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The Black Dahlia - L.A. Quartet by James Ellroy
The Black Dahlia
Book 1 in the series:L.A. Quartet

In the noir history of Los Angeles, the unsolved murder mystery of Elizabeth Short, also known as the Black Dahlia, takes center stage. The book portrays a fictionalized account of the investigation carried out by LAPD cops Bucky Bleichert and Lee Blanchard, delving into the dark and twisted world of post-war Los Angeles. As the detectives navigate through police brutality, corruption, and personal entanglements, the story unfolds with elements of passion, deceit, and psychological tension, capturing the essence of the times and the characters involved.

The narrative follows Bucky Bleichert's relentless pursuit of the truth behind the Black Dahlia murder, intertwining it with his personal struggles and obsessions. Set against the backdrop of a seedy and corrupt Hollywood, the book presents a complex and gritty portrayal of the era, showcasing engaging character development, vivid descriptions, and a compelling plot filled with twists and turns that keep readers enthralled throughout the dark and eerie tale.

If you liked The Black Dahlia, here are the top 100 books to read next:

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Showing 1 - 10 of 100 
  1. #1
    American Tabloid
    Book 1 in the series:Underworld USA

    American Tabloid - Underworld USA by James Ellroy
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    "American Tabloid" is a fast-paced and complex thriller that interprets historical events through the eyes of a hardboiled crime novelist. Set in the late 1950s to the assassination of JFK, the book delves into the seedy underbelly of America, showcasing corruption, crime, violence, betrayal, and political machinations involving real-life figures like JFK, RFK, J. Edgar Hoover, and Jimmy Hoffa. The narrative weaves together a mix of fictional characters like Ward Littell, Pete Bondurant, and Kemper Boyd with historical events such as the Bay of Pigs invasion and the Cuban Crisis. The writing style, characterized by short, staccato sentences and a tabloid-like approach, captivates readers with its gritty and detailed portrayal of a dark period in American history.

    Some spics waved guns. The head spic plucked bugs from his beard and fomented. Black & white footage; CBS geeks in jungle fatigues. A newsman said, Cuba, bad juju--Fidel Castro’s rebels vs. Fulgencio ...

  2. #2
    The Big Sleep
    Book 1 in the series:Philip Marlowe

    The Big Sleep - Philip Marlowe by Raymond Chandler
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    'The Big Sleep' by Raymond Chandler is a classic noir detective story set in Los Angeles. The book follows private detective Philip Marlowe as he navigates through a complex web of blackmail, murder, and intrigue while dealing with shady characters and dangerous situations. The writing style is characterized by snappy dialogue, witty descriptions, and vivid details of the city of Los Angeles, creating a gritty and atmospheric setting reminiscent of classic detective movies.

    The story unfolds with Marlowe being hired by a wealthy man to handle a blackmail case involving his daughter, which quickly escalates into a series of events leading to multiple deaths and a deeper mystery. As Marlowe delves deeper into the case, the plot becomes more intricate and the stakes higher, showcasing Chandler's talent for creating suspenseful and engaging narratives that keep readers hooked until the final revelation.

    IT WAS ABOUT ELEVEN O’CLOCK in the morning, mid October, with the sun not shining and a look of hard wet rain in the clearness of the foothills. I was wearing my powder-blue suit, with dark blue shirt...

  3. #3

    Devil in a Blue Dress - Easy Rawlins by Walter Mosley
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    Walter Mosley's 'Devil in a Blue Dress' introduces readers to the character Easy Rawlins, a black war veteran in 1948 Los Angeles who gets entangled in a web of mystery and danger when he is hired to find a missing woman. Set against the backdrop of post-World War II America, the novel explores themes of corruption, racism, and societal struggles through the eyes of Easy Rawlins as he navigates the seedy underbelly of the city. The plot is described as twisty and hard-boiled, filled with well-drawn characters and a strong sense of time and place that immerses readers in the noir atmosphere of the story.

    Mosley's writing style is praised for its vivid descriptions, fast-paced narrative, and flavorful dialogue that captures the essence of 1940s Los Angeles. The book is commended for its depiction of the black experience during that era, offering a fresh perspective on the classic private eye novel by presenting a black protagonist, Easy Rawlins, in a genre typically dominated by white detectives. Despite some readers finding the plot convoluted, the novel is lauded for its social commentary on race relations and its ability to transport readers to a different time and place through compelling storytelling.

    I had spent five years with white men, and women, from Africa to Italy, through Paris, and into the Fatherland itself. I ate with them and slept with them, and I killed enough blue-eyed young men to k...

  4. #4

    Double Indemnity by James M. Cain
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    In 'Double Indemnity', insurance salesman Walter Huff becomes entangled with the femme fatale Phyllis Nirdlinger, leading to a plot to murder her husband for the insurance money. The story unfolds with intricate murder plots, double crosses, and a dark, twisted tale of crime set in 1930s Los Angeles. Written in a hard-boiled style, the book delves into themes of murder, betrayal, revenge, and questions about human nature, keeping readers on the edge of their seats.

    I drove out to Glendale to put three new truck drivers on a brewery company bond, and then I remembered this renewal over in Hollywoodland. I decided to run over there. That was how I came to this Hou...

