What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedCity of Lies
Film · 2018
If you loved City of Lies, start with Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G. (Kyle Long, 2018) — a series on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 1 series and 2 podcasts, each matched to City of Lies across media.
What hooked you in City of Lies was the way institutional corruption creates an agonizing, decades-long barrier to uncovering the truth behind cold cases.
Books on the same thread
City of Bones
Michael Connelly · Book · 2002
Shares 2 threads with City of Lies: Institutional corruption, Police procedural.
Like City of Lies, this story forces a seasoned detective to confront a haunting cold case, balancing the weight of past failures against the discovery of long-buried institutional secrets.
A Higher Loyalty: Truth, Lies, and Leadership
James Comey · Book · 2018
Shares a thread with City of Lies: Justice.
If you valued the focus on integrity within the justice system in City of Lies, this memoir offers a candid perspective on the ethical challenges faced by high-level law enforcement.
The Late Show
Michael Connelly · Book · 2017
Shares a thread with City of Lies: Police Procedural.
This thriller mirrors the grit of City of Lies by placing a driven detective within the complex, often obstructive environment of the LAPD to seek redemption through investigative work.
The Devil in the White City
Erik Larson · Book · 2003
Shares a thread with City of Lies: True Crime.
Much like the dual perspective in City of Lies, this narrative masterfully juxtaposes historical figures to reveal how systemic forces and dark intentions shape the reality of a major city.
Series on the same thread
Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G.
Kyle Long · Series · 2018
Shares 2 threads with City of Lies: True Crime, Police Procedural.
This series is the essential companion to City of Lies, providing a direct, investigative look at the specific police corruption and systemic obstacles surrounding the deaths of these iconic rappers.
Podcasts on the same thread
Unravel
Podcast
Shares 3 threads with City of Lies: Conspiracy, Institutional Corruption, True Crime.
This podcast captures the same journalistic obsession found in City of Lies, following a reporter as they peel back layers of institutional deception to expose a hidden, dangerous truth.
Naked City
Podcast
Shares a thread with City of Lies: True Crime.
Fans of the investigative rigor in City of Lies will appreciate this deep dive into the criminal underworld, where expert reporting uncovers the reality behind complex, long-standing criminal networks.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is City of Lies based on a true investigation?
Yes, City of Lies follows the real-life efforts of LAPD detective Russell Poole as he attempts to solve the murders of rappers The Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur. The film focuses on his two-decade struggle to uncover the truth behind these high-profile cases.
Who does Jack Jackson team up with in City of Lies?
In City of Lies, reporter Jack Jackson teams up with LAPD detective Russell Poole. Jackson is a journalist looking to salvage his career, while Poole is a detective who has spent years investigating the unsolved murders of The Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur.
What is the central mystery in City of Lies?
The central mystery in City of Lies involves the unsolved murders of The Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur. Detective Russell Poole and reporter Jack Jackson work together to investigate why the case remains open after twenty years and to expose a web of institutional corruption.
Does City of Lies feature a resolved ending for the investigation?
No, the investigation remains open in City of Lies. The film depicts the story of detective Russell Poole and reporter Jack Jackson as they struggle against a web of institutional corruption over the course of two decades while trying to solve the murders of the two famous rappers.