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Dead Wrong: The Continuing Story of City of Lies, Corruption and Cover-Up in the Notorious B.I.G. Murder Investigation
In 2002, acclaimed journalist Randall Sullivan's groundbreaking book LAbyrinth ignited a firestorm in the music industry and the Los Angeles media by telling the story of Russell Poole, a highly decorated LAPD detective, who uncovered a cabal of "gangsta cops" tied to Marion "Suge" Knight's notorious rap label, Death Row Records, and to the murders of Tupac Shakur and the Notorious BIG Now Sullivan delivers LABYRINTH 2, which brings the story up to date with an explosive look into the Notorious BIG Estate's wrongful death suit against the LAPD and the City of Los Angeles. LABYRINTH 2 demonstrates how reporting on the case swayed readers by repeatedly omitting evidence that suggested that Knight may have ordered a hit on Biggie, and LAPD officer David Mack and a man named Amir Muhammed executed it. And as the wrongful death lawsuit proceeds, a disturbing pattern of selective investigation and possible witness tampering emerges as well. Haunted by his failure to break the LAPD's code of silence about the Mack-Muhammed theory, Poole is forced to leave the department to which he devoted his adult life, and loses everything. A gripping investigation into murders, police corruption, and the corridors of power in Los Angeles, LABYRINTH 2 is another explosive chapter in a mystery that continues to hold us twenty years on.
320 pages, Hardcover
Published June 18, 2019
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1090 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
July 21, 2019
Dead Wrong by Randall Sullivan is a true-crime book that updates what has happened since his first book LABrinth (also a five-star book). Both books deal with the murder of rapper Notorious B.I.G. and the ensuing cover-up that has continued to leave this case unsolved. From reading this book, it is easily surmised that there are many people that simply do not want this murder solved. From the highest of ranking police officials, LA city administrative employees, other law enforcement personnel and those circling in the world of rap music, too many people do not want this case solved.
This book also depicts how the well-publicized Rampart police scandal was a myth by documenting how two police officers created the "scandal" with well-told lies and fabrications later debunked and disproven. Sadly, due to constant erroneous coverage of this scandal by local media, including the LA Times, this scandal still remains to be believed. Further, Sullivan deftly illustrates how one LA Times reporter assisted the LAPD and city of Los Angeles in destroying any possibility of Wallace's murder investigation or civil suit filed by his family being successful.
When it comes to weaving a complex story with many, many characters, Sullivan does a very good job of describing those involved with just the right amount of information to move the story along.
The corruption of city officials and those with a larger interest in derailing this investigation will make the reader's blood churn, especially because Sullivan cites his findings quite well with actual evidence.
Highly recommended for true-crime book fans.
On a side note, originally I was going to read another book on this subject by a different LAPD detective, however, Sullivan provides very compelling information questioning the credibility of the author of that book.
This book also depicts how the well-publicized Rampart police scandal was a myth by documenting how two police officers created the "scandal" with well-told lies and fabrications later debunked and disproven. Sadly, due to constant erroneous coverage of this scandal by local media, including the LA Times, this scandal still remains to be believed. Further, Sullivan deftly illustrates how one LA Times reporter assisted the LAPD and city of Los Angeles in destroying any possibility of Wallace's murder investigation or civil suit filed by his family being successful.
When it comes to weaving a complex story with many, many characters, Sullivan does a very good job of describing those involved with just the right amount of information to move the story along.
The corruption of city officials and those with a larger interest in derailing this investigation will make the reader's blood churn, especially because Sullivan cites his findings quite well with actual evidence.
Highly recommended for true-crime book fans.
On a side note, originally I was going to read another book on this subject by a different LAPD detective, however, Sullivan provides very compelling information questioning the credibility of the author of that book.
May 4, 2021
This book is much more cohesive than the previous book, largely due to the amount of time that has passed on this case. Again, it doesn’t really reveal new information about the deaths of Christopher Wallace and Tupac Shakur, but it lays out how perverse the politicization of law enforcement has really become. You’ll hear names all the way to the top of federal law enforcement in this one. If there’s no justice for famous people, what hope do any of the rest of us have? I would encourage everyone to read this incredibly damning and depressing but enlightening book about how much power police departments have in suppressing the truth with the help of media and the federal government. Some sad ends for the very few law enforcement personnel with morals and integrity too. If you’re looking for an escape, this isn’t it.
October 2, 2021
This whole story is just insane 🤯
December 27, 2024
4
I don't normally like books like this but honestly this gave an extremely in-depth look into the Biggie murder. I didn't even know half of the things that this book talks about which makes me want to find more of Randall Sullivan's writing and read it.
