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Ace in the Hole: The Bad Romance between a Legendary Killer and a Hollywood Playwright
A glamorous and talented Hollywood actress and playwright approaches one of America’s most notorious incarcerated serial killers to complete interviews and research for her new play. Hoping to leverage the murderer’s fame to her own advantage, our protagonist dreams of creating the next Hollywood horror hit, but her plans go awry when she underestimates the charisma and manipulative charms of her subject behind bars. Love turns into madness as he puts her devotion to the ultimate test… and invites her to act out the plot of her play in the real world.
“Ace in the Hole”, from the author of the bestselling “Gone: Catastrophe in Paradise”, is a novelette telling the true story of one of the most bizarre and little-known episodes in American true crime history.
“Ace in the Hole”, from the author of the bestselling “Gone: Catastrophe in Paradise”, is a novelette telling the true story of one of the most bizarre and little-known episodes in American true crime history.
- GenresTrue CrimeNonfiction
60 pages, Kindle Edition
Published February 9, 2019
About the author
O.J. Modjeska
13 books10 followers"Truth is stranger than fiction ... and this author offers horrifying insight..."
I am a true crime author who wears many other hats, including erstwhile historian and criminologist and avid consumer of books and TV series ... find out what I've been bingeing on in the ScreamingForStreaming blog at http://www.estoire.co/
More about:
OJ Modjeska is a criminologist, historian and author. She graduated from the University of Sydney with a PhD in Modern American History in 2004, and received her Graduate Diploma in Criminology from Sydney Law School in 2015. In 2015 she was awarded the JH McClemens Memorial Prize by Sydney Law School for her scholarship in criminology. Before pursuing a writing career she worked for many years as a legal writer and editor. She writes books of narrative non-fiction true crime and disaster analysis. Her books are suspenseful narratives which draw on her insights and expertise into history, criminal behavior and psychology.
OJ signed with Next Chapter Publishing in 2018. She continues to publish minor works under her own imprint, Estoire, named after the French for "a narrative of past events, presented as true, whose authenticity is attested by an authority".
I am a true crime author who wears many other hats, including erstwhile historian and criminologist and avid consumer of books and TV series ... find out what I've been bingeing on in the ScreamingForStreaming blog at http://www.estoire.co/
More about:
OJ Modjeska is a criminologist, historian and author. She graduated from the University of Sydney with a PhD in Modern American History in 2004, and received her Graduate Diploma in Criminology from Sydney Law School in 2015. In 2015 she was awarded the JH McClemens Memorial Prize by Sydney Law School for her scholarship in criminology. Before pursuing a writing career she worked for many years as a legal writer and editor. She writes books of narrative non-fiction true crime and disaster analysis. Her books are suspenseful narratives which draw on her insights and expertise into history, criminal behavior and psychology.
OJ signed with Next Chapter Publishing in 2018. She continues to publish minor works under her own imprint, Estoire, named after the French for "a narrative of past events, presented as true, whose authenticity is attested by an authority".
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
January 19, 2023
This was a fascinating expansion on a mention of a woman in a book about the Hillside murders. Her name is Veronica Compton and her story is quite bizarre. I knew of the incident, but never knew the details before. So I found this novella very enlightening.
January 22, 2023
This review is for an ARC copy received through NetGalley.
While I've learned a lot about Ken Bianchi and the Hillside Stranglers over the years from TV, movies and books, I had never heard anything about this chapter before. And it was a very interesting chapter about a woman who fell for Bianchi, and apparently eventually another serial killer. At times there seems to be a few too many superfluous details to lengthen the book, but overall it was a fascinating read.
While I've learned a lot about Ken Bianchi and the Hillside Stranglers over the years from TV, movies and books, I had never heard anything about this chapter before. And it was a very interesting chapter about a woman who fell for Bianchi, and apparently eventually another serial killer. At times there seems to be a few too many superfluous details to lengthen the book, but overall it was a fascinating read.
February 20, 2019
‘The woman at the heart of this case is in so many ways an enigma.’
