Below the Line: A Hollywood Crime Novel

by Lowell Cauffiel

For Fans of Hollywood Noir and novels by Elmore Leonard and Michael Connolly comes a new crime novel from Hollywood insider and true crime writer.

Former Detroit homicide detective Edwin Blake broke into show business as a script consultant on cop movies. Now living in Los Angeles five years later, Blake is suffering from clinical depression, is no longer in demand in film and TV – and money is short. But things look up when Blake gets a call from wealthy, oddball producer, Jason “JP” Perry, telling him he wants to hire him for a future cable TV series. But there’s a catch.  First he wants Blake to locate the missing ex-wife of a “friend of a friend” from Chicago. Blake will be working for free on a promise – a typical Hollywood hustle. But Blake’s not the only one on the case. Hired gun Warren Poole has also been hired to find the woman. When a corrupt Hollywood producer, an ex-cop with a conscience, and a career criminal without one all have the same quarry, trouble is bound to ensue. And it does, with remarkably satisfying results, thanks to Blake's girlfriend, Carla, a former roller derby queen who has turned more than her own life around. Filled with rich characters both easy to love and hate, BELOW THE LINE skewers Hollywood in a deliciously fresh way.

With his expert eye for true crime detail and his prowess at executing elaborate plot, Cauffiel gives us a thrilling ride on the dark side of Hollywood that lingers long after the credits roll.
 

Genres: Thriller

Kindle Edition

Published May 2, 2023

Reviews

[Mike Killelea · Rating 3 out of 5]

Meh…

[V · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hollywood noir by a new author for me. The plot started a little slow for me as I tried to put the players into place. Then it took off with a vengeance. The premise is a husband looking for his missing Ex-wife and daughter. Human nature seems to include distrust, not revealing the entire story, holding back facts and outright lying about circumstances. This certainly applies to JP, the movie mogul assisting a ‘friend of a friend’ find his missing Ex-wife and child. JP is hedging his odds by pursuing a couple different routes to find them for his ‘friend '.
Blake left snowy Detroit for sunny LA, a former detective now a production consultant on police procedures for TV and movies. JP keeps dangling upcoming job opportunities for Blake. Meanwhile JP wants him to find the missing woman and daughter. Blake soon discovers doing favors for free isn’t worth the pay off. Nobody is completely honest and blood will be shed.
Poole was part of Vegas organized crime is now a smalltime fixer in LA. He’s racing to find the same missing people for an entirely different agenda.
There are many twists and turns in the plot as reasons the woman left are slowly revealed. Blake has an very interesting girlfriend and is dealing with side effects from an antidepressant which had his detecting skills off kilter.
There were surprising revelations and plenty of fast paced action. An enjoyable mystery and an author I would read again. Thanks to NetGalley for the digital advance reader copy of “Below The Line” by Lowell Cauffiel, Skyhorse Publishing. These are all my own honest personal thoughts and opinions given voluntarily without compensation.

[David Morgan · Rating 4 out of 5]

A riveting Hollywood romp from a master storyteller.
Five years after leaving his homicide detective job in Detroit for the excitement of being a script consultant on cop movies, Edwin Blake finds himself depressed, running out of money and no job. His luck is about to change though when a somewhat successful producer who goes by the name 'JP' calls offering him a job on a new series he's creating. It comes with a catch though, he'll need to find a woman and her child for a 'friend of a friend'. What he doesn't know is that JP has also hired another gun to also find the woman. You know an ex-cop and a hired gun don't mix so from here the suspense and tension rise as the characters race to find the women before someone gets hurt.

I really enjoyed this one! There are some surprises I didn't see coming with characters I grew to like more and more and the added humor to the storytelling was like a cherry on top. The tightly wound, well crafted plot flows nicely from chapter to chapter making for a quick and thrilling read. The cinematic quality of the writing makes it easy to be there with the characters in the middle of the action. I can easily see this one being developed into a movie.

Thank you to the author, Arcade CrimeWise Books and Saichek Publicity for the gifted copy to read, review and enjoy.

[Rina Di Raimo · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book brought me right back to Sugar with Colin Farrell, that same irresistible, smoky pull, so naturally I had to read it. What I found was a taut, beautifully constructed noir that moves with purpose, every scene sharpened to a point. The characters are messy in the most human ways, haunted, tender, infuriating, and they linger, the way good characters do, long after you think you’ve set them aside.
It begins with a slow burn, almost a tease, as if the story is deciding whether you’re ready for what’s coming. And then it opens up, accelerates, and suddenly you’re in it, held captive by the momentum and the ache of it all, flipping pages because stopping doesn’t feel like an option.
If this is what the author is capable of, consider me committed, I’ll be reading more of their work.

Thanks to Skyhorse Publishing & Arcade Crimewise for giving me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Diane Hernandez · Rating 5 out of 5]

Below the Line is a modern-day Hollywood noir brimming over with genuine characters.

Everyone is trying to make it in Tinseltown…but not all have virtuous goals.

Former Detroit homicide detective Blake had a lucrative career as a LA script consultant. Until he didn’t. Hoping a promised production credit pans out if he can find a missing ex-wife, Blake searches within the dark underbelly of LA. Unfortunately, a career criminal has the same goal but not the same ethics. Cue the fireworks!

With both believable characters and an excellent twisty plot, Below the Line is a great choice for noir fans. Add in the pitch perfect descriptions of the real LA hidden beneath the PR sheen and you have a fantastic book that I highly recommend. 5 stars!

Thanks to Skyhorse Publishing and Edelweiss + for a digital review copy of the book.

