The Red Diaries states the death of Marilyn Monroe as part of a much larger plot, leading up to the assassination of President John F. Kennedy. It seems that the person who took hold of Marilyn's memoirs continued to write entries, describing the aftermath of Monroe's death, the responsible parties, and what steps were taken to avenge her. Theories, cover-ups, and secrets are presented, but they are disclosed at such a pace that you never feel overwhelmed or confused. In fact, reading this book without any familiarity of the history is even more enjoyable, since the clean slate will make you develop your own ideas about what really happened. The fictional detective cast, each with their own personalities and views on the case, are engaging and likable, thanks in part to their short bios in the beginning of the book. Though dialogue makes up a substantial part of the story, it's thrilling to read the interrogations and discussions that lead to a conclusion that still affects us to this day. Gary Reed has succeeded in creating a mystery, a character study, and a history lesson all in one.

In between chapters, individual pages of prose give information with clarity and detail on the historical figures and events described in the book. Timelines, maps, terms; they're all there. Though this may be a turn-off to some, it is where The Red Diaries goes beyond other historical fiction novels. Gary Reed understands that to truly enjoy the material, a little knowledge goes a long way.

The black and white art heavily emphasizes on darks and shadows, giving the story a wonderfully bleak feel that only enhances it. Especially effective are the reproductions of famous publicity photos. They put you in the middle of the Kennedy assassination, or standing next to Marilyn Monroe, smiling for her loving public. The Marilyn pictures are crucial to the story. Combined with the testimony from characters that knew and worshipped her, they succeed in showing her not only as the sexpot bombshell you see in the movies, but as a naïve, sensitive girl that just wanted to be as loved by one person as she was by her fans.

If you're a fan of conspiracies, this one's a no-brainer. Even if you know nothing about JFK and the circumstances surrounding his death, or have only seen Marilyn Monroe on a poster or on a stamp, I still recommend it simply to see how a talented writer can take a historical theory and rework it into a compelling read. As thrilling as any mystery novel and as historic as any crisis or war, The Red Diaries is a winner.