Australian author OJ Modjeska is also a criminologist and historian in addition to writing in several formats, offering insights into history, criminal behavior and psychology. She graduated from the University of Sydney with a PhD in Modern American History in 2004, and received her Graduate Diploma in Criminology from Sydney Law School in 2015. In 2015 she was awarded the JH McClemens Memorial Prize by Sydney Law School for her scholarship in criminology. Before pursuing a writing career she worked for many years as a legal writer and editor.
True crime stories are the specialty of this very solid writer. She takes a real fact and buffs it in her special way to make a screen-worthy tale – even in the brief 60-page format. As a document regarding the validity of her story OJ opens the book with a Letter to Kenneth Bianchi (the serial killer) from Veronica Compton (playwright): ‘Ken, You don’t know me but I would like to visit you. My name is Ver Lyn. I am a playwright and I am currently writing a fictional play entitled “The Mutilated Cutter.’ The story is about a female mass murderer.’
The author offers a Foreword that places us in the midst of the historical event – ‘This novelette is based on real events that took place in Los Angeles, California and Washington state in the late seventies and early eighties. At the center of the story are two arrestingly strange individuals who fell into and unlikely romance: Veronica Lynn Compton, then a Hollywood actress and playwright, and the infamous serial killer Kenneth Bianchi, best known – along with his cousin Angelo Buono – as one of the Hillside Stranglers…who raped, tortured and strangled to death ten women in Los Angeles between October 1977 and February 1978, dumping their naked bodies on suburban streets and besides freeways in the north hills of Los Angeles, terrorizing the city over a five-month period.’
The story may be grizzly but the manner in which this adept criminologist historian relates her version is both arresting and fascinating – a strange Hollywood style ‘romance’ that went very wrong. The writing is excellent as is the writing in all of her books to date. OJ Modjeska is becoming an expert in her genre of true crime and true historical events, embellished by her very fine prose style.
Australian author OJ Modjeska is also a criminologist and historian in addition to writing in several formats, offering insights into history, criminal behavior and psychology. She graduated from the University of Sydney with a PhD in Modern American History in 2004, and received her Graduate Diploma in Criminology from Sydney Law School in 2015. In 2015 she was awarded the JH McClemens Memorial Prize by Sydney Law School for her scholarship in criminology. Before pursuing a writing career she worked for many years as a legal writer and editor.
True crime stories are the specialty of this very solid writer. She takes a real fact and buffs it in her special way to make a screen-worthy tale – even in the brief 60-page format. As a document regarding the validity of her story OJ opens the book with a Letter to Kenneth Bianchi (the serial killer) from Veronica Compton (playwright): ‘Ken, You don’t know me but I would like to visit you. My name is Ver Lyn. I am a playwright and I am currently writing a fictional play entitled “The Mutilated Cutter.’ The story is about a female mass murderer.’
The author offers a Foreword that places us in the midst of the historical event – ‘This novelette is based on real events that took place in Los Angeles, California and Washington state in the late seventies and early eighties. At the center of the story are two arrestingly strange individuals who fell into and unlikely romance: Veronica Lynn Compton, then a Hollywood actress and playwright, and the infamous serial killer Kenneth Bianchi, best known – along with his cousin Angelo Buono – as one of the Hillside Stranglers…who raped, tortured and strangled to death ten women in Los Angeles between October 1977 and February 1978, dumping their naked bodies on suburban streets and besides freeways in the north hills of Los Angeles, terrorizing the city over a five-month period.’
The story may be grizzly but the manner in which this adept criminologist historian relates her version is both arresting and fascinating – a strange Hollywood style ‘romance’ that went very wrong. The writing is excellent as is the writing in all of her books to date. OJ Modjeska is becoming an expert in her genre of true crime and true historical events, embellished by her very fine prose style.
January 23, 2023
A huge thanks to Netgalley for the Arc.
