A Lovely Girl

The Tragedy of Olga Duncan and the Trial of One of California’s Most Notorious Killers

By: Deborah Holt Larkin

Narrated by: Kate Mulligan

Length: 16 hrs and 10 mins

Publisher's summary

The incredible story of a 1958 murder that ended with the last woman to ever be executed in California—a murder so twisted it seems ripped from a Greek tragedy

Deborah Larkin was only ten years old when the quiet calm of her California suburb was shattered. Thirty miles north, on a quiet November night in Santa Barbara, a pregnant nurse named Olga Duncan disappeared from her apartment. The mystery deepens when it is discovered that Olga’s mother-in-law—a deeply manipulative and deceptive woman—had been doing everything in her power to separate Olga and her son, Frank, prior to Olga’s disappearance.

From a forged annulment to multiple attempts to hire people to “get rid” of Olga, to a faked excoriation case, Elizabeth seemed psychopathically attached to her son. Yet she denied having anything to do with Olga’s disappearance with a smile.

But when Olga’s brutally beaten body is found in a shallow grave, apparently buried alive, a young DA makes it his mission to see that Elizabeth Duncan is brought to justice. Adding a wrinkle to his efforts is the fact that Frank—himself a defense attorney—maintained his mother’s innocent to the end.

How does a young girl process such a crime along with the fear and disbelieve that rocked an entire community? Decades later, Larkin is determined to revisit the case and bring the story of Olga herself to light. Long overshadowed by the sensationalism and scandal of Elizabeth and Frank, A Lovely Girl seeks to reveal Olga as a woman in full—someone who was more than the twisted family that would ultimately ensnare her.

As we follow the heart-pounding drama of the case through Larkin’s young eyes—her father was the court reporter—A Lovely Girl makes the listener reexamine how we handle fear, how we regard mental illness, and how we understand family as we carve our own path in a dangerous world.

PLEASE NOTE: When you purchase this title, the accompanying PDF will be available in your Audible Library along with the audio.

©2022 Deborah Holt Larkin (P)2022 Blackstone Publishing

Loved

This was such an enjoyable listen about a gruesome murder in my little home town

Best audiobook I have listened to in a while…

The thing I don’t like about true crime stories is after a while I don’t want to hear anymore about deranged criminal acts, tragedy and grief. This author includes humorous chapters about her family (her father was a reporter who covered the murder trial) that relieve the tension of hearing about the terrible murder of a young nurse.

The narrator was wonderful! I highly recommend this book!

Captivating yet respectful

The delivery was really well-done. It’s challenging to keep a true crime novel captivating while still showing respect for the victims and their families. This one hit the mark. I especially appreciated the epilogue and the updates on the main folks involved in the case (yes I had already started googling, and no google did not have a lot to offer). Just a lot of humanity here, thank you Debbie!

Factual and Funny

While the events in this book are tragic, the story is told well and the portrayal of the justice system is factual. The humorous interactions within the Holt family made me laugh.

Tooo much filler.

I get what this author was trying to do... Take us into 1958 Southern California family life... I don't like to give bad reviews because other people might enjoy a book and authors obviously put their blood, sweat and tears into their work.... However, this one is just wearing me to the nubs. My frustration is building hearing grandma complain at Thanksgiving dinner, because I don't need 14 hours of it. Dad doesn't like church.. Okay and Mom works at a Camarillo State Hospital. Bla, Bla Bla. Believe me, that is not a spoiler at all.... There is so much useless fluff added which has no relevance. Boy, Howdy.. this is a real clunker. I just want to know what happened to Olga, that's it. I bought this because I grew up in a Southern California town just like Ventura in the 50's and I knew we'd have a lot in common... Which we do... Malibu fires, living on the beach, close girlfriends... It just couldn't carry the story.... I'm grieving my wasted credit. Too bad, with a good editor this story could have been saved.... Even this excellent narrator failed at that. She gets a high 5 for giving it the old college try. If you have insomnia, buy this book....you'll never need a sleeping aid again.

Absolutely wonderful story

One of the few crime stories I have ever read where there was moments that make you smile and even laugh out loud a few times. I don’t even know Debbie’s father but by the end of the book you just love him. Well worth the read. Highly recommended

Confusing

The story was fascinating and could have been told differently,which would have lent more serious attention to this major historical story. Narration could be improved.

Not for true crime lovers

The actual story of this crime is so interesting. This book is a soft, fictionalized story about a girls interest in the case. Not true crime

Not for true crime fans

The chapters rotate between authors childhood stories and the actual crime. I just started skipping her cutsie chapters, making the book much shorter and less satisfying.

Very trying to listen to infantile narration

Too cute, too saccharine, too little character development and too predictable dialogue marred this book from the beginning. I just could not finish it. It was hardly an analysis of a crime but too much of the author was present.