Bestselling author James Patterson has reignited one of Hollywood’s most enduring mysteries: the death of Marilyn Monroe. Ahead of his new book, The Last Days of Marilyn Monroe: A True Crime Thriller, Patterson revealed he believes the iconic actress did not die by suicide but was murdered.
Speaking to The Hollywood Reporter, Patterson said Monroe was “treading in very dangerous waters” in the final months of her life, suggesting she possessed sensitive information connected to President John F. Kennedy, Robert F. Kennedy, Frank Sinatra, and several Mafia figures.
“She kept track of dangerous information.”
Patterson claims Monroe was privy to confidential details shared during her relationships with powerful men and that she may have documented these secrets.
“They told her stuff, and she kept track of it. She had information that was kind of dangerous,”
Patterson said, arguing that her involvement with influential political and entertainment circles placed her at significant risk.
The author added that while Monroe is widely recognized as a Hollywood legend, many still don’t know the full story of her personal struggles, including her childhood in foster homes, her speech impediment, and alleged inconsistencies surrounding her death.
Though the Los Angeles Police Department ruled her August 5, 1962 death a probable suicide due to an overdose of barbiturates, Patterson points to reported irregularities such as an incomplete autopsy and claims from a detective who believed the death scene appeared staged. her a bit, but not that much. You’d be surprised,” He said, suggesting the official narrative leaves too many unanswered questions.
While Patterson’s book presents itself as a deep investigation, it comes with a notable disclaimer: despite being based on research, it is ultimately a work of fiction. Still, the narrative has already sparked intense public interest.
Billed as an “instant Sunday Times bestseller,” The Last Days of Marilyn Monroe revisits the star’s journey from Norma Jeane to global icon and examines the swirling theories surrounding her mysterious death. Critics have praised the book for its dramatic storytelling and compelling reconstruction of events.
James Patterson, often called “the world’s greatest thriller writer,” is known for blending researched detail with addictive narrative pacing. Supporters say his exploration brings renewed attention to Monroe’s complicated life and tragic end. Skeptics argue that revisiting conspiracy theories risks blurring the line between investigation and entertainment.
Regardless, Patterson’s claims once again thrust Marilyn Monroe, Hollywood’s timeless muse, symbol, and enigma, into the center of cultural conversation.
And more than 60 years after her death, the world remains captivated by the question:
Was Marilyn Monroe’s death truly a suicide, or a carefully covered-up murder?