From Publishers Weekly
While the 1920s roared with speakeasies full of illegal liquor and short skirts, New York City was carved up into fiefdoms by the grasping political bosses of Tammany Hall. Bugliosi (Helter Skelter) and Stadiem (Passport to Pleasure) meticulously color in the outlines of a scandalous murder case from that time. Emily Stanton was a beautiful 17-year-old chorus girl when Warren Matthews first spotted her. After their marriage, the up-and-coming Tammany businessman forbade her return to the stage, violently squelching her attempts to disobey. When Emily left him, Warren had her jailed as a prostitute, in one swift stroke gaining custody of their daughter and grounds for a divorce, while Emily's reputation was utterly ruined. After serving time, she became a hostess at a raucous, glittering speakeasy and worked as a high-priced call girl who "dated" many of the men who ran New York. The case she built against Tammany Hall backfired when Warren was murdered and she was set up to take the fall, but in a trial that rocked New York, she found a grandstand for her inside knowledge of corruption. Regrettably stiff overtones mar both dialogue and narrative, taking away from the enchantment of the era the authors work hard to create. The book is engrossing and entertaining nonetheless, and the salacious details of this "true sex scandal" should keep many readers turning pages. 75,000 first printing; $75,000 ad/promo; movie rights to Lorimar; author tour. Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
While the 1920s roared with speakeasies full of illegal liquor and short skirts, New York City was carved up into fiefdoms by the grasping political bosses of Tammany Hall. Bugliosi (Helter Skelter) and Stadiem (Passport to Pleasure) meticulously color in the outlines of a scandalous murder case from that time. Emily Stanton was a beautiful 17-year-old chorus girl when Warren Matthews first spotted her. After their marriage, the up-and-coming Tammany businessman forbade her return to the stage, violently squelching her attempts to disobey. When Emily left him, Warren had her jailed as a prostitute, in one swift stroke gaining custody of their daughter and grounds for a divorce, while Emily's reputation was utterly ruined. After serving time, she became a hostess at a raucous, glittering speakeasy and worked as a high-priced call girl who "dated" many of the men who ran New York. The case she built against Tammany Hall backfired when Warren was murdered and she was set up to take the fall, but in a trial that rocked New York, she found a grandstand for her inside knowledge of corruption. Regrettably stiff overtones mar both dialogue and narrative, taking away from the enchantment of the era the authors work hard to create. The book is engrossing and entertaining nonetheless, and the salacious details of this "true sex scandal" should keep many readers turning pages. 75,000 first printing; $75,000 ad/promo; movie rights to Lorimar; author tour. Copyright 1987 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Sex, murder and the roaring twenties.
Set in the Roaring Twenties, written by the DA who prosecuted Charles Manson. Based on a true story of love, sex, political corruption and a woman's struggle to fight Tammany Hall in New York City. Couldn't put it down. Excellent.
This book is great reading by Vincent Bugliosi re. a true case - Vivian Gordon.
Loosely based around the life and times of Vivian Gordon - the convicted prostitute who tried to fight the corruption of Tammany Hall and lost - Lullaby and Good Night introduces us to Emily Stanton - a beautiful 17-year-old chorus girl who meets up-and-coming Tammany businessman, Warren Matthews. Vivacious Emily is ultimately swept off her feet and into marriage to Warren, but the marriage eventually turns sour as Warren forbids Emily's return to the stage. He violently squelches her attempts to disobey and she leaves him. Warren immediately has Emily jailed for prostitution, thus gaining custody of their daughter and grounds for a divorce in one fell swoop.
After serving time, her reputation in ruins, Emily becomes a hostess at a raucous, glittering speakeasy; a high-priced call girl who "dated" many of the men who ran New York. The case which she built against Tammany Hall backfires when Warren is murdered and she is set up to take the fall. In a murder trial that rocks New York, Emily finds a platform to reveal her inside knowledge of corruption.
As I said before, I had read Helter Skelter many, many years ago and disliked it. In my opinion, Helter Skelter was incredibly long and detailed. Because of this, I was slightly wary of reading another Vincent Bugliosi book. I was extremely surprised by how much I actually enjoyed this book. I give this book an A+! I perhaps wouldn't recommend every book by Vincent Bugliosi, however I do recommend Lullaby and Good Night and I have high hopes for another Vincent Bugliosi book which I have on my bookshelf, And the Sea Will Tell.
After serving time, her reputation in ruins, Emily becomes a hostess at a raucous, glittering speakeasy; a high-priced call girl who "dated" many of the men who ran New York. The case which she built against Tammany Hall backfires when Warren is murdered and she is set up to take the fall. In a murder trial that rocks New York, Emily finds a platform to reveal her inside knowledge of corruption.
As I said before, I had read Helter Skelter many, many years ago and disliked it. In my opinion, Helter Skelter was incredibly long and detailed. Because of this, I was slightly wary of reading another Vincent Bugliosi book. I was extremely surprised by how much I actually enjoyed this book. I give this book an A+! I perhaps wouldn't recommend every book by Vincent Bugliosi, however I do recommend Lullaby and Good Night and I have high hopes for another Vincent Bugliosi book which I have on my bookshelf, And the Sea Will Tell.
FROM THE PUBLISHER:
The victim of a cruel frame-up that robbed her of her daughter, reputation, and career, a young actress seeks vindication and is led into an illicit world of mobsters, flappers and slumming socialites.
Author of Helter Skelter; whose account of Charles Manson's trial made publishing history, brings readers an unforgettable novel based on a true sex scandal and murder trial during Prohibition-era New York.
The victim of a cruel frame-up that robbed her of her daughter, reputation, and career, a young actress seeks vindication and is led into an illicit world of mobsters, flappers and slumming socialites.
Author of Helter Skelter; whose account of Charles Manson's trial made publishing history, brings readers an unforgettable novel based on a true sex scandal and murder trial during Prohibition-era New York.
