issue in 1981. Read the words Christopher Walken said “Don’t get between a husband and wife when they are fighting.” That was the norm throughout much of history. I disliked Walken for many years after Natalie’s death because I believe he was awake and feigning sleep. I mean how fast can a person fall asleep with all that noise, arguing, and music going on. What Natalie saw in him is beyond me.
I did appreciate the description of the boat and the house that Natalie so proudly decorated, the pictures of the good times on the Splendour, and the hard work and investigation which went into the book. I see nothing wrong with someone profiting, but the book is what it is, a conversation between the author and the Captain for 30 long years. RJ is 80 years old, let him live out the rest of his life in peace.
November 18, 2011
Read this when it came out a couple of years ago, but the recent re-opening of the investigation into Wood's death reminded me of it. I have really mixed feelings about this book. It's a self-published account of the "truth," written by an author/close friend of the captain of Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner's yacht, who was on the boat when Wood drowned 30 years ago. A huge fan of Natalie Wood for years, I'd always written off the rumors about Wagner having in any way "murdered" her, though the pieces never fit and something never really added up when police and biographers tried to figure out how she got in the water in the first place (and why, once she was there, no one rescued her).
It took a reaaalllly long time for the author to get to the point, trying to stretch what could essentially have been a one or two chapter "report" into a full-length account of this captain's torture over knowing the truth all these years and having lied about it. Davern, the captain, alleges that Wagner bribed and intimidated him into smoothing over details and facts so that Wagner wouldn't be implicated in his wife's death. This "secret" that Davern has been harboring for nearly three decades seems to have really destroyed his life, though as the details of his agony dragged on I became less and less sympathetic. Finally, halfway through the book, we are let in on the big secret: not only did Wagner and Wood have a very heated argument before she disappeared from the yacht, but the argument involved extreme physical violence. On top of this detail, Davern confesses that Wagner again intimidated and bullied Davern into waiting a full 4 hours before notifying the coast guard that Wood was missing from the boat. This is certainly a juicy and tragic story, involving lots of fame, money, jealousy, drugs, alcohol, and major cover-up. It sort of cemented one of my theories that there was so much boozing going on that weekend that, in fact, Robert Wagner honestly isn't sure WHAT happened after his argument with his wife that night because he can't remember. It certainly seems he had something major to do with her death, however, and I walked away from the book feeling a bit dark and creeped out and unable to watch "Hart to Hart" ever again. I believe this book is what ultimately got the LAPD to re-open the case, and for that I'm glad...though, let's be honest: it's been 30 years. I doubt they will formally charge anyone with anything.
It took a reaaalllly long time for the author to get to the point, trying to stretch what could essentially have been a one or two chapter "report" into a full-length account of this captain's torture over knowing the truth all these years and having lied about it. Davern, the captain, alleges that Wagner bribed and intimidated him into smoothing over details and facts so that Wagner wouldn't be implicated in his wife's death. This "secret" that Davern has been harboring for nearly three decades seems to have really destroyed his life, though as the details of his agony dragged on I became less and less sympathetic. Finally, halfway through the book, we are let in on the big secret: not only did Wagner and Wood have a very heated argument before she disappeared from the yacht, but the argument involved extreme physical violence. On top of this detail, Davern confesses that Wagner again intimidated and bullied Davern into waiting a full 4 hours before notifying the coast guard that Wood was missing from the boat. This is certainly a juicy and tragic story, involving lots of fame, money, jealousy, drugs, alcohol, and major cover-up. It sort of cemented one of my theories that there was so much boozing going on that weekend that, in fact, Robert Wagner honestly isn't sure WHAT happened after his argument with his wife that night because he can't remember. It certainly seems he had something major to do with her death, however, and I walked away from the book feeling a bit dark and creeped out and unable to watch "Hart to Hart" ever again. I believe this book is what ultimately got the LAPD to re-open the case, and for that I'm glad...though, let's be honest: it's been 30 years. I doubt they will formally charge anyone with anything.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 23, 2015
This book is a strange, not-quite-focused book . . . about writing a book. As it purports, it is not about the final moments of Natalie Woods' life, nor is it even about Dennis Davern, the captain of the yacht off which the actress drowned. Rather it is the account of an agonizing process to get Davern to reveal his knowledge of what happened the night Woods died.
While the events surrounding Woods' demise and the conflicting stories given by those present on board the boat point to something amiss and it is right to try to set the story straight--this book doesn't know what it is trying to do. It contains a lot of irrelevant information about the author's life and Davern's background, going as far back as into their childhoods. Furthermore, the writer inserting herself into the story is, at best, filler content. Even information about Davern's experiences with Woods feel like filler (e.g., "Tell me one time Natalie got angry," or "Tell me about your first cruise with the Wagners") because that isn't the point of the story.
