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Smog
Not yet published
Expected 22 Apr 27Win a free print copy of this book!
11 days and 01:00:43
25 copies available
U.S. only
From the internationally bestselling author of
Sweetbitter
, a provocative and heady mix of true crime and dark pyschological noir, set during the Menendez trial in 1990s LA
Los Angeles, early 90s. Rodney King has been beaten, East LA has burned, the Northridge earthquake has collapsed the 10 freeway, and 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 of the Menendez trial. Instead, he finds himself less interested in the evidence, and pulled into something murkier, lurid, and tragic.
What happens outside the courtroom is just as fascinating as the theatrE inside. And no one fascinates Hugo more than his close friend Liv Ellis, a quick-witted, bookish Beverly Hills society wife who accompanies Hugo to the trial and whose obsession with the trial is as mysterious as her origins.
What happened in the Menendez house? Who is Liv Ellis? And what happens in the homes of the glitterati that haunt the city’s seen and be seen restaurants, hotel lounges and tennis clubs?
A heady mix of true crime 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.
Los Angeles, early 90s. Rodney King has been beaten, East LA has burned, the Northridge earthquake has collapsed the 10 freeway, and 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 of the Menendez trial. Instead, he finds himself less interested in the evidence, and pulled into something murkier, lurid, and tragic.
What happens outside the courtroom is just as fascinating as the theatrE inside. And no one fascinates Hugo more than his close friend Liv Ellis, a quick-witted, bookish Beverly Hills society wife who accompanies Hugo to the trial and whose obsession with the trial is as mysterious as her origins.
What happened in the Menendez house? Who is Liv Ellis? And what happens in the homes of the glitterati that haunt the city’s seen and be seen restaurants, hotel lounges and tennis clubs?
A heady mix of true crime 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.
- GenresLiterary Fiction
Audible Audio
Expected publication March 23, 2027
About the author
Stephanie Danler
9 books1,926 followersStephanie 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.
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
2027
August 30, 2026📱 Thank you to NetGalley and Scribner
September 5, 2026
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.
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.
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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!
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!
Review of advance copy received from NetGalley
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!
Thank you to Netgalley for this advanced copy!
April 20, 2026
This book is an instant LA classic. Neo noir vibes, mystery, intrigue…Danler has outdone herself
Want to Read
August 28, 2026Thank you to Net Galley, the author, and the publisher for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!
RTC.
RTC.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews