Book Review: Death on Ocean Boulevard by Caitlin Rother

Caitlin Rother has done it again. This Pulitzer-nominated former investigative reporter has written another gripping true crime story that will have you turning page after page.

Death on Ocean Boulevard investigates the shocking and lurid death of Rebecca Zahau, girlfriend of pharmaceutical tycoon Jonah Shacknai. Two days before Rebecca 's naked body is found with her ankles tied and her wrists bound behind her, Jonah's six-year-old son, Max, took a devastating fall while in Rebecca's care. 

Though the authorities deemed her death a suicide, Rebecca's family believed she was murdered amid speculations of foul play and influence. 

Rother brings the reader through new details and multiple perspectives in a sensational case that shook the Coronado community. 

Wow! Rother has outdone herself this time. Drawn to this case because of its parallels to her own life, as she learned more about Rebecca's murder at the historic Spreckels Mansion, the more it haunted her. The author's attention to detail, her determination to investigate the murder from every angle, and her ability to take all that work and turn it into a fascinating narrative are all reasons I enjoy Rother's books. 

There are no clear cut answers as to what happened to Rebecca Zahau, but Rother provides the reader with a fair and balanced account that allows them to make their own decision. If you like true crime stories, Death on Ocean Boulevard is a must read. 

Highly recommended!

Publisher: Citadel (April 27, 2021)

Paperback: 368 pages

ISBN-10: 0806540893

ISBN-13: 978-0806540894

I received a copy of this book from the author. This review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way.

First Chapter Review: Death on Ocean Boulevard by Caitlin Rother

 

Investigative reporter Caitlin Rother sent me a copy of Death on Ocean Boulevard to review. I have fallen behind in my reading due to unexpected health issues, but wanted to be sure I posted something about this book as soon as I could.

BLURB: "I got a girl, hung herself in the guest house."

The call came on the morning of July 13, 2011, from the historic Spreckels Mansion, a lavish beachfront property in Coronado, California, owned by pharmaceutical tycoon and multimillionaire Jonah Shacknai. When authorities arrived, they found the naked body of Jonah's girlfriend, Rebecca Zahau, gagged, her ankles tied and her wrists bound behind her. Jonah's brother, Adam, claimed to have found Rebecca hanging by a rope from the second-floor balcony. On a bedroom door in black paint were the cryptic words: SHE SAVED HIM CAN YOU SAVE HER. 

Was this scrawled message a suicide note or a killer's taunt? Rebecca's death came two days after Jonah's six-year-old son, Max, took a devastating fall while in Rebecca's care. Authorities deemed Rebecca's death a suicide resulting from her guilt. But who would stage either a suicide or a murder in such a bizarre, elaborate way?

Award-winning investigative journalist Caitlin Rother weaves stunning new details into a personal yet objective examination of the sensational case. She explores its many layers-including the civil suit in which a jury found Adam Shacknai responsible for Rebecca's death, and the San Diego County Sheriff's Department bombshell decision to reconfirm its original findings. As compelling as it is troubling, this controversial real-life mystery is a classic American tragedy that evokes the same haunting fascination as the JonBenet Ramsey and O.J. Simpson cases.

COVER: Love this cover. Picture of the mansion with the orange font and dark colors is perfect for the genre. 

FIRST CHAPTER: Details the 911 call that lead the police to the Coronado Mansion in July 2011.

KEEP READING: Definitely. Rother has a talent for drawing the reader in. After a moving prologue, the reader is captivated by the details of the 911 call placed to the Coronado Police Department at 6:48 that summer morning, and ends with numerous questions officers must have had upon the discovery of Rebecca Zahau's body.

Publisher : Citadel (April 27, 2021)

Language : English

Paperback : 368 pages

ISBN-10 : 0806540893

ISBN-13 : 978-0806540894

This first chapter review contains my honest opinions, which I have not been compensated for in any way. Look for my full review coming soon.