Murder at San Simeon - A novel offers of suspense by Patricia Hearst and Cordelia Francis Biddle - Signed First Edition - William Ince - California

William Randolph Hearst, a founder of "yellow journalism," dominated journalism for more than half a century. In 1919, his mother died, leaving him a fortune and a large property in San Simeon, California. Hearst spent millions of dollars over the next several decades, "expanding the property, building a Baroque-style castle, filling it with European artwork, and surrounding it with exotic animals and plants." At San Simeon (aka The Hearst Castle) Hearst hosted many of Hollywood's leading performers

"Murder at San Simeon," written by Patricia Hearst (William Randolph's granddaughter) and Cordelia Frances Biddle, is a "novel of suspense," inspired by the unsolved mystery of the 1924 death of producer Thomas Ince aboard Hearst's yacht, Oneida. Also on board were Hearst's mistress, Marion Davies, and silent film star Charlie Chaplin.

This has little to do with this novel, but in case the author's name sounded familiar: Patricia Hearst was also the subject of sensational news stories in 1974 when a group called the Symbionese Liberation Army (SLA) abducted her from her apartment in Berkeley, California. Two months after she was abducted, she announced on an audiotape that she had joined the SLA and assumed the name "Tania." She was subsequently involved in a bank robbery and became a wanted fugitive. After she was captured, her attorneys attempted to defend her behavior by arguing that she had been brainwashed.

The book on offer here is a signed First Edition hardcover, published in 1996 by Scribner. It is in excellent, condition: The spine is unbroken and the pages are tight and unmarked. The offers dust jacket is likewise in excellent condition. The book was purchased as a collectible and has never been read. It is inscribed on the title page: "To Sidney - Patricia Hearst." Copies of this book signed by Hearst are quite rare.

This book will be shipped via USPS Priority Mail.