The book “The Black Dahlia” by James Ellroy follows two LAPD detectives as they investigate the brutal murder of Elizabeth Short, a young woman whose story captures national attention.
Set in 1940s Los Angeles, the novel dives into the dark underbelly of the city, filled with corruption, obsession, and secrets. The case consumes the detectives, and their personal lives unravel as they confront the city’s gritty reality.
The book “L.A. Confidential” by James Ellroy is a gritty crime novel set in 1950s Los Angeles. It follows three very different police officers as they navigate corruption, scandal, and violent crime.
Their paths cross when a mass murder at a diner unravels a web of secrets tied to the city’s dark underbelly. The story is full of betrayals, power struggles, and the personal flaws of the characters, all shaped by the shadowy world they inhabit.
“Ask the Dust” by John Fante follows Arturo Bandini, a struggling writer living in Los Angeles during the Great Depression. He dreams of success but battles poverty and self-doubt.
The story explores his tumultuous relationship with a waitress named Camilla and his experiences in the city’s gritty streets and cheap hotels. Through Arturo’s eyes, you see a vivid portrayal of LA’s harsh beauty and the lives of those chasing dreams in a tough world.
Raymond Chandler’s “The Big Sleep” introduces private detective Philip Marlowe, who is hired by a wealthy, dying man to investigate a blackmail case involving his daughter. As Marlowe digs deeper, he uncovers a tangled web of crime, corruption, and betrayal in Los Angeles.
The story moves through smoky bars, shady mansions, and dangerous encounters, capturing the dark underbelly of the city. The sharp dialogue and vivid settings pull readers into a world where nothing is as it seems.
Michael Connelly wrote “City of Bones,” a crime novel featuring Detective Harry Bosch. When a dog uncovers human bones in the Hollywood Hills, Bosch investigates the case of a long-dead child buried decades earlier.
The trail leads him through the darker corners of Los Angeles, where old crimes and hidden truths surface. Bosch’s relentless pursuit of justice takes him into conflicts with both his superiors and his personal life.
The book “Devil in a Blue Dress” by Walter Mosley follows Ezekiel “Easy” Rawlins, a Black WWII veteran in 1948 Los Angeles, who is hired to find a missing woman named Daphne Monet. What starts as a simple job takes Easy into a world of crime, secrets, and dangerous people.
The story brings the city to life, with smoky jazz clubs, shady deals, and tension around every corner. Easy’s journey reveals more about the city’s underbelly and his own survival skills.
Raymond Chandler’s “Farewell, My Lovely” follows private detective Philip Marlowe as he gets entangled in a case involving an ex-con searching for his old girlfriend. The story takes him through seedy bars, a psychic’s parlor, and the criminal underworld of Los Angeles.
Along the way, Marlowe encounters corrupt cops, deceitful women, and deadly thugs, all while trying to piece together a puzzle that keeps twisting. The novel paints a gritty picture of the city and its darker side.
Bret Easton Ellis wrote “Less than Zero,” a novel about Clay, a college student who returns to Los Angeles for winter break. He steps back into a world of privilege, drugs, and disconnection.
Through his interactions with old friends and his growing awareness of their hollow lifestyles, the book paints a bleak picture of 1980s LA youth culture, exposing the darker side of excess and apathy.
The novel “Play It as It Lays” by Joan Didion follows Maria Wyeth, a woman navigating the emptiness and decay of Hollywood life. Struggling with personal loss and alienation, she drifts through a world of failed relationships and shallow encounters.
Set against the backdrop of Los Angeles and the desert, the story captures a fragmented, haunting look at despair and the facade of glamour.
The book “The Sellout: A Novel” by Paul Beatty follows a satirical and provocative story about race and identity in America.
It centers on a man in Los Angeles who decides to reinstate segregation and even brings back slavery in a bizarre effort to put his forgotten neighborhood back on the map.
The book is filled with biting humor and outrageous situations that challenge societal norms and historical assumptions.
