Book Review: The Red Dahlia

Reviewed By: Gina Metz - RAM

The Red Dahlia    
Lynda La Plante
Class/Genre:
Series: Anna Travis # 2
Simon & Shuster; 2006; 416 pps.

Lynda LaPlante captivates the reader with her book The Red Dahlia. DI Anna Travis returns to team up with her ex-boyfriend, DCI James Langton, to investigate the murder of a young girl found dumped on the banks of the Thames. Her body has been brutally mutilated, severed and drained of blood. The killer is copying the work of the famous Black Dahlia killing, from the actual murder to his ongoing actions after the murder.

Can Anna and James catch the Red Dahlia killer or will the case remain unsolved like that of The Black Dahlia? The squad, that Anna and James are on, is desperate for leads as they are days into the investigation and coming up empty when another body turns up and the killer is taunting them with messages sent to James and the press.

The link to the Black Dahlia murder makes this a fascinating read. It is quite scary to imagine a killer capable of such violence who has gone without apprehension since 1947 and it does not appear that the Black Dahlia case will ever be solved.

I would highly recommend this book to readers who love a good murder mystery however one must have a strong stomach to read this book. I look forward to reading more in the Anna Travis series and other books by Lynda LaPlante.

Gina Metz - RAM

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Gina Metz - RAM

Please Note: Books reviewed are usually provided by the publisher, author, or an agent. Reviewers usually get to keep the book.