This is a historical fiction writting of Marilyn Monroe. In this book it is the year 1962. A young cub reporter, Rory, 25 years of age is writting a story about an acclaimed poet. He has seen a picture of none other than the actress, Marilyn Monroe, sitting at the feet of this man. His story goes to print. Then he receives a call from the actress' s glowing comments on his article. She would like him to write a series about her. Not about acting, but about how she is a very smart, interesting, intelligent, knowledgeable woman. And she is! A change from the empty headed blonde persona she shows to her fans. Thus starts an incredible frienship. A friendship of trust, and genuinely know who she really is as a person. Intermingled in this, is the mystery of the Black Dahlia. How this connects is that Marilyn had actually met the aspiring actress who had talked of someone whom she was terrified of.
This is a very well written story. Very interesting. The Author has taken artistic liberties with this book which are genius. It read like a true story. Loved it!!
5 Stars

This is a story of a young man who became friends with Marilyn Monroe. It is a story of acceptance and caring. Rory met with Marilyn to review her for the paper he worked for. He was a young man willing to talk to her about books and poetry. The articles written were never published as the Marilyn they show was intelligent, a real person. I loved the book. I hope she was this person in many ways. Some conspiracy theories and paranoia are spoken of, but nothing takes away from this Marilyn. Well written with heart. I received this book from Net Galley for an honest review and no compensation otherwise. My opinions are my own..

Marilyn, My Marilyn, part historical fiction and part fantasy, is an attempt to synthesize all that we know and much that we imagine about Marilyn Monroe. The protagonist, Rory Long, is a young and naïve reporter who Marilyn requests as an interviewer because of a previous article he has written. Thus Long’s youth and naivety is used to develop a fresh picture of the “whole” Marilyn in this, Johnson’s third mystery novel.

Most people picture Marilyn as one of the most popular sex symbols of the 1950s. Rory is at first enthralled the Marilyn we know “what is it about a beautiful woman that causes a man to melt before their very eyes?” but quickly falls in love with the Marilyn he comes to discover is an intellectual “Marilyn returned to her poetry… She seemed to be perfectly at peace.” Through Rory’s eyes we develop a picture of a well-rounded and talented businesswoman who is unfortunately held in check by the needs of the movie industry of that day.

In my opinion, Johnson tries to bring too many aspects together in his effort to understand the real Marilyn and what happened. First we have a beautiful addict who is extremely intelligent, but lonely and looking for someone who understands her. Then we have a fictional reporter who steps in and immediately understands where many have not. The FBI and a mysterious organization setup to protect the president become involved. All parties have peripheral interests in a gruesome murder, which may or may not be pivotal to what happens to Marilyn. Even Marilyn’s closest companion is a suspect and subsequently other conspiracy theories are introduced. I realize all of these theories have come to the forefront at various times in history, but I am not certain they all need to be included in one book. It becomes too much like a documentary.

Having said this, I recommend this book because it is well written as one expects from Art Johnson. Most importantly, however, by reading it one can see a multi-dimensional and beautiful Marilyn Munroe with the clarity she deserves.

I would like to thank NetGalley for providing me with a digital copy of this book to review.

A woman who is comfortable in her own skin is simply beautiful inside and out. That is what I have always admired about Marilyn Monroe or should i say Norma Jean. Being a fan of hers made this novel all the more pleasing to read. I certainly loved reading this novel and would highly recommend anyone who admires confidence in a woman , to definitely read this novel because this woman is an icon in her own right.

I have always admired how she wont change herself for no one and how she stands tall when it comes to her own personal values and beliefs.

Beautifully done story depicting the many sides of Marilyn Monroe. It's wonderful how it goes from fiction to non-fiction and blends the two with the fictional reporter and the real life Marilyn. I've ready most of the books written about Marilyn and I would recommend this. It gets a little "overdone" as they work in the murder and FBI. I believe the author was trying to include everything he feels is relevant and important to her story; however, it is still quite well worth the read. Marilyn's intelligent and intellectual side is referenced which is so important to understanding all that she was even though ultimately, she was an addict. Wonderful read! I recommend!

Everyone knows the face and the name even today years and years after her death. Marilyn Monroe is considered one of the greatest beauties of the modern era. She is also considered one of the greatest mysteries and tragedies. I truly blame Hollywood for her demise. So many blame the government or other entities for her death. No. I flat out blame Hollywood and the paparazzi for her death. If they didn't physically do it; they drove her to do it.


Sorry...back to the book.


The story follows Rory who is a new and young journalist. A certain article of his draws the attention to Marilyn who reaches out to him. She wants to give him an exclusive interview. She wants the world to know she isn't some dumb, sexy blond. She has a brain and is a person like everyone else. Rory, of course, agrees to meet her and write her story. We get to see a side of Marilyn that was a rarity.


I really enjoyed this story. I know it is all fiction, but I really hope there is an interview out there was covered up and hidden that shows the truth behind Marilyn. How cool would that be?


I like Rory and I really liked Marilyn in this. She was just so sad. Poor girl.


There is also a murder mystery going on in the background that Rory is working on researching. It fit a little bit and then at the end you really get to see the connection. It was a nice add-on, but it really wasn't necessary for the story. But it show that even though Rory is now a close friend to Marilyn, he still has work to do to pay for his bills at the newspaper.


In the end, I really enjoyed this. It was a nice what-if. There is more to the star and we have seen glimpses of this throughout the years, but wouldn't it be nice if there was a secret interview none of knew about? I highly recommend this. I'll stamp it with 5 stars.

This fictionalized story of a reporter and his relationship with Marilyn Monroe is amazing. I was immediately drawn into the story. The author makes this story come alive. For a change, Marilyn is portrayed as a smart woman who is caught in a web that is at least partly of her own making. She is trapped by her success but doesn't want to be remembered as a joke. The addition of the Black Dahlia mystery adds a great layer of intrigue to an already intriguing story.
Most of us "of an age" have wondered for years if perhaps Marilyn was removed because she had become too privy to knowledge what was highly confidential. This story changes the construct of what that may have been, but it follows that construct.
This book is certainly worth the time spent reading the story. It will leave you with lots to consider.