FINALLY, THE TRUE STORY OF ELIZABETH SHORT. Let me start by saying I have listened to podcasts, read books, and watched shows and movies about the Black Dahlia case over the last 20 years or so. The one thing I realized after reading this book was all those other cases were sensationalized and used for personal gain, career advancement or notoriety. Mann’s telling of the Black Dahlia case shows who the young murder victim was, and that was Elizabeth Short. Mann put to rest the myths and sensationalism associated with this case. He presented “just the facts ma’am” about the woman, Elizabeth Short. Mann shows a young, beautiful and naive girl, who came from a small town and thought she knew how to survive in a big city. It is a story that happens every day, a young girl sets out on her own and is lost to violence or the streets. That’s the real story of Elizabeth Short; the Black Dahlia is a made-up version of a young girl that sold papers and books.

Mann’s writing style kept me entertained and interested. He starts the story in 1945 when Elizabeth arrives in Los Angeles. He takes you through the course of her life there, who she stayed with, her friends, her dates, how she got food and housing without ever having a job. We learn a lot about Elizbeth and her habits around the time of her murder. We also learn the habits of the police, investigators, the police psychiatrist, the newspapers, and all the others that involved themselves in the case. We learn about corruption, how the newspapers and the police work together (that would never happen now) and how these factors changed the course of the story and may have affected their ability to solve this case.

Let me just say that of all the Black Dahlia information I have consumed, this was the most thorough, well thought out, detailed and in my opinion, accurate so far. I enjoyed learning about other key players from the story and looking them up, looking up the addresses provided in the book, and I really enjoyed the author ending with a “where everyone ended up” section. If you are a true crime fan and have enjoyed following the Black Dahlia case, you need to read this book! Highly recommended.

Thank you NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for this advanced digital copy in exchange for my honest review.

This is an interesting and very in depth look at Elizabeth Short, one of true crime's most famous unsolved murders. The author dispels some of the most common rumors about the case and humanizes Elizabeth in a way most people don't. She was more than her tragic end, and the author takes pains to remind the reader of that. A good addition to any true crime library.

Thank.you to the publisher and NetGalley for the ARC!

I received an Advance Copy of this book through NetGalley and Simon & Schuster, thank you for allowing me to read this book and give honest feedback.

I am a huge true crime fan and the Black Dahlia murder has always fascinated me.
This is finally the case told from the perspective of Elizabeth Short's friend and family, those who knew her best. Not the speculative media or police.

This was written so well and so well researched. Nothing was left out. I feel like there was almost too much information, which in a criminal investigation is never a bad thing. I never found myself bored or disinterested.

I definitely want to read more from William J Mann as his writing style is excellent and very informative.

As a true crime junkie, this is the least sensationalized piece of media regarding the Black Dahlia. It was so well-written, so accurate and so thoroughly researched. Mann’s writing style kept me engaged throughout. I also loved reading about other “lesser known” players that often get left out of the movies, podcasts and tv shows.

Also, ten points for the ending section on where everyone is now. This is a must-read for anyone interested in the case or a true crime fan.

Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the ARC in exchange for my honest review!

Rarely do you see such a comprehensive book on a single case in the true crime realm. This is exhaustively researched and is sure to become the seminal work on Short.

This is the perfect non-fiction book for learning about the black dahlia. It goes through the life of Elizabeth Short, how she was trying to get into Hollywood and the facts around her murder and who possibly done it. It is still an unsolved mystery even today. This book kept me interested all the way through. Thank you to NetGalley and Simon & Schuster for the advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I've read nearly all the Black Dahlia books and this is by far the most balanced, thoughtful and sweeping one and, thankfully, it clears up countless myths and untruths about Elizabeth Short and restores her to the status of a real person, a young woman much loved by friends and family.

William J. Mann's The Black Dahlia transcends the typical true-crime narrative—this is a deeply moving and rigorously researched account that resurrects Elizabeth “Black Dahlia” Short not just as a victim, but as a real, flawed, and striving human being.

This is my first book I have read about the Black Dahlia and it was chefs kiss. If you are into true crime then this is a must! When I was reading I felt a connect to Elizabeth smart, and it is really sad the life she was living at the time. I hope one day we can find out who killed her even though the person probably dead by now she still deserves justic. Her story is gripping and a roller coaster just when you think might have figured it then comes another curve ball. Thank you William J Mann and netgalley for letting me read the ARC!

In Black Dahlia: Murder, Monsters, and Madness in Midcentury Hollywood, William J. Mann delivers a masterful work of nonfiction that rises well above standard true-crime fare. Thoroughly researched, elegantly written, and steeped in historical context, this book offers a chilling yet measured exploration of the Elizabeth Short murder while illuminating the darker undercurrents of postwar Hollywood.

What makes Mann’s approach so effective is his refusal to sensationalize. Instead, he situates the crime within the cultural, social, and psychological landscape of mid-century Los Angeles—a world shaped by celebrity obsession, moral panic, institutional failures, and hidden violence. Hollywood itself becomes a character: glamorous on the surface, deeply troubled beneath. Mann’s portrait of the era feels authentic and grounded, reflecting a careful respect for history and for the people whose lives were irrevocably altered.

Mann’s prose is confident and restrained, allowing the narrative to unfold with clarity and purpose. He examines suspects, investigators, and long-standing theories with a critical eye, separating documented fact from decades of rumor and mythmaking. Just as importantly, he restores dignity to Elizabeth Short, presenting her not as a lurid symbol but as a real young woman caught in a brutal convergence of circumstance and cruelty.

Black Dahlia: Murder, Monsters, and Madness in Midcentury Hollywood is exemplary narrative nonfiction—thoughtful, disciplined, and deeply engaging. It will appeal not only to true-crime readers, but also to those who value historical integrity and careful storytelling. Mann demonstrates that the most enduring investigations are those that honor the past while seeking truth with patience and care.