I don't normally like books like this but honestly this gave an extremely in-depth look into the Biggie murder. I didn't even know half of the things that this book talks about which makes me want to find more of Randall Sullivan's writing and read it.
June 21, 2019
The author's painstaking research and attention to detail is obvious in the writing of this book. There were many facts that I only discovered after reading this!
March 8, 2024
This book is full of information about the death of Biggie's murder and that of Tupac. It has always amazed me how the police and others have never been able to tie anyone or group to either of these murders. Tupac on the streets of Vegas and Biggie in Los Angeles and the night of his murder there were so many people around but no one saw anything. The author here tries to go through some more information to help and does a good job, if this is something you are interested in this book is a good read.
January 5, 2022
Impossible book to put down. Sad how the police failed to investigate the murder properly and then actively did everything they could to obstruct any accountability. To stop the truth because it would implicate police in a murder. Repugnant.
September 18, 2025
A wild trip! If only there was full justice, though knowledge that the LAPD was essentially in on the cover-up for Notorious/Christopher's death is at least a start. Hopefully his family continues to live theirs lives to the best that they can!
July 15, 2019
Review to come. So much extra that I didn’t know.
August 14, 2019
Follow up to what's been happening in the case since the first book. Alright.
January 14, 2020
I thought this book was very interesting, though it would help much if you're already very familiar with the basic events and the reasons behind them.
February 25, 2025
Good, eye opening look at corruption.
March 28, 2019
Dead Wrong: The Continuing Story of City of Lies, Corruption and Cover-Up in the Notorious B.I.G Murder Investigations
by Randall Sullivan
due 6-28-19
Grove/ Atlantic
4.5 / 5
Very few actual facts about the murder of Notorious BIG have been shared, with the public or with his family. We have a date, place and 7 bullet casing that are from rare bullets, only made in 2 places in the USA. There is enough evidence to at least question individuals, hold them accountable. Nothing has ever really been done with this evidence. Corruption runs deep. The truth is easily distorted or manipulated by the media, and by police, and this is a case in point of how easily it is done and the damaging effects corrupt ideals can have generations of a family, because of someones pride, lack of accountability and the intentions of disingenuous people. When more energy is spent attempting to lure the public away from the proof of police officers and others involvement, than is spent solving the crime, corruption lives on. We have no answers. This book is about that cover-up, that corruption and misuse of power. It is extensively researched and well written, very hard to put down for me. It brings up some very important facts.
Voletta Wallace, Biggieś mother, deserves a responsible, honest and direct answer to what happened to her son.She successfully sued the LAPD for wrongful death, but still was given no concrete answers. Voletta felt the evidence of her sons murder was only given AFTER evidence of police involvement was found, and she now wanted to see them commit to solving her sons murder. She is still waiting. She worries about how the trial will affect her grandchildren-now teenagers-and how much of a role manufactured public perception could play in their futures. Corruption runs deep and the cover up is more important than the crime they are suppose to be investigating. This needs to change.
I hope this book will shine new light and energy into this case. I hope it will help uncover the truths of this case, and help this family to finally have answers they deserve, and finally be able to start the healing process.
Many thanks to Grove/ Atlantic for this ARC for review.
#netgalley #DeadWrong
by Randall Sullivan
due 6-28-19
Grove/ Atlantic
4.5 / 5
Very few actual facts about the murder of Notorious BIG have been shared, with the public or with his family. We have a date, place and 7 bullet casing that are from rare bullets, only made in 2 places in the USA. There is enough evidence to at least question individuals, hold them accountable. Nothing has ever really been done with this evidence. Corruption runs deep. The truth is easily distorted or manipulated by the media, and by police, and this is a case in point of how easily it is done and the damaging effects corrupt ideals can have generations of a family, because of someones pride, lack of accountability and the intentions of disingenuous people. When more energy is spent attempting to lure the public away from the proof of police officers and others involvement, than is spent solving the crime, corruption lives on. We have no answers. This book is about that cover-up, that corruption and misuse of power. It is extensively researched and well written, very hard to put down for me. It brings up some very important facts.
Voletta Wallace, Biggieś mother, deserves a responsible, honest and direct answer to what happened to her son.She successfully sued the LAPD for wrongful death, but still was given no concrete answers. Voletta felt the evidence of her sons murder was only given AFTER evidence of police involvement was found, and she now wanted to see them commit to solving her sons murder. She is still waiting. She worries about how the trial will affect her grandchildren-now teenagers-and how much of a role manufactured public perception could play in their futures. Corruption runs deep and the cover up is more important than the crime they are suppose to be investigating. This needs to change.
