Black Dahlia, Red Rose

The Crime, Corruption, and Cover-Up of America's Greatest Unsolved Murder

By: Piu Eatwell

Narrated by: Robertson Dean

Length: 9 hrs and 7 mins

Publisher's Summary

The gruesome murder of hopeful starlet Elizabeth Short, in the noir-tinged Los Angeles of 1947, has a permanent place in American lore as one of the most inscrutable of true-crime mysteries. Now, Piu Eatwell - relentless legal sleuth and atmospheric stylist - cracks the case after 70 years. With recently unredacted FBI files, newly released sections of the LAPD files, and explosive new interviews, Eatwell has unprecedented access to primary evidence and a persuasive culprit. She layers her findings into a gritty, cinematic retelling of the case from the corrupt LAPD and the take-no-prisoners press to the seedy underworld of would-be actresses and the men who preyed on them. In mesmerizing prose, Black Dahlia, Red Rose is a panorama of 1940s Hollywood, a definitive account of one of the biggest unsolved murders of American legal history.

©2017 Piu Eatwell (P)2017 HighBridge, a Division of Recorded Books

One of the best true crime stories I’ve ever read.

If you could sum up Black Dahlia, Red Rose in three words, what would they be?

Evidence based conclusion.

What other book might you compare Black Dahlia, Red Rose to and why?

Can’t think of any off hand.

What does Robertson Dean bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

He is an excellent narrator for this story. I listened 3 times and got something different each time.

What’s the most interesting tidbit you’ve picked up from this book?

It was fascinating to hear about the corruption in the LAPD back then. Many of the police were obviously working closely with known criminals of the day and protecting them in this, and many other matters. Even if you don’t agree with the authors finding, it is clear that many on the force at the time were being paid off to look the other way and “loose” evidence.

Any additional comments?

This was never looked at as a murder to be solved. The sensational nature of the crime, the adding of the “Black Dahlia” nickname, the press frenzy; all of those things made people forget a very young woman on her own was brutally tortured for several days and murdered in a horrible way. I think the author did a good job in reminding us of that.

Slightly disappointing

I'd hoped that this would book would put together a comprehensive alternative theory of the crime that could create questions. Unfortunately, it merely presents someone who may be a significant suspect and supports the accusation with a lot of circumstantial evidence that even the author has to qualify as supposition in many cases. A lot of stuff along the lines of: we can't prove it was Elizabeth Short in that hotel, but nobody can prove it wasn't. Which is to say, the author may be right, but can't really sell it.

Of greater was concern was the dismissiveness in the discussion of other suspects, specifically George Hodel. Again, while some of the criticism of the Steve Hodel book may have merit, this author doesn't hold that critical mirror to her own work.

And stylistically, though we are forewarned, the book has the cheap scent of film noir fandom, naming all the chapters on a film noir theme. And there are more than a few tangents that take the listener out of the strict brief of the book, presumably to provide atmosphere.

Not uninteresting, but just falls short of the mark.

Better than many fictional detective stories

The author makes a very convincing story for the true criminal in the black dahlia case the book is also a great snapshot of Los Angeles after the war in the corruption that was right in the city very well written very well researched highly recommended

Fair and reseached

The writing is a bit much at times and definitely some inventive conversation to make the story flow. Overall, I thought it was very good. He provides evidence, sometimes circumstantial, but mostly convincing to back up his conclusions.

I saw someone criticize the assumption that Dillion had no alibi by citing the police statement that Dillion had not been in town at the time of the killing and smugly stating that Eatwell ignored this "fact". In fact, that is not ignored, but acknowledged and it is pointed out that this was an about-face from an earlier police report that he was in fact in town at the time. There is even much discussion as to why.

Robertson Dean is a competent reader but his character voices are pretty bad. His squeaky portrayals grated on me, but certainly never stopped me from listening. My suggestion to him would simply be to work on some better voices and develop a female voice that doesn't sound like a middle-age drag queen.

Wow! Excellent story!

Narration is spot on and wondercully timed. He truly is a great narrator. The accents and fluidity of speech makes this an enjoyable experience, [as enjoyable as a murder story can be that is]. Author did some great research and stayed on point the whole time, I never found myself zoning out due to too much unnecessary details.

Finally

This book was informative, well written and the audible narration was enjoyable. For the first time I feel I have real answers to many of my questions about Elizabeth Short's murder and a few suspicions confirmed. Thank you Piu Eatwell.

Fascinating

An in depth examination of the buried and oft overlooked facts of the infamous murder.

Not for me.

I like true crime novels, but I found this one to be long, repetitive and boring. I only listened to about 3/4 of it.

Poetic Wording, Sturdy Facts

Just like the narrator, this thing is precise and grounded. I still want to listen to the other one about a son who accuses his dad and how he dances around that for 18 hours. Man this one was phenomenal.

Excellent review of the evidence.

A great overview of the evidence and theories, what works and what doesn't. A very measured approach that was easy and fascinating to follow.