In order to gain insight into the mind of a murderer, a glitzy and brilliant Hollywood actress and screenwriter reaches one of America's most infamously imprisoned serial killers. She conducted an interview him as part of her study for her new play, hoping to shine a spotlight on his celebrity. She aspires to write the next Cinematic horror hit, but her schemes go haywire when she underestimates the individual's persuasion and conniving charms behind bars. As he puts her reverence to the ultimate test, love shifts to madness... and entices her to perform the map of her theatre in real life
The fact that this is a true crime story makes the overall readings even more chilling and traumatising. Wicked, disturbing and horrifying. Author did a marvellous job depicting each character's values and personality, while messing with the readers' mind whether to trust them or not. In truth, we can never know the true intention of a person. Despite rooting for the innocent, there is no innocent for those who commit crime in the eyes of the law. In my opinion, there is more that meets the eye regarding this Veronica person. I was actually sympathies with her, as she was being manipulated by Ken, but sometimes one must be held responsible to the wrongs they did especially under the influence of unregistered medication. There is no remorse when it comes to serial killers. They don't really have a heart i guess.
I want to applaud the author for her splendid writings as it successfully gripped me from beginning to the end. I wasn't a fan of true crime before, but OJ Modjeska changes that for me.
In order to gain insight into the mind of a murderer, a glitzy and brilliant Hollywood actress and screenwriter reaches one of America's most infamously imprisoned serial killers. She conducted an interview him as part of her study for her new play, hoping to shine a spotlight on his celebrity. She aspires to write the next Cinematic horror hit, but her schemes go haywire when she underestimates the individual's persuasion and conniving charms behind bars. As he puts her reverence to the ultimate test, love shifts to madness... and entices her to perform the map of her theatre in real life
The fact that this is a true crime story makes the overall readings even more chilling and traumatising. Wicked, disturbing and horrifying. Author did a marvellous job depicting each character's values and personality, while messing with the readers' mind whether to trust them or not. In truth, we can never know the true intention of a person. Despite rooting for the innocent, there is no innocent for those who commit crime in the eyes of the law. In my opinion, there is more that meets the eye regarding this Veronica person. I was actually sympathies with her, as she was being manipulated by Ken, but sometimes one must be held responsible to the wrongs they did especially under the influence of unregistered medication. There is no remorse when it comes to serial killers. They don't really have a heart i guess.
I want to applaud the author for her splendid writings as it successfully gripped me from beginning to the end. I wasn't a fan of true crime before, but OJ Modjeska changes that for me.
March 2, 2024
Interesting and engaging novella about Veronica Compton, the "ace in the hole" of Hillside Strangler Kenneth Bianchi. Her habits, her goals and the manipulation that happened at the hands of Bianchi make up the first 3/4 of the book, with the last 1/4 devoted to her activities in jail, the various trials she took part in, and her parole.
Overall, an interesting look at a real woman who let her fascination with a killer morph into something dangerous. Thank you to Netgalley for the arc. This is a voluntary review, and all opinions are my own.
Overall, an interesting look at a real woman who let her fascination with a killer morph into something dangerous. Thank you to Netgalley for the arc. This is a voluntary review, and all opinions are my own.
June 1, 2020
An interesting little novelette that can easily be read in well 2hrs max probably depending on your reading speed. But it is £1 on Amazon so that’s fine, knew was a short read. The true story of the Hollywood model/actress/playwright who contacts a serial killer to research a play & ends up being tied up in a plot to commit a copycat murder to try & clear the actual killer of his crimes by tricking the authorities that the real killer is still on the loose. An interesting read & look into one of the more extreme versions of people who fall for killers once they are incarcerated. I was just wondering about this in the morning oddly so interesting to read a case & hear about the background of the one involved (this is not about the SK by the way, it is just briefly summed up in regards to their crimes). The actress actually wrote a book of her own about rehabilitation/punishment for female offenders in the US. Which I ordered as found cheap on Amazon preowned & figured worth a shot.
I would like to read a full book on those that romantically (or otherwise, occasionally) get in contact with killers in Jail. It would be an interesting study to see the psychology behind it & how many times it ends up horribly like this. Or perhaps there are occasions with a bizarre version of a happy ever after (I guess this would be where they do not manipulate you or worse & you remain happily committed to them?)
You would think there is a book out there. Hybristophilia for dummies?
Hopefully I will spy it at some point or maybe see a criminology or psychology journal paper on it.
But in short, interesting read. Worth the low price for a quick interesting way to spend a chunk of time if you have an interest in this kind of thing.
