The Lioness

The Lioness by Chris Bohjalian 336 pages 

When I first started hearing about Bohjalian’s 2022 book, I heard it was about Old Hollywood. I adore stories about Old Hollywood. However, the novel’s timeframe, 1964, isn’t Old Hollywood. I was disappointed but dug in anyway. Bohjalian always comes through with a great read, and this one is no different. 

At first, the unique structure was off-putting, but by the end, I thought it was brilliant. Each chapter would start with current time (1964), but then switch to each character’s backstory. As the novel progressed, in each chapter, narrated by one of the ten top characters, the structure shifted, dealing more with what was happening than backstories.  

In 1964, one of the most glamorous and A-list actresses in Hollywood, Katie Barstow, marries gallerist David Hill. Instead of a traditional honeymoon, they take seven others with whom they are close with, along on a photo safari to Tanzania, Africa. They hire a famous guide, Charlie Patton, who puts together a “civilized adventure.” However, it’s hot on the Serengeti, and there is nothing Charlie can do about that. 

Not long after they arrive, the group is attacked by Russian mercenaries. They shoot most of the porters and guides, leaving Katie, David and their entourage defenseless. The Russians round them up, divide them up and shove them into the Land Rovers, “guns to their heads,” and head out into the desert. What follows brims with dread; this reader had her heart in her stomach for the rest of the book. 

All are terrified, but the Russians show no mercy. As thy group travels across the plains, each takes chances they would never take back in Hollywood, chances that will haunt them for the rest of their lives. 

Even given the dismays I pointed out earlier. “The Lioness” still receives 6 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world. That sense of dread and several shocking events kept this reader up long past her bedtime.  

 

Kennedy's Avenger: Assassination, Conspiracy and the Forgotten Trial of Jack Ruby

 Kennedy’s Avenger: Assassination, Conspiracy and the Forgotten Trial of Jack Ruby by Dan Abrams and David Fisher 400 pages

It seems each time there is a trial that the entire nation is watching, whether it be via newspapers, radio or television, it’s called “the trial of the century.” The 20^th Century had a number of the sensational trials.

First it was the 1905 trial of Henry K. Thaw, heir to coal and railway fortune, for the murder of renowned architect Stanford White. Following that was the 1924 trail of Nathan Leopold and Richard Loeb for the murder of fourteen-year-old Bobby Franks and their attempt to commit “the perfect crime.” Others that followed were the Lindbergh Baby kidnapping and murder (1932); the espionage trial of Ethel and Julius Rosenberg (early 1950s) and the O. J. Trial (1995).

Those are the ones that come easily to mind; I’m sure there were others. However, there is one forgotten “the trial of the century.” One that had millions of eyewitnesses: The murder of JFK assassinator Lee Harvey Oswald by Jack Ruby. Television cameras showed Ruby step out of crowd, shove a pistol into Oswald’s stomach and pull the trigger.

The writing team of Dan Abrams and David Fisher explores this trial in their new book, “Kennedy’s Avenger: Assassination, Conspiracy and the Forgotten Trial of Jack Ruby.”

I admit that I have a rather morbid fascination with JFK and his death. One of the top questions I have on my to-ask-God list when I get to heaven is “who was behind the JFK murder?” There seems to be so many right answers to that question that they are all suspect.

Abrams and Fisher’s book opens with an overview of the assassination. Fortunately they do not rehash JFK’s death all over again or Oswald’s reasons. They do a fabulous job staying focused on what Jack Ruby did and his attempt for justice both behind the gun and behind bars.

Readers get a solid look at Jack Ruby and his life. I knew he was a nightclub owner and operator. He had bouts with depression and mental illness ran rampant through his family. To me, getting to know Ruby was far more interesting than the trial.

And the trial! What a circus! It makes the O.J. Trial look like a church picnic. All during the trial, Ruby sat staring straight ahead, seemingly detached and not much interested. For the defense was the Melvin Belli, “the nation’s most flamboyant lawyer.” For the prosecution, the “tough-as-Texas” Henry Wade. Presiding over the shenanigans was Judge Joe B. Brown, who “had been elected (to) his position. He was not a lawyer and lacked legal knowledge.”  Can you imagine someone with that lack of qualifications presiding over a high profile case today? Me either.

The antics that went on in that truly gave me a headache. I cannot imagine being on that jury. Heck, it took Judge Brown seventeen minutes just to read the charge against Ruby. How they were able to return a verdict in two hours and nineteen minutes is beyond me. I would still be trying to look pass the all the antics.

One thing that I did not care for, and subsequently glossed over, was when the authors gave a history of different things about and during the trial. That happened about five times, I believe.  Therefore “Kennedy’s Avenger: Assassination, Conspiracy and the Forgotten Trial of Jack Ruby”  receives 4 out of 5 stars in Julie’s world.

 

The Way You Die Tonight

 

The Way You Die Tonight (A Rat Pack Mystery) by Robert J. Randisi    196 pages

Number 9 in the series.

As always, I look forward to the publication of a new “Rat Pack” mystery. They are fun and easy-going

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In this episode, Edward G. Robinson needs to learn more about playing poker and try out his character for an upcoming movie, The Cincinnati Kid, with Steve McQueen. 

The Sands Casino owner, Jack Entratter, turns EGR over to Eddie Gianelli, pit boss, friend to the Rat Pack, and fixer of whatever needs to be fixed.  And here, Eddie needs to get EGR into some high stakes poker games, a feat not as easy as it might seem. And of course, this is also a personal favor to Rat Pack Chairman Frank Sinatra.

In the meantime, billionaire Howard Hughes is in Vegas and wants to see Eddie. This makes Eddie a little nervous. What could Hughes want from him?

As Eddie starts to juggle those two balls, Entratter’s secretary has disappeared, only to be found strung up in the Ladies Room down the hall. Eddie calls in his pals, private dick Danny and bruise Jerry from Brooklyn. And with the gang all there, bullets and fists start to fly, plus the guys’ investigations takes them to the seedier side of Vegas.

Another easy read mystery from Randisi. I read The Way You Die Tonight on a 7-hour road trip and loved every minute of it.  I give it five out of five stars.