You may have noticed that most of the books I’ve reviewed this year have been relatively recent. This is because I am back studying part time and relying on audiobooks as I do the dishes to get through any reading at all. For the last week, I’ve been listening to James Ellroy’s The Black Dahlia. It’s a bit older than the other stuff I’ve read recently.

The Black Dahlia is an excellent book, and the subject matter is truly horrifying, but I’ve been on the fence as to whether I should post about it here or not. It contains horrendous acts of cruelty and depravity, so it kind of fits the bill, and it was previously reviewed on the toomuchhorrorfiction blog, so I reckon it’s fair game. While it’s not a horror novel, it is so dark that I imagine most people with an interest in horror will likely be interested. It’s also really good.

I didn’t know what to expect going in. I had seen people saying this book was great, but I didn’t know what kind of a book it was. It’s a novel. It involves a crime that really happened, but it’s not a novelisation or even speculative fiction. Most of the characters here are made up. The book is described as “neo-noir”. I’ve only read a few books of “noir” fiction, but Ellroy’s writing was far grittier than those. This was written in the late 80s, and it doesn’t hold back on any fronts. Everyone in this book is a piece of shit, but it’s this element that makes it believable. It’s also what makes the book very funny in parts.

After reading the book, I had to do a little research in the case. It’s truly horrible stuff. There’s a heavy metal band named after it. I remember I bought a ticket to see them once because Cephalic Carnage were opening for them. When I got to the show, I realised I had left my ticket at home, so I had to buy another. I left after a couple of the headliner’s songs. Not my thing. I wouldn’t cross the road to see Cephalic Carnage at this these stage either to be honest. I wish I could go back in time to save my money.

I reckon I’ll read more books by Ellroy in the future, but I doubt they’ll get reviewed here. This one was great though. Read it if you haven’t already.