[Jean-Luc · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hollywood corruption and murderous shenanigans are comingling in this adrenaline fueled ride under the cerulean sky of LaLaLand, a gripping and entertaining tale that puts an ex-police officer from Detroit now working as a script consultant on cops movies and a ruthless hitman on an unavoidable collision course after an unforgettable game of cat and mouse all over LA....

A captivating plot full of unexpected twists and turns and blessed with a terrific cast of exquisitely drawn characters make this unforgettable criminal romp a very satisfying read that deserves to be enjoyed without any moderation whatsoever!

Many thanks to Skyhorse Publishing and Netgalley for this fabulous ARC!

[Jackie Martello · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s ok.
It had some really good moments, but the whole of the story is kinda Hollywood underbelly- porno- crime- icky. It wasn’t character driven either. I didn’t like the characters, and therefore I had real trouble being entertained by them on their own merits. It is well written, and the audiobook is well narrated, but in the end it just didn’t float my boat. I can see how else may love it.

[Joe McNellis · Rating 5 out of 5]

If you are a fan of mystery novels, do not miss Below The Line! Fast-paced, engrossing and twisty, with a captivating plot and behind-the-scenes Hollywood intrigue. Not only could I not put it down, I didn’t want it to end! I had never read Mr. Cauffiel before, but I’m going to grab all of his previous works that I can find!

[Jamie · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was sent this book I exchange for an honest review. I enjoyed this book though it’s not my typical genre. The storyline kept me hooked enough to want to keep reading to find out what was going on and how it would end because I couldn’t figure it out. This was a 3-3.5 star read for me because while I enjoyed reading it I didn’t find myself that invested in the characters.

[Likestotravel · Rating 4 out of 5]

A solid, fast-paced crime novel that shows a more corrupt and dangerous side of Hollywood. The multiple victims, heroes and villains star in this intriguing mystery.

Thanks to NetGalley and Skyhorse Publishing for the opportunity to read this ARC.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

A thriller set in Hollywood that reminded me of some noir of the golden age of Hollywood.
Gripping and well plotted, intriguing characters, and fast paced.
Can't wait to read other stories.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this arc, all opinions are mine

[Augie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is an excellent stand alone mystery book written by Lowell Cauffiel. This is the first book I’ve read by this author, but will look forward to his future books,

I also hope he writes a follow up book and makes these characters into a series.

[Night Runner · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.25 Stars for me.

I enjoyed the vast majority of this story until the overly dragged out ending. It is a campy take on detective story in the best way. Think John Mclane with stuff being blown up.

[Ursula · Rating 5 out of 5]

It kept me captivated!

[June Lorraine Roberts · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyable read. Full review on Murder in Common:
https://murderincommon.com/2023/05/07...

[Deb Mervold · Rating 4 out of 5]

It was a great plot and realistic characters.

[Jessica Kopena · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars! I enjoyed it. The star made me nervous but it picked up throughout the study! I enjoyed Edwin and Clara's relationship. Better than I expected. 😊

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a great suspenseful plot with side stories and many twists. The characters are believable and maintain your interest

[Dr. Stephanie Douglass · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'd probably rate it 3.5, but rounding up.
Had some elements that reminded of Michael Connelly novels, especially the setting. The storyline was engaging.

[Chris Humphrey · Rating 4 out of 5]

Below the Line a Hollywood Crime Novel by Lowell Cauffiel was a delight to read. It felt like I was reading a script for a new cop movie with dialogue that had my belly aching from laughter. With words and characters that are for sure to make you laugh, you will not be dissapointed if you go out and pick up this book. If you like the works of Elmore Leonard, then this book will be most likely for you. If you are a fan of movies like, 48 hrs, Lethal Weapon, and the Nice Guys, then this book will definitely be for you. It was such a delight to read that I went out to get a couple more of the author's previous books and look forward to reading them this year.

The only complaints that some people may have is that it takes about ten chapters to get into the rhythm of this book, but when it does, it takes off with the speed of light. That complaint is only for the readers who feel the need to be distracted by the way the wind blows into their house when they are relaxing and put the book down to investigate it. I like books that take their time introducing characters and building their world like this one, but I know some ADHD readers who do not.

Other than that, I encourage everyone to go out there and pick up the book. This choice will not let you down, I promise.

Keep Reading!

Chris Humphrey.

[Johnny Coolati · Rating 5 out of 5]

A SUPER FUN AND FANTASTIC THRILL RIDE.

There is an authenticity to this novel that is rarely matched. Reading Below the Line really feels as if you’re cruising around Los Angeles’ west side and Hollywood hills. Many of us Angelenos know this town is full of gnarly upper class secrets and serious crimes. It’s a twisted scene that Lowell captures wonderfully with great snappy dialogue full of humor and authentic film industry jargon. His insider knowledge and a wickedly dark sense of humor had me slapping my knee every couple of pages saying to myself “Yep. It’s just like that.” It’s a great read from start to finish, with a climax that would probably make Michael Mann jealous. This book feels like a great movie, but also seems incredibly truthful to the real-life story world and institutions it’s set in. Fans of Hollywood noir and crime stories will not be disappointed. I loved it.

[Steph Montalvo · Rating 4 out of 5]

this was a great read! It took me a minute to get the main characters in order (the story line goes back and forth between two character perspectives), however I thoroughly enjoyed the way this was written. I was able to follow along, and I found myself very invested in the story. I did predict something accurately, but I was fooled for the ending! I’m grateful to @netgalley for this ARC! And I highly recommend if you are into crime fiction!

[Jody Reads Smut · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was an excellent book centered on the Hollywood industry. There is constant suspense thanks to Cauffiel's writing. I was drawn in by the mystery to keep reading.

Thanks to publisher and NetGalley for the eARC to read and review.