"...the story takes some refreshingly unexpected turns, picking a path through genre cliches and keeping readers guessing. Fans of silver screen crime should approve, as, in many respects, this reads like the novelization of a movie." — Kirkus
“Britt Lind has written an intriguing mystery filled with twists and turns that takes place in a world she knows well from every perspective.” – Carlyne Grager, Talent Representative and Owner of Dramatic Artists Agency Los Angeles and Seattle.
Blood and dreams run red through the magical land of Hollywood, and rarely do kind souls win the spoils of war…
Singer/songwriter Josh Sibley is handsome, talented, and smart, but he tries to appease his demons with alcohol in an effort to break free of his complicated past. When he gets the opportunity to write songs for a multi-million dollar feature film, he throws himself in head first, determined to shake his bad luck streak. Then he meets Lila Levy, the sexy singer/actress who is married to the producer of the movie. She attempts to use her sexuality to hook Josh into a secret love affair—but Josh surprises himself by keeping his feelings under wraps while trying to teach Lila to sing his songs.
But this is Hollywood, and dark souls are clothed in glamour and secrets. When Lila’s husband Stan is murdered, Lila disappears, leaving Josh to deal with the woman determined to track her down—Sergeant Rosemaria Baker of the Beverly Hills Police Department. Beautiful yet disenchanted with the glitz of Hollywood, Rosemaria considers Josh a delusional loser but he’s her best lead. Too bad Josh doesn’t know Lila in the way he thought he did. When the cops finally bring Lila in, she declares herself innocent and builds her case around disturbing childhood trauma that will twist Josh’s soul.
hollywood has always been the perfect backdrop for ambition, secrets, and the kind of glamour that hides something darker underneath - and deception captures that beautifully. the story follows josh sibley, a struggling songwriter who suddenly finds himself in the glittering but dangerous world of show business. it's layered with tension, emotional pull, and the kind of slow unraveling that keeps you hooked. what stood out most for me was how real the characters felt. josh isn't a perfect hero — he's flawed, haunted, and human, which makes his choices all the more believable. the mix of music, mystery, and hollywood politics made the book feel cinematic, almost like watching a crime drama unfold scene by scene. if you enjoy mysteries that weave emotional depth with classic hollywood intrigue, this one is worth reading. it's dramatic, surprising, and full of atmosphere — a solid start to the series.
Fans of murder mysteries with likable characters in challenging environments should enjoy this latest entry into the Hollywood murder mystery subgenre.
*DECEPTION* is a Hollywood-set mystery full of glitz, secrets, and slow-burn suspense. Britt Lind takes readers behind the velvet ropes of the entertainment industry, showing us that the bright lights often cast the darkest shadows.
The story follows Josh Sibley, a talented but troubled singer-songwriter whose career is on life support. When his friend lands him a gig writing songs for a major motion picture, things start to look up. But his involvement with the gorgeous (and married) actress Lila Levy quickly complicates everything—especially when her producer husband ends up dead. Lila vanishes, the cops come knocking, and suddenly Josh finds himself at the center of a murder investigation led by Sergeant Rosemaria Baker, who has zero patience for Hollywood types and a sharp eye for the truth.
Let’s talk pacing: the first half of this novel moves slowly—so slowly I almost didn’t finish. But once the murder mystery kicks in and Lila disappears, the plot picks up dramatically. That’s when the book becomes much more engaging and delivers on its thriller promises. I honestly think the story would have benefitted from jumping into the action sooner and weaving in the backstory later through flashbacks or character reflection.
My favorite surprise? Noor the panther. Yes, there's a panther. Somehow, this animal becomes one of the most memorable characters in the book—symbolic, powerful, and weirdly perfect for the wild world Lind creates. And Los Angeles itself is practically a character too—gritty, glamorous, and full of secrets. The author clearly knows this setting inside and out.
What didn’t quite land for me was the romance between Josh and Rosemaria. It felt underdeveloped, like an afterthought, and lacked the emotional build-up to make it believable. Both characters were strong on their own, but their chemistry didn’t sizzle.
