He also meets Kay Lake, a woman who lives with Lee, but doesn't have an intimate relationship with him.
In January 1947, they begin to investigate a murder as horrible as publicized: that of Elizabeth "Betty" Short, nicknamed "The Black Dahlia" found dead and mutilated in a vacant lot.
Returning to Los Angeles, Kay reveals many truths about Lee Blanchard's life, as well as hers.
Fincher was also previously attached as director to the film adaptation, but had left the project to direct Zodiac.
An article from Nerdgeist said "This book is further reason why graphic novels are not just for kids, it’s mature, dark and a real gripping read, that does its source material more justice than the film ever did and helps keep alive the memory of someone that died all too young in an all too horrific manner.
[9] An article by 20 minutes stated, "As captivating, neat and dense as the novel is, this graphic version enjoys an incredible combination of know-how.
"[10] Le Figaro wrote "The authors have fully understood, and the case Betty Short has not finished to upset the souls, thanks to the masterful reinterpretation of Fincher, Matz and Hyman.
"[12] Larry Harnisch, a former writer for the Los Angeles Times, critiqued the graphic novel for "compressing and compacting" the source material of Ellroy's 1987 novel, as well as "exposing many weaknesses that aren't apparent in the original book", real life historical inaccuracies, artwork appearing stiff and clunky, and difficulty in telling characters apart.