Daddy Was the Black Dahlia Killer: The Identity of America's Most Notorious Serial Murderer--Revealed at Last

by Michael Newton and Janice Knowlton

Book Overview

It is one of the most enduringly fascinating crimes in American history. On January 15, 1947, passersby made a grisly discovery in a vacant lot in Los Angeles: the body of a naked young woman, cut in two, and savagely mutilated. The victim was identified as Elizabeth Short, a struggling Hollywood actress. Nicknamed the Black Dahlia by a headline-hungry press, her lurid demise sparked a desperate manhunt. But the mystery of the Black Dahlia murder...

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1501110055
• ISBN13: 9781501110054
• Release Date: December 2014
• Publisher: Gallery Books
• Length: 384 Pages
• Weight: 0.81 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.2" x 4.9" x 7.9"

Customer Reviews

Gutsy, touching, true...

I can't believe the negative reviews of this book. I read it a few years ago and it has haunted me ever since. (I believe I wrote a positive, earlier review.) The recent movie about the subject is based on James Ellroy's novel, which I did not enjoy anywhere near as much as this truly amazing horror tale. I completely believed the author; it was a great story; it was a terrifying, disturbing story, and it all made (and still makes) sense to me. I found it a great read - one of the best "true crime" books available, and I support Janice Knowlton's coming forward with an incredibly tragic story. Yes, it all adds up, including the fact that her father and Elizabeth Short came from Medford; and I was in agreement that it's possible her father was the Boston Strangler, too, since he was living in Medford and commuting to the neighborhood where the stranglings took place...at the time that they did. Everyone from Boston knows Albert DeSalvo was probably not the Strangler. I can't imagine why this story is not taken more seriously. It could be that people need the killer to be a physician or person from the Hollywood community....not a "common" serial killer no one's ever heard much about. I highly recommend this book, and I just wanted Ms. Knowlton to know that I still think about her and wish her all the best...she deserves it.

Disturbing and yet fascinating tale of a daughter!

Janice Gail Knowlton was a troubled person because she was abused by her father and believes him to be a serial killer himself. Imagine growing up with that information can send anybody to the nuthouse or loony bin. It is amazing that Janice writes so freely about the horror of Elizabeth Short's murder. I don't believe she mentioned her friendship with another abuse victim, Tamar Hodel, whose brother believes their father Dr. Steven Hodel was responsible for the Black Dahlia murder. Regardless, the book does not hold back graphic imagery and information regarding the case. It's sad to know that Janice is no longer with us and I pray she finds peace on the other side. She was brave to come forward with her story in the first place. THis book is not the best written book because there are doubts in Janice's own writing as well but to believe that the man who is your father to be responsible for one of the most disturbing murders in America.

I hope you burn in Hell Mr. Knowlton

I completely believe in this book. Repressed memories are real and this woman was very brave to write this book. She tells us what really happened and if the police aren't looking into her story then they are the fools.This book was well written and kept me reading. It has the suspence of fiction and the reality of non-fiction.I would recomend this book to anyone interested in true crime. Keep an open mind and you'll find that this book has a lot of good information.

I am in agreement with Ms. Knowlton - great book, too!

This is a very courageous and fascinating account of aneyewitness view of serial murder, and, I believe, the murderof the Black Dahlia. I recently saw a true crime documentary about the case on TV and was struck by the fact that theBlack Dahlia herself came from Medford - as did Ms.Knowlton's family - and her father.I also believe it is possible that her father was the real"Boston Strangler." The facts add up. I don't know why people are so adamantly against her story, and certainlynot why they mock her and denegrate her. I completely support her. I have worked with the police myself on murder investigations and I think she has supported her account admirably. She is to be applauded, not taken to task, for reporting whatmust have been a horrific, traumatic life and grisly experiences. The book is well-written, and gives a fascinating, first-hand character study of a serial killer....

I thought the book was a very real and painful story to tell

I've just read the other reviews and was horribly shocked.Anyone can see that this book was very hard to write for Janice Knowlton, and really people what "evidence" do you expect to find? This murderer took place in 1947! I salute Janice Knowlton for her courage to write this book,and furthermore thank her for it. As far as I'm concerned the murder of Elizabeth Short is solved.