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Hollywood Alphabet #1
Hollywood Assassin
Things could be worse for LAPD Detective, Kate Sexton. Okay, so her ex-husband cheated on her and the DVD of his indiscretions made the rounds of the entire department, she's broke and living above an appliance store with her canine partner, Bernie, who is a sexual predator, her British friend, Natalie, has a vocabulary that would make Howard Stern blush, and her mother is hallucinating about having sex with a dead president.
But things could get worse, like Kate could be stalked by a sadistic serial killer while she tries to solve a thirty year-old murder and save the life and reputation of a cop wanted for the crime. Come to think of it, maybe things couldn't get any worse because this is Kate's life.
Can Kate elude the killer, solve the cold case, keep Bernie’s sexual wanderlust under control, keep her best friend out of trouble, save a cop from death row, and find love again? Only time, loads of trouble, and tons of laughs will tell. Hollywood Assassin has more twists and turns than a car chase down Sunset Strip with a Hollywood starlet at the wheel.
Hollywood Assassin is the first book in the Hollywood Alphabet Series.
But things could get worse, like Kate could be stalked by a sadistic serial killer while she tries to solve a thirty year-old murder and save the life and reputation of a cop wanted for the crime. Come to think of it, maybe things couldn't get any worse because this is Kate's life.
Can Kate elude the killer, solve the cold case, keep Bernie’s sexual wanderlust under control, keep her best friend out of trouble, save a cop from death row, and find love again? Only time, loads of trouble, and tons of laughs will tell. Hollywood Assassin has more twists and turns than a car chase down Sunset Strip with a Hollywood starlet at the wheel.
Hollywood Assassin is the first book in the Hollywood Alphabet Series.
347 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 15, 2014
1056 people are currently reading
2023 people want to read
About the author
M.Z. Kelly
39 books89 followersM.Z. "Mack" Kelly, spent over thirty years in the field of law enforcement. He often draws on his experience working with gangs, violent offenders, and the court system in writing his books. He currently lives in Southern California, not too far from the streets of Hollywood that he writes about!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews
October 9, 2019
3.5 stars
Lots of action and intrigue - some grisly scenes and descriptions but compelling. I didn't get bored reading this one.
Lots of action and intrigue - some grisly scenes and descriptions but compelling. I didn't get bored reading this one.
June 20, 2014
Let's be clear about the rating. 2 stars means: 'It was ok.' And it was. Not brilliant, but certainly not bad.
The overall plot was complex enough to keep me entertained, the characters well-written and for the most part believable.
I liked Kate very much, apart for the continual comments about her clothes and how she kept tearing them I kept wondering how she could possibly afford them all and the author seemed to have a fixation on what she wore. It isn't necessary. Clothes. That's all. She is a cop not a model. It was rather distracting.
However, I winced every time Natalie opened her mouth. I have NO idea where Natalie was born... her dialect changed with every sentence - Essex, a bit of Scouse in places, a touch of broad Lancashire with the 'me mother' etc. At one stage I half expected her to say.. 'I were just gooin' aht..' or perhaps revert to RP and say something like: 'My husband and I..' ;)
I don't know any English speaking person who can mix so many regional dialects in one person, or use so many, and quite frankly, extremely vulgar expressions. It simply didn't ring true. Try researching the different dialects in England. There is a huge variation between Liverpool and Essex for example, even difference within 20 miles of each other.
In the end it was Natalie who stopped me really enjoying this book. She was a mockery, a caricature, put in to provide cheap laughs. And it just didn't work for me.
The overall plot was complex enough to keep me entertained, the characters well-written and for the most part believable.
I liked Kate very much, apart for the continual comments about her clothes and how she kept tearing them I kept wondering how she could possibly afford them all and the author seemed to have a fixation on what she wore. It isn't necessary. Clothes. That's all. She is a cop not a model. It was rather distracting.
However, I winced every time Natalie opened her mouth. I have NO idea where Natalie was born... her dialect changed with every sentence - Essex, a bit of Scouse in places, a touch of broad Lancashire with the 'me mother' etc. At one stage I half expected her to say.. 'I were just gooin' aht..' or perhaps revert to RP and say something like: 'My husband and I..' ;)
I don't know any English speaking person who can mix so many regional dialects in one person, or use so many, and quite frankly, extremely vulgar expressions. It simply didn't ring true. Try researching the different dialects in England. There is a huge variation between Liverpool and Essex for example, even difference within 20 miles of each other.
In the end it was Natalie who stopped me really enjoying this book. She was a mockery, a caricature, put in to provide cheap laughs. And it just didn't work for me.
July 18, 2014
Maybe it's my age, I'm not "hip" enough(?), but I had a real problem with all the sexual euphemisms, graphic language, and immature conversations or situations, including hooting over a guy by the name of Harry Weiner. Lots of crying over ruined Gucci or name brand clothing. Best friends with an English woman, Natalie, who seems to be in the US to run a string of profanities in Cockney(?) English or some kind of slang meant to be funny--but obnoxious instead. Can't really understand how a detective can include an English woman and a retired ex-cop in her on-duty work--she seems to have a human partner--but he's there to apparently add comic relief. Thank heaven she has police dog, Bernie, who seems the most competent and mature official if canine officer. Kate, the detective, seems to get herself into one scrape after the other, the worst of which may be career ending. At the same time she is trying to unofficially exonerate possible love interest, Jack, while breaking the drug and prostitute ring involving the requisite dirty cop. Thrown into the case was a nasty serial killer plotting his exit from prison and in his mind some much needed revenge. While the story progresses, it's difficult to get through the immature dialogue. Might recommend the book for someone considerably younger who is apparently the target audience. I downloaded the book for free.
April 6, 2015
Packed this in at 17%. It's all a bit too silly for me, not taking the story very seriously. I prefer my murderation to be humourless, I guess. Plus it has some annoying mistakes in it, too.
Certain things I believe were totally lost in translation-I didn't "get" it when she says-"I thought for a moment when you said Sheikh you were talkin' about a picture of a condom on the gym" nor a mention of someone being called Harry Weiner and the fact he couldn't survive with a name like that instead of it being Harvey. Lost me there.
I found it hard to believe, too, that Kate and Natalie are pals yet she was only now telling her her father had died when she was young. That's the type of thing you learn early on in a friendship in my experience. I didn't have the problem with Natalie's English in what I'd read up till I gave up, though, that other reviewers seemed to take issue with.
There were a few dropped speechmarks and compliment was used where complement was meant and I gave in when it read "A couple of more bites and I pushed the plate".....that was enough for me.
Certain things I believe were totally lost in translation-I didn't "get" it when she says-"I thought for a moment when you said Sheikh you were talkin' about a picture of a condom on the gym" nor a mention of someone being called Harry Weiner and the fact he couldn't survive with a name like that instead of it being Harvey. Lost me there.
I found it hard to believe, too, that Kate and Natalie are pals yet she was only now telling her her father had died when she was young. That's the type of thing you learn early on in a friendship in my experience. I didn't have the problem with Natalie's English in what I'd read up till I gave up, though, that other reviewers seemed to take issue with.
There were a few dropped speechmarks and compliment was used where complement was meant and I gave in when it read "A couple of more bites and I pushed the plate".....that was enough for me.
June 5, 2014
A thrilling and hilarious read!
The main characters are great, especially Natalie who I completely relate to. I was pulled into this mystery from the gate, while Kate and Natalie had me laughing out loud, as my hubby gave me the, "Yep, she's finally lost her last marble!" Glare.
The story line with its many twists and turns kept me turning pages, eager to find out what happened next and the comical banters between Kate and Natalie ensnared me to this series - I'm eager to read their next case together.
I highly recommend this well executed series to anyone who enjoys a twisted whoddunit with many sides of US and British humor, to keep you in stitches from page one to the end.
The main characters are great, especially Natalie who I completely relate to. I was pulled into this mystery from the gate, while Kate and Natalie had me laughing out loud, as my hubby gave me the, "Yep, she's finally lost her last marble!" Glare.
The story line with its many twists and turns kept me turning pages, eager to find out what happened next and the comical banters between Kate and Natalie ensnared me to this series - I'm eager to read their next case together.
I highly recommend this well executed series to anyone who enjoys a twisted whoddunit with many sides of US and British humor, to keep you in stitches from page one to the end.
January 3, 2020
A satisfying read
A good mystery with plenty of side action, this first in a series of thrillers will get readers eager for more. The characters were believable and interesting with a only couple of exceptions where they were somewhat overdone, probably for the purpose of adding some lightness to the otherwise emotionally heavy plot.
Recommended for mystery lovers.
A good mystery with plenty of side action, this first in a series of thrillers will get readers eager for more. The characters were believable and interesting with a only couple of exceptions where they were somewhat overdone, probably for the purpose of adding some lightness to the otherwise emotionally heavy plot.
Recommended for mystery lovers.
August 12, 2014
After reading two free Kindle books that were dogs, I had some real reservations about starting this one.
Happily, I was proven wrong.
Kate Sexton, an LAPD detective, lands in hot water for stopping a superior officer from gunning down an unarmed man then helping that man, another LAPD detective wanted on a fugitive warrant, elude arrest for a crime he swears he didn’t commit. She also sets out to prove his innocence, which brings her to the attention of some very powerful people who want to cover up a crime committed thirty years ago.
My only beef was with the main bad guy here. I have a real problem with 'over the top' bad guys - ones who are smarter than 97% of the world, who commit all sorts of heinous crimes but never leave a clue, have others willing to do their bidding at the drop of a hat, and who in the end are brought down more by accident than the main character outsmarting them at their own game.
Still I liked the characters, the story, and Kelly’s writing style enough that I want to read more books in this series.
Happily, I was proven wrong.
Kate Sexton, an LAPD detective, lands in hot water for stopping a superior officer from gunning down an unarmed man then helping that man, another LAPD detective wanted on a fugitive warrant, elude arrest for a crime he swears he didn’t commit. She also sets out to prove his innocence, which brings her to the attention of some very powerful people who want to cover up a crime committed thirty years ago.
My only beef was with the main bad guy here. I have a real problem with 'over the top' bad guys - ones who are smarter than 97% of the world, who commit all sorts of heinous crimes but never leave a clue, have others willing to do their bidding at the drop of a hat, and who in the end are brought down more by accident than the main character outsmarting them at their own game.
Still I liked the characters, the story, and Kelly’s writing style enough that I want to read more books in this series.
December 23, 2016
Detective Kate Sexton works the Hollywood beat. Recently divorced and broke, she becomes embroiled in a murder case that is linked to a cold case from 30 years ago. With her canine partner, Bernie, her profane BFF Natalie and a retired cop, she sets out to solve the crimes and save her career.
This book was entertaining and the mystery is pretty good. Although there was plenty to laugh about, the crimes had a hard edge as do many of the characters. I found Natalie's constant sexual references a bit over the top but they won't stop me from reading another in the series. I hope she grows on me.
This book was entertaining and the mystery is pretty good. Although there was plenty to laugh about, the crimes had a hard edge as do many of the characters. I found Natalie's constant sexual references a bit over the top but they won't stop me from reading another in the series. I hope she grows on me.
August 25, 2015
Good read
I enjoyed reading this book. The character of Natalie was a bit over the top at times but I liked the others. A strong female detective sets out to prove a fellow detectives innocence and solve a 30 year old disappearance. Book does contain graphic violence scenes but what do you expect when reading about psychos?
I enjoyed reading this book. The character of Natalie was a bit over the top at times but I liked the others. A strong female detective sets out to prove a fellow detectives innocence and solve a 30 year old disappearance. Book does contain graphic violence scenes but what do you expect when reading about psychos?
October 5, 2018
First time reader of this author and now i am hooked. This was such a great, easy and creative series. i was hooked after the first page.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this series.
The characters were easy to fall in love with and follow, along with the story. the author made the mental visions so easy and vivid of the surroundings and the characters actions felt so real.
i would highly recommend this author and this series.
February 20, 2015
Thriller?
Hollywood, wannabe stars, drugs and corrupt police. Killings to keep the truth coming out. As you'll read about this book, but not graphic, long description of sex acts. So many things happening at the same time, glade Bernie will be okay.
Hollywood, wannabe stars, drugs and corrupt police. Killings to keep the truth coming out. As you'll read about this book, but not graphic, long description of sex acts. So many things happening at the same time, glade Bernie will be okay.
April 25, 2014
far too grim and gritty for my tastes. very, very noir.
August 2, 2014
Very good thriller. Liked the first person narrative. May be too much blood and gore for some readers.
March 9, 2019
It took me two chapters to realize this book was not for me.
It was not in the first chapter when the opening was a police captain open fire on an unarmed man (though my theory that will have more to the overall plot later in the novel.) It was not the multiple names dropped Hollywood celebrities metaphors used (cringe-inducing). It was not when the main character on multiple occasions complained about how she, name-dropped a fashion designer clothing was ruined. Nor was it when the main character's dog attacked previously mentioned captain because he was angry at our main character. Nope, it was at the end of the chapter within five minutes of that attack, as described in the book, our main character was notified via phone that the captain opens an internal affairs investigation was opened against her. Nothing moves that fast in any civic profession.
The second chapter all it took was the introduction of the 'sidekick' friend that I had to stop reading.
Look, the reviews say the characters are great and funny, quirky and maybe those elements are there later on in the book, but I can say there are better books that that the same formula and do it better. So leave the west coast and Hollywood and go east and pick up a copy one of Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum series. You'll get better characters, story and writing and a much more enjoyable read.
It was not in the first chapter when the opening was a police captain open fire on an unarmed man (though my theory that will have more to the overall plot later in the novel.) It was not the multiple names dropped Hollywood celebrities metaphors used (cringe-inducing). It was not when the main character on multiple occasions complained about how she, name-dropped a fashion designer clothing was ruined. Nor was it when the main character's dog attacked previously mentioned captain because he was angry at our main character. Nope, it was at the end of the chapter within five minutes of that attack, as described in the book, our main character was notified via phone that the captain opens an internal affairs investigation was opened against her. Nothing moves that fast in any civic profession.
The second chapter all it took was the introduction of the 'sidekick' friend that I had to stop reading.
Look, the reviews say the characters are great and funny, quirky and maybe those elements are there later on in the book, but I can say there are better books that that the same formula and do it better. So leave the west coast and Hollywood and go east and pick up a copy one of Janet Evanovich Stephanie Plum series. You'll get better characters, story and writing and a much more enjoyable read.
October 18, 2021
This was billed as a suspense novel, I didn't actually find that. Kate the main character in the book wasn't someone I warmed to, and her friend Natalie, who was supposed to be english but since all her schooling was in america and goodness knows how old she was, she was obviously by now american and this showed in her speech. I know other reviewers had issues with her english but as I say she wasn't actually english by now, she was an american and so spoke like one.
The issue I had was with Kate herself, she was a dog handler and went out on duty wearing very very expensive gucci blouses!! Don't they have uniforms for police officers in america? And how much do they pay their police officers! I did lose the plot part way through and began to fast forward a bit to the end, and in the end all was well after all! But suspenseful it wasn't!
The issue I had was with Kate herself, she was a dog handler and went out on duty wearing very very expensive gucci blouses!! Don't they have uniforms for police officers in america? And how much do they pay their police officers! I did lose the plot part way through and began to fast forward a bit to the end, and in the end all was well after all! But suspenseful it wasn't!
January 20, 2018
What a surprise when I discovered that M. Z. Kelly was a man! From the way Hollywood Assassins was written, everything from the description to the dialogue, I was sure that M. Z. Kelly was a gal. I have to admit that it took me a little while to get into this book because the protagonist was unlike any female police officer that I had ever known and I have known many. At times this tale came across as being more of a comedy than a serious mystery but in the end it showed itself to be a deadly serious mystery. Hollywood Assassins has convinced me to give M. Z. Kelly a chance to become one of my favorite authors. I do recommend this book to any mystery lover who's looking for a change of pace.
Want to read
November 24, 2021I started reading this book a few weeks ago and I found myself rolling my eyes a lot just in the first chapter.
A guy on the run, yet he takes the time to comment on her breasts? Pretty unbelievable from most people but from a cop. A female detective unable to control her own police dog, wearing designer clothes when she’s on duty(even if she is coming from the courthouse) not caring that her friend married an old man to get a green card.
These still stick out to me now so I’m putting it to one side. I will return to it when I’m in the mood for something of this style. I had put it in with my cozy mysteries and it isn’t that but I’m guessing if I want, gritty, sexualised, action this will work well.
A guy on the run, yet he takes the time to comment on her breasts? Pretty unbelievable from most people but from a cop. A female detective unable to control her own police dog, wearing designer clothes when she’s on duty(even if she is coming from the courthouse) not caring that her friend married an old man to get a green card.
These still stick out to me now so I’m putting it to one side. I will return to it when I’m in the mood for something of this style. I had put it in with my cozy mysteries and it isn’t that but I’m guessing if I want, gritty, sexualised, action this will work well.
June 22, 2023
I think I may have found my new thriller favourite. I really wanted to read this all in one but I have to sleep at some point. Detective Kate has the spunck every lead character needs, also with the complex family dynamics from the guy brother to the delusional Hollywood Glam mum with physic trates and the snobby Married sister who obviously doesn't approve of her brother or the fact that Kate is now divorced. This has been another that has been sitting in my kindle library forever and another that I don't know why it's taken me so long to pick up.
October 1, 2017
A fairly good police procedural regarding a bunch of murders in Hollywood. The lead detective is female and has a wonderful female friend who helps her to investigate. Another detective is being set up by a murderer being released from prison with the help of some corrupt police officials. There is the investigation of an old murder which leads to the answers needed. I liked the main characters and will probably look to continue reading the series.
January 2, 2018
Are you kidding me?
I was really excited about starting this series. I love detective stories. I love dogs. What could go wrong? The very first page ended it for me.
The main character is a K-9 unit officer, that does not know how to properly hold a leash and the author does not even know that K-9 is a uniformed division.
How ignorant and uninformed does an M.Z.Kelly reader need to be?
I was really excited about starting this series. I love detective stories. I love dogs. What could go wrong? The very first page ended it for me.
The main character is a K-9 unit officer, that does not know how to properly hold a leash and the author does not even know that K-9 is a uniformed division.
How ignorant and uninformed does an M.Z.Kelly reader need to be?
August 14, 2018
Good stuff!
I really enjoyed this book. The main character Kate is a cop with good instincts, hilarious friends and family, and sometimes horrible luck. She is so much like the rest of us that she seems real. I also love that the authors background gives you a lot more information into the justice system then you’d find in most books. If you love comedy,mystery, and lots of action, this is the book for you. I loved it and I hope you’ll love it too.
I really enjoyed this book. The main character Kate is a cop with good instincts, hilarious friends and family, and sometimes horrible luck. She is so much like the rest of us that she seems real. I also love that the authors background gives you a lot more information into the justice system then you’d find in most books. If you love comedy,mystery, and lots of action, this is the book for you. I loved it and I hope you’ll love it too.