I would like to read a full book on those that romantically (or otherwise, occasionally) get in contact with killers in Jail. It would be an interesting study to see the psychology behind it & how many times it ends up horribly like this. Or perhaps there are occasions with a bizarre version of a happy ever after (I guess this would be where they do not manipulate you or worse & you remain happily committed to them?)
You would think there is a book out there. Hybristophilia for dummies?
Hopefully I will spy it at some point or maybe see a criminology or psychology journal paper on it.
But in short, interesting read. Worth the low price for a quick interesting way to spend a chunk of time if you have an interest in this kind of thing.
July 18, 2023
A Classic Case of Habristophilia
This book is based on real events that took place in Los Angeles, California and Washington state in the late seventies and early eighties. At the centre of the story are two very strange individuals who fell into a romance.
The book is an interesting read about Hollywood actor Veronica Compton. Heather gets involved with Ken Bianchi the Hillside Strangle. who raped, tortured, and strangled to death ten women in Los Angeles between October 1977 and February 1978.
The Author OJ Modjeska has done an excellent job depicting each character's personality and values. Without giving too much away Heather writes to Bianchi saying that she is researching a play and would like to interview him. Very quickly after meeting him she ends up being tied up in a plot to commit a copycat murder to try and clear Bianchi of the murders he has committed. They both believe by tricking the authorities that the real killer is still out in the community on the loose and Bianchi will be let loose.
It was a fascinating read as I have read a few books on the Hillside stranglers, but I did not know much about Veronica Compton. Who sends a photograph after swimming in her nightgown to a known serial killer. I find Heather to clearly have habristophilia and she has a classic case of being in love with a serial killer.
Compton is an extremely dangerous woman who has no remorse and draws people into her madness. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes True Crime. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
This book is based on real events that took place in Los Angeles, California and Washington state in the late seventies and early eighties. At the centre of the story are two very strange individuals who fell into a romance.
The book is an interesting read about Hollywood actor Veronica Compton. Heather gets involved with Ken Bianchi the Hillside Strangle. who raped, tortured, and strangled to death ten women in Los Angeles between October 1977 and February 1978.
The Author OJ Modjeska has done an excellent job depicting each character's personality and values. Without giving too much away Heather writes to Bianchi saying that she is researching a play and would like to interview him. Very quickly after meeting him she ends up being tied up in a plot to commit a copycat murder to try and clear Bianchi of the murders he has committed. They both believe by tricking the authorities that the real killer is still out in the community on the loose and Bianchi will be let loose.
It was a fascinating read as I have read a few books on the Hillside stranglers, but I did not know much about Veronica Compton. Who sends a photograph after swimming in her nightgown to a known serial killer. I find Heather to clearly have habristophilia and she has a classic case of being in love with a serial killer.
Compton is an extremely dangerous woman who has no remorse and draws people into her madness. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes True Crime. Thanks to NetGalley and to the publishers of this book for giving me a free advance copy of the book to preview and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
March 22, 2023
True Crime
OJ Modjeska - Ace In The Hole:
The Bad Romance Between a Legendary Killer and a Hollywood Playwright
Rating: 3.75⭐
A glamorous and talented Hollywood actress and playwright approaches one of America's most notorious incarcerated serial killers, seeking insight into the mind of a murderer.
Hoping to leverage his fame to her own advantage, she interviews him as part of research for her new play. She dreams of creating the next Hollywood horror hit, but her plans go awry when she underestimates the charisma and manipulative charms of the subject behind bars.
When it comes to true crimes, im a huge true fan. I've watched lots of movies and documentary but ive read only a few books. So when i realised this book was one, i quickly requested for it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of Ace in the Hole in exchange for an honest review!
This novella was really good. It was fast-paced and I finished within few hours taking breaks to read more about the story online which made this book more interesting and understandable.
It was all new to me as i had never heard of Ken Bianchi (Hillside Stranglers) or Veronica Compton prior to this book so it was very interesting to read.
The author did a good job given us the detailed account of the relationship between the two and it’s eventual untangling.
I still think she had habristophilia, even though she denies it, she's a classic case of being in love with the serial killer. Period!!
Though I felt a bit sorry for her, in entirety im still not sure how I feel about her.
The introduction of other people from other crimes into the story was a bonus.
