Crypt 33: The Saga of Marilyn Monroe - The Final Word

by Adela Gregory, Milo A. Speriglio

More than thirty years have passed since the morning of August 5, 1962, when Marilyn Monroe's body was discovered and the world's press blared headlines of her death - perhaps the most debated and talked about of this century (besides President Kennedy's). Dozens of books have been written about her life and the details surrounding her demise, with theories ranging from accidental death to suicide to murder. But all failed to solve the case until now. Crypt 33 - which was the number on the vault in the Los Angeles morgue where Marilyn's body was placed - provides the final word on the life and death of Marilyn Monroe. It clears the CIA of alleged conspiracy in the murder, but indicts previously unnamed underworld killers verified by separate but well-connected independent sources. The book implicates those at the highest level of government, and it names the man who brought the killers into the star's home - a friend who betrayed her. Crypt 33 provides all the sordid and previously unknown details, including a day-by-day account of aspiring actress Norma Jeane Baker's transformation into the screen icon Marilyn Monroe; intimate details of the actress's romance with Frank Sinatra; Marilyn's involvement with Sam Giancana; the fact that teamster ruler Jimmy Hoffa bugged Marilyn's phones hoping to catch incriminating conversations with her lover, Robert Kennedy; and Crypt 33 answers the ultimate question: Who ordered the "hit" on Marilyn? The book documents the actual instruments of death which gave a homicide the appearance of a suicide.

Genres: Biography, Nonfiction

310 pages, Hardcover

First published June 1, 1993

Reviews

[Alex ☣ Deranged KittyCat ☣]

I'm unsure how much is actual fact and how much is just the imagination of the author in this bio, but I know it was enjoyable.

I am a big fan of Marilyn Monroe and her movies. I find her fascinating every time I see one of her movies. And the life she led... just as fascinating. I think she deserved a lot more than what she got when it came to her private life (men, friends and the likes).

[Meredith Deaton]

Compelling Account

This book was obviously well researched. It's very doubtful if the true story of Marilyn's death will ever be known, but this book contains a very plausible theory.
I would recommend it to Marilyn fans as well as mystery fans

[Susan Engel]

Found it interesting. Provided a more In depth answer to who was responsible for Marilyn Monroe's death .

[Danielle Foley]

This book just couldn't save itself for me. The end was interesting but I just still can't take everything they present as fact. There is still no hard evidence presented and I felt that the book was very opinionated. The authors presented their version of Marilyn through out the first half of the book and then presented their thoughts on what happened at the end. The only thing I found interesting about this book was how they presented evidence of how her death was mishandled! This book was a long read for me (probably because I disliked so much) and seemed to me to be written more as a fiction novel. To show how much opinion was placed into the book, the author states that Jim Dougherty was "well-endowed". I am not sure how the author is claiming this as fact! I would like to read a well-researched book, not someone's opinions on who Marilyn was!

[James Pumpelly]

Kennedy crimes revealed!

The Saga of Marilyn Monroe contorts a troubled soul around the unseemly lives of Joe, Jack, and Bobby Kennedy, as well as J Edgar Hoover and numerous Underworld figures. What Law Enforcement should have investigated, is thoroughly uncovered in this compelling narrative. Sprinkled with names from the era, the case for murder is proven by taped evidence, on-the-scene witnesses, and Government insider revelations. A must read for those alive on that fateful day, and for remembrance of the Kennedy administration. Documented evidence proves the President relied on his father to make decisions, while he sought pleasure in drugs and illicit affairs. Surprising and alarming. In conclusion, the reader marvels that America remains intact!

[Darla Ebert]

A compelling book minus any sort of indelicacies of the usual sort (thankfully). Mainly a simple story of a simple lady who was insecure and tragic in so many ways. Always seeking peace and true love it is a tale of Hollywood and its amoral atmosphere and the effect the environment has on both innocents and borderlines. I liked the book more for its being a period piece that showcased Tinsel Town in all its non-glory. The decadent, demoralizing climate settles into a person's soul and makes a person dead while living.

[Debbie]

Pretty good book. Author believes that the Kennedys ordered Marilyn Monroe to be assasinated because they used her and she was going to talk to the press about the affairs she had with them. If that's true, it's pretty ironic that both Kennedys were assasinated a few years after her. Karma's a bitch!

[DKM]

How incredibly sad. Her childhood, the drugs, abortions, affairs and the corruption in politics and the Mafia.. No wonder they killed her. She was a brilliant woman far ahead of her time, but she was an innocent in many ways. Excellent book. So many players, I had to take notes.

[Sandystoerrle]

Marilyn - Her real life and Death

Stories from family, friends, ex spouses and others who knew her. The end was not pretty, as not suicide but murder, by the Mob, because of the Kennedy’s.

[Kimberly Fetrow]

Haven't finished it yet- but it is terribly boring. Blandly reports every person she slept with and met in Hollywood. Trudging through it.

Finished it. Wasn't sure at times if the book was actually about Marilyn or JFK.

[Kathy]

Wow. I really learned alot about the Kennedys!!! Such injustice should never have occured. Sad, sad, sad.

