Money, Murder, and Dominick Dunne: A Life in Several Acts

I always loved reading Dominick Dunne's articles in Vanity Fair and I also have his book "The Way We Lived Then" so I was very anxious to read this book - and glad that I did. This book is a biography of his life but also provides a view of how he covered his daughter's murder trial, the OJ Simpson trial, OJ's 2nd trial, and Phil Spector's trial. It also discusses how he wrote all of his novels and provides back stories about who the characters are really based on. Covers his friendships, his downfall from Hollywood, and how he rose up again to become the darling of the rich.The writing style of this author is really good and this book was hard to put down. There is a lot of Hollywood inside information provided (e.g., who knew that Nancy (Davis) Reagan was known in Hollywood for a unique talent she had to make men happy). This book dishes on lots of people but mostly, of course, on Nick (as Dominick was called by his friends).There were a couple of things that I didn't like: 1) the author's continuous writing about Dominick's homosexuality - OK, I get it, he was gay; and 2) wrong facts (example: author states that Dominick visited the same health clinic in Germany where Farah Fawcet died....really? If I recall, she died in Los Angeles and NOT in Germany. Makes me wonder if the author got other "facts" incorrect but since I'm not privy to all these Hollywood people and their private lives, as a reader, I have to assume that all other things in the book are true.If you liked Dominick Dunne as an author and columnist; if you like reading the scoop about Hollywood and other celebrities - people both still living and those who have died, then this book is for you.

Dominick Dunne was a great crime reporter, a best-selling novelist, and an unrelenting gossip monger. But the true story of his own life is more compelling, hilarious, and heartbreaking than anything he wrote. Bob Hofler’s biography captures the man in full—along with a sensational supporting cast of scandalous movie stars, criminals, and media personalities who, for better and for much worse, helped mold our celebrity culture.

I had the pleasure of meeting Mr. Dunne in the early 80's not too long after his daughter died. At that time I was a young man and he struck up a conversation with me and eventually invited me back to his hotel room in the most elegant way. I declined but joined him the next day for a drink as he had the most fascinating stories. I didn't really know who he was at the time other than Dominique's father but he would stay in touch when he came through town. He was a kind and fascinating man who seemed very conflicted but I always appreciated his kindness and his not taking offense to our relationship staying platonic. The book in my opinion treats him quite fairly.

Contrary to what the writer wishes us to believe there was far more to Dominick Dunne than his alleged homosexuality. And, I further resent that the author's constant harping on the subject seems to infer that Dunne's purported homosexuality lead to some lessening of himself as a man, a father, and even a writer. Homosexuality is not the cause of anyone's lessening of character and certainly shouldn't be treated as a character flaw. I don't mind a frank discussion but at some point a biographer must stop being prurient and get on with the business of the subject's entire life. Unfortunately, this author ties every single event, literally every single event of an extremely eventful life, back to the homosexual theory. Sorry to break it to the writer but sexuality does not in and of its self, define an entire life. My God, he didn't mourn his daughter's murder because he was a closeted homosexual ... he mourned her murder because she was his daughter. Very one dimensial portrayal of a very complex man.

Dominick Dunn led a very untraditional life. Perhaps I am naïve but I did not even realize he was gay (or bi-sexual) until I read this book.I truly thought Dominick had lived a life that started and ended in privilege....but there were more highs and lows than I ever imagined!! I am not sure if his father, the doctor, beat him as much as Dominick later remembered, especially since his siblings do not have the same memories. However, perhaps all dramatic people have to embellish their lives either much worse or much better than the actual truth.I read the book straight through from start to finish during quiet times on a vacation...and I did not consider the time wasted.

I enjoyed this book. Dominick Dunne was an unique individual that seemed to have a rollercoaster life that was incredibly interesting. I first recollect seeing him attending the O J Simpson trial and was taken by his reaction to the verdict. He looked positively shocked. As was, of course, all of America. Dominick Dunne was a complex man. He could be difficult and snobbish but also compassionate and loving. He seemed to have planned his exciting life right up until the end, with some twists and turns that made it extraordinary. His existence made the world a little more fascinating.

Well written, really flows. It does its subject proud. I enjoyed it very much.Dunne had such an interesting life. He met and was involved, often just peripherally, the lives of so many famous people. And he had a heart, even as he dropped names and sought approval from society types and magazine editors. The book goes into all this and shows Dunne in all his facets. His good and bad points end up as endearing.

I used to read Dominick Dunne in Vanity Fair. I also watched his TV show about murders of the rich and famous. I liked his personality on that show so much. When I learned about what happened to his daughter, I felt a lot of compassion. This book was a fascinating well-written read. I didn't skim even one paragraph. The author's narrative just took me galloping along on the story of Dominick Dunne's life. It seemed a fair portrayal. You got the good and the bad. If you have any interest in Dominick Dunne, definitely read this book.Highly recommended.

As a fan of the late Dominick Dunne, I was eager to read this biography. And although I greatly admired the man and enjoyed his novels and true crime tales, I expected that he had a dark side and that a good biographer would delve into that aspect. Nonetheless, I was tremendously disappointed with the non-stop tabloid 'stories' that comprised the bulk of this bio. Every page, sentence, paragraph is filled with salacious details of Dunne's homosexual encounters, drinking and drug use. Every person mentioned is 'exposed' for their secrets and mindless gossip. Yes, Dunne himself was a story teller and reveled in the minute and titillating stories surrounding those he encountered. But surely the author could find something compassionate, positive and interesting to explore besides endless, mindless and 'shock and awe' anecdotes. It is similar to one writing a biography based solely on someone's Facebook Page. Usually I share my books - pass them over to other interested friends or relatives - once I've finished. This book however is going where it belongs - in the trash. IF you want to read gossip and can't get hold off a third rate tabloid, spend your money on this book. If you want an interesting, all encompassing, well written bio on a great personality - AVOID this garbage.

I hadn't realised that the author Dominick Dunne was the same Dominick Dunne whose actress daughter (think "Poltergeist") was strangled to death by her boyfriend John Sweeney outside her home. I really only knew of this as I used to read a lot of true crime. In fact, there was much more to his life than this tragedy. He was a movie & TV producer, scriptwriter, author and activist for victims' rights. He also covered many high profile criminal trials, e.g. O J Simpson and Claus von Bulow, for Vanity Fair. Married with three children, he was also homosexual, and struggled to come to terms with this for the first half of his life.The book delves into all these aspects of his life, and his seemingly never-ending feud with his brother John Dunne and sister-in-law, writer Joan Didion. There is lots of Hollywood dirt-dishing, but the book is not a shallow tell-all. It is an in-depth look into an intriguing character,I could have done with a little less detail in some areas, and a little more in others (for example, I had read that Dunne followed Sweeney around and in a way harassed him after he was released from prison, forcing him to change his name and move elsewhere, but there is almost nothing about this in the book). The parts about the other celebrity trials just went on a bit too much and in too much detail for my taste.

Excellently researched and based on hundreds of revealing interviews with Dunne's close family, friends, lovers, co-workers as well as rivals and enemies. Reads as deliciously detailed as one of Dunne's own articles...yet also sympathetic to Dunne's life tragedies. Answered everything I wanted to ever know about one of my favourite contemporary American authors. 8 years after Mr. Dunne's death, I still miss new stories from him.

Was a fan Of Mr Dunne when he wrote in Vanity Fair and learning more about him was, indeed, interesting.

Excellent, Dunne's biography is as interesting as his books. Really enjoyed the book