The Hot One

A Memoir of Friendship, Sex, and Murder

By: Carolyn Murnick

Narrated by: Hillary Huber

Length: 8 hrs and 59 mins

Publisher's summary

A gripping memoir of friendship with a tragic twist - two childhood best friends diverge as young adults, one woman is brutally murdered and the other is determined to uncover the truth about her wild and seductive friend.

As girls growing up in rural New Jersey in the late 1980s, Ashley and Carolyn had everything in common: two outsiders who loved spending afternoons exploring the woods. Only when the girls attended different high schools did they begin to grow apart. While Carolyn struggled to fit in, Ashley quickly became a hot girl: popular, extroverted, and sexually precocious.

After high school, Carolyn entered college in New York City and Ashley ended up in Los Angeles, where she quit school to work as a stripper and an escort, dating actors and older men, and experimenting with drugs. The last time Ashley visited New York, Carolyn was shocked by how the two friends had grown apart. One year later, Ashley was stabbed to death at age twenty-two in her Hollywood home.

The man who may have murdered Ashley - an alleged serial killer - now faces trial in Los Angeles. Carolyn Murnick traveled across the country to cover the case and learn more about her magnetic and tragic friend. Part coming-of-age story, part true-crime mystery, The Hot One is a behind-the-scenes look at the drama of a trial and the poignancy of searching for the truth about a friend's truly horrifying murder.

©2017 Carolyn Murnick (P)2017 Novel Audio Inc.

Relatable

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. Although all of our circumstances in life are different, at our core, we’re all the same. We all have insecurities and questions about ourselves, our life, etc. as we’re growing and learning and this book captures that perfectly through the narrative of friendship, loss, and love.

Surprising

As one other reviewer mentioned, this is not exactly "true crime".That being said, it's subtitle is a *memoir* of friendship, sex, and murder--that part rings true. I was expecting this book to go more into the court proceedings, evidence, etc (much like a normal true crime book) but was actually pleasantly surprised by the memoir-style of writing.
Although I didn't get what I had anticipated, I really liked listening to this one. Hillary Huber is always a fantastic narrator and her voice lent well to this material. I found that the author was putting into words many thoughts I've had but haven't been able to articulate; especially those regarding female friendship stemming from childhood. A lot to think on.

The Smart One

This is definitely NOT just a true crime tale, more of a memoir about female friendship and grief. If you're looking for a gripping whodunit, this isn't exactly it. But, if you want to give it a chance, it's worth it. I found the perspectives on long (stemming from childhood) female friendship incredibly accurate; she put things into words that I've felt but never expressed. Her grieving process and the way she handles her best friend's murder remind me a little of Joan Didion's "The Year of Magical Thinking". I teared up a few times, as things hit close to home. And though I would've enjoyed more details about the murder case and the suspect's subsequent prosecution, if you head into this not expecting too much of that, it is still enjoyable.

I received a free copy of this from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

I'm surprised more people don't like this

I read a review of this on Refinery29, which is what enticed me to purchase it. I think that they summed it up well, so I've included parts of their write up below:

"The Hot One follows this trend and yet manages to subvert the genre and typical narrative arc of true crime — violence, then investigation, then conviction — by exploring the long-term implications of the way violent crime reshapes memories. It also leaves the reader without an easy resolution, as the book is upfront about the fact that Ellerin’s accused killer is still awaiting trial and has yet to be convicted. The book is often explicit about the horrific details of Ellerin’s murder, but these details aren’t what propel the narrative. For this reason it feels different from some of the other more formulaic projects currently making up the true crime zeitgeist.
In the The Hot One, Murnick explores the idea that, as women, we shouldn’t need to be “the hot one” or “the smart one”. By telling the story of a lost friend, she successfully argues that the perception and judgements that relegate women to one box or the other are harmful and all too common. This is a book about murder — it is a central fact of the story — and in that way it’s part of the true-crime phenomenon. But The Hot One is also an elegy to female friendship and the ways it shapes us, even as we grow older and grow apart. Most women, even those who have not lost someone to violent crime, will relate."

A Meditation on Female Friendship, Loss and Reconciliation

Murnick explores the power of friendship she built as a young girl, the way it changed, and the process of reconciling what loyalty is when a friend dies violently.

Carolyn Murnick Nails it in This Heartwarming and Heartfelt Story of Friendship and Honor.

Kudos to Carolyn Murnick. I read this heartwarming and extremely informative coming-of-age novel twice and absolutely loved it. Not only is Murnick a very articulate, funny, and talented writer, but she also provides so much information about the case of Michael Garjulo and the murder of Ashley Ellerin; filling in the gaps of information missed by most media platforms. Murnick paints a relatable portrait of a lifelong friendship that had me both laughing (and crying) at various points throughout. Murnick honors Ashley Ellerin in the most beautiful manner I could ever conceive of by allowing readers to get to “know” the Ashley Ellerin only seen in sensational true crime headlines. Murnick isn’t afraid to be real with herself and her audience and touches on subjects that don’t often get openly discussed in close friendships. Amazing novel, Carolyn! The best part is, this novel can be enjoyed by a vast range of age groups, as both twenty-something’s and forty-something’s will find much value in this seamless and polished memoir. Ashley would be so proud of this tribute!

Couldn't even finish.

I love memoirs, but this was terrible. The author took the tragic life of her friend and made it all about her.

Not True Crime

Any additional comments?

Self-indulgent author tries to explain how her friend’s murder affects her own life. Should not be listed in True Crime section.

Narcissist Author

This was the worst Audible Book I've listened to yet! The author is a complete narcissist and I have to believe that female best friends can keep each other's secrets better than this! The author should be ashamed!

Caroline Mudneck, aka Cuntlombo

So this how you honor you 'friend'? Extorting a childhood play date buddy that got murked to sell a book deal. Then sensationalized your account omitting any redeeming facts and ignoring her talents so you could write 'Caroline Poopneck - memoirs of an ugly white girl.'
Your book sucked, you obviously care about yourself, and what people think about you and your need to prove that you might be unattractive but "gosh dang-it, I went to college and did I mention for the 7th time that I'm a published author on the New York Times not best seller list, and uninvited to Oprah's Book club."
Did you say 'not best seller list and uninvited?

You suck, your book sucks, the narrative sucks, your next book won't suck cause who the Fk is gonna give you monies again? Better start learning how to suck. Cock attached to a publisher is the only way.


And your Ted talk was proof of a selfish insecure woman motivated by your own best interest. GFY Caroline.