Overall, *DECEPTION* is a solid mystery once it hits its stride. If you enjoy Hollywood noir, morally gray characters, and twisty plots with a splash of old-school glamour, this one’s worth sticking with.
Looking forward to seeing how the series develops—hopefully with a faster start and even more wild surprises! Thank you to the author for the book and my honest review.
Do you like noir mysteries? Then this is for you. A series with the dark glamour of behind the scenes of the entertainment industry. The stars are not all shiny. They are human and have relatable problems with us readers. One of the focuses is on Josh. We follow him until the big crime happens in a further chapter (around the 11th, same for Rosemaria's appearance: 12th). Josh, who is great with animals, especially Noor, a musician with a heavy past.
Murder mystery with intense, vibrant, fast-paced chapters with a great whodunit plot.
Josh starts coaching Lila (who can't sing even if her life depended on it), but he immediately falls for her. Then her abusive husband appears dead and Lila
is gone. We also get flashbacks into Josh's childhood and trauma. Because of this, Josh can't stand abuse of any kind towards people or animals.
Deception is the first book of the detective Rosemaria Baker from the Beverly Hills Police Department. She is very easy to like as a main character, competent, doesn't take bulls*, super smart, with high moral values, who doesn't get blinded by the fake shiness of Hollywood. Aww, she does something very nice for Josh.
Can be read as standalones, each book has a self-contained murder case. But I always recommend reading in order, so start with Deception, go to Malevolence, and then Avarice, which is the most recent one, or read out of order only after reading book 1. Although each has a different crime, the relationships and character growth are continuous. Different Povs in short scenes and chapters (even of animals' perspectives).
We have Lila's Pov and she is so mean, ahah!
Be ready for shocking revelations and plot twists.
Fun note: The panther who is sick and the zoo is trying to save her is not just a cover element. Name: Noor. Ahah!
Very exciting story. My jaw dropped for that chapter of his brother and father at the end.
Britt Lind’s Deception pulls you right into the glittering but treacherous world of Hollywood — a place where talent can open doors, but secrets can destroy lives just as quickly. As an ARC reader, I found myself drawn in by the contrast between bright spotlight glamour and the darker undercurrents that shape every character’s choices.
The story follows Josh Sibley, a gifted musician who finally gets the break he’s been waiting for. His new opportunity brings him close to Lila Levy, a mesmerizing actress with a troubled personal life. What starts as a creative partnership slowly becomes a tangle of emotions, blurred boundaries, and dangerous truths. When Lila’s powerful husband winds up dead and she disappears without a trace, the glamour gives way to suspicion — and Josh becomes entangled in a mystery he never saw coming.
Enter Sergeant Rosemaria Baker, easily one of the strongest parts of the novel. She’s sharp, grounded, and refreshingly immune to Hollywood illusions. Her investigation adds pace and grit to the story, balancing out the more emotional arcs of Josh and Lila.
What I enjoyed most is the cinematic storytelling — you can almost feel the studio lights, the tension in closed-door meetings, the loneliness beneath the fame. The book takes its time to set the stage, but the buildup makes the twists more satisfying. The presence of Lila’s panther, Noor, adds an unexpected symbolic layer, hinting at both danger and captivity.
Deception shines in its exploration of ambition, vulnerability, and what people are willing to risk when survival and success collide. It’s a character-driven mystery with enough suspense to keep you turning the pages, especially once the investigation deepens.
A great pick for readers who enjoy Hollywood thrillers with emotional depth, flawed characters, and secrets that unravel one layer at a time.
Britt Lind’s Deception peels back the shimmer of show business to reveal a dark, character-driven mystery. Josh Sibley is an instantly sympathetic lead—talented, self-sabotaging, and hungry for a chance to matter. His attraction to Lila is the book’s live wire; Lind lets that swoony rush curdle into dread at a satisfying pace, so the inevitable fallout lands with real sting.
The standout, though, is Sergeant Rosemaria Baker. She’s allergic to Hollywood nonsense and laser-focused on justice, and every scene with her tightens the screws. The case delivers classic thrills—missing starlet, secret agendas, money, and lust in the mix—but what elevates the story is how Lind ties each twist to choice and consequence. Even the glamorous moments have teeth.
