Customer Reviews

Childhood Shadows: The Hidden Story of the Black Dahlia Murder

5 star:		(21)
4 star:		(5)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(4)

 

 

If you have any interest whatsoever in the infamous Black Dahlia murder case, Mary Pacios' Childhood Shadows is a must-read. I've already read it twice and I am certain to read it again. It contains information I've never seen in other books on this strange and unsolved case.

The author knew the victim, Beth Short, personally while growing up in Medford, Massachusetts in the '30's and '40's. This provides the reader with insights sorely lacking in other well-known books on the subject.

Pacios' book shows a woman trying hard to stay afloat during difficult times - not a whore, harlot, or wayward sister who brought upon her own destruction with dangerous behavior, but a kind woman whose murder, along with the press' sensational tabloid style coverage, had a painful and lasting affect on those who knew and loved her.

The book is packed with valuable firsthand information including accounts from the Black Dahlia's friends and family, as well as detectives, press, and experts who worked on the case. This book presents Beth Short as a real human being, not the archetypical dark, mysterious woman of the shadows presented in press and past books.

This book rings true - the author never offers conjecture; she never says, "This is who the killer is and this is how it happened!" She presents the results of 10 years of painstaking research, having interviewed numerous individuals associated with the case. And that research leads the author to a shocking, yet very plausible suspect (the most plausible of all the suspects I've read about). What makes the suspect so shocking is the fact that it is a very well-known Hollywood personality.

Devoid of sensationalistic conjecture and the macho posturings of other Dahlia books, Childhood Shadows is a loving and humane treatment of a subject that's previously been exploited by less sensitive writers. Other books tell more about the authors' troubled relationshops with women than the actual Black Dahlia case. Pacios' book is the real deal.

The memory of Beth Short deserves this book. If you want to know the truth behind the myth, then this is the one you should read.

I've read other accounts of the Black Dahlia murders by other authors, but Pacios seems to be uniquely in touch with Elizabeth. The 40s come alive and Elizabeth becomes a real person in this book. The story is told with a passion and an understanding fueled by the author's own search for the truth. This book is a must read for any one who is interested in the murder, because you don't know whole story until you've read this book. I felt that Pacios effectively conveyed a much needed feminine perspective to a subject which previously languished under the pens of cumbersome men. I look forward to the author's next book.

This book is all about setting the story straight and getting real about what actually happened to a girl who wasn't just victimized by a killer, but by a tainted press and crazy authors, and all the people who fed on and feed off the publicized slander and trash. It's about time. A personal thanks to the author for entering a clean perspective to this case.

Finally a book that looks at Elizabeth Short, the person, and not just Elizabeth Short, the victim. Mary Pacios gives a personal account of her relationship with "Bette", her research into Bette's death and her 12 year search for answers. Brings to light things I have never read in any other book. Pacios presents her own suspect in the case. At first her suspect may sound far fetched, but by the end of the book, the suspect is really only one of two viable suspects that I have seen in the case. READ THIS BOOK! Also recommended, "Severed" by John Gilmore.

This is a deeply personal look at a much discussed and misunderstood crime, from someone who knew the deceased as a person, not a distorted image or a victim. The author's loyal friendship and sometimes painfully honest search for truth is a breath of fresh air in a media driven, often heartless, real-life mystery. The crisp writing style moves the reader along effortlessly and gives one a lot to think about!

I found Ms. Pacios authoritative research into the notorious Black Dahlia murder investigation a refreshing change from the the usual carnival atmosphere of most other author/barkers trying to hawk their theories on the reading public over the past fifty years! She is authoritative, objective, and at the same time warm and sympathetic, which make for admiral writing qualities. Its a very good read, and while she points out some interesting points regarding a possible suspect,she yet retains her own personal skepticism and never becomes theoretically pushy, leaving the reader to come to his/her own conclusions. Extremely well documented!

Mary Pacios shares her personal journey into the tragic, unsolved Black Dahlia murder mystery. The most thorough and fascinating investigation my husband and I have ever read.
Ms. Pacios is to be commended for her meticulous efforts to route out the murderer of her childhood friend.

Elizabeth Short was a beautiful young woman who was brutally murdered. As if it were not enough that her very life was violently ripped away from her, as if it were not enough that she was violated in the most extreme way, the injustice continued. Bette Short became the Black Dalia, a headline, a story, with an unimaginaby sick angle. They said that she was a bad person, they implied that she deserved to die. They didn't even know her, and they certainly didn't care.

Mary Pacios knew her. She knew people who knew her. They all knew her to be a good person. Her beauty radiated from the inside.

Pacios has spent the past ten years of her life thoroughly researching the case. She has been from coast to coast interviewing many, many people, including those who knew Bette, and original reporters and investigators. She has read books upon books, reports upon reports and articles upon articles. Pacios has explored everything from research archives to web sites. This is evidenced by the vast wealth of information in the book and the extensive selected bibliography.

The book is a true report, an honest representation of the facts. It is compiled by a woman devoted to setting the record strait, among a twisted culture of authors and individuals who would sooner study the photos of a tortured corpse and entertian fantasies of a sadistic nature than recognize truth, beauty and violation for what they are.

The book is bold and fully supported. I would recommend it to anyone who is interested in seeing justice come to this case.

Reading true crime for some 15 years, I have always been fascinated by the Black Dahlia murder case. Finally, after waiting so many years, a book with all the details. Mary Pacios not only allows you to meet the Dahlia, up close and on a personal basis, but she reviews all investigative records that exist on the case. A very thorough and in-depth study of all the circumstances and the people surrounding the Dahlia at the time of the murder. Not only well written and enjoyable to read, but a work of excellent investigative skills. I was so intrigued that I had to follow up on the clues and read suggested biographies. A "must read" for history crime buffs.

I didn't think another book besides John Gilmore's "Severed" would ever catch my attention, but Ms. Pacios'"Childhood Shadows" really grabbed me. I am glad someone who had known Ms. Short finally wrote a book. Unfortunately popular legend has us believe she was wild and almost deserved her horrible death. Ms. Pacios explains the time and era of Ms. Short and how she had to depend on her wits for survival. After WWII women were told to marry their war time sweethearts, quit the factory jobs and keep house. Beth Short was alone and independent, not wild and loose. I think maybe with this book some of those false conceptions will be addressed. Also, Ms. Pacios theory on what may have happened to Ms. Short is amazing...makes one think.