Murder of a Mafia Daughter: The Life and Tragic Death of Susan Berman [Hardcover]

Cathy Scott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 2002

Susan Berman was reared in the lap of Las Vegas luxury as the daughter of Davie Berman, a notorious casino mogul and mafia leader. It wasn't until college-well after her father's death-that she learned what he really did. She ultimately dedicated her life to learning about Vegas and its underworld chiefs, publishing two acclaimed books on the subject: Easy Street and Lady Las Vegas. Her story takes a turn for the bizarre in 1982 when Kathie Durst-the wife of college friend and heir to a New York real estate fortune, Robert Durst-mysteriously disappeared. Robert Durst was considered a prime suspect but a case was never mounted against him. Shortly after the Kathie Durst case was reopened Susan Berman was found shot in the back of the head, mob execution style. No forced entry, no robbery, nothing missing from her home. Like Kathie Durst's disappearance, Susan's murder is unsolved, but again Robert is a suspect. Did she know her killer? Did she have information about the fate of Kathie Durst? Many questions-but few answers. At present Durst is awaiting trial in Galveston, Texas, for the murder of an elderly acquaintance who some suspect may have had information regarding Kathie Durst's disappearance. This book includes exclusive information on the "Durst Connection" from LAPD investigators working on the Berman case. It will surely draw the attention of the nation as the Durst trial hits the nation's tabloids this September.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"(Berman) was executed Mob-style. However, Cathy Scott's book presents evidence that Susan's killing had nothing to do with her father's Mob connections." --Meredith McGhan, CityLife --Las Vegas CityLife

Cathy Scott, a former crime reporter for the Las Vegas Sun, lays out Berman's story ... in prose. -- Las Vegas Mercury

Scott hounds Robert Durst with the facts. It might be his only conviction for the crime. -- John L. Smith, Las Vegas Review-Journal

This sordid tale of the Mafia and murder is explored in this new book by acclaimed investigative reporter Cathy Scott. -- James Ridgway de Szigethy, AmericanMafia.com

About the Author

Author Cathy Scott is a veteran crime writer and award-winning investigative journalist. Kirkus Reviews has called Scott's work "compelling and thorough," and her criminal reporting has appeared in The New York Times and the New York Times Magazine, George, the Los Angeles Times, and the Christian Science Monitor. The author of several true crime works, including the Los Angeles Times best-selling The Killing of Tupac Shakur and The Murder of Biggie Smalls, Scott appears frequently in the national media, including CNN, National Public Radio, Court TV, the New York Post, and Rolling Stone.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 240 pages
• Publisher: Barricade Books; 1st ed edition (December 1, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1569802386
• ISBN-13: 978-1569802380
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 14.9 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,030,138 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Thank you for visiting my Amazon page! I'm currently finishing my eighth book, The Millionaire's Wife. It's about the 1990 contract murder of George Kogan on an Upper East Side Manhattan street in broad daylight. Fast-forward nearly 20 years, and Barbara Kogan, George's estranged wife at the time, admitted to hiring a hit man to have her husband gunned down. It's scheduled to be released in October 2011.

In the meantime, check out my other books and also watch for a third edition of The Killing of Tupac Shakur and a second edition of The Murder of Biggie Smalls. Thanks again for stopping by! --Cathy

Cathy Scott is an award-winning journalist and true crime author based in Las Vegas and San Diego. You can find out more about this author by visiting her web site at cathyscott dot com and womenincrimeink dot com. Also, visit Wikipedia's author page by searching for Cathy Scott.

Contact Cathy directly at [e-mail]

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

19 of 21 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Murder of a Mafia Daughter, January 7, 2003

By 

Steve Miller (Las Vegas, Nevada United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Murder of a Mafia Daughter: The Life and Tragic Death of Susan Berman (Hardcover)

Having lived in Las Vegas for most of my life, Ms. Scott's book brings back vivid memories of the spoiled kids of our town's originating citizens. Susan Berman, may she rest in peace, was one of those kids who was raised in the lap of luxury only experienced by the sons and daughters of the Vegas Mafia. Often times the hoods would use their kids as status symbols, providing the best schools, clothes, cars, etc. to impress their hoodlum friends. Susan is described in Murder of a Mafia Daughter as a perfect example of the heretofore ruling class of Vegas, a group who was cash rich and lacked the class to go with their cash. The book captivates all readers whether they grew up in Sin City, or not. What an inside look into the dark side of our town, and Susan Berman, an unfortunate victim of an unsolved murder. A victim because she wanted to maintain the life style she grew up enjoying, but could no longer afford after the untimely death of her Mob father. What a story! What a book! A great read.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

2.0 out of 5 stars Murder of a Mafia Daughter: Life and Tragic Death of Susan Berman, September 20, 2011

By 

Darren - See all my reviews

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Murder of a Mafia Daughter: The Life and Tragic Death of Susan Berman (Hardcover)

I really was excited to get this book and begin to read. That was where my excitement ended. The author is all over the place in each paragraph, chapter, thought, etc. I have read some sentences many times and others that I thought would have more depth fell short. I would like to know about this woman's life and the case being built around her murder. However, I feel there are a lot of words in this book just to get it long enough to be a book. It probably could have been an article.

I started to scan the pages for important facts and haven't been able to actually read full pages/chapters. I still want to get to the end, but the middle is painful.

5.0 out of 5 stars Good Quickie, January 26, 2011

By 

zero - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Murder of a Mafia Daughter: The Life and Tragic Death of Susan Berman (Hardcover)

Fascinating, convoluted, yet sad biography. If only she new her best friend Robert Durst was her life long boogie man. Highly recommend if you enjoy try crime or are a student of human nature.