taylorcali's review against another edition
3.0
A solid three stars, mainly because it felt a little amateur in terms of writing/proofreading, but maybe only someone like me, an editor/proofreader, would even notice.
Regardless, after reading this book, I have even more questions than answers. The author really seemed to "debunk" the fact that Rebecca's family was adamant that she would never commit suicide, as a Christian. However, from what the author presented in this book, it seems she was not a practicing Christian but her family certainly wanted her portrayed in that regard in previous interviews I've seen with them.
So basically, this case comes down to the question of suicide or murder. And for me, I find it odd that conveniently one HUGE bit of information has been left out of every report on this case, including this book: Rebecca's cause of death.
The author here mentions "cause of death" but what she meant, and what it should have said in the book, was "manner of death" (suicide vs. homicide). If we knew if Rebecca was actually dead BEFORE she was thrown over the balcony, then that would have to be a homicide. If she in fact died as a result of being thrown over the balcony, it COULD be suicide. But this information—the actual cause of death—is missing from all reports I've ever seen on this case.
So then I have to ask WHY this information is missing. Because someone paid to have it redacted? And if someone paid to have it redacted, why would they? The only explanation is to protect someone. And who has the means to pay the police/investigators/ME off? Well... you know the answer.
So we come back to the original theory: Rebecca was murdered.
Regardless, after reading this book, I have even more questions than answers. The author really seemed to "debunk" the fact that Rebecca's family was adamant that she would never commit suicide, as a Christian. However, from what the author presented in this book, it seems she was not a practicing Christian but her family certainly wanted her portrayed in that regard in previous interviews I've seen with them.
So basically, this case comes down to the question of suicide or murder. And for me, I find it odd that conveniently one HUGE bit of information has been left out of every report on this case, including this book: Rebecca's cause of death.
The author here mentions "cause of death" but what she meant, and what it should have said in the book, was "manner of death" (suicide vs. homicide). If we knew if Rebecca was actually dead BEFORE she was thrown over the balcony, then that would have to be a homicide. If she in fact died as a result of being thrown over the balcony, it COULD be suicide. But this information—the actual cause of death—is missing from all reports I've ever seen on this case.
So then I have to ask WHY this information is missing. Because someone paid to have it redacted? And if someone paid to have it redacted, why would they? The only explanation is to protect someone. And who has the means to pay the police/investigators/ME off? Well... you know the answer.
So we come back to the original theory: Rebecca was murdered.
alisarae's review against another edition
A fascinating mystery that I'm surprised I'd never heard of before. I think this book does a good job of presenting all the different angles, possible suspects, scenarios, and holes in the evidence. But I didn't like how the author frequently inserted herself into the story--it came across as amateurish and like she was overcompensating, even though she is a seasoned crime journalist.
I think Max's death was a bizarre accident that Max's mother and aunt and Adam (Jonah's brother) blamed Rebecca for, and I think all 3 of them were involved in Rebecca's murder and body staging. The sensationalist way her body was staged was shocking and humiliating, a final FU to a woman whom Max's mom had always hated. Given Max's mother's history of violent public outbursts, the manner in which Rebecca was killed does not seem so surprising to me. The message on the door ("she saved max can you save her") being addressed to Jonah and placing ultimate responsibility for Rebecca's death on him also makes sense as coming from Dinah. Though it was portrayed as a childish vandalism in the book (and maybe the trial?), I think the message is quite psychologically sophisticated when you consider it coming frim Dinah to Jonah: can you save her from public humiliation, is your money enough to save her reputation, you actually cannot save her, I lost someone I love and so you will lose someone you love, etc. What I am surprised about is why Adam hasn't publicly put the blame on her, unless they both truly were involved in the murder and cover-up, and he knows that she would retalliate with that information.
I am confused about the blood on the steak knife handle: it is alleged that the handle was stuck into Rebecca's vagina and she was menstuating, so that means that the person was holding it by the blade? That doesn't make any sense?
I think Max's death was a bizarre accident that Max's mother and aunt and Adam (Jonah's brother) blamed Rebecca for, and I think all 3 of them were involved in Rebecca's murder and body staging. The sensationalist way her body was staged was shocking and humiliating, a final FU to a woman whom Max's mom had always hated. Given Max's mother's history of violent public outbursts, the manner in which Rebecca was killed does not seem so surprising to me. The message on the door ("she saved max can you save her") being addressed to Jonah and placing ultimate responsibility for Rebecca's death on him also makes sense as coming from Dinah. Though it was portrayed as a childish vandalism in the book (and maybe the trial?), I think the message is quite psychologically sophisticated when you consider it coming frim Dinah to Jonah: can you save her from public humiliation, is your money enough to save her reputation, you actually cannot save her, I lost someone I love and so you will lose someone you love, etc. What I am surprised about is why Adam hasn't publicly put the blame on her, unless they both truly were involved in the murder and cover-up, and he knows that she would retalliate with that information.
I am confused about the blood on the steak knife handle: it is alleged that the handle was stuck into Rebecca's vagina and she was menstuating, so that means that the person was holding it by the blade? That doesn't make any sense?
paperwitches's review against another edition
4.0
I have pondered on this specific case for a long time, and how dissatisfied I was by the investigation and acceptance of suicide by those involved, therefore my interest in this book was not debatable.