It feels that much of the information is included in order to draw the work out to the length of a book. It isn't really clear why Davern and Rulli insist, throughout the story, that it must be a book. The real story--Woods' death and what led up to it--is overshadowed by the accounts of efforts to get the book together.It sensationalizes a less-than-sensational part of the story and adds "suspense" where none is needed. This book would have been better if, instead of the process, the reader got the results of knowledge the writer accumulated and Davern's account.
While the events surrounding Woods' demise and the conflicting stories given by those present on board the boat point to something amiss and it is right to try to set the story straight--this book doesn't know what it is trying to do. It contains a lot of irrelevant information about the author's life and Davern's background, going as far back as into their childhoods. Furthermore, the writer inserting herself into the story is, at best, filler content. Even information about Davern's experiences with Woods feel like filler (e.g., "Tell me one time Natalie got angry," or "Tell me about your first cruise with the Wagners") because that isn't the point of the story.
It feels that much of the information is included in order to draw the work out to the length of a book. It isn't really clear why Davern and Rulli insist, throughout the story, that it must be a book. The real story--Woods' death and what led up to it--is overshadowed by the accounts of efforts to get the book together.It sensationalizes a less-than-sensational part of the story and adds "suspense" where none is needed. This book would have been better if, instead of the process, the reader got the results of knowledge the writer accumulated and Davern's account.
February 26, 2013
I idolized Natalie Wood when I was a young girl. That's a confession. Her death saddened and shocked me, and questions about the night she drowned off Catalina Island in 1981 have never been fully resolved. Recently her case was reopened, probably because of this book, which is the Splendour captain's story, the man who worked for Robert Wagner and was witness to the events on board that fateful night. More investigation was needed then, immediately after Natalie Wood's death; it is highly unlikely that anything meaningful will happen now more than 30 years later. In fact, in January 2013 a new coroner's report was released, suggesting she might have been assaulted before she entered the water, moving the cause of death on her death certificate from accidental to undetermined. Both Robert Wagner and Christopher Walken, a guest on Splendour that night, are lawyered up and saying nothing more. This book does satisfy some curiosity about that night with more than the standard believability, but still leaves unanswered how she got into the water. But don't be mistaken (hence my two stars): Marti Rulli is no journalist despite the credibility of the facts she presents.
June 11, 2015
The case of the death of Natalie Wood has always been close to my heart. I still remember the day that her body was found, because it was on my 25th birthday. I read every news story about the events on the night of her death, that I could find. To me, none of the accounts given, added up. I have also read many books about her, but Goodbye Natalie, Goodbye Splendour blew me away. Marti Rulli devoted years of her life, to the cause of uncovering the truth of what really happened that night. In the book, she goes into detail, as to why the dinghy theory did not correlate with the bruises which were found on Natalie's body, that were described in the coroner's report. It was because of this book, and Marti Rulli's relentless dedication, that the case was reopened. For those of us who have closely followed this case from the beginning,and were never convinced that the truth about that terrible night was really told, the explanations in this book, are the only ones that make sense, and Marti Rulli's book is a labor of love, in memory of one of the most beautiful and talented women ever.
October 17, 2015
. Natalie as Victim/Wagner as Victor
A well written and investigational in depth analysis of how the death of Natalie Wood happened. It is sad and unsettling t g at so much evidence pointing at Robert Wagner's role in her death is and was overlooked by authorities and that because of his celebrity status he literally "got away with murder". I believe that he did not really want to murder her or have her die but in his drunken stupor and fear for his status he did not think clearly and allowed her death to occur, especially by not helping to save her in time, and by his all consuming and obsessive anger. This is indeed a sad case, even though so many years ago, and justice needs to be done for charming and beautiful Natalie. I hope and pray that Robert Wagner will make a true confession with true contrition before His own death.
A well written and investigational in depth analysis of how the death of Natalie Wood happened. It is sad and unsettling t g at so much evidence pointing at Robert Wagner's role in her death is and was overlooked by authorities and that because of his celebrity status he literally "got away with murder". I believe that he did not really want to murder her or have her die but in his drunken stupor and fear for his status he did not think clearly and allowed her death to occur, especially by not helping to save her in time, and by his all consuming and obsessive anger. This is indeed a sad case, even though so many years ago, and justice needs to be done for charming and beautiful Natalie. I hope and pray that Robert Wagner will make a true confession with true contrition before His own death.
June 15, 2021
Get to the point already
90% of this book is the author self-aggrandizing attempting to prove her noble intentions for wanting to write this and overselling the honesty and credibility of her friend.
