Smog

by Stephanie Danler

From the internationally bestselling author of Sweetbitter, a captivating blend of literary fiction and true crime—set during the Menendez brothers trial in 1990s Los Angeles.

Two handsome brothers from Beverly Hills are on trial for the brutal murder of their parents. The entire country is riveted.

So is Hugo Byrne.

A renowned journalist—decades sober, privately repressed, and haunted by the violent death of his own daughter—Hugo arrives at the Chateau Marmont to cover the trial for a glossy national magazine. He intends to write the definitive account.

But what happens outside the courtroom—the lives disrupted, in some cases ruined—is just as fascinating as the theater inside. And no one fascinates Hugo more than his close friend Liv Ellis, a quick-witted Beverly Hills society wife who accompanies Hugo to the trial, and whose obsession with the brothers is as mysterious as her origins.

An enthralling mix of true crime, high-toned dish, and dark psychological noir, Smog is a story of wealth, privilege, and abuse; a suspenseful inquiry into the dark heart of that universal institution that is supposed to protect us but so often the family.

Genres: Literary Fiction

Kindle Edition

Expected publication March 23, 2027

About the author

Stephanie Danler is a writer based in Brooklyn, New York. She holds an MFA in creative writing from the New School. Sweetbitter is her debut novel.

Reviews

[Mai H.]

📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner

[Courtney Townill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Smog was a novel that reminded me how transportive fiction can be. Late 80’s and early 90’s Los Angeles, a restless city obsessed with the parricide of Kitty and Jose Menendez, and all viewed through the lens of Hugo Byrne. He seems to be so lucky: a coveted front row seat in the courtroom, rooms at iconic hotels, and dinners with his obscenely wealthy connections, but as the novel goes on, we start to see through the veneer.

Hugo is a fascinating and flawed man, and I was living for the significant pettiness of his circle. His narrative was engaging and at times dark, and served as a stark reminder: all journalism comes with a bias and manipulated perspective.

Like the Smog of the title, this novel has a pervasive feeling of pollution. Are we seeing everything, or what Hugo wants us to see? What is the significance of what he shows us, and more: of what he leaves out?

Stunning work, and now I need to live with the pain of not being able to thrust this into anyone’s hands for months.

*thank you to the publisher for the review copy.

[Kim · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was incredible. Yes, it is about the Menendez trial, and yes, it is a fascinating portrait of L.A. in the 90s, but mostly it’s a look inside the mind of a flawed man who breaks everything he holds too close. Hugo Byrne is a wonderful character because he is just so human and flawed. I hope this book is a huge hit! It deserves it!

Thank you to Netgalley for providing the review copy. And no thank you, I actually hate you, to Amazon and Bezos for rendering my 2012 kindle unusable with advanced reader copies. Useless!

[carol · Rating 4 out of 5]

A very 90s, LA-based, noir and suspense novel featuring Huge Byrne, a journalist, who writes about the Menendez brothers trial then subsequently facing the aftermath into his own life. For fellow enjoyers of 'Sweetbitter', this one will definitely capture your heart.

Thank you to Netgalley for this advanced copy!

[Tony · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is an instant LA classic. Neo noir vibes, mystery, intrigue…Danler has outdone herself

[arielle]

Thank you to Net Galley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

RTC.