Beneath the shimmering veneer of Hollywood's golden era lies a noir tapestry of crime, corruption, and unsolved mysteries, masterfully unraveled in Jon Lewis's "Hard-Boiled Hollywood." This gripping narrative delves deep into the city's darkest corners, tracing the chilling stories that marked the end of the studio system's dominance. From the haunting demise of Elizabeth Short, known as the Black Dahlia, to the tragic death of silver screen icon Marilyn Monroe, Lewis exposes the brutal reality lurking behind the industry's glamorous facade. These tales of ambition, betrayal, and violence reveal a Hollywood where dreams and nightmares walked hand in hand. "Hard-Boiled Hollywood" is not merely a recounting of Hollywood's most infamous unsolved crimes; it is a profound exploration of a transformative era in American cinema and society. As the studio system crumbled, a complex web of mobsters, moguls, and movie stars emerged, battling for power and survival in a rapidly changing world. Through meticulous research and captivating storytelling, Jon Lewis paints a vivid picture of a Hollywood at war with itself, struggling to reconcile the city of dreams with the harsh realities of post-war America. This book is an essential read for anyone fascinated by the intersection of true crime and Tinseltown's tumultuous history.