The Venetian Vase

Green River Rising by Tim Willocks, reviewed for Ellroy Reads

Steven Powell — Sun, 25 Oct 2026 10:28:49 +0000

‘The best prison novel ever’. That’s how James Ellroy described Green River Rising by Tim Willocks, a compulsively gripping thriller set in the fictional Green River State Penitentiary in Texas. Ellroy’s compliment is all the more noteworthy considering Willocks is from Cheshire, like myself, an English county which, I can assure you, is about as far removed geographically and culturally from Texas as you can imagine.

I talk a little about the novel in the latest episode of Ellroy Reads, and go into some detail about a meeting between Ellroy and Willocks that occurred prior to the publication of Green River Rising. Enjoy the episode and do remember to like the video, as this helps with YouTube’s algorithm, and subscribe to the channel as this encourages me to keep producing the content.

The Crack-Up by F. Scott Fitzgerald, reviewed for Ellroy Reads

Steven Powell — Sat, 17 Oct 2026 10:42:11 +0000

The latest episode of Ellroy Reads is a little different. I’m focusing on an essay instead of a book. F. Scott Fitzgerald was widely criticised by his literary friends for penning the confessional article ‘The Crack-Up’ for Esquire in 1936. Many people, including Ernest Hemingway, flet that he should have been channelling his angst into his novels rather than laying bare his demons to the American public.

James Ellroy has always been fascinated by ‘The Crack-Up’ and has framed his own struggles with mental health in much the same way. I hope you enjoy the episode, and do remember to subscribe, like, share and comment on the content.

Fools’ Gold by Dolores Hitchens, reviewed for Ellroy Reads

Steven Powell — Sun, 11 Oct 2026 13:09:15 +0000

In the latest episode of Ellroy Reads I discuss James Ellroy’s admiration for Dolores Hitchens’ classic heist gone wrong novel Fools’ Gold, and the iconic film adaptation Band of Outsiders directed by Jean-Luc Godard. I also give some behind the scenes anecdotes about being Ellroy’s biographer, and how I stumbled across Ellroy’s love for this novel and film some years ago.

Enjoy the episode and do consider subscribing to the channel if you have not already done so. I say in the episode that I will never ask viewers for donations. I want you to invest your time in the show, my biography of Ellroy, and the many book recommendations that I make every week. Thank you to everyone who is already doing this by joining the Ellroy Reads family. It means a lot more to me than money ever will.

The Big Love by Florence Aadland, reviewed for Ellroy Reads

Steven Powell — Sun, 04 Oct 2026 09:59:18 +0000

The Big Love tells the story of the last romance of Errol Flynn’s life, his relationship with Beverly Aadland. But this is not a fairytale Hollywood romance in which a starlet falls for a Tinseltown prince. Beverly Aadland was fifteen years old when she met Flynn and right at the beginning of their relationship he rapes her. The Big Love portrays the Flynn/Beverly affair from the perspective of Beverly’s mother Florence, which only makes it more disturbing, as she is clearly dazzled by Flynn’s star power. However, this is all manipulation designed to make Florence hand over her daughter for him to sexually abuse.

It’s a shocking Hollywood story that found its way onto the cover Hush-Hush magazine, and naturally was of great interest to James Ellroy. Find out more in today’s episode of Ellroy Reads, and if you like the content then subscribe to the channel.

Clues: A Journal of Detection – James Ellroy Issue

Steven Powell — Sun, 27 Sep 2026 16:27:48 +0000

I am very pleased to see the publication of the latest issue of Clues: A Journal of Detection. This issue is dedicated to the work of James Ellroy, and has been co-edited by Nathan Ashman and myself. It was tremendously rewarding, and also a lot of hard work, to put out the call for papers, recruit some seasoned Ellroy scholars as well as contributors who are relatively new to the field, and edit their excellent work together into a single issue. I talk a little about the the process in the latest episode of Ellroy Reads.

Treat yourself to a copy of the issue. The Demon Dog demands it!

Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates, reviewed for Ellroy Reads

Steven Powell — Sun, 20 Sep 2026 13:24:15 +0000

Some books need little introduction. Blonde by Joyce Carol Oates is one of them. It’s an epic and controversial take on the life of Marilyn Monroe, as poetic as it is gut-wrencing.

In the latest episode of Ellroy Reads I discuss the novel, and how it influenced James Ellroy’s portrayal of Marilyn Monroe in The Enchanters. I also discuss the background to Oates’ description of Ellroy as ‘the American Dostoyevsky’. Enjoy the show, and do remember to subscribe to the channel, like, share and comment on the content.

Uhuru by Robert Ruark, reviewed for Ellroy Reads

Steven Powell — Sun, 13 Sep 2026 09:40:51 +0000

After a three-week hiatus Ellroy Reads is back with an in-depth look at Robert Ruark’s Uhuru. Ruark was an American author with a deep passion for Africa. Uhuru was his bestselling follow-up to Something of Value. Both novels are set around the time of the Mau-Mau rebellion in Kenya. I talk about Ruark’s life, his problematic politics and the surprising connections between his writing and the work of James Ellroy. Enjoy the episode, and if you like what you see then subscribe to the channel.

Thanks for sticking with the show while I took a small break. I spent some time in Oslo, which is truly one of the most beautiful cities on earth. Now I’m back and raring to get back to work.

James Ellroy’s Greatest Novel – American Tabloid Discussion

Steven Powell — Thu, 27 Aug 2026 18:27:07 +0000

It was a pleasure to join Britton and J. Schiek to discuss American Tabloid. The three of us were fairly united in our opinion that it is James Ellroy’s greatest novel. If you don’t agree with that statement, watch the podcast below and maybe we’ll convince you. Enjoy!

James Ellroy Biography Q&A

Steven Powell — Sat, 22 Aug 2026 10:50:30 +0000

I’ve posted a Q&A episode on Ellroy Reads. I cover many of your questions about James Ellroy, his life and work, and what it was like to be his authorised biographer. Thank you to everyone who submitted a question. Do subscribe to the channel if you haven’t already done so.

I’m taking a break from the channel and this website for a few weeks to do some travelling and work on deadlines. But I’ll be back with more Ellroy and crime fiction content in mid-September. See you then.

Red Star Over Hollywood by Ronald and Allis Radosh

Steven Powell — Sun, 16 Aug 2026 11:08:03 +0000

For the latest episode of Ellroy Reads I review one of the key historical texts which inspired James Ellroy’s Red Sheet. Red Star Over Hollywood explores the history of communism in the United States and Hollywood in particular. It provides a revisionist commentary on the Hollywood Ten and the Blacklist. Radosh writes with the authority of a lapsed believer, he was a ‘red diaper baby’ and ardent communist for much of his youth. His slow conversion to conservatism informs much of his take on Hollywood’s flirtation with the far-left, and in turn inspired Ellroy to write Red Sheet.

I hope you enjoy the episode, and do remember to subscribe to the channel. Next week I’ll be posting another Q&A episode, so please leave your questions either here or on the channel and I will answer them in the episode. Thanks.