Elementary Secondary Higher Ed Common Reads
0 0
Download high-resolution image
Listen to a clip from the audiobook
audio play button
0:00
0:00

L.A. Confidential

Part of L. A. Quartet

Author James Ellroy
Listen to a clip from the audiobook
audio play button
0:00
0:00
Ebook
Knopf | Vintage
On sale Dec 02, 2025 | 496 Pages | 9798217007875
Add to cart Add to list Exam Copies

See Additional Formats
The third novel in The L.A. Quartet. L.A. Confidential is one of the most beloved and influential crime novels ever written.

“Nobody in this generation matches the breadth and depth of James Ellroy’s way with noir.” —Detroit News


Christmas 1951, Los Angeles: a city where the police are as corrupt as the criminals.

Six prisoners are beaten senseless in their cells by cops crazed on alcohol. Three LAPD detectives get involved: Ed Exley wants to eclipse his policeman father’s success. Bud White watched his own mother’s murder—and is now a time bomb with a badge. Jack Vincennes shakes down movie stars for a scandal magazine.

These events will expose the guilty secrets on which they have built their corrupt and violent careers. The three men are caught in a deadly spiral, a nightmare that tests loyalty and courage, and offers no mercy, grants no survivors.

L.A. Confidential is one of the most beloved and influential crime novels ever written.


“Faster than a stray bullet. . . . Ellroy spares no sensibilities.” —Los Angeles Times
© Marion Ettlinger
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 lives in Colorado. View titles by James Ellroy

About

The third novel in The L.A. Quartet. L.A. Confidential is one of the most beloved and influential crime novels ever written.

“Nobody in this generation matches the breadth and depth of James Ellroy’s way with noir.” —Detroit News


Christmas 1951, Los Angeles: a city where the police are as corrupt as the criminals.

Six prisoners are beaten senseless in their cells by cops crazed on alcohol. Three LAPD detectives get involved: Ed Exley wants to eclipse his policeman father’s success. Bud White watched his own mother’s murder—and is now a time bomb with a badge. Jack Vincennes shakes down movie stars for a scandal magazine.

These events will expose the guilty secrets on which they have built their corrupt and violent careers. The three men are caught in a deadly spiral, a nightmare that tests loyalty and courage, and offers no mercy, grants no survivors.

L.A. Confidential is one of the most beloved and influential crime novels ever written.


“Faster than a stray bullet. . . . Ellroy spares no sensibilities.” —Los Angeles Times

Author

© Marion Ettlinger
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 lives in Colorado. View titles by James Ellroy

Additional formats

Other books in this series

Other Books by this Author

Related Articles

Literature History Sociology

Books for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Every May we celebrate the rich history and culture of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Browse a curated selection of fiction and nonfiction books by AANHPI creators that we think your students will love. Find our full collection of titles for Higher Education here.

Read more

Books for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

Literature History Sociology
Subscribe

Penguin Random House Higher Education

© 2025 Penguin Random House

Back to Top
0
    • 0
    Wish List (0)