The story documents her connection to her grandfather, George Hodel, a prime suspect in the infamous Black Dahlia murder mystery.

The book inspired I Am the Night, a 2019 six-episode limited television series, with the part of Fauna played by India Eisley.

The book offers Hodel's unique perspective on adoption, race relations, and her family history.

Because her father is listed on her birth certificate as "unknown Negro," Fauna ends up with an African-American family in Reno, Nevada.

Vanity Fair contributor Cliff Rothman gave praise to Hodel's memoir, calling the book, "Haunting, poignant and heart-wrenching.