Subtitled “A Century of Stars, Scandals and Murders,” Beverly Hills Confidential (Angel City Press, $35), is the latest offering from local authors Barbara Schroeder and Clark Fogg, who discuss it this evening. This tight, taut volume, which “re-examines the sensational,” delves into the files of the Beverly Hills Police Department, at which Fogg has worked as Senior Forensic Specialist since 1983. The Charlie Chaplin paternity trial! The enigma of death surrounding Jean Harlow! The Menendez Brothers! The murder of publicist Ronni Chasen! The lurid shadow dimension of sunny Beverly Hills is laid bare here, divined and translated by Fogg and Schroeder, who was an award-winning reporter at KTTV once upon a time. Will the public ever tire of these scandals amplified into becoming our modern-day mythos — cultural corpses dripping with blood, sweat and tears as they are incessantly revived for public delectation? Stay tuned, true believers! Diesel Books, 225 26th St.; Brentwood; Wed., Sept. 5, 7 p.m., free. (310) 576-9960, dieselbookstore.com

Wed., Sept. 5, 7 p.m., 2012

Advertising disclosure: We may receive compensation for some of the links in our stories. Thank you for supporting LA Weekly and our advertisers.