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A Murder in Hollywood
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?
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?
244 pages, Hardcover
First published May 5, 2026
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 160 reviews
May 9, 2026
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.
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.
June 8, 2026
the setup…
Harvey Jason is the unit publicist assigned to the movie set for Bloodrock, a Western on location in Tucson, Arizona. He’s awakened by a phone call from studio brass informing him that Arthur McDougall, the screenwriter, was found dead down the hall in his motel room. Jason (no one uses his first name) is dispatched to birddog Harlow Perkins, a brilliant insurance investigator who’s been hired to figure out what happened. At the same time, Jason is expected to keep production on track while spilling the tea to the studio bigwigs before it becomes public.
the heart of the story…
It’s the early 70s and the movie set is a reflection of that era with all its slime and excess. Jason is synthesizing all the clues Perkins is unearthing and quickly realizes the man does have skills. It’s amazingly authentic in tone and atmosphere, creating a vivid image of all the characters and the scenes. The potential suspects are clear, too, and everyone seems to be holding something back or keeping secrets.
the narration…
Ray Porter skillfully captured all that great atmosphere and tone as Harvey Jason, including his snappy cynicism. His delivery and pacing was excellent.
the bottom line…
I did a combination of listening (mostly) and reading as the foreword written by Crichton’s widow was fascinating and illuminating. He wrote this under the pseudonym of John Lange while in medical school and even though this isn’t as intricate as his later works, it still has game. I was hooked from the first chapter through that twisty Hollywood ending. Crichton was a genius.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Libro.fm and Blackstone Publishing for my complimentary copies. All opinions are my own.)
Harvey Jason is the unit publicist assigned to the movie set for Bloodrock, a Western on location in Tucson, Arizona. He’s awakened by a phone call from studio brass informing him that Arthur McDougall, the screenwriter, was found dead down the hall in his motel room. Jason (no one uses his first name) is dispatched to birddog Harlow Perkins, a brilliant insurance investigator who’s been hired to figure out what happened. At the same time, Jason is expected to keep production on track while spilling the tea to the studio bigwigs before it becomes public.
the heart of the story…
It’s the early 70s and the movie set is a reflection of that era with all its slime and excess. Jason is synthesizing all the clues Perkins is unearthing and quickly realizes the man does have skills. It’s amazingly authentic in tone and atmosphere, creating a vivid image of all the characters and the scenes. The potential suspects are clear, too, and everyone seems to be holding something back or keeping secrets.
the narration…
Ray Porter skillfully captured all that great atmosphere and tone as Harvey Jason, including his snappy cynicism. His delivery and pacing was excellent.
the bottom line…
I did a combination of listening (mostly) and reading as the foreword written by Crichton’s widow was fascinating and illuminating. He wrote this under the pseudonym of John Lange while in medical school and even though this isn’t as intricate as his later works, it still has game. I was hooked from the first chapter through that twisty Hollywood ending. Crichton was a genius.
Posted on Blue Mood Café
(Thanks to Libro.fm and Blackstone Publishing for my complimentary copies. All opinions are my own.)
May 31, 2026
Before Michael Crichton wrote his debut novel "the Andromeda Strain" and hit the big times he studied medicine. However paying for his education he wrote pulpy books under the names of Jeffrey Hudson & John Lange. This book is one of the John Lange novels and it has never been published before, so in essence it is a new Crichton novel.
The publicist Harvey Jason gets woken up by a big boss of a movie studio how he is going to approach the dead of a writer of the movie Bloodrock in production, who has been found dead in his bathtub in the hotel everybody is staying.
Enter Harlow Perkins who is send to investigate the suspicious death of one of the movie staff.
The book is told through the eyes of Harvey Jason and it is a tale about detection and mostly about actual moviemaking on location in Tucson.
It is an easy and quick read, and before the end of the novel I had already picked the right person as the culprit. As such as a detective the book is about average as a tale about movie making much more fun.