OJ Modjeska - Ace In The Hole:
The Bad Romance Between a Legendary Killer and a Hollywood Playwright
Rating: 3.75⭐
A glamorous and talented Hollywood actress and playwright approaches one of America's most notorious incarcerated serial killers, seeking insight into the mind of a murderer.
Hoping to leverage his fame to her own advantage, she interviews him as part of research for her new play. She dreams of creating the next Hollywood horror hit, but her plans go awry when she underestimates the charisma and manipulative charms of the subject behind bars.
When it comes to true crimes, im a huge true fan. I've watched lots of movies and documentary but ive read only a few books. So when i realised this book was one, i quickly requested for it.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of Ace in the Hole in exchange for an honest review!
This novella was really good. It was fast-paced and I finished within few hours taking breaks to read more about the story online which made this book more interesting and understandable.
It was all new to me as i had never heard of Ken Bianchi (Hillside Stranglers) or Veronica Compton prior to this book so it was very interesting to read.
The author did a good job given us the detailed account of the relationship between the two and it’s eventual untangling.
I still think she had habristophilia, even though she denies it, she's a classic case of being in love with the serial killer. Period!!
Though I felt a bit sorry for her, in entirety im still not sure how I feel about her.
The introduction of other people from other crimes into the story was a bonus.
January 29, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for a copy of Ace in the Hole in exchange for an honest review!
I’ve always been a big fan of true crime, whether it be through podcasts, films or books. I was unfamiliar with the story of the Hillside Stranglers, so the description of this book caught my eye while looking for my next read on NetGalley. This novella follows Veronica Compton, a Hollywood actress and playwright, who dreams of creating a horror play and finds interest in Ken Bianchi, one of two men who formed the Hillside Stranglers. Veronica reaches out to Bianchi on numerous occasions while he is in prison, writing him letters and sending him her manuscript, which is inflicted by the Hillside Strangler murders. One key difference is that she chooses a woman as the killer, who strangles and murders her victims. By attempting contact with Bianchi, Veronica’s goal it to gain access to prison visits and gather additional information about the murders, to help further her play and get it into production. We follow Veronica as she falls in love with Bianchi and claims that she is essentially brainwashed into doing his bidding, nearly committing a murder in order to prove that Bianchi did not commit any of the crimes he was accused of.
This novella provides great insight into Veronica’s life and the decisions she made during her relationship with Bianchi and the aftermath of her time in prison. While drugs did play a large role in her mental state during these years, I did find myself feeling bad for Veronica and all that she went through. I think that fans of True Crime will enjoy this read.
I’ve always been a big fan of true crime, whether it be through podcasts, films or books. I was unfamiliar with the story of the Hillside Stranglers, so the description of this book caught my eye while looking for my next read on NetGalley. This novella follows Veronica Compton, a Hollywood actress and playwright, who dreams of creating a horror play and finds interest in Ken Bianchi, one of two men who formed the Hillside Stranglers. Veronica reaches out to Bianchi on numerous occasions while he is in prison, writing him letters and sending him her manuscript, which is inflicted by the Hillside Strangler murders. One key difference is that she chooses a woman as the killer, who strangles and murders her victims. By attempting contact with Bianchi, Veronica’s goal it to gain access to prison visits and gather additional information about the murders, to help further her play and get it into production. We follow Veronica as she falls in love with Bianchi and claims that she is essentially brainwashed into doing his bidding, nearly committing a murder in order to prove that Bianchi did not commit any of the crimes he was accused of.
This novella provides great insight into Veronica’s life and the decisions she made during her relationship with Bianchi and the aftermath of her time in prison. While drugs did play a large role in her mental state during these years, I did find myself feeling bad for Veronica and all that she went through. I think that fans of True Crime will enjoy this read.
February 18, 2019
Ace in the Hole is a true crime story centered around the life of a former Hollywood actress cum playwright- Veronica Compton. The book is short and encompasses the actual incident that occurred to lead the playwright behind the jail, her attempt to escape the confines of the jail, the life in freedom, and an analysis of what went wrong. The author Modjeska narrates the whole thing in an impartial manner, but, the write up does gain the playwright my sympathy and I wish that Compton may be living a better life now.
