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A Murder in Hollywood | Casey Sherman
A Murder in Hollywood | Casey Sherman
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A Murder in Hollywood: The Untold Story of Tinseltown's Most Shocking Crime
The dark story behind the bright lights of Tinseltown.
From the outside, Hollywood starlet Lana Turner seemed to have it all: a thriving film career, a beautiful daughter, and the kind of fame and fortune that most people could only dream of. But when the famous femme fatale began dating mobster Johnny Stompanato, a thug for infamous West Coast mob boss Mickey Cohen, her personal life became violent and unpredictable. As Stompanato's intense jealousy took over, Lana's teenage daughter, Cheryl, watched her beloved mother's life deteriorate.
When the physical and emotional abuse became too much to bear, Lana attempted to break it off with Johnny, leading to disastrous consequences. The fateful night ended in frantic phone calls and Stompanato dead on Lana's bedroom floor, with Cheryl claiming to have plunged a knife into his abdomen to protect her mother. A Murder in Hollywood transports readers back to the Golden Age of film, illuminating one of the 20th century's most notorious true crime tales and the sensational tabloid trial that eclipsed every movie of its era.
Narrative Highlights
- Golden Age Glamour Meets the Mob: Explores the volatile intersection of celebrity culture and organized crime in 1950s Los Angeles.
- A Family's Nightmare: Details the harrowing domestic reality behind the velvet ropes, examining toxic masculinity and casual violence against women.
- The Trial of the Century: Reexamines the media circus and legal battle following Stompanato's death, shedding new light on the events of that fateful night.
About the Author
Casey Sherman is a New York Times bestselling author and master of narrative non-fiction and true crime. Known for deeply researched, fast-paced storytelling, his investigative works pull back the curtain on complex historical and criminal events, translating them into gripping literary experiences.
Accolades & Awards
- USA Today Bestseller
- Praise from Ben Mezrich: "A wild ride beneath the glitz and glamour of 1950s Hollywood, proving once again that Casey Sherman is a master of the genre."
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Does this book contain historical photographs?
Yes, this hardcover edition includes 16 pages of black-and-white photographs that provide visual context to the 1950s Hollywood glamour, the investigation, and the key figures involved in the tragic case.
2. Is this a purely historical account or a narrative true crime story?
A Murder in Hollywood reads like a fast-paced thriller. It weaves meticulous historical research with a compelling narrative true crime style, making the events of 1958 feel immediate and intense.
3. What new perspective does the author bring to the Lana Turner case?
Beyond the tabloid sensation, Casey Sherman reexamines the case through the lens of domestic survival, pulling back the curtain to explore the systemic toxic masculinity and casual violence against women that framed the tragedy.
Reader Targeting
Read This If You Enjoy...
- Narrative true crime and historical murder mysteries.
- Hollywood history, celebrity biographies, and the 1950s era.
- Authors like Ben Mezrich, Erik Larson, or Harold Schechter.
Product Specifications
| Title | A Murder in Hollywood: The Untold Story of Tinseltown's Most Shocking Crime |
|---|---|
| Author | Casey Sherman |
| Publisher | Sourcebooks Landmark |
| Publication Date | April 18, 2023 |
| Edition | First Edition |
| Format | Hardcover (Hardbound with Dust Jacket) |
| ISBN-13 | 9781728276502 |
| ISBN-10 | 1728276508 |
| Page Count | 352 pages |
| Illustrations | 16 pages of black-and-white photographs |
| Dimensions | 9.2 x 6.1 x 1.3 inches |
| Weight | 21.5 oz |
| Language | English |
| BISAC Categories | TRUE CRIME / Murder; HISTORY / United States / 20th Century |
| Condition | Pre-Owned / Very Good |
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