This was Crichton before the famous Crichton and the books were indeed far better than in these early days.
The publicist Harvey Jason gets woken up by a big boss of a movie studio how he is going to approach the dead of a writer of the movie Bloodrock in production, who has been found dead in his bathtub in the hotel everybody is staying.
Enter Harlow Perkins who is send to investigate the suspicious death of one of the movie staff.
The book is told through the eyes of Harvey Jason and it is a tale about detection and mostly about actual moviemaking on location in Tucson.
It is an easy and quick read, and before the end of the novel I had already picked the right person as the culprit. As such as a detective the book is about average as a tale about movie making much more fun.
This was Crichton before the famous Crichton and the books were indeed far better than in these early days.
May 16, 2026
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.
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.
May 27, 2026
This book just didn't hold my interest that well. The narrative went into great detail about the behind the scenes drama of the movie making business, which didn't add to the expected suspense. I felt the ending left open some unanswered questions; the book just wasn't a thrilling page turner for me.
June 5, 2026
Review of audio copy received from Netgalley
Would you believe this is my first Michael Crichton? I own several but they always get pushed to the back burner.
I don’t think this was a good representation of his work? I would assume. This did not feel like the strongest starting point.
I had to google how many of Michael Crichton books have been turned into movies. Over a dozen, was the answer.
This felt like it was written to become a movie…. About a movie… de-glamorizing movies and movie making. I would watch it and probably enjoy it a little bit more just because I think the story could’ve been progressed and understood better by showing more than telling. The gotcha moment needed that.
Would you believe this is my first Michael Crichton? I own several but they always get pushed to the back burner.
I don’t think this was a good representation of his work? I would assume. This did not feel like the strongest starting point.
I had to google how many of Michael Crichton books have been turned into movies. Over a dozen, was the answer.
This felt like it was written to become a movie…. About a movie… de-glamorizing movies and movie making. I would watch it and probably enjoy it a little bit more just because I think the story could’ve been progressed and understood better by showing more than telling. The gotcha moment needed that.
May 16, 2026
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.
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.
May 29, 2026
I really never got into this boring "mystery" and felt I pretty much had it figured out all along (and I was mostly right). I'm not sure the author name Michael Crichton (whose books I LOVE) should be attached to these early works...which he himself obviously had not done. He wrote books that he felt he could sell a few copies to help pay his way through Medical School and I'm sure they served that purpose but maybe they should have just served that purpose and been allowed to die a quiet death.
June 21, 2026
Though our famous author died in 2008, his widow apparently decided to publish a book Michael wrote (under the pseudonym John Lange) back when he was in medical school and trying to hide making a little side money as a burgeoning novelist. This book about the making of a film, with a likely murder happening that seals the plot, is so detailed, it is hard to believe the author probably did not have that much exposure to the movie industry and accompanying machinations on set. Anyway, it was actually a fairly intriguing story that read quickly and entertained until the "explanation" at the end, plus a little twist to add to the fun. He did deserve to be paid! {3.5}
June 28, 2026
A Michael Crichton book narrated by Ray Porter? Yes please.
This was a who-done-it Hollywood style and it was ok. At least Ray Porter did the narration. I think I was expecting something a little more Michael Crichton-ish. If you like mysteries and historical fiction from the 1970’s, you will probably love this book.
I found the behind the scenes of Hollywood movie making in the 70’s much more interesting than the plot of the book if I’m being honest.
It did keep my interest throughout but I wasn’t especially enamored.
*Thanks Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the gifted ALC!*
This was a who-done-it Hollywood style and it was ok. At least Ray Porter did the narration. I think I was expecting something a little more Michael Crichton-ish. If you like mysteries and historical fiction from the 1970’s, you will probably love this book.
I found the behind the scenes of Hollywood movie making in the 70’s much more interesting than the plot of the book if I’m being honest.