  5. #5
    Perfidia
    Book 1 in the series:Second L.A. Quartet

    Perfidia - Second L.A. Quartet by James Ellroy
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    'Perfidia' by James Ellroy is a complex and gritty novel set in Los Angeles in December 1941, just before and after the bombing of Pearl Harbor. The story revolves around the murder of a Japanese family, with LAPD eager to quickly solve the case amidst a backdrop of corruption, violence, and racial tensions. The book intricately weaves together a wide range of characters, both fictional and real, showcasing a historical perspective on the time period with a mix of intense plotlines and a unique, staccato writing style that sets the tone for a dark and suspenseful narrative.

    L.A. Quartet 01 - The Black Dahlia 02 - The Big Nowhere 03 - L.A. Confidential 04 - White Jazz Underworld USA 01 - American Tabloid 02 - The Cold Six Thousand 03 - Blood’s a Rover Second L.A. Quartet ...

  6. #6

    The Postman Always Rings Twice by James M. Cain
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    A drifter named Frank becomes entangled in a stormy affair with a married woman named Cora, leading them to plot a murder. The narrative unfolds in a hard-boiled detective style without the mystery element, focusing on the characters' hardened nature and their willingness to do anything to fulfill their desires. The story is set in a depression-era America, showcasing dark and violent themes with spare descriptions and authentic dialogues.

    The plot revolves around obsession, passion, murder, and violence set in a prosaic roadside gas station cafe. The characters, Frank and Cora, are portrayed as morally revolting yet compelling, leading to a shocking and abrupt conclusion akin to a hangman's noose. The book is described as a classic piece of noir fiction, exploring the dark tragedy of the human heart with a narrative that unfolds with a feeling of inevitability and moral logic.

    They threw me off the hay truck about noon. I had swung on the night before, down at the border, and as soon as I got up there under the canvas, I went to sleep. I needed plenty of that, after three w...

  7. #7

    The Maltese Falcon by Dashiell Hammett
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    The Maltese Falcon is a classic noir novel set in San Francisco, revolving around private detective Sam Spade who takes on a case involving a valuable black statuette of a bird. As the mystery unfolds, Spade navigates through a web of lies and deceit while dealing with dangerous adversaries and mysterious motives. The writing style is described as gritty, fast-paced, and filled with witty dialogue, creating a world where characters like Spade and the femme fatale Brigid O'Shaughnessy come to life in a story that explores themes of obsession, loyalty, and justice.

    Samuel Spade’s jaw was long and bony, his chin a jutting v under the more flexible v of his mouth. His nostrils curved back to make another, smaller, v. His yellow-grey eyes were horizontal. The v mot...

  8. #8
    Red Harvest
    Book 2 in the series:Continental Op

    Red Harvest - Continental Op by Dashiell Hammett
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    In 'Red Harvest' by Dashiell Hammett, the Continental Op is summoned to Personville, a town overrun by corruption and violence. Upon arrival, he finds his client murdered and embarks on a mission to clean up the town by manipulating the various criminal factions to turn against each other. The narrative is fast-paced, filled with brutal action, double-crosses, and a high body count, all set in a gritty and corrupt environment. The writing style is hard-boiled and direct, with sharp language and a focus on the relentless pursuit of justice amidst a morally bankrupt society.

    I first heard Personville called Poisonville by a red-haired mucker named Hickey Dewey in the Big Ship in Butte. He also called his shirt a shoit. I didn’t think anything of what he had done to the ci...

  9. #9

    The Long Goodbye - Philip Marlowe by Raymond Chandler
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    In "The Long Goodbye," private detective Philip Marlowe gets entangled in a mystery involving a friend accused of murder and suicide. The plot twists and turns as Marlowe navigates through conflicts, deceit, and corruption in California's upper class society, all while maintaining his tough exterior and showcasing his softer side through chess and poetry. The writing style is described as hard-boiled and descriptive, with a mix of world-weary insights, tender moments, and atmospheric scenes that keep readers engaged till the surprising end.

    The first time I laid eyes on Terry Lennox he was drunk in a Rolls-Royce Silver Wraith outside the terrace of The Dancers. The parking lot attendant had brought the car out and he was still holding th...

    (Also, see 100 recommendations for the series Philip Marlowe )

  10. #10

    The Thin Man by Dashiell Hammett
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    'The Thin Man' by Dashiell Hammett is a hard-boiled noir mystery classic that centers on Nick Charles, a former PI, and his wife Nora Charles. The couple is reluctantly pulled into a murder case involving an old client, leading them to investigate a wealthy inventor's disappearance and his secretary's murder. Set in the 1930s New York, the story unfolds through witty banter, dialogue-driven narrative, and a tangled web of clues and half-truths that Nick navigates to solve the mystery. portrays Nick as a streetwise detective with a sophisticated edge, while Nora's character, though underused, adds depth to the storyline.

    The narrative captures the essence of the era with its portrayal of speakeasies, parties, hard-nosed cops, and a complex plot that keeps the reader engaged. Despite some dated elements and differences from the movie adaptations, 'The Thin Man' is praised for its clean prose, character development, and the chemistry between Nick and Nora Charles. The novel offers a blend of mystery, comedy, and suspense, providing a fast-paced and entertaining read that showcases Hammett's skill in crafting a classic detective story with a unique twist.

    1 I was leaning against the bar in a speakeasy on Fifty-second Street, waiting for Nora to finish her Christmas shopping, when a girl got up from the table where she had been sitting with three other ...

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