To give a hint about the story- Compton's life was led in abuse. The glimpse of beauty, fame, and success, was just a facade for concealing the ugliness of her real life. The lady is attracted towards all the wrong men- finally being manipulated by a serial killer that makes her lead a major part of her youth behind the confines of a bar. The author has done her research quite thoroughly and even produces the letter and the photograph that first caught the attention of the serial killer- Kenneth Bianchi and the unforgivable happens.
To give a hint about the story- Compton's life was led in abuse. The glimpse of beauty, fame, and success, was just a facade for concealing the ugliness of her real life. The lady is attracted towards all the wrong men- finally being manipulated by a serial killer that makes her lead a major part of her youth behind the confines of a bar. The author has done her research quite thoroughly and even produces the letter and the photograph that first caught the attention of the serial killer- Kenneth Bianchi and the unforgivable happens.
January 29, 2023
When Veronica Compton wrote Anthony Bianchi a letter she claimed she wanted to write a screenplay about a female serial killer but it seems she may have had ulterior motives because soon after she claimed to be in love with the serial killer and would go above and beyond to prove her devotion. The model/screen writer was at the very least a mover in the shaker and at the most the desire of the men who knew her but eventually she would only have eyes for Bianchi Author OJ Modjeska has written a detailed account of the relationship and it’s eventual untangling. I thought he did a superb job and read this all in one sitting. It’s definitely a book any True Crime fan should have in the library especially those who found the Hillside stranglers interesting. Just an FYI the author also wrote a detailed book about the two serial killers Anthony Bianchi and his cousin who he worship also. I found the details about Veronica‘s life very interesting I also found it interesting that she didn’t want to call what she had habristophilia, even though she had a classic case of being in love with the serial killer. I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes True Crime or at the very least the things that lead to it. I received this book from NetGalley and the publisher but I am leaving this review voluntarily please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.
February 18, 2019
Ace in the Hole: The Bad Romance between a Legendary Killer and a Hollywood Playwright by O.J. Modjeska is the true crime story of Kenneth Bianchi, a killer, and Veronica Compton, a play writer and would be murderer. As Modjeska delves into the true story of this odd couple's relationship and how it played out, we are witness to their treachery. The notorious Hillside strangler killings that happened in Los Angeles during the late 1970's and early 1980's thrust that area into the spotlight, and created a sense of panic in the city. Women were afraid to leave their homes and when they did, they often took things to protect themselves. In light of Bianchi's notorious crimes, Compton contacted Bianchi while he was incarcerated to do research on her play, but soon becomes entangled in a relationship with this serial killer. This is a fascinating look at a horrific time in American history, featuring two very disturbed individuals.
January 19, 2023
#NetGalley #truecrime
I have read many true crime books but I am not familiar with The Hillside Strangler or any part of their crimes. For me this story was more about the mental illness hybristophilia, an attraction to someone who has committed an outrageous crime, well outside society’s norm.
Being mentally ill while also an addict and heavy drinker leads to poor choices. On one hand as a mother this combination is dangerous for the child, yet she plays the victim of the ex husband. God bless him for getting the child out of this situation. Being a aspiring writer and wanting to research serial killers is a far cry from “gazing dreamily, longingly at the perfection of the elegant white hands that had tightened so many nooses.”
You are not caught in a web if you are the one seeking out the danger. She enjoyed it, she thrived on it, she was in control. “He didn’t strike her as a bad guy”. She did the crime, she deserved the time.
Thank you NetGalley for providing this book in exchange for a review.
I have read many true crime books but I am not familiar with The Hillside Strangler or any part of their crimes. For me this story was more about the mental illness hybristophilia, an attraction to someone who has committed an outrageous crime, well outside society’s norm.
Being mentally ill while also an addict and heavy drinker leads to poor choices. On one hand as a mother this combination is dangerous for the child, yet she plays the victim of the ex husband. God bless him for getting the child out of this situation. Being a aspiring writer and wanting to research serial killers is a far cry from “gazing dreamily, longingly at the perfection of the elegant white hands that had tightened so many nooses.”