It did keep my interest throughout but I wasn’t especially enamored.
*Thanks Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the gifted ALC!*
Read
May 19, 2026Elmore without the sweat.
June 2, 2026
I really enjoyed this murder mystery set on an Old Western movie location in the 1970s! It had a classic film noir, old Hollywood vibe.
Told from the POV of Harvey Jason, the film production publicist, basically in charge of fixing whatever problems arise and keeping things flowing smoothly. Not an easy job! When the screenwriter is found dead in his room, Harvey is charged with trailing the insurance investigator, Harlow Perkins, brought in to solve the case. Perkins is well-known as sharp and determined and Harvey is mystified by some of his requests.
I blew through this in an afternoon and enjoyed every minute! I love Ray Porter’s narration (he narrated Project Hail Mary)! He did an excellent job bringing all characters to life, male and female, and played up the splashes of wry humor enhancing my enjoyment of this entertaining mystery!
I voluntarily listened to an audio copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.
Told from the POV of Harvey Jason, the film production publicist, basically in charge of fixing whatever problems arise and keeping things flowing smoothly. Not an easy job! When the screenwriter is found dead in his room, Harvey is charged with trailing the insurance investigator, Harlow Perkins, brought in to solve the case. Perkins is well-known as sharp and determined and Harvey is mystified by some of his requests.
I blew through this in an afternoon and enjoyed every minute! I love Ray Porter’s narration (he narrated Project Hail Mary)! He did an excellent job bringing all characters to life, male and female, and played up the splashes of wry humor enhancing my enjoyment of this entertaining mystery!
I voluntarily listened to an audio copy courtesy of the publisher. These are my thoughts and opinions.
May 8, 2026
This didn't feel like a Crichton novel, but it was still tons of fun.
May 7, 2026
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.
May 25, 2026
This would probably have been better left unpublished
May 21, 2026
BLURB:
Harvey Jason, the unit publicist on the early 1970s film Bloodrock, is pulled into a murder investigation after screenwriter Arthur McDougall is found dead. Alongside investigator Harlow Perkins, he uncovers secrets and hidden motives tying nearly everyone on set to the crime.
REVIEW:
If you love classic Hollywood movies and film stars and whodunnit murder mysteries that keep you guessing, this one is for you! What makes this book fascinating is that Michael Crichton wrote it in 1973 under his pseudonym (John Lange), but it’s only being published now. As you’re reading, you can feel the older style of writing, but it perfectly matches the premise and setting. The dialogue, the movie set, the studio politics, and the larger-than-life movie star personalities all feel authentic to the era. The murder mystery kicks off right in the opening chapter, and the short chapters and fast-moving narrative make it easy to remain engaged. And the book is packed with tropes—Hollywood noir, everyone is a suspect, corrupt studio executives, ensemble cast, dangerous secrets, glamor, hiding corruption, and more!
The entire story is told through Harvey’s first-person POV, and he speaks directly to the reader, recounting how he had to manage (and survive) a major Hollywood nightmare. From an early-morning phone call informing him of Arthur McDougall’s death all the way to the explosive final reveal days later, he narrates everything with an almost exhausted voice full of dark humor that makes him likable. It’s so fun following him as he desperately tries to manage the scandal, hold the production together, and not get fired. Meanwhile, he’s up against self-absorbed studio executives, including producer Charles Mann and production manager Claude Bingham, who treat him very poorly—and it shows how brutal film productions of that era could be. As Harvey’s investigation unfolds, he interacts with every member of the production, including lead actor Clete Williams, actress Brenda Conrad, and an unstable newcomer, Sally Oldman. They all seem suspicious, and nearly all of them have secrets tied to Arthur McDougall—a man who made enemies everywhere he went and seemed to be a thorn in everyone’s side. Add in Harlow Perkins, a cold, brilliant genius insurance investigator who’s always several steps ahead of Harvey (and everyone else, including the reader!), and you have a puzzle-plot mystery that will have you scratching your head throughout.
With under 250 pages (less than five hours on audio), you can easily finish this book in a single day. Even if you figure out the killer, you probably won’t guess all the moving parts of the mystery or how everyone is connected, as a lot of information is withheld until just before major reveals. The final chapter has one more last-minute twist that may pull the rug out from under you and leave you shaking your head!
If you’re an audiobook listener, this is definitely one to experience on audio, as actor Ray Porter brings Harvey and all the colorful personalities vividly to life, and his performance transports you back to that era of Hollywood filmmaking, making the listening experience cinematic and immersive!
Harvey Jason, the unit publicist on the early 1970s film Bloodrock, is pulled into a murder investigation after screenwriter Arthur McDougall is found dead. Alongside investigator Harlow Perkins, he uncovers secrets and hidden motives tying nearly everyone on set to the crime.
REVIEW:
If you love classic Hollywood movies and film stars and whodunnit murder mysteries that keep you guessing, this one is for you! What makes this book fascinating is that Michael Crichton wrote it in 1973 under his pseudonym (John Lange), but it’s only being published now. As you’re reading, you can feel the older style of writing, but it perfectly matches the premise and setting. The dialogue, the movie set, the studio politics, and the larger-than-life movie star personalities all feel authentic to the era. The murder mystery kicks off right in the opening chapter, and the short chapters and fast-moving narrative make it easy to remain engaged. And the book is packed with tropes—Hollywood noir, everyone is a suspect, corrupt studio executives, ensemble cast, dangerous secrets, glamor, hiding corruption, and more!
The entire story is told through Harvey’s first-person POV, and he speaks directly to the reader, recounting how he had to manage (and survive) a major Hollywood nightmare. From an early-morning phone call informing him of Arthur McDougall’s death all the way to the explosive final reveal days later, he narrates everything with an almost exhausted voice full of dark humor that makes him likable. It’s so fun following him as he desperately tries to manage the scandal, hold the production together, and not get fired. Meanwhile, he’s up against self-absorbed studio executives, including producer Charles Mann and production manager Claude Bingham, who treat him very poorly—and it shows how brutal film productions of that era could be. As Harvey’s investigation unfolds, he interacts with every member of the production, including lead actor Clete Williams, actress Brenda Conrad, and an unstable newcomer, Sally Oldman. They all seem suspicious, and nearly all of them have secrets tied to Arthur McDougall—a man who made enemies everywhere he went and seemed to be a thorn in everyone’s side. Add in Harlow Perkins, a cold, brilliant genius insurance investigator who’s always several steps ahead of Harvey (and everyone else, including the reader!), and you have a puzzle-plot mystery that will have you scratching your head throughout.
With under 250 pages (less than five hours on audio), you can easily finish this book in a single day. Even if you figure out the killer, you probably won’t guess all the moving parts of the mystery or how everyone is connected, as a lot of information is withheld until just before major reveals. The final chapter has one more last-minute twist that may pull the rug out from under you and leave you shaking your head!
If you’re an audiobook listener, this is definitely one to experience on audio, as actor Ray Porter brings Harvey and all the colorful personalities vividly to life, and his performance transports you back to that era of Hollywood filmmaking, making the listening experience cinematic and immersive!
June 21, 2026
Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Audiobooks for providing me with an ALC.
This was a quick mystery read, with a lot of sleuthing. I really liked the technical descriptions of cinema production and everything that goes into it. I learnt a lot from it. But the mystery/crime itself didn't keep me invested in the book and there weren't enough twists and turns in the story. I also didn't like how women were described in the book. I know it's an old book and matched its times probably, but it still irked me to see them described pretty much as just for looks or sex. I definitely prefer this author's science fiction books. This is great for anyone who wants to learn more about the work distribution and mechanisms that go on inside Hollywood.
The audiobook was nice and brought out the Hollywood setting well.
This was a quick mystery read, with a lot of sleuthing. I really liked the technical descriptions of cinema production and everything that goes into it. I learnt a lot from it. But the mystery/crime itself didn't keep me invested in the book and there weren't enough twists and turns in the story. I also didn't like how women were described in the book. I know it's an old book and matched its times probably, but it still irked me to see them described pretty much as just for looks or sex. I definitely prefer this author's science fiction books. This is great for anyone who wants to learn more about the work distribution and mechanisms that go on inside Hollywood.
The audiobook was nice and brought out the Hollywood setting well.
June 25, 2026
I listened to this on audiobook courtesy of Librofm. It took me a little to realise this was set in the 1970s - I should have cottoned on to the tone, that’s for sure.
Our narrator is a studio employee who takes the reader through the ups and downs of the movie industry. The ups - who was sleeping with who, and the downs - the occasional dead cast member.
The narrator was one interesting dude, as was the insurance adjuster who is sent to investigate the matter.
A little gumshoe for my listening pleasure. A good listener but nothing earth shattering.
3.5 stars
Our narrator is a studio employee who takes the reader through the ups and downs of the movie industry. The ups - who was sleeping with who, and the downs - the occasional dead cast member.
The narrator was one interesting dude, as was the insurance adjuster who is sent to investigate the matter.
A little gumshoe for my listening pleasure. A good listener but nothing earth shattering.
3.5 stars
June 8, 2026
This started off good and quickly went south. All the info about the movie biz was interesting at first but then there was too much of it and it disrupted what little flow there was. And so many characters….could not keep them all straight not that I really cared after a while. The mystery was boring and injecting a little ambiguity into the identity of the murderer didn’t make things better. Very disappointing.
May 15, 2026
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!
Want to Read
January 26, 2026Kind 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.
May 14, 2026
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.
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.
May 17, 2026
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
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
June 10, 2026
As a fan of Crichton's works, I was excited to pick up an ARC of the new audiobook for his newest posthumous publishing, A Murder in Hollywood. This is my first book by him under the pen name of John Lange.
In addition to the always-great narration of Ray Porter, this book has a great point-of-view: it is told from the perspective of Harvey Jason, the publicist for a fictional film being produced in the book, and is told as though Jason is chronicling the story for you after the fact. Having not read many books with this style, I must say I very much enjoyed that — and the audio version takes that to another level, feeling as though Jason is telling you what happened directly.
While some may see the outdated perspective of this book (as it was written when Crichton was alive) as a downside, I consider it to be a point of interest and appreciated it. It reads as historical fiction would, time-wise, but more authentic seeing as it was actually written decades in the past.
I don't really have anything negative to share regarding the book, or the audiobook, as long as you have the proper perspective of the delay in publishing — the writing lacks some elements of modern writing, such as a quicker pace and more action in the text, but again: some, such as myself, will see that as a plus. (I enjoy slowing down from the pace of most of the books I've been reading as of late)
I recommend A Murder in Hollywood to fans of Michael Crichton, his works under the pen name of John Lange, mysteries, insider looks at Hollywood, film buffs... and the audiobook moreso, especially if you're a fan of Ray Porter's narration. I listened to the audio version of A Murder in Hollywood at 1.25x speed in the NetGalley app, having received the ARC from the publisher through NetGalley. Thank you to both for the opportunity to listen to, and review, this title!
In addition to the always-great narration of Ray Porter, this book has a great point-of-view: it is told from the perspective of Harvey Jason, the publicist for a fictional film being produced in the book, and is told as though Jason is chronicling the story for you after the fact. Having not read many books with this style, I must say I very much enjoyed that — and the audio version takes that to another level, feeling as though Jason is telling you what happened directly.
While some may see the outdated perspective of this book (as it was written when Crichton was alive) as a downside, I consider it to be a point of interest and appreciated it. It reads as historical fiction would, time-wise, but more authentic seeing as it was actually written decades in the past.
I don't really have anything negative to share regarding the book, or the audiobook, as long as you have the proper perspective of the delay in publishing — the writing lacks some elements of modern writing, such as a quicker pace and more action in the text, but again: some, such as myself, will see that as a plus. (I enjoy slowing down from the pace of most of the books I've been reading as of late)
I recommend A Murder in Hollywood to fans of Michael Crichton, his works under the pen name of John Lange, mysteries, insider looks at Hollywood, film buffs... and the audiobook moreso, especially if you're a fan of Ray Porter's narration. I listened to the audio version of A Murder in Hollywood at 1.25x speed in the NetGalley app, having received the ARC from the publisher through NetGalley. Thank you to both for the opportunity to listen to, and review, this title!
June 2, 2026
Murder in Hollywood by Michael Crichton is a fast-paced and entertaining mystery that offers an intriguing glimpse into the world of Hollywood through the perspective of a publicist who guides the reader through the unfolding events. Despite being a posthumous publication, the story feels surprisingly relevant, touching on themes and situations that echo some of the high-profile entertainment industry controversies seen today.
The novel moves quickly, balancing suspense with a light, tongue-in-cheek sense of humor that keeps the narrative engaging. The audiobook narrator captures this tone particularly well, delivering the story with energy, wit, and excellent pacing. The comedic moments land naturally, adding charm without detracting from the mystery.
This was an enjoyable reminder of why Michael Crichton became such a widely read author. In fact, it inspired me to revisit more of his work, having almost forgotten how much I enjoy his storytelling style.
Overall, Murder in Hollywood is a fun and accessible mystery with an entertaining narrator, a brisk pace, and enough humor to make it a thoroughly enjoyable listen.
Thanks to NetGalley and Blackstone Publishing Audiobooks for the ALC. This is my honest review.
June 5, 2026
This is an extremely difficult book to rate. It’s an attempt at a whodunnit with a quirky sleuth reminiscent of Hercule Poirot. It was simultaneously too long and way too short at the same time to deliver the twists appropriately.
A good portion of the book was the main character and narrator explaining 1970s Hollywood politics and back information about the movie industry to us (which I would have enjoyed as a nonfiction book alone) and it felt unbalanced taking us out of the murder mystery for a good portion of the narrative.
Ray Porter brought this book to life well, and I highly recommend to anyone that is a fan of Ray and his narration skills. I quite honestly don’t know if I would have been able to get through the physical book. Certainly not in the matter of one day like I was able to with the audio book.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review the advance version of this audio book.
A good portion of the book was the main character and narrator explaining 1970s Hollywood politics and back information about the movie industry to us (which I would have enjoyed as a nonfiction book alone) and it felt unbalanced taking us out of the murder mystery for a good portion of the narrative.
Ray Porter brought this book to life well, and I highly recommend to anyone that is a fan of Ray and his narration skills. I quite honestly don’t know if I would have been able to get through the physical book. Certainly not in the matter of one day like I was able to with the audio book.
Thank you to Blackstone Publishing and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review the advance version of this audio book.
May 23, 2026
What a pleasure to find out there's an unpublished Crichton to read. Some of his books were brilliant and all of them were really fun. This is a Hollywood murder mystery, and it's a fun romp. Thanks to NetGalley I got to listen to the audiobook and it flew by. Clever plot, interesting characters... I hope there are more missing books to read.
This is a review of the audiobook.
This is a review of the audiobook.
May 30, 2026
Nice, short, fun book. I totally enjoyed it.
May 21, 2026
Well written and very good murder mystery, but half of this short book tells you all the details behind Hollywood movies. All those details showed a young Crichton could do his research but it was more detail than I wanted.
May 17, 2026
Fun quick read. Written by Michael Criton under a pseudonym while he was in medical school. His next novel after this was The Andromeda Strain. And the rest is history.
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