A Murder in Hollywood

by Michael Crichton

From Michael Crichton
Creator of Jurassic Park, ER, Twister, Rising Sun, and Disclosure

Writing as John Lange

Comes a new Hollywood mystery thriller, originally written in 1973 by Crichton but never before published, that will keep you guessing until the very end.

In the glitz and decadence of 1970s Hollywood, an era when sex and drugs are readily available on any movie set, the writer of the next Western blockbuster, Bloodrock, has just been found dead in his motel bathtub. Now publicist Harvey Jason is desperately trying to keep the project on track while the famed Harlow Perkins, a brilliant and ruthless investigator, begins to unravel the mystery and hunt the killer down.

From scorching-hot desert locations to sleazy motel bars, the members of the cast and crew—each one with a very dark secret of their own—will send this case deeper and deeper into a maze of confusion and shadows until the shocking truth is revealed.

Will the murderer be found?

Or will the true identity of the killer turn out to be just another Hollywood illusion?

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Mystery Thriller, Audiobook, Thriller, Crime, Adult

178 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 5, 2026

About the author

John Michael Crichton was an American author, screenwriter, and filmmaker whose prolific career left an indelible mark on popular culture and speculative fiction. Raised on Long Island, he displayed a precocious talent for writing, publishing an article in The New York Times at sixteen. Initially enrolling at Harvard as an English major, he switched to biological anthropology after discovering a preference for scientific study over literature. He graduated summa cum laude and received a fellowship to lecture in anthropology at Cambridge. Later attending Harvard Medical School, he earned his MD but chose not to practice, dedicating himself to writing instead. His medical background profoundly influenced his novels, providing authentic scientific and technical underpinnings that became a hallmark of his work. Crichton began writing under pseudonyms, producing suspenseful thrillers as John Lange, including Odds On, Scratch One, and Easy Go, and as Jeffrey Hudson with A Case of Need, earning him an Edgar Award. His first major success under his own name, The Andromeda Strain, established his signature blend of scientific authenticity, tension, and exploration of technological hazards, leading to its film adaptation. Over his career, he wrote 25 novels, including The Terminal Man, The Great Train Robbery, Congo, Sphere, Jurassic Park, Rising Sun, Disclosure, The Lost World, Airframe, Timeline, Prey, State of Fear, and Next, several adapted into major films, with four additional works published posthumously. Crichton also made significant contributions to film and television. He wrote and directed Westworld, pioneering the use of 2D computer-generated imagery, and later directed Coma, The First Great Train Robbery, Looker, and Runaway. He created the influential medical drama ER, which he executive produced and developed with Steven Spielberg, achieving critical and commercial success. Many of his novels, most famously Jurassic Park and its sequel The Lost World, became cultural phenomena, combining imaginative adventure with grounded scientific speculation, often exploring humanity’s overreach in genetics, biotechnology, and complex systems. His literary style was notable for integrating meticulous scientific detail, suspense, and moral cautionary themes. His works frequently addressed the failure of complex systems—biological, technological, or organizational—demonstrating the unpredictable consequences of human hubris. Employing techniques such as first-person narratives, false documents, fictionalized scientific reports, and assembling expert teams to tackle crises, Crichton created immersive stories appealing to both popular and scholarly audiences. His exploration of genetics, paleontology, nanotechnology, and artificial intelligence revealed both fascination and caution about humanity’s technological ambitions, while his early non-fiction, such as Five Patients and Electronic Life, reflected his scientific insight and forward-thinking approach to computers and programming. Standing 6 feet 9 inches tall, Crichton experienced social isolation in adolescence and later pursued meditation and consultations with psychics, cultivating a lifelong interest in human consciousness and alternative experiences. A workaholic, he approached writing with disciplined ritualistic methodology, often retreating entirely to complete a novel in six or seven weeks. He was married five times, fathered two children, and maintained a wide-ranging collection of 20th-century American art. Crichton engaged in political and scientific discourse, particularly regarding global warming, where he was an outspoken skeptic and testified before the U.S. Senate. He contributed significantly to the discussion of intellectual property, technology, and environmental policy, coining concepts such as the Gell-Mann amnesia effect. Throughout his life, he received numerous awards, including Edgar Awards, a Peabody Award for ER, an Aca

Reviews

[Darla · Rating 4 out of 5]

Solving a murder on an old school Hollywood set. What's not to like?

