THE PASSING OF STARR FAITHFUL. (SIGNED)

GOODMAN, Jonathan.

ISBN 10: 0861888448 / ISBN 13: 9780861888443

Published by Piatkus,, London,, 1990

About this Item

First Edition. Hardback. Dust Jacket. 8vo. pp 192. Original publisher's black cloth, lettered gilt on spine. Signed presentation from the author on the dedication page to Moray Watson, from whose estate this book was bought (presumably the dedication copy), "[Moray Watson, fine actor, firm friend] love, Jon - June 1990." Starr Faithfull was an American socialite and a model for the Walter Thornton Modeling Agency whose mysterious drowning death in 1931 became a much-covered tabloid story. Fine in very good indeed dust jacket, with very slight edgewear.

Seller Inventory # C52863

Bibliographic Details

• Title: THE PASSING OF STARR FAITHFUL. (SIGNED)
• Publisher: Piatkus,, London,
• Publication Date: 1990
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0861888448
• ISBN 13: 9780861888443
• Binding: Hardback
• Edition: 1st Edition
• Condition: Very Good
• Dust Jacket Condition: Dust Jacket Included
• Signed: Signedes

About this title

Synopsis

"I much enjoyed reading about poor Starr. Totally fascinating. And tantalizing. A super read."--Colin Dexter, Creator of "Inspector Morse"

In this true crime reprint, Jonathan Goodman focuses his masterful detective skills on a criminal case that has inspired John O'Hara's Butterfield 8, which became a major feature film. His account of the international scandal and media brouhaha surround "this mystery with the wonderful name"--the inexplicable death of young and beautiful Staff Faithfull in 1931--provides an authentic tale of the Jazz Age.

From the Back Cover

In this true crime reprint, Jonathan Goodman focuses his masterful detective skills on a criminal case that has inspired several novels, among them John O'Hara's Butterfield 8, which became a major feature film. The discovery of Starr Faithfull's body on a Long Island beach in 1931 prompted front-page headlines on both sides of the Atlantic as the events leading to her death unfolded: her clandestine, sordid love affairs (one with a former Boston mayor) and unconventional sex life; her misuse of drugs and bootleg alcohol; and details of her stepfather's unsavory business ventures, including his involvement in a murder investigation. Mindful of the still unanswered question of whether her death resulted from accident, suicide, or murder, Goodman attempts to demystify this enigmatic case. The only author granted full access to the massive police dossier, Goodman unveils through his meticulous research a startling yet credible conclusion. Chilling crime-scene photographs supplement the text.