Hollywood Kill

by Sam Jones

In Hollywood, pissing off a super-cult can cost you your life.
Stealing their blackmail SD card can cost you your entire family.

As a former FBI agent, my knack for infuriating bad guys knows no bounds.

Especially pretentious Hollywood jackasses with a passion for blackmail and murder.

So when I was hired to find a missing camera man, I should’ve known it wouldn’t be an easy case, despite the promises of the famous vlogger that hired me.

Plastic smiles and deception lead to a cult that makes “Eyes Wide Shut” look like a children's film.

Now my old Army Ranger buddy, Mike Holloway, and I must choose who lives and who dies.

From high-speed chases through L.A.’s streets to a final showdown at Dodger Stadium, Mike and I aren’t just fighting to expose the truth—we’re fighting to survive in a city where murder is just business as usual.

Hollywood Kill is a gritty, no-holds-barred mystery thriller packed with action, twists, and raw danger. This is book 6 of the Dean Blackwood Series. These books DO NOT have to be read in order. Perfect for fans of Lee Child and Michael Connelly.

386 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 1, 2024

Reviews

[JigsawGirl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the first book that I have read by this author. It is full of literary and pop culture references. I imagine that some people will catch them, some won't.

There was something about this book that brought the word "gritty" to mind. Dean and Holloway's style reminded me of old-school detectives from black-and-white noir movies with a contemporary flair. I really liked the addition of Freddy, who added a layer of humor that lightened up the grit, lol. Not to mention that I appreciated that he was so resourceful and tech-savvy.

Dean and Holloway were both feeling desperate, but for different reasons. Their approaches to solving the mystery were also totally different. Dean was the kind of guy who just went with the flow, always ready to improvise on the fly.

The mystery with the SD card was pretty straightforward, yet it involved so many people. This tale was full of action, danger, and suspense. It had good and bad cops, movie people, podcast people, cult figures, politicians, enforcers, and crazy killers.

Let me warn you that there are a lot of chapters. The pace of this book is so quick that I didn't realize how many until I was close to being done. The ending was definitely not what I was expecting.

Reading this book was like stepping on a train where the ride starts out smooth and easy, and at some point, goes completely off the rails. Although this book could be read as a stand-alone, I had to wonder if I would have rated it higher if I had read some of the previous books. Overall, I found it to be a decent read and would recommend you give it a try.

I voluntarily read and reviewed the Advanced Reader Copy of this book received via Booksprout.

[Judi Haley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dean Blackwood is having a hard time, his girlfriend has left him, taking their daughter with her. His PI practice is slowing down, as is Dean. Dean is back to drinking again. Freddy is still with him in the PI firm and this time Dean has a job trying to find a missing man.

You would think that this one would be another easy one, but not for Dean. He meets up with a former Ranger buddy, Hollaway and the join to take the case on. Again, all the thrills you would expect reading about Dean. Hope he comes back in another one!

[JOAN SALLEY · Rating 5 out of 5]

The thrills, the chills, fist-fights, gunshots, this book has it all along with an emotional backstory. Definitely a page-turner that will keep you on the edge of your seat. If you've never read a Dean Blackwood mystery book by Sam Jones you should start now. While part of a series, this book can be read as a stand-alone.

I received an ARC of this book and this is my honest and voluntary review.

[Maven_Reads · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hollywood Kill is a gripping thriller that blends the glitz and glamour of Hollywood with the gritty world of FBI investigations. Sam Jones masterfully weaves a tale of murder, corruption, and the dark underbelly of the entertainment industry. Dean Blackwood, the series' seasoned protagonist, is once again thrust into a dangerous world of deceit and danger. With its fast-paced plot, intriguing characters, and stunning twists, Hollywood Kill is a must-read for fans of crime fiction.

[Joanie Hinton · Rating 5 out of 5]

A simple missing person case; how hard could it be? Turns out it's not so simple. Covering the backdrop of Los Angeles, Dean Blackwood is drawn into blackmail, corruption in the police department, and a cult that thinks they are above the law with enough clout to get anything they want, no matter who it hurts.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Spooky Bookish Bit*h · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hollywood Kill I'd a suspenseful, dramatic, mysterious. thriller that will leave you guessing the whole wild ride. I absolutely love Dean and everything about his character. With corruptions, a cult, twists and turns, tons of danger and action it's definitely an intense read. Definitely worth checking out

[Jenn H · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book is a bit all over the place but it tells a good story about the up and ups getting caught and the ones who catch them in the act. However there is murder, betrayed and detective work that needs to occur before one can get a feel for the who do it.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Bren · Rating 5 out of 5]

Compelling read packed full of action w/every turn of the page and plenty of near misses to keep you wondering who's behind it all. Dean and Mike get caught up in gun battles running to save not only themselves, but others lives too. This is definitely an edge of your seat kinda book.

[Marlys · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book was a wonderful roller coaster ride from beginning to end. Once I started the book I didn't want to put it down.

I received a free copy of this book and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[LaRae · Rating 5 out of 5]

This books starts with amazing action right away! Intensity and action and danger make this such an exciting read!!