Organized Crime, goes Hollywood in this captivating mystery of the unsolved murder (or was it murder?) of well known comedic actress Thelma Todd. Author Andy Edmonds, does another outstanding job on this biography and true life crime. I felt as though I'd been transported back to 1930's Hollywood with gangsters, glittering gowns, and wisecracking platinum blonds. It's Hollywood nonfiction crime noir at its best. Thelma Todd, was not only known for her comic work in movies (Hal Roach productions..etc) but she was also known for her association with the darker side of Hollywood - the mob. Although she had some personal ties to gangsters in Hollywood (allegedly with Charles 'Lucky' Luciano and others), no one could call her a gangster's moll. Todd was tough as nails, and was more like a modern woman of the 21st century than a woman of her times. Not only was she a success in the entertainment business, but she was also a successful Hollywood restaurant owner too - which might have its links to her mysterious death on December 16, 1935 at the age of only 29. The author not only gives the reader her biography and filmography, but he painstakingly takes the reader through documented eyewitness accounts of Thelma's last hours of her life. Including the police investigation as well.

Edmonds lends his own personal suspicions of Thelma's last days and the people she knew or might have known. Whether you agree or not with the author's conclusion on whodunit, it's still an intriguing and engrossing read. Highly recommended for true crime/mystery readers as well as those who love to read about the golden era of Hollywood. ( )