You are not caught in a web if you are the one seeking out the danger. She enjoyed it, she thrived on it, she was in control. “He didn’t strike her as a bad guy”. She did the crime, she deserved the time.
Thank you NetGalley for providing this book in exchange for a review.
February 21, 2019
A true crime story that will shake you all the way to your soul
Veronica Compton was a sad story of existence from a young age. This young girl molested and raped from a young age by family and close friends over several years. This book is the story of what happened to her and how she became a successful and beautiful Hollywood elite. As a playwright, she has designs on a new story that features a female serial killer. This is where she meets a real serial killer in hopes of getting a true look into the process. Take this journey of discovery as we see the life of Veronica Compton play out on the pages of this emotional twisted ride down a horrible trail. Check this one out folks. It will keep you up at night thinking about the series of events that led to this moment.
Veronica Compton was a sad story of existence from a young age. This young girl molested and raped from a young age by family and close friends over several years. This book is the story of what happened to her and how she became a successful and beautiful Hollywood elite. As a playwright, she has designs on a new story that features a female serial killer. This is where she meets a real serial killer in hopes of getting a true look into the process. Take this journey of discovery as we see the life of Veronica Compton play out on the pages of this emotional twisted ride down a horrible trail. Check this one out folks. It will keep you up at night thinking about the series of events that led to this moment.
January 30, 2023
A novella that gives a quick overview of the "relationship" between herself and Kenneth Bianchi (one half of the Hillside Stranglers). It's not a bad story but for me it got a bit bogged down at times in the analysis. I would have rather known more from her own words from her own diary/book and from court transcripts. Still an interesting fast read. Thanks to Netgalley, the author and publishers for an advanced copy in exchange for my honest opinion.
September 4, 2023
This was a really interesting take on a woman's madness when she falls in love with a killer. It was short enough to keep me interest and an easy read. I really like the character of Veronica and her journey and felt bad for her by the end of the book as she was a victim of manipulation but I also believed what happened should have happened. It's fascinating to see through this book how a killer case can impact someone who wasn't even a victim and how it can derail their life.
March 8, 2023
I find it intriguing how women can fall head over heals for those the rest find only disgust. How can someone love, follow and sometimes marry another that has done such horrific acts against others. If you like true crime stories then this is one to read.
March 8, 2023
I find it intriguing how women can fall head over heals for those the rest find only disgust. How can someone love, follow and sometimes marry another that has done such horrific acts against others. If you like true crime stories then this is one to read.
May 6, 2022
Bo-ring.
What did I just read?! 60 pages of an unstable woman giving her all trying to get a psychopath out of prison.
What did I just read?! 60 pages of an unstable woman giving her all trying to get a psychopath out of prison.
March 20, 2023
It was okay, kind of boring. But that just may be my desensitation to true crime. Probably wouldn't read it again
April 13, 2023
I can't find any history of a glamourous actress, model, playwright of any consequence by her name prior to her crimes. Anybody know any "known" productions or actors who knew her?
April 18, 2023
Thank you Netgalley for the ARC. This was a strange read in my opinion. It tells the story of a woman who falls under the spell of a serial killers charms. It was a quick easy read.
February 5, 2023
Thank you to NetGalley for this ARC. I received an advance review copy for free, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.
As a lover of true crime I found this chapter to be incredibly fascinating. I learnt a lot more about one of the Hillside Stranglers than I initially knew. It was interesting to read about the relationship between Veronica and Ken, they both had their own agendas entering into their relationship but where Ken was only using Veronica to try to get himself out of prison, Veronica who started out communicating with Ken for research purposes ended up falling in love with him. To the point where she ended up in prison herself.
This definitely brought a new layer to the already widely known Hillside Stranglers case and I really enjoyed learning more about it.
As a lover of true crime I found this chapter to be incredibly fascinating. I learnt a lot more about one of the Hillside Stranglers than I initially knew. It was interesting to read about the relationship between Veronica and Ken, they both had their own agendas entering into their relationship but where Ken was only using Veronica to try to get himself out of prison, Veronica who started out communicating with Ken for research purposes ended up falling in love with him. To the point where she ended up in prison herself.
This definitely brought a new layer to the already widely known Hillside Stranglers case and I really enjoyed learning more about it.
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