Childhood Shadows

Book excerpt: Electronic Distribution Date: October 1999 Printed & Bound Distribution Date: October 1999 This is a unique and compelling account of the Black Dahlia murder - one of Hollywood's most infamous unsolved crimes. Childhood Shadows: The Hidden Story of the Black Dahlia Murder combines the author's personal experience as a close friend of Elizabeth Short with in-depth research, bringing a unique perspective and opening up an intriguing new area of speculation about who the killer might be. Author Mary Pacios sets the stage by recreating the neighborhood she shared with Elizabeth 'Bette' Short during the years of the Great Depression and World War II. The war ends, but instead of peace, the horrendous murder of the young and beautiful Elizabeth Short sends shock waves through the nation. Years later, haunted by the unsolved murder of her childhood friend, Pacios sets out to discover the true circumstances surrounding her friend's brutal death. Because of her personal relationship with the victim, Pacios gains access to officials close to the investigation, who discuss with her unpublicized details of the case and their own privately held theories about who murdered the Black Dahlia. A Network of people sent Pacios information and gave her referrals. The research that Pacios expected to last only a few months, turned into a strange ten-year odyssey, leading her to a well-known celebrity whose name as a suspect is likely to startle millions. Appendices of public documents, an extensive annotated bibliography and photographs are included.