[Kathy]

Read like a police report. I have read 4 biographies of Marilyn and this was the most informative, but at the price of being boring

[Stephanie]

I don't know what to make of this book.It claims things about Marilyn I've never heard or read before.
I finish it feeling confused and wondering what the real truth is.

[Barbara]

The style of writing was incongruous but the pay-off was excellent. The author needed a better editor.

[Riley]

Yes, Anton La Vey did play for her a short itme at the Mayan Theater and had a fling with her. High marks for including this truth.

[Zdenek Sykora]

Crypt 33 by Adela Gregory and Milo A. Speriglio offers a compelling exploration of the life and mysterious death of Marilyn Monroe. The book examines whether her demise was an accident, suicide, or murder, uncovering provocative evidence that sheds light on her connections to powerful figures like JFK and Robert Kennedy. The authors delve into startling government secrets, rumors of mafia involvement, and wiretaps in Marilyn’s home, presenting a web of intrigue that points to a cover-up surrounding her death.

What intrigued me most was the detailed account of Marilyn’s interaction with Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev during his visit to Hollywood. Despite initial hesitation, Marilyn attended the event, manipulated by Frank Sinatra, and dined at Khrushchev's table in a tight, revealing gown, as requested by the studio. The narrative captures the tension of the Cold War and Marilyn’s significant yet reluctant role as an American cultural icon. Her reflections on Khrushchev as a "fat, ugly little man" juxtaposed with her pride in representing her country make for a fascinating read.

This book is not just an investigation into Marilyn’s death but also a lens into the political and cultural dynamics of her era, leaving readers questioning how much of the truth remains hidden.

Here is the text from the back cover.

"The Shocking Truth Behind Marilyn’s Death—Revealed at Last
She was an icon, a sex symbol, and a living legend. But when she was
found naked and dead on the morning of August 5, 1962, Marilyn
Monroe became the subject of a mystery that has fascinated and
perplexed the world for generations. Was her death an accident?
Suicide? Or murder? In this riveting account, private investigators
Gregory and Speriglio uncover startling evidence that may solve the
case once and for all. Crypt 33 reveals:
• The truth about Marilyn’s affairs with JFK and Robert Kennedy
• The top-level government secrets that endangered Marilyn’s life
• How Marilyn pulled strings as a political power player
• The identity of the friend who knowingly opened the door to
Marilyn’s killers
• The startling connection between JFK’s father and mobster Sam
Giancana
• Evidence of the deadly drugs and how they were administered to
Marilyn
• The rumors of an assassination plot masterminded by the Cosa
Nostra and and high-ranked government officials
• What happened to the audio tape recording of Marilyn’s murder
• The tangled web of wiretaps in Marilyn’s home
• Why Joe DiMaggio sent flowers to Marilyn’s grave for years
Half a century after her death, Marilyn Monroe still lives in our
hearts. Now, at last, the truth can be told.
“Spiriglio and Gregory are fluent, convincing writers.”
—Publishers Weekly

[Rebecca Nelson]

Felt biased and very anecdotal. The documents provided at the end did nothing to support any theory the authors had. Felt like it was an attempt to make their work appear more legitimate.
Difficult for the authors to verify as everything has been vaulted and kept in the interest of National security but then it essentially is anecdotal. Sources interviewed are at best unreliable (or fearful). Who knows.
Nothing new brought to the table bar anecdotal circumstantial evidence.

[Vickie]

Very interesting read! I really would like to know how much is true. I have read many books on Monroe before and some of the stories in this book I have never heard. It does seem very plausible that Marilyn was eliminated as the book eludes to, I guess we will never know the absolute true story behind her death!

[Liquidlasagna]

I think the book produces partial answers

it's a very good possibility the mafia just wait for a explosive meeting wth RFK and Monroe
and snuff Monroe

when a trickle of people know RFK came in and left the city

and i think it could be the most likely method of death in this one

[Regan]

Interesting expose on the murder of Marilyn Monroe. This version reads in a sensationalist way. I much preferred David Wolfe's fact based, carefully researched version. There was nothing new from Wolfe's book in this one but I did enjoy many of the photos. Some were just heart breaking.

[Ilena Holder]

another Monroe book. This one promises that Marilyn was bona fide bi-polar. Another book I read years ago said Monroe was bona fide schizophrenic and the kind she had was hereditary because her mother and grandmother had the same kind. Another author, another stab at the truth I guess.

[Tammy Chaffins]

I will always believe she was murdered.

[Norma]

Honestly, I was extremely bored reading this one. Not impressed and in the time I finished to this writing, I couldn't tell anyone exactly what the book was about.

[Julie]

The writing style wasn't that great, meaning, it didn't follow an exact time line it was kinda back and forth but the information presented was very interesting.
RIP, Marilyn.

[Michele Faith]

While the book was interesting, I found it hard to follow at times. The timelines jumped all over the place. Also, I struggled at times to keep up with the endless number of people mentioned.

[Shrutam Desai]

best book for marilyn monroe lovers !! this books definitely provides huge insights in the life of this pretty lady. a must read.

[Pat Murphy]

I don't remember much about this book. I think that says something like it was unmemorable.

[Stacie Peck]

This book really didn't keep me interested enough to finish it.