The pacing is brisk without feeling breathless; clues surface cleanly, and the final reveals play fair while still surprising. The content stays PG-13 adjacent—some language and sensuality—but the tension comes from moral pressure, not gore. Fans of Hollywood noir, romantic complications with consequences, and competent-woman-detective energy will have a blast. I turned the last page, satisfied by the justice delivered and already curious about where Rosemaria’s instincts will take her next.
Deception (A Hollywood Mystery) starts off an adventurous series, Rosemaria Baker Hollywood Mystery, by Britt Lind. This is my first introduction to this author's work and I enjoyed their writing style. I do have to admit that it did take a while to get into it but after getting through the first quarter, I was hooked. It was exciting with full of twists, turns, adventure, action, mystery and suspense. I was wanting to find out how the mystery would be solved and it was trying to figure out the "who done it". I adored getting to know the main character, Josh. I found this book to be a pretty good read that held my attention during the majority of it. I thought it was entertaining, and at times, had me holding on to the edge of my seat.
I am going to give Deception (A Hollywood Mystery) four and a half stars. I recommend it for readers who love to read exciting mystery and suspense filled thrillers. I am looking forward to continuing the Rosemaria Baker Hollywood Mystery series with book two, Malevolence. I am curious to what Britt Lind has in store for their characters, as well as, what journey they will be taking her fans and readers to next. This one is definitely worth reading.
I received a paperback copy of Britt Lind's Deception (A Hollywood Mystery) from the publisher, but was not required to write a positive review. This review is one hundred percent my own honest opinion.
Josh Sibley is a gifted singer songwriter whose life has been held hostage by trauma and alcohol for far too long. A huge break finally arrives when he is offered the chance to write songs for a major Hollywood film. Just as his confidence begins to return, he meets Lila Levy, the stunning star of the movie and the wife of its powerful producer. Their chemistry is dangerous and irresistible. It's veiled in secrets. When the producer is found murdered and Lila vanishes, Josh is pulled into a twisted battle between truth and illusion. Sergeant Rosemaria Baker enters the picture, suspicious of Josh, unimpressed by Hollywood. She's determined to bring Lila in. What follows is a gripping clash of love, manipulation, ambition, and the darkness behind fame.
The book sinks its hooks in from the very first chapter. Britt Lind builds Hollywood with an insider’s sharp eye, painting a world filled with shine on the surface and rot underneath. I loved the book and the characters. It reads easy.
The writing is confident, smooth. The book talks how desire blinds and how guilt corrodes. The murder mystery is tight, the emotional beats land with force. This is the kind of Hollywood noir that seduces its readers with glamour. Deception is a delicious amalgamation of crime, passion, thrill and psychological depth. I had a great time reading it.
Deception: A Hollywood Mystery by Britt Lind was a good read. The main characters included Josh, a young man who drinks too much, and has a habit of trying to save those who he believes needs saving. There is only one word to describe Lila...bitch. And trust me, the author wrote the role so well, I can’t imagine one person rooting for her. Rosemarie a smart cop with a good heart. The secondary characters all worked in propelling the story forward.
The plot was a typical murder with lots of secrets behind the scenes. There was some quirkiness with a black panther named Noor, who could express his thoughts to the reader. I enjoyed how the author gave us Josh’s backstory and how she used Los Angeles as another character, ie; the story wouldn’t have worked as well set in any other town.
The book did start slow, but halfway through the author really hooked you. I would say my only complaint, other than the slow start, was the relationship between Josh and Rosemarie; it didn’t work for me. Over all, a good mystery.
Thank you to NetGalley and Britt Lind for the opportunity to read and review this ⭐️⭐️⭐️ book.
both deception and avarice by britt lind kept me completely hooked from beginning to end. these hollywood mysteries are engaging, well-plotted, and paced just right, not too fast and not too slow. i loved following josh and rosemaria as they navigated fame, danger, and the messy world of love, justice, and dark secrets in hollywood.
of the two, avarice stood out to me the most. the chemistry between josh and rosemaria felt even more alive here, and i loved seeing their bond deepen while the stakes grew higher. i also enjoyed how britt lind didn’t shy away from showing the seedier, grittier side of hollywood that lurks behind the glamour.
if you enjoy thrilling mysteries with a side of romance and heart, this series is definitely worth adding to your tbr.