This new release caught my eye with Michael Crichton on the cover. I would count Jurassic Park as an all-time favorite and decided to give this one a try.

Here are some things I loved about this recycled title from the 1970's:

📝Harvey Jason is our narrator and the publicist for the Western being shot on location in and around Tucson. Once MacDougall, the screenwriter turns up dead Jason has a new item on his To Do list -- deal with the aftermath.

🖊Harlow Perkins swoops in on behalf of the studio as an Insurance Adjustor. Jason becomes his assistant and finds his days are full. Why does it seem like Perkins is one step ahead? Will he find the killer if there is one?

📚This is like a hard-boiled cozy. The Hollywood glitz and glamour is just a facade. Underneath that outer layer is a seedy world rife with infidelity, alcohol, and illegal substances. Relationships are treated like commodities and the dead man may have overplayed his hand.

🎬Just like a made-for-TV movie, this one is wrapped up and tied with a bow by the end. It's not the prettiest package, but everything is covered.

Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and Edelweiss+ for a DRC in exchange for an honest review. This title available on May 5, 2026.

[Mandy White (mandylovestoread) · Rating 4 out of 5]

A look behind the glitz and glamour of Hollywood with the death of the screenwriter. Written in 1973 by legendary author Michael Crichton, A Murder in Hollywood is a fun, quick read that is interesting from start to finish.

Told through the eyes of the films publicist, Harvey Jason, we see the seedy and dark side of the film industry. Drugs are everywhere, women are used for their looks and everyone has a drinking problem. The dead man wasn’t well liked so anyone could have killed him. While the investigation is ongoing, Harvey has to keep the film on track, the press away and keep the bosses happy.

I throughly enjoyed this step back in time trying to solve the case.

Thanks so much to Blackstone and Libro.Fm for my copy of this book to listen to.

[Sheila The Reader · Rating 2 out of 5]

I was ridiculously excited for this one. A previously unpublished A Murder in Hollywood manuscript from Michael Crichton and narrated by Ray Porter? That felt like an automatic win for me. I immediately put the audiobook on hold through Libby and started telling my reading friends about it because I was convinced this was going to be such a fun discovery. Unfortunately… this one really didn’t work for me.

The 1970s Hollywood setting sounded like it would be messy, glitzy, and full of intrigue, but the actual reading experience felt surprisingly flat. For a murder mystery set around movie production, drugs, secrets, and Hollywood excess, I kept waiting for the story to become more exciting than it actually was. It never fully got there for me. The plot felt repetitive, the characters weren’t particularly memorable, and the story had very little urgency.

And this is such a short audiobook at under five hours, which somehow made it even more surprising that it felt so long. I genuinely considered DNFing with less than an hour left, and after finishing it… I kind of wish I had trusted that instinct.

The bright spot here was absolutely Ray Porter. As always, his narration was fantastic and he did everything he could to bring energy to a story that just never grabbed me.

This was a rare miss for me from Crichton, and that honestly made it more disappointing because I went in so excited.

[hotsake (André Troesch) · Rating 4 out of 5]

This didn't feel like a Crichton novel, but it was still tons of fun.

[Justin Gerber · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5, really. Elmore without the sweat.

[Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you know, going into this, that it's written specifically as a "John Lange" novel, and not as a "Michael Crichton" novel, you'll be likely to enjoy it. It gives me HUGE Michael Douglas and Jeffery Hudson vibes. Love it for what it is. Banger.

[LambchoP]

Kind of funny that we keep getting new Crichton books even though he passed away over a decade ago. I have really enjoyed his posthumous books like Dragon's Teeth and Eruption. I'll definitely be checking this out.

[Paige Hart · Rating 4 out of 5]

Highly recommend this one on audio-- it's Ray Porter! I don't know if I would have liked this as much as I did if I didn't do that audio, but Ray makes it's fun per usual. Only a 5 hour listen also!

[Justin Soderberg · Rating 3 out of 5]

When you create such things as Jurassic Park and other fantastic works of fiction over the years, you tend to be a can't-miss type author. Michael Crichton has become said author. So, when a never-released book, A Murder in Hollywood , from the 1970s is published, I had to dive in. While the quality of writing is there, it's just not the story I had hoped for.

In the glitz and decadence of 1970s Hollywood, an era when sex and drugs are readily available on any movie set, the writer of the next Western blockbuster, Bloodrock, has just been found dead in his motel bathtub. Now publicist Harvey Jason is desperately trying to keep the project on track while the famed Harlow Perkins, a brilliant and ruthless investigator, begins to unravel the mystery and hunt the killer down.

From scorching-hot desert locations to sleazy motel bars, the members of the cast and crew--each one with a very dark secret of their own--will send this case deeper and deeper into a maze of confusion and shadows until the shocking truth is revealed.

Will the murderer be found?

Or will the true identity of the killer turn out to be just another Hollywood illusion?

Now, was I expecting for the outstanding science-fiction Crichton is known for, of course not. I was however hoping for something a bit deeper than a popcorn murder mystery based on a movie set. Finding a dead body on a movie set and having to solve the mystery behind it was an intriguing plot and I was at least entertained.

Like with other books, including Jurassic Park (which was adapted into one of my favorite movies), Crichton doesn't shy away from being as accurate as possible. You can tell Michael did his research before writing A Murder in Hollywood. The downside...it's definitely full of terminology and insight into the world of making movies that almost felt overwhelming at times. While it was important in this story and Crichton did explain most of the abbreviations or positions well, it just felt like it was more about explaining the ins and outs of a movie production and less about someone being killed.

This book did have me guessing who or if anyone on set did actually commit murder or how exactly it would end, which is what you want in an Agatha Christie-style murder mystery. So job well done! It's just the surrounding stuff that had me a bit overwhelmed. Crichton is a fantastic writer and even in this earlier works it shows.

What made A Murder in Hollywood even more enjoyable for me was listening to it on audiobook. Ray Porter is one of the best narrators in the history of audio drama. His voice has this timbre that is unmistakable and adds so much to the experience. This is what drove me to finish this book in a quick pace, the incredible voice of Porter.

Despite not being the best Michael Crichton novel ever, A Murder in Hollywood was still an entertaining, old-school murder mystery based in the chaos of 1970s filmmaking. The behind-the-scenes studio production details sometimes overshadowed the mystery at hand, but Cricthton's ability to craft a story kept me guessing.

A Murder in Hollywood is available at bookstores everywhere from Blackstone Publishing. The audiobook, narrated by Ray Porter, is available at Libro.fm!

NOTE: We received an advance copy of A Murder in Hollywood from the publisher. Opinions are our own.

[Ray Palen · Rating 4 out of 5]

When author and filmmaker Michael Crichton passed away in 2008 an enormous hole was left in the world and millions of loyal fans still mourn his loss to this day. In recent years, a series of novels that he had originally penned under the pseudonym of John Lange have been re-released allowing his longtime readers to dive into work that was markedly different than what he released under his own name but still full of his clever storytelling.

One of these John Lange novels has never before published A MURDER IN HOLLYWOOD. What starts out as a soap opera with characters from a movie set in the 1970’s quickly becomes a stylish murder mystery featuring a great lead character and narrator as well as the individual tasked with investigating the crime. From the very first line we are drawn into the life of film publicist Harvey Jason who is working on a Western film called Bloodrock which was moving along smoothly until a dead writer turned up in his motel bathtub.

There are a myriad of characters and keeping a scoresheet may be necessary for readers to stay on top of who is who and the roles they play in the film and potential murder case of the screenwriter named McDougall. Initially, Harvey --- who also serves as the narrator of this story --- reaches out to one of the Executive Producers named Greenblatt to make him aware of the finding. At first glance, it appears that McDougall simply had too much to drink and fell down, striking his head terminally against the edge of the sink and fell into the bathtub. Greenblatt tells Harvey to pick up a man named Perkins at the airport who is flying in to investigate this matter. Harlow Perkins is a no-nonsense type with a stern reputation which proceeds him and works as an auditor for the film company.

Harvey accompanies Perkins throughout his investigation and is often tasked with setting up each individual meeting while also providing assistance as sounding board and information gatherer for him. Two of the first meetings Perkins has are with the stars of the film Clete Williams and Brenda Conrad. The well-respected Clete was said to have had words with McDougall in the bar as well as at the motel the night he died. Brenda, meanwhile, was rumored to have had been having an unlikely affair with McDougal, who was not seen as a ladies man.

If you listened to the gossip on the set, everyone is leaning towards Clete being behind McDougall’s death as they knew there was no love lost between them and Clete might also have been jealous of the relationship McDougall had with his female lead. Perkins is not so quick to buy into this gossip and continues to notice things around the film and set that Harvey was unaware of, from camera shots to daily editing clips. This also keeps the reader from really having a handle on the murder mystery as it is always difficult to understand Perkins’ thought process with his investigation.

