The Devil Raises His Own

By: Scott Phillips

Narrated by: L.J. Ganser

Los Angeles, 1916: Photographer Bill Ogden has opened a portrait studio in the seedy noir world of early Hollywood, where he is joined by his granddaughter, Flavia—a woman in need of a fresh start after bludgeoning her drunken, abusive husband to death in Wichita. Though his business is mainly legit, Bill finds himself brushing up against the “blue movie” porn industry growing in the shadows of the motion picture mainstream.

When a series of grisly murders take place across the city, Bill and his capable granddaughter are pulled into events as tricky and tangled as anything this side of The Big Sleep. We meet dreamers, opportunists, washed-up former stars and starry-eyed newcomers, a cast of unforgettable characters living on the margins looking to make a quick buck, launch a career, or just keep their family together.

The Devil Raises His Own is at once a stripped-down noir thriller and a panoramic look at Los Angeles at the beginning of motion pictures—a Boogie Nights set in the era of D.W. Griffith and Charlie Chaplin from one of the best crime novelists working today.

©2024 Scott Phillips (P)2024 Recorded Books

what a wild ride!

the first question i would pose to mr. phillips is rhetorical- “did you have a happy childhood or are you funny”? he’s an exquisite wordsmith and i laughed out loud throughout. mr. ganser’s performance was seamless, as if he wrote the words himself. every character was voiced so wonderfully his talent is unmatched imo.

Where did this guy come from?

Why isn't this author, this book, read by thousands?

Rich in great characters, multifaceted, with a strong narrative that keeps all of the players connected. The narration is unbelievably strong, lending each person a distinctive voice.

This is a great story with charming (and evil) people, and at the same time this book is so damn laugh-out-loud funny.

You’re garbage if you don’t give this book a listen.