I hope this book will shine new light and energy into this case. I hope it will help uncover the truths of this case, and help this family to finally have answers they deserve, and finally be able to start the healing process.
Many thanks to Grove/ Atlantic for this ARC for review.
#netgalley #DeadWrong
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
May 17, 2019
I am thankful to Netgalley and Atlantic Monthly Press for this opportunity in exchange for my honest review. I definitely recommend reading Randall Sullivan’s first book, LAbyrinth. While there were a few typos/grammatical errors I had to overlook, this book is well written and jam packed with information about the investigation into who is responsible for 2pac and Biggie’s murders. At times there is a lot of information to keep straight, most especially people’s names and titles/relation to the story. It gave me a lot to think about in regards to these particular murders and the state of the criminal justice system. I am glad I branched out to read this book as it is something a bit out of my comfort zone.
April 8, 2019
Murder, greed and corruption in the City of Angels
This is a true tale of how corruption and greed almost destroyed the LAPD. It is the story of what went on during Violetta Wallace's lawsuit to force the police department to solve her son, Notorious B. I. G.'s murder.
The lengths the higher-ups in the department went to to keep corrupt officers on the job and the derision given to honorable officers was some of the worst deceit in modern history. The number of officers that worked for the person who was almost surely responsible for the murder, were touted by their superiors as completely innocent of anything. The so-called Rampart Scandal was perpetrated by some of those officers as a way to get the investigation off of the murder. The newspaper reporter, who told half-truths, and was given access to privileged information and was a true purveyor of "fake news" is unworthy of ever reporting anything ever again.
The fact that some of officers got big promotions is unconscionable. The lies and deceit that was ignored by department heads, should have caused the firing and loss of their pensions, not promotions. Good people's lives and health were ruined while others ended up rolling in dough.
The fact that all the corruption prevented anyone from ever being charged for the murder they were supposed to be investigating is a black mark that will follow those good officers and leave the corrupt ones with their lives intact.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. If you watched the mini-series on this murder, the book will give you to some insight what those who tried to solve it where up against and what happened to those officers.
This is a true tale of how corruption and greed almost destroyed the LAPD. It is the story of what went on during Violetta Wallace's lawsuit to force the police department to solve her son, Notorious B. I. G.'s murder.
The lengths the higher-ups in the department went to to keep corrupt officers on the job and the derision given to honorable officers was some of the worst deceit in modern history. The number of officers that worked for the person who was almost surely responsible for the murder, were touted by their superiors as completely innocent of anything. The so-called Rampart Scandal was perpetrated by some of those officers as a way to get the investigation off of the murder. The newspaper reporter, who told half-truths, and was given access to privileged information and was a true purveyor of "fake news" is unworthy of ever reporting anything ever again.
The fact that some of officers got big promotions is unconscionable. The lies and deceit that was ignored by department heads, should have caused the firing and loss of their pensions, not promotions. Good people's lives and health were ruined while others ended up rolling in dough.
The fact that all the corruption prevented anyone from ever being charged for the murder they were supposed to be investigating is a black mark that will follow those good officers and leave the corrupt ones with their lives intact.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. If you watched the mini-series on this murder, the book will give you to some insight what those who tried to solve it where up against and what happened to those officers.
June 13, 2023
Crystalized and absorbing update to Sullivan's
Labyrinth
Requisite reading for anyone with an opinion (or glimmer of insight) re: thedeaths contract killing(s) of 'Biggie & Tupac': facilitated by disgraced LAPD/CRASH officers Rafael Pérez & David Mack, administrated by Harry-'I'm-just-relator'-Billups aka Amir Muhammad and prompted by Marion "Suge" Knight; Certain his label -- rudderless & vulnerable (after recent 9-year prison sentence) -- would be eclipsed by competing enterprise (or just industry momentum); Convinced eliminating immediate competition, East Coast producer Sean "P. Diddy" Combs might only facilitate buoyancy needed to to maintain his roost.
Ultimately resulting in the shooting death of Combs' then most lucrative talent Christopher Wallace (aka Biggie Smalls).
Requisite reading for anyone with an opinion (or glimmer of insight) re: the
Ultimately resulting in the shooting death of Combs' then most lucrative talent Christopher Wallace (aka Biggie Smalls).
And You Know This
March 7, 2019
Exhaustive investigation into the LAPD and its investigation of the Biggie Smalls murder. This follow-up to LAbrynth covers some already trod soil, but it is leaps and bounds more readable than its predecessor and a good contrast to Kading's Murder Rap.
I got bogged down in parts and almost bailed a time or two, but I am certainly glad that I persevered. Really good read.
