A Book A Week

The historic Los Angeles Cecil Hotel is notorious for a range of reasons. Its grand architecture reflects the 1920s era of its construction when even this 700-room budget hotel displayed the lavish attributes of more upscale buildings. However, in later years, The Cecil garnered a darker reputation. Located on the fringes of Skid Row, the property has accommodated individuals grappling with various personal demons. Most notably, the infamous serial killer Richard Ramirez resided in one of its rooms during the height of his reign of terror.

Recently, the hotel has regained the spotlight as the focal point of Netflix's "Crime Scene: The Vanishing at the Cecil Hotel." This docuseries delves into the enigmatic disappearance and death of hotel guest Elisa Lam. I was utterly captivated as I watched each of the four episodes, drawn into the mystery surrounding this woman's tragic end and the ominous history of the hotel itself. Amy Price, who served as the general manager of the property during the Elisa Lam incident, played a prominent role in the series. When her publisher offered me a copy of her book, Behind the Door, I eagerly accepted the opportunity to explore her firsthand experiences with this infamous establishment.

Behind the Door is a compelling blend of memoir and exposé, offering an opportunity to set the record straight regarding Price's experiences at The Cecil Hotel and the events that have contributed to its notorious reputation. Price vividly recounts how she initially found herself in the role at The Cecil. Originally brought in for a brief three-day interior design assignment aimed at modernizing a portion of the hotel, her success in this endeavor led to her prolonged involvement. Her unwavering determination and dedication soon secured her position as manager.

Within the book, Price delves into the formidable challenges of managing an aging hotel, essentially divided into two distinct businesses. The first comprised the original section, primarily occupied by long-term residents, many of whom grappled with mental illness and addiction, drawn to the location due to its affordable rent. The second part represented the refurbished hotel segment, striving to attract tourists to the struggling area. In hindsight, Price acknowledges that this business model was bound to fail, but in the moment, she was resolute in her efforts to make it a success.

The book dedicates much of its narrative to presenting Price's perspective on the Elisa Lam case. It becomes evident in her storytelling that the Netflix series edited her interviews to fit the narrative they intended to convey. Through the book, Price is afforded the opportunity to provide the missing context that was omitted from the series. While watching the series, viewers might have been surprised by Price's seemingly nonchalant demeanor regarding Elisa Lam's disappearance. However, the book reveals that such incidents were all too common during her tenure at The Cecil. In fact, cases of death and disappearance were, sadly, an inherent part of her job. As readers delve deeper into the text, it becomes increasingly apparent that The Cecil Hotel is a place burdened with a dark and tragic history extending far beyond the Lam case.

While I valued the opportunity to gain more insights into this fascinating history, Behind the Door does suffer from certain narrative inconsistencies. Price presents her experiences in an almost stream-of-consciousness manner, leaping from one event to the next without much consideration for crafting a cohesive narrative arc. Consequently, some parts of the story are more engaging than others. It left me yearning for a more chronological structure. While the story itself is captivating and adds depth to our understanding of the building's storied past, the book's presentation can feel a bit disorganized. All this aside, it's evident that Price has a deep appreciation for the property and the dedicated individuals who work tirelessly to maintain its operations. The book even opens with a heartfelt tribute to one of these individuals. It undoubtedly serves as a means to raise awareness about the place and the dedicated team behind its daily functioning.

For more information, visit Amazon and Goodreads. 

(2023, 67)