THE LAST DAYS OF MARILYN MONROE

Was MM's suicide accident or murder? We may never know, and that's a boon for the publishing industry. Wolfe thinks he knows; MM was done in by the Kennedys to ensure her silence about affairs with Jack and Bobby. Bresnahan and Atherton share the job of chronicling the star's deprived childhood, struggles to become a respected actress, unhappy marriages and downward death spiral. Though both are accomplished actors, they appropriately keep the dramatics to a minimum. Atherton reads the "last days" parts and is good at injecting skepticism where he thinks it's warranted. Bresnahan covers most of MM's earlier life with clear diction and a hint of sympathy. However, Sheridan Morley's MARILYN MONROE is a more balanced and skilled biography. J.B.G. © AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: FEB/MAR 00]