Black Dahlia Avenger: A Genius for Murder: The True Story
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER! THIS NEW AND UPDATED EDITION FINALLY PROVES THE SHOCKING IDENTITY OF THE BLACK DAHLIA KILLER—AND THE POLICE CORRUPTION THAT CONCEALED IT FOR SO LONG
In 1947, the brutal, sadistic murder of a beautiful young woman named Elizabeth Short led to the largest manhunt in LA history. The killer teased and taunted the police and public for weeks, but his identity stayed a mystery, and the murder remained the most tantalizing unsolved case of the last century.
Steve Hodel, a retired LAPD detective, took up the case, reviewing the original evidence and records as well as those of a separate grand jury investigation into a series of murders of single women in LA at the time. The prime suspect had in fact been identified, but never indicted. Why? And who was he?
In an account that will remind movie lovers of both LA Confidential and Zodiac, for the corruption it exposes and the insight it offers into a serial killer’s mind, Hodel demonstrates that there was a massive police cover-up. Even more shocking, he proves that the murderer, a true-life Jekyll and Hyde who was a highly respected member of society by day and a psychopathic killer by night, was his own father.
This new and updated edition of the book includes an updated introduction from the author as well as new evidence and photographs to once and for all close the case on the Black Dahlia murder.
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Community Reviews
This was a long, information-packed book written by a retired homicide detective who believes his father murdered Elizabeth Short and other women. Friends, this book is a RIDE. It not only delves deeply into the Black Dahlia case, but several other murders. It also goes into the author's twisted, confusing family life and the horrendous devastation that his father, George Hodel, left in his wake. The family life story is worthy of its own book. I was impressed by the research, pictures, and documents included, but sometimes confused as the book often jumps situations, characters, and timelines. It was difficult to keep everybody straight in Hodel's scattered family. Overall, it was a good read with some solid information while other aspects felt like the author was reaching. It very much reads like it was written by a ex-cop verses a professional author, and I personally liked that. I also appreciated how the author corrected inaccurate information in the footnotes, which lended an air of transparency and credibility.
If you're interested in George Hodel and Elizabeth Short and want something more linear, I'd suggest listening to the Root of Evil podcast.
If you're interested in George Hodel and Elizabeth Short and want something more linear, I'd suggest listening to the Root of Evil podcast.
