Books Like...

'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.

"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.

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.

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.