My Dark Places

by James Ellroy
My Dark Places cover
Good Books rating 3.83
True Crime
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Paperback • £9.99
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  • ID: 2390
  • Added: 2025-10-13
  • Updated: 2025-10-13
  • ISBN: 9780679762058
  • Publisher: Vintage
  • Published: 1997-08-19
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

In My Dark Places, James Ellroy, renowned author of the L.A. Quartet and The Underworld USA Trilogy, turns his literary prowess to a deeply personal true crime mystery. His mother, Jean Ellroy, was brutally murdered in 1958, a case that was swiftly dismissed by authorities. For decades, Ellroy grappled with his mother's ghost, channeling his grief and guilt into his crime novels. In 1994, he decided to confront his past head-on, teaming up with a seasoned homicide detective to reopen the cold case. /n/nThe book is not just an investigation into a long-forgotten murder but also a profound exploration of Ellroy's own psyche. It's a story of loss, obsession, and ultimately, redemption, as he seeks to understand the woman his mother was and the complex emotions he harbored for her. Ellroy's unflinching honesty and vivid prose make this a gripping and deeply moving account that transcends the boundaries of traditional true crime literature.

Reviews
Reddit - r/books · 2018-01-01
amazing 4.50

The book is an amazing exploration of the author's brutal self-honesty and pain. It offers insight into the intensity of his work.

This memoir is an intense and brutally honest account of the author's life, providing a good idea of where the intensity of his work comes from. The raw and unflinching nature of the writing makes it a powerful read. While it's not for the faint of heart, it's a deeply personal and revealing journey that offers a unique perspective on the author's experiences and the sources of his creative energy.

Quick quotes

    An amazing book with lots of brutal self-honesty and pain.

    Gives you a good idea of where the intensity of his work comes from.

    It's a deeply personal and revealing journey.

Captain Fez · 2014-10-15
harrowing 3.00

The book is challenging, especially in sections detailing the author's struggles with addiction. It's a raw and unflinching account that doesn't shy away from harsh realities.

This memoir is not an easy read, particularly when it delves into the author's personal struggles with drugs and alcohol. The honesty is brutal, and it's clear that the author is laying bare his most painful memories. It's a testament to his courage, but it's also a tough journey for the reader. The book's intensity is both its strength and its weakness, making it a powerful but difficult experience.

Quick quotes

    My Dark Places is not an easy book to enjoy, particularly in the section where Ellroy writes about his own decline into drugs, alcohol abuse.

    The book is raw, unflinching, and brutally honest.

    It's a tough journey, but one that's ultimately rewarding for its honesty.

The Guardian · 1996-11-14
moving 4.00

The memoir is a poignant tribute to the author's mother and a journey through his darkest memories. It's a powerful exploration of loss and redemption.

Ellroy's ability to kick his bad habits in time to save himself is a central theme of the book. This memoir is his ode to the mother who never had the chance to do the same. It's a deeply personal and moving account that explores themes of loss, addiction, and the search for redemption. The author's raw honesty and vivid reportage make this a compelling read, though it's not without its challenging moments.

Quick quotes

    Ellroy is able to kick his bad habits in time to save himself.

    My Dark Places is his ode to the mother who never had the chance to do the same.

    This is James Ellroy's journey through his most forbidding memories.

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