I got bogged down in parts and almost bailed a time or two, but I am certainly glad that I persevered. Really good read.
March 16, 2024
Some of the details were unnecessary and tedious. I found myself returning to previous pages for a reminder of the relevance of the person at hand. However, very insightful. I thought I knew everything there was to know about this case from movies to documentaries to articles but it got deeper. The corruption, the power and politics in LA.. I am in disbelief.
February 22, 2022
One of my absolute favorite books ever. I’ve listened 5 times. I’ve also listened to LAbryinth by Randall Sullivan 5 times. Please check out the podcast the Dossier as well. Much more to this story than most know!
April 8, 2019
Dead Wrong
This is a true tale of how corruption and greed almost destroyed the LAPD. It is the story of what went on during Violetta Wallace's lawsuit to force the police department to solve her son, Notorious B. I. G.'s murder.
The lengths the higher-ups in the department went to to keep corrupt officers on the job and the derision given to honorable officers was some of the worst deceit in modern history. The number of officers that worked for the person who was almost surely responsible for the murder, were touted by their superiors as completely innocent of anything. The so-called Rampart Scandal was perpetrated by some of those officers as a way to get the investigation off of the murder. The newspaper reporter, who told half-truths, and was given access to privileged information and was a true purveyor of "fake news" is unworthy of ever reporting anything ever again.
The fact that some of officers got big promotions is unconscionable. The lies and deceit that was ignored by department heads, should have caused the firing and loss of their pensions, not promotions. Good people's lives and health were ruined while others ended up rolling in dough.
The fact that all the corruption prevented anyone from ever being charged for the murder they were supposed to be investigating is a black mark that will follow those good officers and leave the corrupt ones with their lives intact.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. If you watched the mini-series on this murder, the book will give you to some insight what those who tried to solve it where up against and what happened to those officers.
This is a true tale of how corruption and greed almost destroyed the LAPD. It is the story of what went on during Violetta Wallace's lawsuit to force the police department to solve her son, Notorious B. I. G.'s murder.
The lengths the higher-ups in the department went to to keep corrupt officers on the job and the derision given to honorable officers was some of the worst deceit in modern history. The number of officers that worked for the person who was almost surely responsible for the murder, were touted by their superiors as completely innocent of anything. The so-called Rampart Scandal was perpetrated by some of those officers as a way to get the investigation off of the murder. The newspaper reporter, who told half-truths, and was given access to privileged information and was a true purveyor of "fake news" is unworthy of ever reporting anything ever again.
The fact that some of officers got big promotions is unconscionable. The lies and deceit that was ignored by department heads, should have caused the firing and loss of their pensions, not promotions. Good people's lives and health were ruined while others ended up rolling in dough.
The fact that all the corruption prevented anyone from ever being charged for the murder they were supposed to be investigating is a black mark that will follow those good officers and leave the corrupt ones with their lives intact.
I received this book from NetGalley in exchange for a fair and honest review. If you watched the mini-series on this murder, the book will give you to some insight what those who tried to solve it where up against and what happened to those officers.
April 15, 2019
Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for allowing me to read this book for my honest opinion.
I found this book to be very, very interesting. The mystery surrounding the death of Biggie (and Tupac) has gone on for 20 years. With so many clues, the case should have been solved long ago, so why wasn't it? Randall sullivan lays out is case of a mass, government wide cover up that has its roots in the intense research done by Russell Poole in the 90s. Sullivan's knowledge of the case, and impeccable research makes what could be a very dull book instead become a source of anger and outrage as to why the killers weren't brought to justice.
I admit I was drawn to this book because I watched the USA show Unsolved: Biggie and Tupac. The show piqued my interest in the case, and this book didn't disappoint. I felt like it cleared up a lot of things from the show that were lacking, and put the blame squarely where it belongs: on the shoulders of those still covering up the crime. This is a very good read!
I found this book to be very, very interesting. The mystery surrounding the death of Biggie (and Tupac) has gone on for 20 years. With so many clues, the case should have been solved long ago, so why wasn't it? Randall sullivan lays out is case of a mass, government wide cover up that has its roots in the intense research done by Russell Poole in the 90s. Sullivan's knowledge of the case, and impeccable research makes what could be a very dull book instead become a source of anger and outrage as to why the killers weren't brought to justice.
I admit I was drawn to this book because I watched the USA show Unsolved: Biggie and Tupac. The show piqued my interest in the case, and this book didn't disappoint. I felt like it cleared up a lot of things from the show that were lacking, and put the blame squarely where it belongs: on the shoulders of those still covering up the crime. This is a very good read!
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews