If you loved
City of Lies
Film · 2018
What hooked you in City of Lies was the way a relentless search for truth exposes deep-seated institutional rot.
Books on the same thread
The Narrows
Michael Connelly · Book · 2005
Like City of Lies, this story centers on the obsessive pursuit of justice where personal conviction clashes with the frustrating limitations and internal politics of law enforcement agencies.
Alex Cross
James Patterson · Book · 1993
You will recognize the shadow of systemic obstruction found in City of Lies, as high-level corruption actively works to keep the protagonist from uncovering the truth behind a conspiracy.
Harry Bosch
Michael Connelly · Book · 1992
Much like the detective in City of Lies, Harry Bosch navigates a career defined by moral ambiguity and a refusal to abandon cases that the institution prefers to leave buried.
The Dark Hours
Michael Connelly · Book · 2021
This narrative mirrors the collaborative investigation seen in City of Lies, focusing on the friction and necessity of partners working within a city scarred by deep social unrest.
Series on the same thread
Unsolved: The Murders of Tupac and The Notorious B.I.G.
Kyle Long · Series · 2018
If the specific case details of City of Lies fascinated you, this chronicle offers a direct, granular look at the very same police investigations into those iconic hip hop murders.
The Outsider
Richard Price · Series · 2020
The skepticism toward official narratives that drives City of Lies is echoed here, where an unconventional team must look past standard procedure to uncover a hidden, unsettling reality.
City on a Hill
Chuck MacLean · Series · 2019
This series captures the same tense, unlikely alliance dynamic found in City of Lies, pitting the need for systemic reform against a corrupt status quo within the police department.
Podcasts on the same thread
CounterClock
Audiochuck · Podcast · 2025
The dedicated journalistic inquiry that propels the plot of City of Lies is matched here, as an investigative reporter digs through history to reignite interest in a cold case.
Crime Junkie
Audiochuck · Podcast · 2026
This podcast taps into the same obsession with uncovering the truth behind dark mysteries that defines the investigative journey of the reporter and detective in City of Lies.
Keep exploring
Common questions
Is City of Lies based on a true crime investigation?
Yes, City of Lies follows the true story of LAPD detective Russell Poole as he investigates the unsolved murders of The Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur. The film depicts his multi-decade effort to uncover the truth behind these high-profile cases.
Who does the detective team up with in City of Lies?
In City of Lies, detective Russell Poole teams up with a reporter named Jack Jackson. Jackson is working to save his own reputation and career, and the two men collaborate to unravel a web of institutional corruption surrounding the murders of the two famous rappers.
What is the primary mystery explored in City of Lies?
City of Lies explores the mystery behind the murders of The Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur. The plot centers on why the investigation into these deaths remained open for two decades and the institutional obstacles faced by those trying to solve the case.
Does City of Lies conclude with a solved case?
No, the investigation in City of Lies remains open after two decades. The film focuses on the persistent efforts of detective Russell Poole and reporter Jack Jackson as they attempt to uncover why the murders of The Notorious B.I.G. and Tupac Shakur have not been resolved.