This is an interesting concept for a true-crime / art history book. The author uses another author's premise (Steve Hodel) that his own father (George Hodel) was the murderer of Elizabeth Smart and Nelson takes the ball and runs with it. What results is equal parts true crime and art history. Nelson examines the surrealist art movement in America in the 1940's-1950's and how the artists and their art might have inspired the murderer to do what he did. Though the Black Dahlia case is still unsolved and will probably never be resolved, Nelson makes a very compelling argument that Hodel was indeed the murderer and why he may have done it. I read a lot of true-crime books, but this one kept me up at night and actually gave me the heebie-jeebies. The book is full of pictures of Elizabeth Smart, both alive and dead, and various artists and their pieces. People with weak stomachs are advised that there are plenty of graphic pictures.

Share/Like this Review?

There are now more people claiming to.know who killed the Black Dahlia than JFK conspiracy theories. I have devoured the Black Dahlia stories for years and this one with Nelson using art of 40s & 50s to insist it was the "Mad Doctor" is very compelling. BUT now the latest is the CHicago Worlds Fair Butcher who. Killed all those people in his hotel. They even claim H H Holmes was in London during the killings of Jack the Ripper. This book is for true crime fans and people with strong constitutions who could stand autopsies.

Share/Like this Review?

What A WEIRD STORY - I DID READ THE WHOLE BOOK AS FAST AS I COULD AND IT DID GIVE A GREAT ROUND OF INFORMATION ON THE ACTIVITIES OF DADAISTS AND SURREALISTS IN THE US DURING THE MID 20TH CENT. I'm NOT TOTALLY CONVINCED BY THEIR PREMISE BUT.... THAT A SURREALIST WANNABEE DID THE MURDER AS AN ART ACT
aLL IN ALL - A GOOD READ

Share/Like this Review?