The novel “The Day of the Locust” by Nathanael West captures the darker side of Hollywood in the 1930s. It follows Tod Hackett, an artist who moves to Los Angeles to work as a set designer, and his interactions with people chasing dreams in a city that doesn’t care.
The story includes a faded actress, a manipulative con artist, and a desperate crowd seeking fame and fortune, painting an eerie picture of broken dreams and disillusionment.
The book “What Makes Sammy Run?” by Budd Schulberg tells the story of Sammy Glick, a ruthless and ambitious man who claws his way to success in Hollywood.
Told through the eyes of Al Manheim, a newspaper columnist, it explores Sammy’s rise from a poor background to becoming a powerful figure in the film industry.
Along the way, Sammy betrays friends, manipulates colleagues, and sacrifices anyone who gets in his way, leaving behind questions about the cost of success and morality in a cutthroat world.
Michael Connelly wrote “Harry Bosch,” which follows LAPD detective Harry Bosch as he investigates the death of a fellow Vietnam veteran found in a drainpipe. The case leads him into a world of corruption and danger, as he uncovers secrets tied to the past.
Bosch’s determination to get to the truth sets the tone for a gritty and tense story in the streets of Los Angeles.
Charles Bukowski’s “Hollywood” takes readers into the chaotic world of filmmaking through the lens of his alter ego, Henry Chinaski. The book follows Chinaski as he navigates the absurdity of writing a screenplay and dealing with eccentric producers and actors.
It’s based on Bukowski’s experience writing the screenplay for the movie “Barfly.” The story captures the darker, stranger side of Los Angeles, filled with sharp humor and a no-nonsense look at the people behind the glittery facade.
“Hollywood” by Gore Vidal takes place during the early 20th century and dives into the political and social scene of Los Angeles and Washington, D.C.
It focuses on Caroline Sanford, a newspaper publisher, as she navigates the shifting power dynamics of World War I and Hollywood’s rise as a cultural force.
The story highlights the interplay between politics, media, and the emerging film industry, offering a mix of fictional and historical characters.
“The A-List” by Zoey Dean is about Anna Percy, a wealthy teenager, who leaves New York to spend time in Los Angeles. Her plan is to reinvent herself while mingling with Hollywood’s elite.
The story begins with Anna flying to California, where she quickly enters a world of high drama, social circles, and luxe parties. Her encounters with ambitious actors and glamorous friends reveal the glitzy yet chaotic life of the LA rich crowd.
James Frey wrote “Bright Shiny Morning,” a book that weaves together the lives of different characters in Los Angeles. It explores the city through their stories, highlighting struggles, dreams, and the harsh realities they face.
From a couple escaping their small-town past to a homeless man grappling with addiction, the book paints a vivid picture of life in L.A. with all its contrasts.
“Drive” by James Sallis tells the story of a Hollywood stunt driver who works as a getaway driver in the criminal underworld. Quiet and nameless, he operates by his own strict code. When a job goes sideways, he finds himself hunted by ruthless criminals.
The book captures the grit of Los Angeles and its shadowy corners, where danger feels close and trust is nonexistent.
Chester Himes wrote “If He Hollers Let Him Go,” a blunt and powerful story about racism and identity in 1940s Los Angeles. It follows Bob Jones, a Black man working in the shipyards during World War II, as he grapples with daily prejudice and the weight of systemic oppression.
Bob’s experiences are raw and unflinching, showcasing his struggle to maintain dignity in a society that constantly undermines him. Himes paints a vivid picture of wartime LA, exposing its deep racial divides and the impact on those forced to endure them.
“L.A. Requiem” by Robert Crais follows private investigator Elvis Cole as he helps his partner, Joe Pike, clear his name after Joe becomes a suspect in the murder of his ex-girlfriend. The story dives into Pike’s past and explores his connection to the victim.
As the investigation deepens, secrets and betrayals come to light, pulling Cole and Pike into a dangerous web involving the LAPD and a killer who won’t stop.
