Dead Move

by John T. Cullen

Dead Move is a scholarly analysis of a famous San Diego/Coronado cold case that baffled investigators for over a century. John T. Cullen's book offers the first complete, plausible explanation of this complex and enigmatic case. In addition to this painstaking, detailed study with over 100 footnotes, you will soon be able to read a gripping noir thriller (Lethal Journey) about the same story, embodying the most exciting and compelling aspects of both this analysis and of the traditional legend.<<< >>> On Thanksgiving Day 1892, a beautiful young woman appeared mysteriously at the most exclusive resort in Southern California--the new Hotel del Coronado. There was something dark and ominous about her from the very beginning. She rented a room, and waited for an even more mysterious man who never did show up. In five days, she turned from a vibrant and healthy beauty into a trembling soul who could barely walk. Then, on the night of a thundering sea storm, she shot herself dead on the back steps of the hotel. Nobody knew who she was, or why she had come. Her case was instantly a national sensation, tinged with hints of unsavory plots and conspiracies in high circles. <<< >>> For weeks, her body lay on display in a San Diego mortuary, a morbid Victorian spectacle for thousands to view. Bit by bit, the press reported new, stunning, contradictory details that have not been resolved even today. This book proposes a dramatic new theory that examines the 'Beautiful Stranger' in a national and global context. Her identity changed almost daily as puzzled police across the nation searched for her brother, her doctor, her husband, her lover ... to no avail. Was the flawed coroner's inquest justbotched, or a cover-up? Her story rubs elbows with kings, queens, tycoons, presidents, and Congressmen--always had a dark and disturbing tinge. Her ghost haunts the hotel even today.

Nook

First published January 1, 2007

Reviews

[JennanneJ · Rating 2 out of 5]

Would I recommend this as a novel or even a historical dramatization? No.

However, as a bit of local lore, involving our neighborhood ghost here on the island at the Hotel Del Coronado, I enjoyed the local tie-in. The writing was engaging, if a bit over-the-top (which works with this noir type novel). It was a quick read. However, there were scenes that were unnecessarily pornographic. Once we got to the second half of the novel though, those disappeared.

The author has done his own research and has his own view of who the ghost is in the Hotel Del and the events that led to her death in Coronado. Fun as a local read.

[Catherine · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed reading this book. Dead Move has a lot of redundancies. Which drove me a little bit crazy. You basically memorize the facts. I really enjoyed the historical information. John T. Cullen really put a lot into the end notes and his story line. I'm going to look up the history behind the story. I believe his story. I'm from San Diego. I worked in the flower shop at the Hotel Del Coranado. I never saw any ghosts. I can see where John Spreckle's wouldn't want his family knowing what had happened. It's pretty hard to solve a murder/suicide mystery from 1892 in the present day.

[Ilene · Rating 3 out of 5]

Lots of questions

This book is very history loaded, a little too much for me. I am fascinated with the story of the Beautiful Stranger. This book left me utterly confused. There is no smoking gun. This book brought up a lot of great points. Unfortunately, I am even more confused though.

[Jennifer Colley · Rating 2 out of 5]

I thought this was going to be more about the haunting of the Del. I found this to be very poorly written, and extremely repetitive.

[Lynnda · Rating 4 out of 5]

As my husband and I stayed at the Del, I can attest to the fact that it is, indeed, haunted. We stayed in the room next to 3327 and my husband, who never believed in the supernatural, was rattled to his core. This book delves deeper into the mystery of Kate and Lizzie. It's a must read for history and supernatural buffs.

[Katie Lee · Rating 2 out of 5]

A fun look at the Hotel Del Coronado ghost story but the author spends most of the book repeating the same hypothesis without much supporting evidence. Also some offensive portrayl of women as sex crazed and hormonal.

[Shawn Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was actually about a another ghost in San Diego, California

[Andrea · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love history and ghost sightings!