I've read my share of crime-solving mystery novels to the extent that they all started to run together. The Michael Connelly's, Tom Clancy's, James Patterson's, Janet Evanovich's, Harlan Coben novels are all fine and good mystery novels. Very entertaining but ordinary. I have never walked away thinking, "Man that was a great story! I can't wait to tell others about it." If I were to ask you what's your favorite book I am guessing it wouldn't be these types of stories. Why? Because they are all the same. None of them stand out alone. I understand crime solving author's are not trying to create a great work of fiction that would blow our minds. Their publishers signed them up to make so many books per year. This isn't a conducive setting for great works of fiction but the authors have to pay bills just like the rest of us.
I've recently discovered something about myself. I like a variety in my life. When it comes to food, music, movies, books, family and friends I want it to be like a sampler platter. A taste of everything. A night out at a restaurant with me could be entertaining especially when it's time for the server to take my order. 10 minutes of deliberation on whether to go with my usual or to venture out with something new. I wish more restaurants had a top selling list to go by. That way I could avoid THAT item in the menu nobody else is brave enough to try. It's all a risk, isn't it. That's why we stick to what we know. I will go with the Stephen King even though afterwards I know I will end up with a upset stomach. What I usually do is ask the server what's the most popular dishes and if one of them is on my narrowed down list of 2 or 3 I go with that or just order a burger with fries. Can't screw that up right? I use this method when my wife and I pick out a movie in our collection to watch. I call it, "let fate decide." I narrow it down to 5 movies, number them and have my wife eliminate each number until only one stands alone. Of course if it's one we are not really crazy about watching we go with the burger and fries. You see how indecisive I am? Does it make sense more of why I am reading "1001 Books to Read Before You Die"? I am that indecisive. I am surprised I finally got married after 29 years. It took that long to figure out what I wanted. I am totally happy though.
 |
| The movie |
"The Black Dahlia" is very much like any other crime solving
mystery novel. It's a respite from my past 2 books about suicide...sort of. Based on real events, the book is about an investigation by a detective named Dwight Bleichert into the grisly murder of a 22 year old woman, Elizabeth Short. It had its fair share of twists and turns alongside other mystery novels but the story never stood apart from other crime novels with 2 exceptions. 1: the nonfictional part of the novel is disturbing especially if you look up the real details of what happened (pictures painful to see) 2: the final twist which I never saw coming is James Ellroy's inspiration for writing "The Black Dahlia". His relationship with his mother filled in many of the holes of the plot absent from the original story. If you ever read it this knowledge will give you the chills on top of the chills already present just from real facts of the murder. When reading any book we are not just entering the imagination of the author, but their actual life experiences. Behind the veil of plots and fantasy is a piece of the author etched onto the pages of his/her work. Each book in a way is like a Horcrux. My
blog is like a Horcrux. BEWARE!!
My last question for you all, and I think I know the answer, is why is this murder still being talked about? We hear about killings every week. Some devastating but I doubt we will be talking about it 60 some odd years later. Feel free to comment. I believe the media has played a big role. Checking out the background of the investigation I read about how the police and media were working side by side during the search for the killer. Gory photos were broadcasted to the public, which I might add was in Los Angeles. Imagine the circus that caused. More than 50 people confessed to the murder. The only information they had was what they read in the paper. Only in LA. Whatever can get you on TV. Not only the media, but the way in which she was killed has left a lingering effect. Nothing I have ever seen before. Given the fact they never solved the murder, there was a movie and book about it, and well "The Black Dahlia" is a catchy name. This is my reason for its popularity among people today.
 |
| I'm ready for my close up Mr. Deville. |
mystery novel. It's a respite from my past 2 books about suicide...sort of. Based on real events, the book is about an investigation by a detective named Dwight Bleichert into the grisly murder of a 22 year old woman, Elizabeth Short. It had its fair share of twists and turns alongside other mystery novels but the story never stood apart from other crime novels with 2 exceptions. 1: the nonfictional part of the novel is disturbing especially if you look up the real details of what happened (pictures painful to see) 2: the final twist which I never saw coming is James Ellroy's inspiration for writing "The Black Dahlia". His relationship with his mother filled in many of the holes of the plot absent from the original story. If you ever read it this knowledge will give you the chills on top of the chills already present just from real facts of the murder. When reading any book we are not just entering the imagination of the author, but their actual life experiences. Behind the veil of plots and fantasy is a piece of the author etched onto the pages of his/her work. Each book in a way is like a Horcrux. My
 |
| Creepy! |
My last question for you all, and I think I know the answer, is why is this murder still being talked about? We hear about killings every week. Some devastating but I doubt we will be talking about it 60 some odd years later. Feel free to comment. I believe the media has played a big role. Checking out the background of the investigation I read about how the police and media were working side by side during the search for the killer. Gory photos were broadcasted to the public, which I might add was in Los Angeles. Imagine the circus that caused. More than 50 people confessed to the murder. The only information they had was what they read in the paper. Only in LA. Whatever can get you on TV. Not only the media, but the way in which she was killed has left a lingering effect. Nothing I have ever seen before. Given the fact they never solved the murder, there was a movie and book about it, and well "The Black Dahlia" is a catchy name. This is my reason for its popularity among people today.
Do not, I repeat, do not look up photos of the Black Dahlia murder online. It is incredibly gruesome and grisly. I know our society seems desensitized to this kind of violence but we shouldn't be. Yuck.
ReplyDelete