The Wonderland Murders & the Secret History of Hollywood

By: Michael Connelly

Narrated by: Michael Connelly

Publisher's Summary

In this documentary podcast, best-selling crime novelist Michael Connelly returns to his roots in journalism and examines the Wonderland Murders, an iconic and brutal mass murder in a city known for its murders. Named for the street in Laurel Canyon where the murders took place inside the house of a small-time drug gang, it’s a gruesome crime that reflected its time, disrupted a mythology and tells a broader story of Los Angeles, the American dream machine, and when justice does - and doesn’t - work. And for the first time, the podcast accesses never revealed records and exclusive interviews with investigators, prosecutors and a notorious, “missing” witness who puts all the pieces together.

©2021 Miziker Content (P)2021 Audible Originals, LLC

Very interesting case

So far so good! I like the interviews with all the people still alive in this case. Great investigation skills on the part of reporter.

The narrator really needs acting lessons

I couldnt make it through the first episode; what a waste of a good story. Every person who speaks desperately needs coaching--did anyone listen to this with a critical ear before releasing it? Also the script is terrible; totally overwritten.. It takes them FOREVER to get to the actual story, too much monotone rambling about Laurel Canyon and sunsets and "grass" smoking ??? blah blah blah.

meh

rather dull delivery. the story itself is interesting but delivery leaves a lot to be desired

Soooo sloooow...

It sounds like the narrator is drunk and about to fall asleep... Very dry podcast. There are others out there on this subject with great production and put this one to shame.

Error in location description.

Not a review, but a correction of fact. The Manson murders were NOT in Beverly Glen; Cielo Dr. is in Benedict Canyon.

Fantastic!

Love it! I'm in!

Michael Connelly has done it again....great true story. Well done (again).

Episode 3?

Where is episode 3. The end of episode two it says they will talk in episode three but I cannot find episode three

The guy who claims to be Scott Thorson is FOS

I listened to about ten minutes of this and knew that the guy purporting to know what happened is FOS. I'm a therapist who's had personality disordered clients on my couch (and grew up with a couple of them, too) and Scott Thorson (if it's really him) clearly has antisocial personality (con artist type) and narcissistic personality disorders. The vague responses, not giving clear answers, so obvious he's another Trump type figure. Even their conversational style is almost exactly the same. Don't bother wasting your time on this attention seeking fame w***e.

Great Series

You been redeemed!! Great Job! I knew you were the real deal.....Kudos!
Marinick
God Bless you and Loved ones!

Awesom Presentation

I love Michael Connelly's presentation of facts. His story lines all explored, recorded & gathered in the most succint arrangement.

A chore to get through

Let's get the big problem out of the way first -- Scott Thorson is clearly not very bright, has a very high opinion of himself, is a fantasist, and yet somehow, people fall under his spell. Including the writer of this, Michael Connelly.

Having finished the series, I'm still baffled as to what the "secret history" of Hollywood is. That there's a lot of murder and drugs in LA? That bad people do bad things? That many people in Hollywood have no morals? Is any of that new?

Michael Connelly is a very poor storyteller, both as a writer and a narrator. His delivery is awful. Was he drunk? Was he stoned? Was he putting this on for effect? Whatever the reason, his delivery does not make you think, "Oh, I can't wait to listen to the next episode." Quite the opposite.

Another problem is that he relies too much and too unquestioningly on what people tell him. There are long speeches from inarticulate people telling us absolutely nothing of value. They can't get to the point, they can't say what they mean. It's painful.

A better writer would have been able to weave the story together better. He would have taken fragments of what people had said, rather than the whole thing, or he would have been able to paraphrase it and save you minute after minute that you'll never get back. A better narrator would have imbued the action with some excitement, drama or tension. This feels like he rolled out of bed and thought, "Well, I guess I better get down to it today."

Would I listen to anything narrated by him again? No.

FANTASTIC

If your a fan of Bosch or any of Michaels other characters this is for you. It's a brilliant podcast well worth the listen

Gripping story

I’m a big fan of Michael Connelly and his character Bosch. However this account of a gruesome true crime and the characters involved is more fascinating than any fiction. His first true crime podcast The tell tale bullet was excellent. His second was too disjointed. But this his third is back up there. He pulls the different strands together in a coherent and fascinating way that will have you binge listening to this! A story I knew nothing about but will take you on a journey through the excesses of 80s LA with Names like Liberace until the present day. The interviews with the main players and the police detectives and DAs involved are captivating. If your a fan of good detective fiction and true crime this is for you

Phenomenal Journalistic Investigation

A first class piece of work from Connelly and his team. Not to be missed.

Wonderland murders

A great Podcast expertly told by Michael Connelly, I had only vaguely heard of the case but it was a fascinating tale. Highly recommended.