Black Dahlia Avenger

The True Story

De: Steve Hodel

Narrado por: Kevin Pierce

For 56 years, the Black Dahlia murder case remained one of the most notorious and high-profile unsolved crimes of the 20th century. Now, Steve Hodel, a 24-year veteran of the Los Angeles Police Department, believes he has finally solved the case. On January 15, 1947, 22-year-old Elizabeth Short - "The Black Dahlia" - was found dead in a vacant lot in Los Angeles, her body horribly mutilated, bisected at the waist, and posed in a bizarre manner. The horrific crime shocked the country and commanded headlines for months as the killer taunted the police with notes and phone calls. Despite the massive manhunt, the murderer was never found.

Hodel began working on the case after he retired from the LAPD when he chanced upon an intriguing piece of evidence that led him on a trail that he had no choice but to follow - since it pertained directly to him. As he dug deeper, he came to believe that the killer was also responsible for over a dozen other unsolved murders in the Los Angeles area around the same time. He also found copious evidence of corruption at the LAPD, leading him to accuse the department top brass of covering up the Black Dahlia murder in order to conceal a deeper conspiracy involving crooked politicians and gangsters.

Despite a lack of physical evidence (which had been destroyed), Hodel is able to connect numerous dots and make a plausible case, complete with lurid tales of wild orgies that were attended by celebrities such as the artist Man Ray, the director John Huston, and a host of other Hollywood elites. He also discloses his killer’s obsession with the Marquis de Sade and Jack the Ripper and how he modeled his own crimes on their behavior. In particular, there is a disturbing connection between the work of Man Ray and the horrific circumstances of Short’s murder. It is doubtful that this will be the final word on the Black Dahlia murder - too much myth surrounds it and much of his evidence is circumstantial - but Hodel’s labyrinthine tale adds much to this intriguing case.

©2003, 2011 Steve Hodel (P)2012 Audible, Inc.

great book

wow, he did as thurough of a job as one can expect. when he went into his conspiracy i thought "you lost me!" but then he had decently compelling evidence even on that...well done! i consider it solved.

Thorough!

Having been interested in the Black Dahlia murder since seeing several documentaries and movies about Elizabeth Short, I wanted to read Steve Hodel's book concerning his father George Hill Hodel as her murderer. I believe he made his case.

CAn we say horrid?

This is such a conglomeration of conjecture and making pieces fit together that it's so unlikely that it happened that it must be true that it did happen. I was waiting all through the book for one "nail in the coffin" and there just isn't one. Disappointed that it really is conjecture and coincidence; disappointed in so many police/law enforcement officers being so lax and downright evil. I almost quit listening several times because there's just nothing of consequence there-nothing substantial to build on. The crime itself was horrid but so was everything else in this story except Elizabeth Short who was shortchanged throughout the entire sequence of events.

Real life super villain.

You’ve never, in real life heard of a character more impressive or more malevolent then the Subject of this investigation and book. First read it in 2019 and this story hasn’t left my mind for a single day since.

Complicated Reaction

Kevin Pierce is the best “True(?) Crime” narrator out there so of course he earns a 5.

The book is engaging and well written, so I could have given up to 4 stars on “Story” if you think of “Story” as strictly entertainment value. Unfortunately, if you market the story as “The Truth” then fail so miserably living up to that claim, the end result is not a “bad” book—you wind up with a story worth your contempt . The author bends every remark and circumstance encountered toward his pet theory of the to the case to the exclusion of other interpretations—and presents them as fact. Here and there we see some excellent analysis, but the foundation of the entire book is built on sand that never stabilizes and long trees of analysis stemming from dubious premises. I was also very put off by the author’s insistence on always saying “Father” this and “Father” that when referring to his dad as a suspect. Serves to highlight the author’s confirmation bias and lack of objectivity. Also, be warned that around hour 12 or 13 we increasingly descend into full blown tinfoil hat territory.

If facts really matter to you, this book will infuriate you and you should avoid it. On the other hand, if you like engaging with strange ideas and their overall coherence doesn’t really matter, there is certainly a lot to like here.

A little interesting but redundant

I suppose I’ve read several accounts of The Black Dahlia mystery from different perspectives. I appreciate Hodel’s need to “show his work” and establish credibility as a researcher. However, he needed an editor. The book is too long, and his attempts at foreshadowing failed because he doesn’t allow the questions to drive the narrative with satisfying answers. By about chapter 25, I felt certain he was using the exact same sentences. My mind wandered.

What stands out to me about this narrative is how shitty it was for women to exist in that society run by those kinds of powerful men. What they did to Tamar, alone, is unforgivable. What did Elizabeth Short want? What were her ambitions? Certainly, she did not want to be an escort. She was young and pretty and had a modicum of power because she “dressed well” and was deemed a “good girl” by several cold bystanders. But how did she live? Like a nomad. A woman without a phone number. The truth is there were lots of Elizabeth Shorts in LA that were vigorously used and discarded without being physically killed. The only reason I’m reading this story today is because she died so horribly and artfully. But her only value seems to be in the “unsolved mystery” of her destruction. No one cared about or for Short when she lived. It’s hard to stomach.

So what else did Hodel find out? I don’t know. I couldn’t stand listening to him refer to George Hodel as “father” in the narrative anymore. He was anything but.

I want to know what June knew, and I wonder if Steve ever squeezed anything out of her. Yes, she cried and cried and cried AND CRIED (so Steve repeated), but what did she know? How complicit was she?

Anyway: I’d read the cliff notes of this one.

Enjoyable!

I have casually followed the Black Dahlia case for several years. This book had much information that I had not yet heard. I recommend this to anyone interested in learning more.

Absolutely an amazing historical true crime novel in years!

Absolutely an amazing historical true crime novel in years! Mr. Steve Hodell is so thorough detective, such detail, even opening up so much about his family, and himself. Such an amazing look into both the black dahlia case which I do believe Mr Hodell has solved, and to the history of Los Angeles and lapd. Just loved this book.
I truly wish Mr. Hodell would delve into Chief Parker and more of the history of lapd back then, no one seems to want to look into the 1930s & 1940s Los Angeles and lapd I don’t know why as that would be also a fascinating read. Overall I loved this book and his detailed investigation.

a film in waiting

a wonderful story of a son revenge on father but just a story

would make a good film

Meh

Not quite wat I expected but it was ok, basically if you have money and power you can get away with murder