This is the third Mark Shaw book I have read about Dorothy Kilgallen. I grew up watching Dorothy Kilgallen on What’s My Line and am fascinated by her mysterious death. It’s appalling that there hasn’t been further investigation into her death – an obvious murder. She was an elegant lady and a brilliant, gutsy and fearless reporter and deserves better. RIP Dorothy. I hope Mr. Shaw’s efforts eventually get you the justice you deserve.

As far as Marilyn Monroe, everything Mr. Shaw says about the circumstances of her death jive with what I was told by my mother nearly 60 years ago. I grew up in the 50’s-60’s just 25 minutes from the house on Fifth Helena where MM was murdered. It was no ” accidental overdose” or “suicide.” A friend of my parents was one of Monroe’s neighbors and she saw a lot of the “comings and goings” at Marilyn’s. I was only 11 at the time and my mother related all of this to me many years later. This family friend told my parents that she and other neighbors on their cul de sac were playing cards the afternoon of 8/4/62 when they heard a terrible commotion going on at Marilyn’s house. They heard RFK’s very distinctive accent. There was no question whatsoever WHO it was. He was hysterical, screaming “Where is it! Where is it!”… and MM was screaming at RFK to get out of her house. It was no secret they had been having an affair, but it was obviously OVER that day! Everything Mr. Shaw relates in this book about that day is exactly what my mother told me her friend heard. BOTH Kennedy brothers had disclosed top secret information to Marilyn, including confirmation of UFOs and the U.S govt’s failed attempts to kill Castro – and Marilyn liked to keep detailed notes of her conversations with both JFK and RFK in her diary. When RFK dumped her that weekend, MM threatened to go to the press that Monday and “tell all.” Monday never came for Marilyn.

Mr. Shaw isn’t afraid to “go there” and he connects all the dots — and names. This is an amazing investigative work into how the deaths of Monroe, JFK and Kilgallen all tie with one another…and how RFK is the key central figure in how they tie together. It’s fascinating reading. My only complaint is that the narrator mispronounces several names, but don’t let that deter you from buying this book. It is one of the best true crime books I have read in the last 10 years. If you buy this book, I recommend you get Shaw’s two other books about Dorothy Kilgallen and read them first. ALL are excellent!