The Penguin Podcast is back! Listen Now
Dudley Smith Trio

Dudley Smith Trio

The Big Nowhere, LA Confidential, White Jazz

Summary

Three of James Ellroy's most gripping crime novels featuring Lieutenant Dudley Smith in one volume. The Big Nowhere: In 1950s LA three men are drawn into the shadow of communist witch hunts and violent killings that force each one to confront his own personal darkness. But none is prepared for the maelstrom that awaits them. LA Confidential: LA Christmas 1951. Six prisoners are beaten senseless in their cells by cops crazed on alcohol. For the three LAD cops involved, it will expose the guilty secrets on which they built their corrupt and voilent careers. White Jazz: LAPD Lieutenant Dave Klein made the mean streets he works on mean. But now the FBI are out to get the cops who murder, bribe and beat to serve their corrupt careers and Klein is hung out as bait. Big fish leap at his throat - racketeers, narcotic kings and scum with skeletons they would kill to keep hidden. Three of the most epic and powerful crime novels ever written, this volume is an explosive journey through the dark side of recent American history, and crime writing at its best.

Reviews

  • The most original crime writer of our time
    Michael Carlson, Spectator

About the author

James Ellroy

James Ellroy was born in Los Angeles. He is the author of the Underworld U.S.A Trilogy: American Tabloid, The Cold Six Thousand, and Blood's A Rover, and the L.A. Quartet novels: The Black Dahlia, The Big Nowhere, L.A. Confidential, and White Jazz. He is the recipient of the Los Angeles Times Robert Kirsch Award for lifetime achievement. He lives in Colorado.
Learn More

Sign up to the Penguin Newsletter

For the latest books, recommendations, author interviews and more