When Dennis D declares in the first 40 pages that he had a story to tell but is afraid… and is STILL saying that on page 300, the editor should have forced Rulli to cut down 200 pages of this nonsense.
I have always believed Wagner’s culpability in this “accident”. I hoped this book would offer true insights. Aside from affirmations of shoddy investigative work in order to coddle a celebrity, I did not come away with any greater understanding.
90% of this book is the author self-aggrandizing attempting to prove her noble intentions for wanting to write this and overselling the honesty and credibility of her friend.
When Dennis D declares in the first 40 pages that he had a story to tell but is afraid… and is STILL saying that on page 300, the editor should have forced Rulli to cut down 200 pages of this nonsense.
I have always believed Wagner’s culpability in this “accident”. I hoped this book would offer true insights. Aside from affirmations of shoddy investigative work in order to coddle a celebrity, I did not come away with any greater understanding.
October 31, 2011
Now that I have read this book, I feel like I finally know what really happened to Natalie Wood. I never was satisfied with the explanation of the events leading up to her death. It seemed like a puzzle that had pieces missing. Marti Rulli tells the story of the events leading up to Natalie's death from the perspective of the captain of the Splendour, the yacht owned the Wagners from which Natalie met her untimely end.
October 7, 2016
I think it was Wagner.
June 12, 2018
Convincing argument regarding Robert wagner
He totally did it. You cannot hide behind your story forever! Robert wagner is a murderer or just plain narcissistic and negligent.
He totally did it. You cannot hide behind your story forever! Robert wagner is a murderer or just plain narcissistic and negligent.
October 17, 2019
Well documented and detailed
Fascinating yet sad reading this book about the death of Natalie Wood. I grew up watching both Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner in various movies and shows. I fell in love with little Natalie in Miracle on 34th Street which still remains my all time favorite Christmas movie. I loved Robert Wagner in Hart to Hart. This book truly destroys my image of the perfect Hollywood couple and yet shows how the rich and famous are treated differently than the average Joe. If Natalie Wood were a regular working woman who mysteriously fell overboard a boat and drowned then an investigation would have occurred and the husband would have been the prime suspect. I truly hate the fact that Robert Wagner seems to have gotten away with murder and I can't understand how someone who professed to be madly in love with his wife could harm her and let her drown. I feel for Dennis Davern and respect him for coming forward and telling the truth. How I wish this story wasn't true because it destroyed a part of my childhood. Anyway I highly recommend this book to all true crime buffs and to those of you that love old Hollywood as I do. Sad, depressing and so could have been prevented. It's never too late to go back until it is. Death of a Hollywood icon way too soon.
Fascinating yet sad reading this book about the death of Natalie Wood. I grew up watching both Natalie Wood and Robert Wagner in various movies and shows. I fell in love with little Natalie in Miracle on 34th Street which still remains my all time favorite Christmas movie. I loved Robert Wagner in Hart to Hart. This book truly destroys my image of the perfect Hollywood couple and yet shows how the rich and famous are treated differently than the average Joe. If Natalie Wood were a regular working woman who mysteriously fell overboard a boat and drowned then an investigation would have occurred and the husband would have been the prime suspect. I truly hate the fact that Robert Wagner seems to have gotten away with murder and I can't understand how someone who professed to be madly in love with his wife could harm her and let her drown. I feel for Dennis Davern and respect him for coming forward and telling the truth. How I wish this story wasn't true because it destroyed a part of my childhood. Anyway I highly recommend this book to all true crime buffs and to those of you that love old Hollywood as I do. Sad, depressing and so could have been prevented. It's never too late to go back until it is. Death of a Hollywood icon way too soon.
July 2, 2020
Read in one day. Interesting point of view and nice insight to the boating adventures. However, Dennis himself offers conflicting information. He felt he was held prisoner by Robert Wagner, yet still wants to spend his life at his side (example REALLY wanted to go Switzerland with the family on the 2nd anni of Nat’s death) and gets mad when Wagner doesn’t want a sidekick anymore. Dennis states he took them back to Splendour the night it happened via flashlight, yet the night manager and harbour master both state the harbour master escorted the group back as they all were intoxicated. No mention of this in the book. Very one sided tale. Who knows what really happened that night but this book is written, both by Dennis and Marti, in a way that only leads to one conclusion. Just seems coincidental that Dennis’s desire to release the truth that plagued him coincides with his free Wagner-funded ride ending. Why would Christopher Walken, who clearly according to Dennis’s own account, was not at all friends with Robert keep this secret? Would he not have been loyal to his costar/friend instead? Still too many unanswered questions to believe wholeheartedly this is the gospel truth of that night.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
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