This book was not a disappointment, and provided new context I had not found through shows on this case. It’s laid out well, and easily digestible even for readers not user to true crime and analytical writing. It can do with increased editing, to not interrupt the fluidity of the writing.
Overall, this is the first book I’ve read about the case. I wasn’t too satisfied, but I think that’s reflective of the case itself and not the book. I would suggest this to anyone interested in true crime.
This book was not a disappointment, and provided new context I had not found through shows on this case. It’s laid out well, and easily digestible even for readers not user to true crime and analytical writing. It can do with increased editing, to not interrupt the fluidity of the writing.
Overall, this is the first book I’ve read about the case. I wasn’t too satisfied, but I think that’s reflective of the case itself and not the book. I would suggest this to anyone interested in true crime.
_terah_hansen_'s review against another edition
challenging
dark
informative
mysterious
sad
tense
slow-paced
I find it difficult to give a "rating" to a book about real-life events that involve the death(s) of human beings. So I won't. I will say that while Rebecca definitely had some issues, I DO NOT think Rebecca committed suicide. Her injuries don't line up with a hanging. She was murdered, but by who? The case is still unsolved, and I hope the truth is uncovered, but I don't think I have enough information to make a definitive accusation of guilt.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Murder, Blood, Child death, Death, Medical content, Sexual assault, Violence, Grief, Physical abuse, and Suicide
memphisholli's review
So many details are just wrong. Coronado doesn't have a trauma center and is not in fact an island.
ckjesq's review
1.0
Horribly written! Wowza- who edited this? After page 10 I knew this was a no go for me - written as if extracted vet baton from reports - weirdly inconsistent and/or unexplained relationships - sentences don’t tie to each other - a real mess
cedrics_mom's review
3.0
What happened to Rebecca Zahau in July 2011? How did she end up dead, bound, gagged, and hanging naked from the balcony of the Spreckels Mansion in San Diego and why? In Death on Ocean Boulevard (DoOB), Caitlin Rother takes us through the events from the sad tragedy of 6YO Max Shacknai (which preceded Rebecca’s murder by 2 days) right up to the Zahau family’s continued fight for justice and answers in their daughter’s death.
The investigation was a mess literally from day one, and until a new sheriff is elected, there’s no chance it will be reopened. Rother’s book shines light on several details that were not revealed in the media but overall there’s not much new here. Only the Zahau family is willing to discuss the elephant in the room: if a young Asian woman in a relationship with a rich white man, old enough to be her father, ends up dead, how much attention is the case going to get and to whose advantage?
The media certainly paid attention: that aspect of it was a full-on circus. I’m not saying Jonah Shacknai killed Rebecca. But there were many procedural errors in the handling of evidence, all to the benefit of Rebecca’s killer. One thing is certain: there is plenty of suffering and sadness to go around in this case, from the Shacknai family who lost their young son Max to the Zahaus who are just as stricken over what happened to their daughter.
For comprehension and clarity, every true crime book needs a Chronology of events, a list of characters and titles, an Index, and perhaps Notes to expand on facts presented in the book. These items are missing from DoOB and I’m subtracting 1-1/2 stars for that. No doubt the publisher wanted to release the book in time to mark the 10-year anniversary or didn’t want to pay for these things, but it’s a disservice to the reader. There were multiple court cases, various players with the same surnames, and a lot of back and forth in this story. Readers need all the help we can get to follow along.
As someone who remembers when this was in the news, I want to see the case solved and justice served for Rebecca Zahau and her family. Any time I hear something or see something that reminds me of this case, I think "there is NO WAY that girl killed herself. No way." I don't know who did do it, but she did not do this to herself.
3.5 stars.
The investigation was a mess literally from day one, and until a new sheriff is elected, there’s no chance it will be reopened. Rother’s book shines light on several details that were not revealed in the media but overall there’s not much new here. Only the Zahau family is willing to discuss the elephant in the room: if a young Asian woman in a relationship with a rich white man, old enough to be her father, ends up dead, how much attention is the case going to get and to whose advantage?
The media certainly paid attention: that aspect of it was a full-on circus. I’m not saying Jonah Shacknai killed Rebecca. But there were many procedural errors in the handling of evidence, all to the benefit of Rebecca’s killer. One thing is certain: there is plenty of suffering and sadness to go around in this case, from the Shacknai family who lost their young son Max to the Zahaus who are just as stricken over what happened to their daughter.
For comprehension and clarity, every true crime book needs a Chronology of events, a list of characters and titles, an Index, and perhaps Notes to expand on facts presented in the book. These items are missing from DoOB and I’m subtracting 1-1/2 stars for that. No doubt the publisher wanted to release the book in time to mark the 10-year anniversary or didn’t want to pay for these things, but it’s a disservice to the reader. There were multiple court cases, various players with the same surnames, and a lot of back and forth in this story. Readers need all the help we can get to follow along.
As someone who remembers when this was in the news, I want to see the case solved and justice served for Rebecca Zahau and her family. Any time I hear something or see something that reminds me of this case, I think "there is NO WAY that girl killed herself. No way." I don't know who did do it, but she did not do this to herself.
3.5 stars.