Books Like...

Blood on the Moon by James Ellroy follows the story of Sergeant Lloyd Hopkins, a brilliant but troubled detective, as he investigates a series of murders spanning nearly two decades. The book delves into the psychological aspects of both Hopkins and the killer, exploring their disturbed psyches and traumatic pasts. The narrative alternates between the perspectives of Hopkins and the killer, highlighting their contrasting paths in life. Hopkins uncovers a connection between the murders through meticulous investigation, while the killer remains elusive, preying on young women with careful planning and varying methods.

The book is set in a noir, gritty version of Los Angeles, depicting the dark underbelly of the city and the complexities of its characters. Ellroy's writing style is described as intense and visceral, driving home the violence and darkness of the story. The plot unfolds at a fast pace, with the tension escalating as Hopkins closes in on the killer, revealing a cat-and-mouse dynamic between the two characters. Despite flaws in the writing and character behavior, the book offers a compelling exploration of trauma, obsession, and the blurred lines between good and evil.

The Cold Six Thousand, the second book in the Underworld USA series by James Ellroy, delves into the dark, amoral underbelly of America, portraying gratuitous violence, corruption, and conspiracy theories. The novel intricately weaves together historical events such as the turmoil following JFK's assassination, the Vietnam War, and the rise and fall of Martin Luther King, all while showcasing morally repugnant characters that readers end up caring about. Ellroy's unique writing style, with clipped sentences and a rhythm akin to poetry, propels the plot forward at a relentless pace, creating a complex and enthralling narrative that covers crime fiction, conspiracy theories, and American history.

'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.

"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.

Widespread Panic by James Ellroy is a fast-paced novel set in 1950s Hollywood, following the story of Freddy Otash, a corrupt cop turned private investigator who delves into the dark underbelly of the city while working for scandal magazines. The book is filled with salacious gossip about movie stars, scandals, and sleaze, all narrated in a compressed, intense writing style that reads like a lush prose poem. Ellroy's unique language and alliteration bring the postwar Los Angeles setting to life, intertwining real-life historical figures with fictional characters, creating a vivid portrayal of a world filled with secrets, crimes, and personal struggles.

The narrative of Widespread Panic revolves around Otash's quest to solve mysterious murders of women he knew personally, all while dealing with his own desires and conflicts. The book's high concept nature, with Otash stuck in purgatory and forced to confess his dreams and sins, adds a layer of complexity to the story. Ellroy's masterful historicity and verbal artistry shine through the book, making it a challenging yet rewarding read for fans of crime fiction and historical novels.

'White Jazz' by James Ellroy is the final installment in the L.A. Quartet series, delving into the unimaginable corruption within the police department and the intrigue between major players in the LAPD. The story follows a detective lawyer attempting to solve puzzles while dealing with criminal acts and memories of past actions. The narrative is characterized by a gritty, noir style filled with violence, gore, and racism, presented through a fragmented stream of consciousness that keeps readers engaged with its tension and pace.

'Blood's a Rover' is the third part of the Underworld USA trilogy by James Ellroy. The book delves into a world filled with drugs, gang wars, money laundering, and corruption within the police and various secret services. The story follows a cast of morally compromised characters navigating through historical events, political assassinations, and criminal activities. The writing style is described as terse, hard-boiled, and relentless, with a complex plot that weaves together multiple perspectives and storylines.

Despite being the concluding book in the series, 'Blood's a Rover' is criticized for feeling scattered and less focused compared to the first two books. However, it still manages to maintain a sense of intrigue and suspense, particularly around a brutal heist of an armored car that serves as a central motif throughout the novel. The book is praised for its epic scope, relentless pacing, and unflinching portrayal of a dark and corrupt version of American history, making it a satisfying read for fans of the trilogy.

'Hollywood Babylon I' by Kenneth Anger is a sensational delve into the scandalous and sordid tales of Old Hollywood, spanning the 1920s to the 1950s. The book uncovers the hidden horrors and excesses of Hollywood's golden age, shedding light on the moral hypocrisies, debauchery, and amoral behavior of the stars of that era. Kenneth Anger, a filmmaker well-versed in decadence, serves as a salacious raconteur, providing a racy whirlwind tour of the dark corners of Golden Age Tinsel Town. The book is filled with lurid anecdotes, insider gossip, and captivating stories that reveal the seamy underbelly of the movie-making industry, all presented in a style that exudes caustic wit and iconoclastic flair.

Set in corrupt 1950s Los Angeles, "L.A. Confidential" by James Ellroy follows a complex web of intrigue within the LAPD involving three different police officers: Ed Exley, Bud White, and Jack Vincennes. The book delves into themes of corruption, obsession, and brutality, presenting a noir epic filled with suspense, action, and unexpected twists. Ellroy's writing style is described as brutal, clipped, and terse, with short chapters that make the book hard to put down.

A thrilling novel that weaves its way through plot lines, characters, events, and discovery. The story revolves around the 50's red scare and a number of murders in LA, told from three different police officers' points of view. It delves into the dark side of 1950s Los Angeles, exploring themes of police corruption, serial murder, Communist witch hunts, and the underworld of homosexual prostitution.