Stephanie S. reviewed The Reporter Who Knew Too Much: The Mysterious Death of What's My Line TV Star and Media Icon Dorothy Kilgallen on + 168 more book reviews
The subject of this book--the mystery surrounding famed reporter and television star Dorothy Kilgallen's surprising death at age 52 back in 1965--is fascinating. I've long been interested in the shadowy rumors surrounding this story. The book seems very well researched, although the author relied on other previously published books and biographies quite heavily. The documentation of Kilgallen's last months, weeks, even hours, before her death seem very thorough. So what was the trouble for this reader? I just didn't find here the page-turner I'd hoped for.
The writing style was dense and repetitive. Often the facts were so intertwined and convoluted that I found myself re-reading sentences and paragraphs to try to discern what was holding me up. Then I found it--the book needed a better proof-reader.
There were typos throughout. Worse, I often discovered words and sometimes whole phrases out of order inside sentences. I suspect that these sentences were in the middle of being re-written, or edited, but the writer got interrupted or distracted in the process, and then forgot, and never went back to fix the sentence. Proof-reader, where were you? This made for very stilted reading. Unfortunately this happened more than it should have, particularly in the second half of the book. This was a glaring sign that the writing was not great, and just couldn't hold on to some crucial attention spans even prior to publishing. Ah well.
Those intrigued by Dorothy Kilgallen's untimely death may well enjoy this book better than I did. But if you're only on the periphery, I'd steer clear.
*** Three stars for the subject matter and research. But only three, because the book was flawed.
The writing style was dense and repetitive. Often the facts were so intertwined and convoluted that I found myself re-reading sentences and paragraphs to try to discern what was holding me up. Then I found it--the book needed a better proof-reader.
There were typos throughout. Worse, I often discovered words and sometimes whole phrases out of order inside sentences. I suspect that these sentences were in the middle of being re-written, or edited, but the writer got interrupted or distracted in the process, and then forgot, and never went back to fix the sentence. Proof-reader, where were you? This made for very stilted reading. Unfortunately this happened more than it should have, particularly in the second half of the book. This was a glaring sign that the writing was not great, and just couldn't hold on to some crucial attention spans even prior to publishing. Ah well.
Those intrigued by Dorothy Kilgallen's untimely death may well enjoy this book better than I did. But if you're only on the periphery, I'd steer clear.
*** Three stars for the subject matter and research. But only three, because the book was flawed.
Cheryl (boomerbooklover) -
While investigating possible connections between Oswald and Jack Ruby, Kilgallen was found dead in her home. She was not dressed as usual, was in a bedroom she didn't sleep in, with her husband's sleeping medication in her system. Much of the first part of the book explains how extremely famous, well-connected, and influential Kilgallen was in her day. Latter part about JFK assasination and the aftermath more interesting, as is the info about her mysterious death.
Patti Z. (jonathansmom) reviewed The Reporter Who Knew Too Much: The Mysterious Death of What's My Line TV Star and Media Icon Dorothy Kilgallen on + 51 more book reviews
The author became a little repetitive at times but he presented some very plausible theories. Not knowing the controversy around Ms. Kilgallen's death, he made a good case for further investigation.