Hollywood glitz and glamour, but make it....dark and sinister and with secrets and suspense. Kept me hooked all the while reading it. It's a slow-burn suspens-y novel, the kind that's good for your heart.
The reason there's a panther on the cover has something to do with the book (obviously ) and it's chef's kiss. This book is some Hollywood noir-mystery-suspense-dark-thriller. Unlike most books I didn't feel like the romance between Rosemaria and Josh quite landed. It was .....unwelcome but hey the book's nature of invoking my curiosity made it up for it. It's a well written, noir-style, hollywood themed book that could be made into a movie. Because it's that cinematic.
behind the blinding lights and red-carpet smiles, Deception peels back the glitter to show what really hides in the shadows. ambition, betrayal, and a murder that ties it all together. Britt Lind’s writing feels cinematic and every scene plays out like a noir film dripping with secrets. the story follows singer-songwriter Josh Sibley, the mysterious Lila Levy, and Detective Rosemaria Baker as their lives collide in a swirl of fame, guilt, and lies. the twists are sharp, the pace fast, and the glamour deliciously tainted. If you love Hollywood thrillers with that old-school mystery vibe — think fame meets fatal secrets — this one’s for you!!!
This mystery hooked me from the start. It was the first book I’ve read by this author, and I was immediately impressed by how immersive her writing is. The plot is packed with surprises, and Rosemaria, Josh, and Noor really stood out as layered, engaging characters. I didn’t expect the story to dive quite so deep into its darker turns, but that made it even more absorbing. With its blend of hidden motives, sharp twists, and Hollywood’s polished-yet-poisoned atmosphere, it delivers a satisfying mystery.
Deception started out rather slow burn but it does eventually pick up the pace. This one is a mystery that has Rosemaria doing everything she possibly can to solve. We also meet Josh who is struggling with alcohol and writing songs for a singer/actress whose husband is murdered and she has disappeared. While I enjoyed the investigating which is thorough. The romance developing between Josh and Rosemaria felt wrong but I think with a few tweaks I can see the potential.
Josh is a flawed and entertaining character with an endearing backstory—caring for his disabled brother—who encounters the darker side of Hollywood. He becomes embroiled in an intriguing murder mystery and encounters the wrath of Sergeant Rosemarie Baker, who is determined to solve the case. The plotting is unpredictable and entertaining, with the types of secrets and toxic ambition reminiscent of showbiz. Fans of murder mysteries would enjoy this series.
I loved this wonderful dark mystery. I loved all the twists and turns. I loved Rosemaria, Josh and Noor. I was shocked and surprised at how twisted this story was and enjoyed it all. I liked learning some of the horrible things that happen in Hollywood just to get in a film. I could not put this book down. I received a copy of the book and gave an honest opinion.
Intriguing, suspenseful, emotional, dark. And – cinematic. Filled with characters with depth, realistic dialogues, and very visual storytelling, this definitely is one to consider adding to your TBR if you love engaging mysteries!
This was an intense thriller. I liked the Hollywood setting. Many of the characters were in show business. I liked that this story showed every part of the crime from before it happened to the trial afterwards. I’m curious to see how this series continues!
I enjoyed this mystery novel! It’s the first book I read by this author and I certainly liked her writing style and am currently working on finishing the rest of the series!
While I felt like Deception started off a bit slow paced, it picked up and did end strong! I definitely enjoyed the vibe of many of the characters! I loved Noor the most🥰🥰 my all time favorite character in the book! If you know you know!
I am obsessed with the fact that it was the cover drew me in instantly! Loved that black panther face, it was very attention grabbing!
I thought that there was excellent character and plot building especially as we got to the middle and ending! Lots of little twists and turns that I didn’t see coming!