By JAMES ELLROY

SUMMARY:The third volume of "The L.A. Quartet," — Ellroy's fictional alternative history of the City of Angels circa the 1940s and '50s. Volume 3 is considered by many to be Ellroy's finest novel to date. The book moves along three narrative paths tracking the rises and falls of the careers of Wendell "Bud" White, Ed Exley and "Trash Can" Jack Vincennes. Along the way are spoofs of Walt Disney and Disney World, a treatment of the historical "Bloody Christmas" scandal and real life personalities/felons Mickey Cohen and Spade Cooley. The book was also adapted into an Oscar-winning film in 1997.

PUBLISHER'S TEASER:"James Ellroy's L.A. CONFIDENTIAL is epic noir, a crime novel of astonishing detail and scope. It stands as a steel-edged time capsule — Los Angeles in the 1950s, a remarkable era defined in dark shadings.
"Pornography.
"Police Corruption.
"Gangland intrigue.
"A horrific mass murder than invades the lives of victims and victimizers on both sides of the law — three cops treading quicksand in the middle.
"Ed Exley wants glory. Haunted by his father's success as a policeman, he will pay any price, break any laws to eclipse him. Bud White watched his own father murder his mother — he is now bent on random vengeance, a time bomb with a badge. Trashcan Jack Vincennes shakes down movie stars for a scandal magazine. An old secret possesses him — he'll do anything to keep it buried. Three cops in a spiral, a nightmare that tests loyalty and courage, a nightmare that offers no mercy, allows for no survivors.
"Greed.
"Perversion.
"Ruthless ambition.
"L.A. CONFIDENTIAL is incendiary, a novel as broad and explosive as its themes. Here is James Ellroy's masterpiece, his stunning gifts stretched to the limit, darkness to haunt you in shades of red, gray, and black."
—© Mysterious Press

POINTS:The novel was first published by Mysterious Press in the U.S. (ISBN: 0-89296-293-3) on June 4, 1990 and totals 496 pages. Ellroy dedicated the book to Mary Doherty Ellroy.
The U.K. edition is extremely rare and boasts variant cover art that some have praised at the expense of the U.S. edition.
A limited edition of 100 signed and numbered copies, as well as 26-lettered copies was also released by Mysterious Press. Both versions were issued in black cloth with matching black slipcase. The U.K. hardcover edition of this book is also extremely rare.
Order the novel L.A. Confidential
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