Hitchcock's Blondes

Praise

One of Entertainment Weekly’s 41 New Fall Books We’re Most Excited to Read
One of CrimeReads’ Most Anticipated Crime Reads of Fall 2023
One of PureWow’s 9 Books We Can’t Wait to Read in October

“An important and enthralling story that will change not only the way we experience Hitch’s movies but the way we view ourselves. It is a tale more disturbing than any Hitchcock film. Read it with all the lights on.” —Sam Kashner, coauthor of The Fabulous Bouvier Sisters: The Tragic and Glamorous Lives of Jackie and Lee

“Fascinating and comprehensive.” —Boston Herald

“Through their work and place as the prism for Hitchcock’s obsessions and desires, we come to understand the inner workings of his mind—and how these women were key to constructing a legend of his own devising” —Entertainment Weekly

“Laurence Leamer subverts the cliche of the “Hitchcock blonde” who was putty in the hands of a sado-masochistic director. His impressive book reveals a garden of polychromatic blondes, who are human beings as well as fine actresses, and whose disparate backstories and complicated relationships with Hitchcock, on and off the set, made for some of his greatest films.” —Patrick McGilligan, author of Alfred Hitchcock: A Life in Darkness and Light

“In Hitchcock’s Blondes, Laurence Leamer brings to life the remarkable golden goddesses of Hitchcock’s films and shows how they often paid a price for his inability to charm and captivate them in real life. A guilty pleasure.” —Jon Krampner, author of Ernest Lehman: The Sweet Smell of Success

“Prolific author Leamer provides ample biographical background regarding each actor to buttress his revelations concerning Hitchcock’s Machiavellian modus operandi and enhances his premise with just enough titillating behind-the-scenes details to entice devoted movie buffs.” —Booklist

“Leamer excels at dissecting Hitchcock’s filmic genius and odd proclivities.” —Kirkus Reviews

“Leamer serves up a breezy and gossip-filled group biography of Alfred Hitchcock’s blonde leading ladies…[F]ilm buffs will come away from this page-turner with a better understanding of Hitchcock and the stars that populate his films.” —Publishers Weekly

“Vaunted best-selling nonfiction and biography author Laurence Leamer has penned a gem with Hitchcock’s Blondes…If you love movies, Hitchcock’s Blondes is essential reading.” —BookTrib

“A readable and fascinating examination of Hitchcock’s secret life…Leamer subtly shows Hitchcock’s genius and his shadowy psyche, his ability to push emotions away, using irony as his shield.” —Book Reporter

“From the author of Capote’s Women comes a book about Hitchcock’s longtime fixation on a highly specific interpretation of womanhood and femininity. Essential reading for anyone interested in the great director and how his tastes were instrumental in creating the dense thriller and noir aesthetic we see today.” —CrimeReads

“Laurence Leamer peels away the glamour of Hollywood to detail the director’s troubling relationships with eight high-profile blonds who starred in his movies. Readers unfamiliar with Alfred Hitchcock’s methods will learn about his obsession with these women and, explicitly, how he controlled every aspect of their lives.” —Washington City Paper

“The bestselling author of Capote’s Women turns his focus to Alfred Hitchcock in his latest…In Hitchcock’s Blondes, Leamer offers an intimate look into the lives of eight legendary actresses—including Ingrid Bergman and Tippi Hedren—whose stories helped propel the troubled, talented director’s career forward, from Janet Leigh’s first marriage (when she was 14 years old) to forcing The 39 Steps star Madeline Carroll to rehearse while handcuffed and soaking wet.” —PureWow

“Leamer is the first biographer to shift the focus from Hitchcock in the foreground to zoom in on the women with whom the director achieved some of his greatest works.” —The Orange County Register

“Through Laurence Leamer’s expertly crafted, multi-layered prose, we powerfully understand just how challenging it was to be a Hitchcock leading lady, how spirited Hitchcock’s heroines were, and how inspiring their stories continue to be today, especially when viewed in tandem through a single lens. A riveting read.” —Christina Lane, author of Phantom Lady: Hollywood Producer Joan Harrison, the Woman Behind Hitchcock

“As riveting as any thriller by ‘The Master of Suspense,’ Hitchcock’s Blondes illuminates how the director’s fascination with his extraordinary assemblage of leading ladies often bordered on obsession. The iconic stars who captivated Hitchcock and audiences alike are brought vividly to life by Laurence Leamer. If you thought the high drama and intrigue that Hitch’s ‘golden-haired girls’ encountered on screen was something, wait till you discover what went on behind the scenes.” —Mark Griffin, author of All That Heaven Allows: A Biography of Rock Hudson