From backcover:

In 1947, California's infamous Black Dahlia murder inspired the largest manhunt in Los Angeles history. Despite an unprecedented allocation of money and manpower, police investigators failed to identify the psychopath responsible for the sadistic murder and mutilation of beautiful twenty-two-year-old Elizabeth Short. Decades later, former LAPD homicide detective-turned-private investigator Steve Hodel launched his own investigation into the grisly unsolved crime -- and it led him to a shockingly unexpected perpetrator: Hodel's own father.
A spellbinding tour de force of true-crime writing, this newly revised edition includes never-before-published forensic evidence, photos, and previously unreleased documents, definitively closing the case that has often been called "the most notorious unsolved murder of the twentieth century."

After his father's death, Steve Hodel, a retired LA detective, stumbles across what may be a really nasty family secret - his father, Dr George Hodel, was in possession of what appears to be photos of Elizabeth Short, the Black Dahlia. This small discovery sets off a multi-year investigation into not only the Dahlia's murder, but also other unsolved brutal murder-rapes of single women in the same time period. He assembles an impressive amount of conjecture and circumstantial evidence, but I must say that it seems to add up to a solid, albeit not airtight, case. Along the way, there is a damning amount of evidence that the LAPD knew about Hodel and at the very least had him on the short list of suspects not only for the Black Dahlia, but also the Red Lipstick murder, and several others, including the murder of James Ellroy's mother. The coverup of these murders was nothing short of criminal.

My only criticism of this book, and it is minor, is that I think there was too much detail about the early years of George Hodel. I think that this could have been a little shorter and not lost any of the impact. The addendum consisting of further evidence adds much to Hodel's case. I think, as the author does, that this is "case closed".

Adding to the Mystery/Thriller VBB

Sending from the Mystery VBB along with a small bonus from my recent travels. Enjoy!

9549012289776242011030

Thank you, Bkind2books! The Black Dahlia lived in a neighboring city, and there's a plaque marking the location of her house (razed to make way for highway expansion). I really look forward to reading this!

Thanks also for the beautiful Crater Lake bookmark - a nice surprise!

I couldn't put this down, despite the gruesome subject matter. As mentioned in my last JE, I have a special interest in this case because Elizabeth was from this immediate area.

Mr. Hodel presents a very convincing case of his father's guilt. There have been many people suspected over the years, but George Hodel seemed to be in the right place at the right time much too often to be coincidence.

The notion of a police cover-up is also intriguing, and quite believable based on some other cases I have been following. I find this almost as disturbing as the murders themselves.

Highly recommended!

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This is reserved for booklady331's Nonfiction VBB. (Round 11)

On its way to Perryfran via booklady331's Nonfiction VBB. Safe travels!

Thanks for sending this book from the nonfiction VBB. I very recently read James Ellroy's Black Dahlia, a fictional account of the gruesome murder which I thought was very compelling. Will look forward to reading this "true story."