Perkins continues to press the issue camera shots and stunt work that will eventually all make sense when the big reveal comes along. Even though he is not an actual member of law enforcement, Perkins behaves like a cross between Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot in both his behavior and ability to see things that no one else notices. Just prior to the reveal, Perkins orchestrates a set up of certain characters as well as a reshooting all done with Harvey’s assistance with results that are more than a little eye-opening and completely stunning.

Michael Crichton, writing as John Lange, has created a murder mystery novel that his long-time readers probably never thought he was capable of. Yet, the end results of A MURDER IN HOLLYWOOD is a nerve-wracking read that builds chapter by chapter towards an ending that could have only been made in Hollywood itself.

Reviewed by Ray Palen for Book Reporter

[Bookreporter.com Mystery & Thriller · Rating 4 out of 5]

When author and filmmaker Michael Crichton passed away in 2008, an enormous hole was left in the world. In recent years, a series of novels that he originally penned using the pseudonym John Lange have been re-released, allowing his longtime readers to dive into work that was markedly different from what he wrote under his own name but still featured his clever storytelling.

A MURDER IN HOLLYWOOD is a John Lange novel that has been published for the first time. What starts out as a soap opera with characters from a movie set in the 1970s quickly becomes a stylish murder mystery featuring a great lead character and narrator, as well as the individual tasked with investigating the crime. From the very first line, we are drawn into the life of film publicist Harvey Jason. He is working on a western, Bloodrock, which is moving along smoothly until the screenwriter, Arthur McDougall, turns up dead in his motel bathtub.

There are a myriad of characters, and keeping a score sheet may be necessary for readers to stay on top of who is who and the roles they play in the movie and a potential murder case. Initially, Harvey --- who also serves as the story’s narrator --- reaches out to one of the executive producers to make him aware of what happened. At first glance, it appears that McDougall simply had too much to drink and fell down, struck his head against the edge of the sink and landed in the bathtub.

Harvey is told to pick up a man named Harlow Perkins at the airport who is flying in to investigate this matter. Perkins is a no-nonsense type with a stern reputation that precedes him and works as an auditor for the film company. Harvey accompanies Perkins throughout his investigation and is often tasked with setting up each meeting while also providing assistance as a sounding board and information gatherer for him.

The first to be interviewed are the stars of the film, Clete Williams and Brenda Conrad. The well-respected Clete was said to have had words with McDougall at the bar, as well as at the motel the night he died. Brenda, meanwhile, was rumored to have been having an unlikely affair with McDougall, who was not seen as a ladies’ man.

If you listen to the gossip on the set, everyone is leaning towards Clete being behind McDougall’s death. They know there was no love lost between the two, and Clete also might have been jealous of the relationship McDougall had with his female lead. Perkins is not so quick to buy into this theory.

Even though he is not an actual member of law enforcement, Perkins is like a cross between Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot in both his behavior and his ability to see things that no one else notices. Just prior to the big reveal, he orchestrates a setup of certain characters, as well as a reshooting. This is all done with Harvey’s assistance, and the results are more than a little eye-opening and completely stunning.

Michael Crichton produced a murder mystery novel that his fans probably never thought he was capable of pulling off. This nerve-wracking read builds chapter by chapter towards an ending that only could have been made in Hollywood.

Reviewed by Ray Palen

[Ethan · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Michael Crichton passed away in 2008, readers lost one of the great masters of the techno-thriller, an author with a unique ability to merge cutting-edge science and technology with pulse-pounding storytelling. Yet even after his death, Crichton’s literary output has remained surprisingly active. Unpublished manuscripts have surfaced, unfinished concepts have been completed by other writers, and we’ve even seen unlikely collaborations, including a posthumous novel with James Patterson just a few years ago.

So perhaps it shouldn’t come as much of a surprise that, eighteen years after his passing, a “new” Crichton novel has arrived. A Murder in Hollywood, originally written under a pseudonym back in 1973, is finally seeing the light of day.

Publicist Harvey Jason is no stranger to troubled productions. It’s the 1970s, and Hollywood is overflowing with oversized egos, rampant excess, and enough sex, drugs, and rock ’n’ roll to derail even the most carefully managed film set. Harvey’s job is to keep the chaos under control.

His latest project, the would-be Western blockbuster Bloodrock, has been cursed from the start. Endless rewrites and a screenwriter who keeps demanding more money have ballooned the budget and pushed the production behind schedule. And now things have gone from disastrous to deadly.

That very screenwriter has been found murdered in the bathtub of his motel room.

As the studio scrambles to keep the film afloat, Harvey finds himself caught between managing the increasingly volatile production and staying out of the way of Harlow Perkins, a brilliant and notoriously ruthless investigator determined to uncover who killed the writer.

At first glance, A Murder in Hollywood reads like a throwback murder mystery steeped in nostalgia for a bygone era of glitz, glamour, and Hollywood excess. But then I reminded myself that when Michael Crichton originally wrote the novel back in 1973, this wasn’t nostalgia at all—it was contemporary fiction, offering a snapshot of the very industry he was beginning to break into himself.

That realization reframed the entire novel for me. What initially felt like a fairly straightforward murder investigation revealed itself to be something much more quintessentially Crichton. No, it doesn’t revolve around cutting-edge technology the way many of his later works would, but it still contains all the hallmarks of his storytelling: a compelling premise, brisk pacing, and a colorful cast of characters navigating a system built on ambition, ego, and illusion.

There’s also something fascinating about seeing traces of the writer Crichton would eventually become. Even this early in his career, you can feel his instinct for momentum and entertainment taking shape on the page. A Murder in Hollywood is an entertaining and intriguing time capsule, offering readers a glimpse into both 1970s Hollywood and the early evolution of one of thriller fiction’s most influential voices.

[Jamie Steidle · Rating 4 out of 5]

A mystery with a dash of old Hollywood

A Murder in Hollywood was originally written in 1973 and intended to be published under Crichton’s pen name, John Lange, a name he used for writing quick thrillers during medical school at Harvard. In the introduction by Sherri Crichton, Crichton’s widow, we learn a little about his use of pen names. Unfortunately, we don’t learn anything new, specifically the reason the completed manuscript was never published in the first place. This lack of context is the biggest disappointment of the book. It would have been nice to have a little more information.

But the book is a fun, quick read. I received my copy in the mail around 6 p.m. on release day and proceeded to finish it in two days. 

The story takes place on the film set of a Western called “Bloodrock.” It’s narrated by Harvey Jason, the unit publicist on the film. Soon, we learn that the lead writer has been found dead in his bathtub. Originally, it's thought to be an accident, but we soon learn fingerprints had been wiped away from the crime scene, leading people to assume that it was a murder after all. There are several suspects, Clete Williams, the lead of the film, being the number one. As the leading man, you can imagine the media frenzy.

The studio calls in a special auditor by the name of Harlow Perkins. 

Perkins is your typical genre detective. He has peculiarities, to the point that he feels like a cross between Sherlock Holmes and Hercule Poirot. No doubt, the initials H.P. are a reference to Agatha Christie’s famous detective. There’s a scene where Perkins expertly taps open the top of a boiled egg, reminiscent of, if not an homage to, Christie’s detective.

By the last 100 pages, you can’t put it down. 
The writing style is personable, always referencing the reader with phrases like “I’m sure you remember hearing about…” and “If you’ve ever had…” Jason, as a narrator, has much more personality than most other narrative styles of Crichton’s later works. That’s the benefit of writing in first person. 
There’s a lot that could be critiqued in this manuscript, but overall, as a mystery novel written in 1973, it’s fun. I’d give it four out of five stars. It was an engaging read, and as a mystery enthusiast, I think it does a good job of building suspense.

[Kevin Joseph · Rating 5 out of 5]

Michael Crichton's thought-provoking sci-fi thrillers have been a huge influence on my own novels, so I was curious to see how his earlier writing (as a pulp fiction author earning money for medical school under the pen name John Lange) would compare to the later works that made Crichton a household name. A Murder in Hollywood reveals a different side of Crichton, but one that remains ingenious, entertaining, and timeless. This is a classic murder mystery, like something Agatha Christie might have imagined, with a tight plot, a closed-room setting, and multiple characters with plausible motives to kill. The writing style has a tight, noirish quality and cinematic flair, which made me eager to devour this mystery in a couple of days. Narrated in the first person by Harvey Jason, a studio publicist assigned to generate good publicity as the movie is filmed, a role that also involves tamping down bad rumors and gossip among the unruly actors, studio executives, and film crew at a western's filming location in Old Tucson. Jason tells us in the very first line that "I'm going to tell you the real story behind Bloodrock and how we ended up with a dead man in the bathtub." It turns out that the dead man is the script writer Arthur McDougall, and Jason's duties expand to shadowing Harlow Perkins, an insufferably brilliant insurance investigator dispatched to investigate the death as the filming resumes. Cast from the same mold as Holmes and Watson, Perkins and Jason uncover a web of jealous lovers, substance abusers, and blackmailers while piecing together clues that point in the direction of murder rather than accidental death. The plot includes well-drawn characters and some nifty twists that don't cross the line into implausibility, and I'm impressed by how Crichton's intimate knowledge of the moviemaking process during the early seventies makes the story feel authentic and believable. Recommended for those who love mysteries that will immerse them in a historical setting.

[Joseph Moschetti · Rating 5 out of 5]

When I reached the end of the novel it at first felt anticlimactic. A few moments reflection made me realize the ending fit the theme of the novel perfectly. I don’t want to spoil the book as it is so new so I won’t discuss the plot anymore. I do want to point out that Crichton does what he usually does in his books. That is, he flips the narrative cliches in his quiet way that produces an engrossing and interesting narrative experience.

Examples of this in his other novels are common. There will be spoilers below for a few of his earlier novels so proceed with caution.
In the novel Airframe there is an airline disaster. However, it is not a plane crash as most stories of this type would be concerned with. Crichton manages to approach a well worn idea in a fresh way by flipping the narrative but retaining the central concern of airline safety.
He avoids the standard tropes regarding dinosaurs in Jurassic Park. When most people think of dinosaurs their first thought is about how big they are. Crichton once again flips this by making the velociraptors the ultimate threat. Why? Because they are small enough to go through doorways and fit in hallways designed for human traffic. A third example would be the reversal of gender stereotypes in Disclosure.

This technique appears A Murder In Hollywood to good effect. Crichton is one of my favorite authors and I really enjoyed this novel because I enjoy anything he writes and I think this is a good one. It is from his early career and is similar to his other John Lange books. A reader who liked them would probably like this. A last point, the book has a very Sherlock Holmes vibe to it. I won’t say more to avoid spoilers.

[Denise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Written in 1973 under his John Lange pseudonym but previously unpublished, this book steps away from Crichton’s usual techno thrillers to deliver a classic whodunit.

The story unfolds on a movie location in Tucson, Arizona, where the production of a Western film called BLOODROCK is thrown into chaos when the film’s unlikable screenwriter is discovered dead in his bathtub. Studio heads arrange for a meticulous insurance investigator, Harlow Perkins, to come to the set and solve the case before everyone panics. Harvey Jason, the studio publicist for this picture, follows Perkins around as they dig into all the cast and crew members who might be the killer.

Lots of the usual technical detail with all the accuracy detailing the gritty, unglamorous logistics of a 1970 movie set. There’s no romanticism here but a sort of cynical realism. It captures the mood of a remote location shoot with all the budget anxieties and the tension on the set. This isn’t an action packed plot but more a steady procedural deduction process.

Definitely not character driven, this is more focused on the puzzle of what happened and who did what. Because it’s set in the 1970s it reads like a time capsule of earlier, less sophisticated movie making days.

I was able to listen to the audio book while also following along in the e-book ARC, both provided by the publishers. The narrator, Ray Porter, did a fantastic job with the voice work. His tone and delivery were perfect for the content and for the time period. His performances really enhanced my enjoyment of the book by creating a really immersive feeling. I recommend it.

[Elisa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Crichton could tackle many different genres and nail them all. A Murder in Hollywood reminded me a bit of the Toby Peters series, because it sets the action in the moviemaking world and manages to be entertaining and nostalgic. The book was written in 1973, so it is a little dated. The way women are portrayed is especially awkward but, as long as you see it in context, it’s not bad, or at least it didn’t really bother me. Ray Porter, as usual, delivers a fully-formed cast of characters, giving everyone their own voice. His pacing is spot on, making it easy to follow the plot and helping amp up the suspense. All this in service of a great, twisty story. Crichton was not Agatha Christie, but I loved finding all the clues and red herrings, which made the resolution of the mystery even more suspenseful. Publicist Harvey Jason is a likable lead and it was not hard to root for him. Insurance adjustor Perkins makes for a quirky version of Sherlock Holmes, subverting the expectations of the detective character and adapting him for the silver screen. This may not be the Maltese Falcon, but it’s a decent Thomas Crown Affair.
I chose to listen to this audiobook and all opinions in this review are my own and completely unbiased. Thank you, NetGalley/Blackstone Publishing.

[Judy Johnson · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was actually kind of a fun read, delving into the intricacies and good 'ole boy network of the 70s movie-making business. If you are expecting a "usual" Michael Crichton book, you'll be disappointed that THIS IS NOT THAT; however, this book completely works just the same. A murder of one of the members of a moving-making team draws attention from the insurance investigator Perkins, who is bound and determined to get to the bottom of it, no matter what it takes, and at his beck and call is the publicity guy who is charged with "babysitting" him and making all things imaginable available to him...you get the drift. If you don't like a little grit, cursing, smoking, drinking, etc., you know, the stuff you'd expect to find in a novel like this, then move on, this is not the one for you. If that kind of stuff is up your alley, don't skip this. I recommend it as a fun read, with an actual surprise ending. Thank you to the publisher for an early copy to read and review. All opinions expressed here are unsolicited and mine alone.

[Jennifer · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a book written by Michael Crichton in the early 1970's but never published. It doesn't have the sci-fi flair that he's known for, but it was still a good "Agatha Christie" type mystery. It's centered around the production of a movie being filmed in Tucson, Arizona when one of the writers is found dead. Since he is a huge a-hole, there are multiple people that could have done it...

I don't often read older books, but I actually enjoyed this one. It gave some insight into the film industry (although hugely outdated now) and the process that goes into making a movie. A short, fun mystery that keeps you guess all the way until the end.

[Oli Turner]

#amurderinhollywood by #michaelcrichton published in 2026 supposedly written in 1973 an unpublished/lost novel from Crichton’s #johnlange pseudonym. A fun little pulp mystery. Great behind the scenes detail of making movies in the 1970s. Presumably informed by Crichton’s experience in Hollywood at the time. Featuring a Sherlock holmes inspired investigator. This did feel very much like a Lange/crichton novel particularly with the inclusion of ‘documents’ within the text. An unexpected revelation towards the end with a delightfully ambiguous final chapter.

[Maria · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting mystery with a few twists and turns. I found the writing was easy enough to follow but I just wasn’t interested in it. The story itself, set on a movie set, wasn’t something I was familiar with and I did learn a lot about movie production, but it was a little too technical at times and I found my mind wandering. The ending was good, and the narration was excellent, but overall, this wasn’t my favorite by the author; I much prefer the science fiction stories.

Thank you to Net Galley and Blackstone Publishing for the review copy.

[Dennis · Rating 4 out of 5]

You can really tell this is one of Michael Crichton’s (John Lange) first novels, which is probably why it was never published before. The title for instance is A Murder in Hollywood buy the whole book takes place in Tucson. Now I know if it is about a movie company the it’s Hollywood, but it’s not clear. The story is good but told through the eyes of a person who is really not the main character. I liked it anyway it was a fast and interesting read

[Larae Perry · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Murder in Hollywood was such a fun, fast-paced ride. The old Hollywood atmosphere mixed with mystery and sharp wit made it hard to put down. The story moved quickly, and I loved the behind-the-scenes look at the film industry and all the messy ambition that came with it. A few parts felt a little rushed, but overall it was an entertaining and clever read with classic Michael Crichton storytelling energy.

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

Light, fast read. An early unpublished book by Crichton..spreading his wings. There is quite a bit of detail on how movies are set up, filmed, etc. It was written in 1998 so many things have probably changed.

The story at that time would probably have been more positively received. Crichton has written many excellent novels. My advice is skip this one and read one of his classics. However, if you have a free afternoon, it is a quick read.

[John Schorg · Rating 3 out of 5]

The best way to describe this book is efficient. The plot is interesting and easy to follow, and the author takes care of business quickly. Once you're done, you can set it aside and move on to something else.

[Stephen Paul Chase, Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this MP3 CD.

[Noah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Somewhat predictable but still enjoyable! Not sure how i feel publishing books that Chrichton himself chose not to publish when he was alive 🤷‍♂️

[Timothy R. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read

Fun book with fond memories of his other books. But it is very short, more like a novella instead. Thus I think it was over priced but still a good story.

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

It starts out slow - lots of dialogue but the end has several twists that really surprise!

[Dee · Rating 3 out of 5]

Part pulp fiction, part detective story. I wish there was less of the detective story, but I would still read anything Michael Crichton wrote.