Totally Booked with Zibby – Eli Frankel, SISTERS IN DEATH: The Black Dahlia, The Prairie Heiress, and Their Hunter

Date: November 24, 2025
Host: Zibby Owens
Guest: Eli Frankel, Author and Television Producer

Episode Overview

In this riveting episode, Zibby Owens sits down with Eli Frankel, author of the true crime book SISTERS IN DEATH: The Black Dahlia, The Prairie Heiress, and Their Hunter. The conversation dives deep into Frankel’s years-long obsession with the infamous Black Dahlia case, his research process, and his surprising journey from TV producer to published author. Frankel discusses his breakthrough findings—he believes he has actually solved the Black Dahlia murder—and shares his thoughts on shifting from producing iconic television to writing his first book.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Genesis of the Book and Obsession with True Crime

• Frankel’s Background: Frankel reveals he’s been fascinated by the Black Dahlia murder for over 20 years, initially as a hobbyist and frequent poster on internet forums and blogs (02:44).
• Untapped Investigation: He felt there were aspects of the case that had never been thoroughly investigated. “I realized there's still room for investigating this case. Not everything has been looked through and picked over.” (04:30)
• Personal Approach: Frankel obtained original documents, dug through police archives, and even visited various states to retrieve key records. His approach was methodical, echoing “boots on the ground” investigative journalism (04:48–05:47).

2. What Was the Black Dahlia Murder?

• Historical Context: Frankel sets the scene: an overcrowded, post-war Los Angeles on the brink of the modern era (05:58).
• The Crime: On January 15, 1947, the body of Elizabeth Short—known as the Black Dahlia—was discovered severely mutilated and bisected. The shocking brutality and mysterious circumstances made it the most notorious unsolved murder in American history (06:00–08:00).
• Cultural Impact: Frankel notes, “It becomes huge news and it really changes the city... it ended up becoming a very convoluted case that... is sort of the ultimate enigma wrapped in a mystery, wrapped in a riddle.” (07:40)

3. The Breakthrough: Frankel’s Solution to the Case

• “Eli solved this case”: Zibby dramatically reveals to listeners: “No one has ever been able to do this, and you did it.” (08:11).
• The Prime Suspect: Frankel details how, after sifting through old suspects, he zeroed in on an individual who was the LAPD’s top suspect in the late ‘40s but had never received a full biographical analysis since then (08:38–10:00).
• Connecting Murders: He connects the Black Dahlia case to a previously overlooked murder in Kansas City, noting eerie similarities and demonstrating methodical cross-research (04:59, 10:00).

Notable Quote

“Every layer would reveal more about this person that just really fit the profile of who this killer was.”
—Eli Frankel (09:35)

4. From TV Producing to True Crime Writing

• Career Background: Frankel’s past as a TV producer (Survivor, Amazing Race, Big Brother, Helter Skelter) influenced his research methods for both documentaries and literary work (12:36–14:25).
• Research Skills Transfer: He credits his documentary experience in tracking down hard-to-find sources and organizing complex narratives as crucial for his success with the book.

Notable Quote

“I really cut my teeth on sort of true crime investigation and figuring out how to contact people, how to get documents, how to find rare records. And all of that ended up becoming just crucial to my research into the Black Dahlia.”
—Eli Frankel (13:55)

5. Balancing Family, Work, and an Obsessive Project

• Home Life Integration: Zibby jokes about Frankel’s wife, Karen, banishing his “murder stuff” to the basement (18:40). Frankel describes late nights, fitting research into short blocks of time, and the sacrifices required to pursue such a demanding side project (19:10–20:36).
• The Gendered Question: Zibby wryly observes, “Apparently people don’t tend to ask men that question,” regarding balancing home and ambitious projects (19:15).

6. Publishing vs. TV Industry Insights

• Learning Curve: Frankel, as a first-time author, expresses surprise over how personal and author-centric publishing is, compared to the TV industry (21:11–22:26).
• Importance of Author Story: He enjoys that publishing puts the author’s journey front and center, giving him an outlet to share his passion and the story behind the research.

7. Book Titles and Centering Victims

• Original Title – “Werewolf”: The book was initially titled “Werewolf,” reflecting the pre-“serial killer” language used by police and the press about the case (25:11–25:40).
• Shift to SISTERS IN DEATH: He praises the final title for focusing on the two murdered women and not merely their fate.

  “To me, having the victims—again, not seen as victims—the two women, is really at the heart of the book, was really important and crucial to the story.” (26:45)

8. The Allure (and Horror) of True Crime

• On Getting Inside the Mind of a Murderer: Frankel discusses the unsettling necessity of understanding, at least partially, the psychology behind such crimes (23:40–24:56).

  “It’s horrifying. But I think it’s important... to honor and to understand the victims and at the same time to understand, or try to understand... the perpetrators.” (24:44)

• Future Projects: He discloses he’s already at work on several new cases and hopes to continue writing and researching, shifting away from full-time TV producing (22:30, 27:06–27:47).

Memorable Moments and Quotes

• On Zibby’s TV Doubt (and Redemption):

  Zibby: “I really want to turn my podcast into a TV show. And you’re like, no one's gonna buy that.”
  Frankel: “I love that I was wrong... I should never doubt. The lesson is don't ever doubt Zibby.”
  (17:42–18:35)

• On Life Balance:

  “It was a lot of late nights and not getting a lot of sleep, to be honest with you...But eventually it begins to compound and take on a life of its own and just becomes integrated into your life.”
  (19:17–20:36)

• On The True Crime Research Drive:

  “I don’t read the news. I read the olds.”
  (23:08)

Timestamps for Key Segments

• Introduction / Book Background: 02:36–05:47
• What is the Black Dahlia Murder? 05:58–08:00
• Frankel “Solves” the Case: 08:11–10:00
• Frankel’s TV Producer Career: 12:31–14:25
• Balancing Research, Family, and Work: 18:40–20:36
• Book Title’s Meaning: 25:11–26:55
• On Understanding a Murderer’s Mind: 23:40–24:56
• Wrap-Up and Future Plans: 27:06–28:26

Conclusion

Zibby and Eli wrap up with reflections on late-blooming fame and the enduring fascination of unsolved mysteries, affirming Frankel’s transition from reality TV to acclaimed true crime writing. The episode offers both an engrossing primer on the Black Dahlia case and sharp insights into the art of research, publishing, and following one’s passion—no matter where it leads.

Notable Quotes

• “Every layer would reveal more about this person that just really fit the profile of who this killer was.” — Eli Frankel (09:35)
• “I don’t read the news. I read the olds.” — Eli Frankel (23:08)
• “The lesson is, don’t ever doubt Zibby.” — Eli Frankel, joking with the host (18:35)
• “I love writing and researching, and it’s really become my heart and my main focus now.” — Eli Frankel (27:18)
• “To me, having the victims—again, not seen as victims—the two women, is really at the heart of the book.” — Eli Frankel (26:45)

This summary captures the essential content and energy of the interview, offering both newcomers and crime aficionados a clear window into Eli Frankel's book, process, and the ongoing allure of infamous mysteries.