A Dark Room in Glitter Ball City

Murder, Secrets, and Scandal in Old Louisville

By: David Dominé

Narrated by: Tom Parks

This true crime saga - with an eccentric Southern backdrop - introduces the listener to the story of a murder in a crumbling Louisville mansion and the decades of secrets and corruption that live within the old house's walls.

On June 18, 2010, police discover a body buried in the wine cellar of a Victorian mansion in Old Louisville. James Carroll, shot and stabbed the year before, has lain for seven months in a plastic storage bin - his temporary coffin. Homeowner Jeffrey Mundt and his boyfriend, Joseph Banis, point the finger at each other in what locals dub The Pink Triangle Murder.

On the surface, this killing appears to be a crime of passion, a sordid love tryst gone wrong in a creepy old house. But as author David Domine sits in on the trials, a deeper story emerges: the struggle between hope for a better future on the one hand and the privilege and power of the status quo on the other.

David draws on the confidences of neighbors, drag queens, and other acquaintances within the city's vibrant LGBTQ community to piece together the details of the case. While uncovering the many past lives of the mansion itself, he enters a murky underworld of gossip, neighborhood scandal, and intrigue.

©2021 David Dominé (P)2021 Tantor

Telling Louisville’s Story Perfectly

Louisville’s history isn’t so perfect and David tells its story with rich details while name dropping in the best sense. Anyone from Loovul should appreciate this book!

Thoroughly enjoyed!

I loved listening to history/gossip of a true crime story that happened in my hometown! I vaguely remember hearing about this story so it was fun catching up on all the details. The reader has a nice voice and made it an easy listen. Very nicely written!

Very thoughtful and complex

I don’t think i could have handled this book if it weren’t written by David Domine. It was exceptionally well done. The crime was horrendous but Domine’s humanity shines through his account of the community. I hope he writes more and i would read anything he writes. I understand the toll of all the events in the book have earned him a hiatus. Meanwhile i have listened to his other books at least a couple of times over.

Brilliant!

WoW - up there with midnight in the garden of good & evil. A deep dive into the crime, but even more so a vivid, amazing narrative about colourful eccentric characters, history, neighbourhood, interesting back stories and facts etc 💚💚💚 it!!! A must read/listen!

I liked it

It was well written and the reader did a good job. I live in Louisville and one of the reasons why I bought this book was to hear some Louisville history. And there is a lot of Louisville history wrapped around the story of a real murder case. When listening to it you get vibes of the book, “Midnight in the garden of good and evil.“ because of the eccentric characters. And, since the author puts himself into the story I got a little bit of Hunter S Thompson, “Fear and loathing at the Kentucky Derby“. But without the Drunkenness. I am a tough grader so I only give it four stars.