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New York Times Bestselling Author
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CAITLIN ROTHER
True Crime, Narrative Nonfiction, Memoir, Mystery
“The Rebecca Zahau case is one of the great crime mysteries of modern times. It took an author of Caitlin Rother’s caliber to bring it into sharp focus. A riveting read.”
-- Gregg Olsen, #1 NYT bestselling author
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“A suspicious headline-making death proves to be only the beginning as Rother unlocks the door of this real-life mansion of horrors to reveal a shocking true story of money, power, duplicity and scandal.”
-- Michael Fleeman, NYT bestselling author
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“Gripping. Propulsive. A tour de force of true crime storytelling. Rother is a rare talent, and Death on Ocean Boulevard an instant classic of the genre.”
-- Kevin Deutsch, author and host of “A Dark Turn” podcast
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“In Death on Ocean Boulevard, Caitlin Rother skillfully chronicles one of the most fascinating and controversial cases of the past decade. Big money, sex and a questionable death makes for an addictive read.”
--Author Kathryn Casey
It's a bestseller!
#1 Parenting and Relationships
#1 Suicide
#1 Dysfunctional Families
Readers also rated it with an average of 4.3 out of 5 stars on Amazon!
DEATH ON OCEAN BOULEVARD: Inside The Coronado Mansion Case
The 911 call came on the morning of July 13, 2011, from the historic Spreckels Mansion, a lavish beachfront property in Coronado, California, owned by pharmaceutical tycoon Jonah Shacknai. When authorities arrived, they found the naked body of Jonah’s girlfriend, Rebecca Zahau, gagged, her ankles tied, and her wrists bound behind her. Jonah’s brother, Adam, claimed he found Rebecca hanging from the second-floor balcony off a guest bedroom, where the door was painted with this cryptic message:
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SHE SAVED HIM
CAN YOU SAVE HER
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Was this a suicide note, or a killer’s taunt? Rebecca’s death came two days after Jonah’s son, Max, took a devastating fall while in Rebecca’s care. Authorities deemed Rebecca’s death a suicide resulting from her guilt, but her family insists she was murdered. But who would stage a suicide or a murder in such a bizarre, elaborate way? (Citadel, 2021)
"You’ll be convinced first one way then the other as you race through the pages of this disturbing mystery. DEATH ON OCEAN BOULEVARD is so meticulous, so organized... Caitlin Rother is the journalist we all want to be when we grow up."
--True crime author Camille Kimball
Many locals call the death case of Rebecca Zahau "the Coronado mansion murder," despite the sheriff's department's findings that Rebecca committed suicide at the Spreckels Mansion. A jury in civil court agreed, finding Adam Shacknai, her boyfriend's brother, responsible for her "wrongful death." The Zahau family believes Rebecca was murdered, but Shacknai contends he is wrongly accused. As he fights to clear his name, the Zahau family continues to push for the Medical Examiner's Office to change the cause and manner of death to homicide by manual strangulation, and for the criminal case to be re-opened and re-investigated as a murder. Caitlin, whose husband committed suicide by hanging, gives readers an objective, but uniquely personal look at the evidence and theories in this case. (See more inside.)
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“I got a girl, hung herself in the guest house.”
-- Adam Shacknai's 911 call
“Rebecca's death remains a tantalizing mystery... Rother's vast research catalogs the numerous, extensive, and conflicting inquiries into both deaths, focusing on an intriguing cast of characters with competing motivations.”
--Library Journal
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“You’ll be convinced first one way then the other as you race through the pages of this disturbing mystery. DEATH ON OCEAN BOULEVARD is so meticulous, so organized I can reveal a secret: Caitlin Rother is the journalist we all want to be when we grow up.”
-- Author Camille Kimball
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“Caitlin Rother again blows the lid off a headline-making case that shook an upscale California community. Moments will astound and disturb you. All true-crimBODY PARTS is the true story of Wayne Adam Ford, a serial killer who killed four troubled women, then did the rare deed of turning himself in before he could kill again. (Re-released by Kensington, 2013)
​“Using her innermost understanding of suicide, Caitlin Rother connects you with the heart-wrenching details of the Coronado Mansion Case. Prepare to be deeply immersed in this beautifully written, impeccably researched book right up to the gripping epilogue. The new facts never before exposed about this case will shock you! DEATH ON OCEAN BOULEVARD is a must-read for any true crime fan!”
--Alan R. Warren, author and host of “House of Mystery” podcast
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“Rother’s meticulous journalism shines through in this authoritative account of the Rebecca Zahau death incident. It’s difficult to know what to think of this kaleidoscopic case, but Rother provides the multiple perspectives and theories in a balanced manner, along with some significant surprises. If you think you know this case, think again. And read this book.”
--Dr. Katherine Ramsland, professor of forensic psychology and author of The Psychology of Death Investigations
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“Caitlin Rother delivers... Her fascinating book really pulls you in. It surprised me by upending my own initial thoughts. So, get ready for a gripping read.”
-- Author Sue Russell
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“In Death on Ocean Boulevard, Caitlin Rother skillfully unravels the bizarre case of Rebecca Zahau. Rother’s investigative reporter skills and on the ground knowledge of the ins and outs of San Diego crime shines new light on a very intriguing case. Buckle your seatbelt because this is a double whodunit. The only thing: set aside some time to read this. You won’t want to stop.”
--Sarah Alcorn, "Ivy League Murders" podcast
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“This book is a deep dive into the muddy waters of a fascinating case. Caitlin Rother is methodical and brilliant in her reporting!”
--Martha Steele, cohost of "3 Book Girls" podcast
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“Was it suicide or was it murder? Investigative journalist extraordinaire Caitlin Rother masterfully examines the controversial death of Rebeca Zahau in Death on Ocean Boulevard. What truths does she uncover? Riveting!"
-- Dan Zupansky, host of "True Murder" podcast
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