A true crime novel that meticulously chronicles the tragic and controversial case of Mabel Monahan’s murder. A chilling break-in and robbery culminates in Monahan's brutal death, a crime committed by three men and a woman. However, it is Barbara Graham, one of the perpetrators, who becomes the focal point of media and public attention, not just for her alleged involvement in the crime, but for her looks, personal life, and sexuality. The police employed tactics on Barbara that would not be permissible today.
This novel is more than just a recounting of a heinous crime; it’s a scathing critique of the judicial and media systems that exploit personal lives for sensational stories.

The trial of Barbara Graham is at the center of this book. I was intrigued by this being.investigated by Marcia Clark. First of all the trial being so long ago it was interesting the records were so hard to come by. Babbage and her co- conspirators were accused of killing a woman in order to steal 100,000 that was kept in a safe. One of the people there turned in three of them. Barbara was Mia characterized by the press and the whole situation was sensationalized. The book was interesting in that it went into Barabras background being neglected by her mom and sent off to correctional school and then going through marriages and babies and struggling to survive. She fell into the wrong crowd. But was she involved in this murder. You will have to red to find out what happens .

what a good book about trial gone wrong and Barbara graham who had a hard life but was innocent. Loved that Marcia looked at this case and read over the notes and in her words she tried to solve it. Loved that this case made her upset and this case intrigued her. . I had never heard of this case or the movies mentioned.

This is an interesting case and the level of detail provided gives a glimpse into police and legal processes of the time. I enjoyed the inclusion of details on the research and writing process, including cross references to the author’s own experiences in the OJ Simpson trial.