August 21, 2018
Great story, trashy writing
This would have been a great book if only it did not have the excessively frequent and unnecessarily vulgar sexual references, along with the appallingly frequent use of the f___ word.
The description said it contains « adult language »......well I’m an adult and I don’t use that type of language.
Don’t bother reading this unless you like a trashy writing style with sadly limited « clean » vocabulary.
This would have been a great book if only it did not have the excessively frequent and unnecessarily vulgar sexual references, along with the appallingly frequent use of the f___ word.
The description said it contains « adult language »......well I’m an adult and I don’t use that type of language.
Don’t bother reading this unless you like a trashy writing style with sadly limited « clean » vocabulary.
April 14, 2019
Hilarious
This book was a good mystery it had everything in it hurt, laughter, stubborn little romance, hat of ex and loss. But please the best is how they get back at people instead of hitting the words are enough. The only thing I'd change is cut back on characters i thought it was too many but otherwise i stayed up till 4am reading it
This book was a good mystery it had everything in it hurt, laughter, stubborn little romance, hat of ex and loss. But please the best is how they get back at people instead of hitting the words are enough. The only thing I'd change is cut back on characters i thought it was too many but otherwise i stayed up till 4am reading it
July 15, 2019
A really great read!
Hollywood Assassin by M.Z. Kelly is a first time read for me, will not be the last. Murder, mystery, crooked cops, setups and some laugh out loud moments! This one has it all. Wonderful characters with action galore as Kate, her canine partner and friends investigate a 30 year old murder. Highly recomnend, loved it!
Hollywood Assassin by M.Z. Kelly is a first time read for me, will not be the last. Murder, mystery, crooked cops, setups and some laugh out loud moments! This one has it all. Wonderful characters with action galore as Kate, her canine partner and friends investigate a 30 year old murder. Highly recomnend, loved it!
August 25, 2020
Lots of twists
Trying to figure out what was really going on kept me reading on. This book was a crossover between a cozy mystery and hardline police thriller. Lots of different storylines it seemed. The character Natalie caused me to chuckle a bit throughout. Kate and her dog were great.
Trying to figure out what was really going on kept me reading on. This book was a crossover between a cozy mystery and hardline police thriller. Lots of different storylines it seemed. The character Natalie caused me to chuckle a bit throughout. Kate and her dog were great.
December 27, 2022
The mystery was complex so kept me interested but was turned off by the descriptions of the violence and gore throughout the book. Also, the sexual comments were over-used. My reaction to all of that
Is the author either has some issues or a limited vocabulary. It could have been a good mystery without all of that. There are other more adult ways to bring humor into a story.
Is the author either has some issues or a limited vocabulary. It could have been a good mystery without all of that. There are other more adult ways to bring humor into a story.
March 8, 2017
Enjoyed it!
This was a good book that kept my attention. I liked the characters although the language was rough at times. There was humor and I really liked that. I will read more books in this series.
This was a good book that kept my attention. I liked the characters although the language was rough at times. There was humor and I really liked that. I will read more books in this series.
June 25, 2018
It was an easy read. I enjoyed it since I live in LA and could reference some of the locations. It didn’t keep my interest and could easily put it down for a few weeks. I may read other books in the series.
August 22, 2018
Hollywood Assassin
This is a great read. I read last night until one am just to see how it ended. Keeps you reading to see what happened next. I will tell my book friends about this series.
This is a great read. I read last night until one am just to see how it ended. Keeps you reading to see what happened next. I will tell my book friends about this series.
August 30, 2018
Decent story but I must have missed the ‘laugh out loud’ parts. And why did Kate’s clothes constantly rip? I never expect accuracy in these types of books as far as real life police procedures go, so that was okay. Will I read the next one? Maybe.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 145 reviews