The king of SoCal crime fiction has cooked up a stunning new collection of L.A. noir – literally. In LAPD ’53 James Ellroy joins forces with the Los Angeles Police Museum and the LAPD to present the stories behind a series of crime scene photographs.
The author of the Lloyd Hopkins trilogy and The Black Dahlia unearthed hundreds of shots while combing the museum’s extensive collection of forensic photographs. Yet one year stood above the rest for its exceedingly strange and seedy images – 1953.
Writing in his distinctive style, Ellroy illuminates the dark side of vintage Los Angeles in LAPD ’53, exploring the city’s criminal element and the oft-forgotten cops who strove to combat crime. More than 80 duotone photos are included the book, assembled in a striking layout.
Get a sneak peak of the collection in the slideshow below!
A close-up of a man’s bloodied hands
Photo Credit: Abrams Image/Los Angeles Police MuseumThe body of a possible murder victim
Photo Credit: Abrams Image/Los Angeles Police MuseumA body is discovered on the concrete riverbed of the L.A. River
Photo Credit: Abrams Image/Los Angeles Police MuseumA body is discovered on the concrete riverbed of the L.A. River
Photo Credit: Abrams Image/Los Angeles Police MuseumAn investigator stands over the chalk outline of a victim
Photo Credit: Abrams Image/Los Angeles Police MuseumA woman’s body is found amongst crates of bottles
Photo Credit: Abrams Image/Los Angeles Police MuseumThe bullet-ridden remains of a vehicle
Photo Credit: Abrams Image/Los Angeles Police MuseumA police officer stands on a motor bike
Photo Credit: Abrams Image/Los Angeles Police MuseumA drug overdose victim who died while talking on the phone
Photo Credit: Abrams Image/Los Angeles Police MuseumShot of a possible Suicide Victim
Photo Credit: Abrams Image/Los Angeles Police MuseumAll photos courtesy of Abrams Image/Los Angeles Police Museum