“Once Upon a Time in Hollywood: A Novel” by Quentin Tarantino follows the lives of actor Rick Dalton and his stunt double Cliff Booth as they navigate the changing entertainment industry in 1969 Los Angeles.
Rick is struggling to revive his fading career, while Cliff, who has a mysterious and possibly violent past, remains fiercely loyal to him.
Alongside their story, the book provides a detailed glimpse into Hollywood at the time, including Sharon Tate’s tragic fate and the looming presence of the Manson Family.
Oscar Zeta Acosta wrote “The Revolt of the Cockroach People,” a novel that follows a radical Chicano lawyer in 1970s Los Angeles as he fights for social justice and defends activists accused of crimes.
The story dives into protests, courtrooms, and the struggles of marginalized communities, painted against the backdrop of a city grappling with inequality and unrest.
Based on real events, it captures the raw energy of the Chicano Movement and highlights the conflicts between the oppressed and the establishment.
The novel “Anywhere But Here” by Mona Simpson follows the turbulent relationship between Adele, a restless and ambitious mother, and her daughter Ann. They leave their small-town life in Wisconsin and head to Los Angeles, where Adele dreams of success and glamour.
The story explores their struggles, secrets, and the push-and-pull of their bond as they face the harsh realities of chasing those dreams in a city that doesn’t offer easy answers.
John Rechy wrote “City of Night,” a novel that explores the underground world of hustlers, drifters, and outcasts in Los Angeles and other cities.
The story follows a young man who travels across America, stopping in Los Angeles to navigate a shadowy world of sexuality and survival. It paints a raw and vivid picture of the city’s hidden nightlife, reflecting the struggles and desires of its characters.
Charles Bukowski’s “Factotum” follows Henry Chinaski as he drifts through Los Angeles, taking on dead-end jobs and chasing his next drink. The story paints a raw and gritty picture of the city, filled with seedy bars, cheap apartments, and disconnection.
Chinaski’s dry humor and unfiltered observations keep you hooked as he navigates his aimless life. The book captures an unglamorous side of L.A. that lingers long after you turn the last page.
“In a Lonely Place” by Dorothy B. Hughes is a noir novel set in post-World War II Los Angeles. It follows Dix Steele, a troubled man spending his nights haunting city streets while claiming to be working on a novel.
Beneath his charming facade, he hides darker urges as a string of murders grips the city. The story focuses on his relationships, particularly with an old war buddy and a sharp, observant woman named Laurel, creating a tense and eerie atmosphere.
Janet Fitch wrote “Paint it Black,” a story about Josie Tyrell, a young art model living in Los Angeles in the wake of her boyfriend Michael’s suicide. The book dives into Josie’s grief and her complicated relationship with Michael’s mother, Meredith.
Set against the punk rock scene of 1980s LA, the story captures the clash between Josie’s gritty, vibrant world and the cold, privileged life Michael came from. Through their shared pain, the two women navigate loss and anger in this raw and emotional tale.
The book “Southland” by Nina Revoyr explores race, history, and community through the story of Jackie Ishida, a young Japanese-American lawyer. After her grandfather’s death, Jackie uncovers a series of hidden truths tied to a murder during the 1965 Watts Riots.
The story moves between different time periods, showing how personal and societal histories intersect in South Los Angeles.
Jackie Collins wrote “Hollywood Husbands,” a story set in the glamorous and chaotic world of Hollywood. The novel focuses on three men—an actor, a producer, and a TV host—whose lives intertwine in a mix of scandal, romance, and secrets.
Each of them hides something from their glittering public personas, and as the story unfolds, those secrets start to surface. The book offers a peek into the lives of the rich and famous, along with the chaos that often lies beneath the surface.
The book “Hollywood Wives” by Jackie Collins dives into the glitzy and scandal-filled lives of wealthy women in Los Angeles who are married to powerful men in the film industry. It follows their secrets, betrayals, and ambitions as their glamorous facades crumble.
There’s drama between friends, husbands with wandering eyes, and unexpected twists that bring their seemingly perfect lives to the brink.