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Dark Vanity

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Reid Garrett is one of Hollywood's biggest stars. He's also a serial blackmailer, extortionist, and murderer. His good looks, charm and personality mask his sociopathic obsession to prey on Hollywood celebrities and other "A-listers." Cameron Haines, a top talent agent with a dark secret is Reid's agent. He's also one of his victims. Cameron hires former CIA agent Alton Price to end Reid's extortion, and protect his secret. Alton has a reputation for making celebrity problems "go away" quietly and discreetly. He can hide your sins and avenge your enemies. That's why he's the best "fixer" in Hollywood. Cameron's problem is an otherwise easy assignment for Alton, until he discovers that Reid is not acting alone. He has a secret network of powerful accomplices, making Reid more formidable than he thought. Alton's "easy fix" assignment becomes deadly, and his ultimate plan to stop Reid and his collaborators unfolds as a true Hollywood thriller.

261 pages, Kindle Edition

Published August 8, 2021

4 people are currently reading
418 people want to read

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Gregory E. Seller

5 books36 followers

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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
Profile Image for Aristotle.
736 reviews75 followers
September 7, 2021
This is a script rejected from the Lifetime channel

Don't waste your time reading such drivel

The hair on his head was thick and blonde, but his pubic hairs were black.
Uh, waiter! CHECK!

He looks at his body in the mirror a body that is tall, trim, toned but not muscular. Slides his hands from his chest down to his groin, rubs the hair around his...WAITER!!! Check!

The author also mentions how beautiful the characters are over and over and over.
A Goodreads giveaway stinker!
Profile Image for Dave.
486 reviews
September 7, 2021
Thank you to author Gregory Seller for this FREE Kindle copy of Dark Vanity. And thanks to Goodreads for hosting the opportunity.

I liked it. Well written story, good flow and characters and pace. Simple, 'Bond'ish' main character who has all the connections and tech toys needed to get the job done. Written in a way to provide the reader good visuals. And, I thought, a little dig, and a little humor tossed at the pampered peoples the masses love to throw money at. Well edited and nice cover design.
13 reviews
July 12, 2021
Dark Vanity by Gregory Seller is a fast paced thrill ride. The storyline and characters make for a great entertaining read. Fans of the Netflix mini series Lupin will love Dark Vanity.
2 reviews
September 13, 2021
I loved Seller's first book, but don't expect the same theme here. Unlike his first effort, which had a couple main characters I fell in love with, everyone in this book is flawed in one way or another. That's what makes this story so edgy and twisted. Even Alton Price, the best "fixer" in Hollywood, makes some unexpected missteps and his darker side is more evident when events evolve beyond his control. Vanity is the underlying motivator for all the characters, and if you've ever worked in the entertainment industry, this story may be all too real. It's dark, edgy, but unpredictably fun!
Profile Image for Brandy Hicks.
7 reviews
October 1, 2021
Unexpected

This book was very intriguing and I kept being surprised by the twists. To me this book was like a heist that has to come together perfectly. Every time I thought I knew the next move of a character I would be surprised. I enjoyed the ending and the way everything was tied up nicely.
1,979 reviews72 followers
October 23, 2021
A pretty good read that had lots of twists and turns. This had the flavor of a James Bond thriller with its sophisticated flavor and fast paced action and suspense.
I won a copy of this book in a Goodreads giveaway for this honest review.
Profile Image for Kat M.
5,249 reviews18 followers
August 2, 2022
I really enjoyed this mystery novel, it was a great mystery story with interesting characters. I enjoyed the use of Hollywood and enjoyed the way Mr. Seller writes.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.
Profile Image for Brenda Howard.
17 reviews3 followers
March 21, 2023
This was far more than I expected. This wasn’t the type of book I often read, but I got in love with it. The characters in this novel had me rooting for them to succeed or fail, which I view as an indication that Mr. Seller, the author, crafted well-drawn characters that got me on the edge of my seat the whole time.

Dark Vanity becomes an exciting and intriguing page-turner that captivates its readers through its vivid imagery of the elements of fiction.

Blair's character becomes the key to unmasking the people behind the mayhem, extortion, and blackmail in Hollywood. They had victimized prominent Hollywood stars in exchange for money. They rationalized their deeds through illogical reasoning because of pleasure. Reid Garrett was one of the characters that totally intrigued me. Seller’s delivery with Reid made me exclaim aloud with anger, that’s how engrossed I am with the book. There’s never a dull moment in the author’s storytelling and every narrated scene seems to come to life with its vivid description.
Profile Image for Megan Kennedy.
16 reviews1 follower
March 16, 2023
I was actually intrigued by the author’s talent for storytelling in this book. To me, it’s tricky to open a story from the parts of the climax only to pull you back to the beginning. I find that many authors end up pulling too far back or starting too far in the turning point of the story, and this mistake usually defeats the purpose of this technique which is to give the readers ample suspense and curiosity to get through the plot development. But this didn’t seem to be a problem for Dark Vanity. His opening scene was perfectly suspenseful and dramatic with stunning details that pulled me right into the plotline.

When a rising Hollywood star, Blaire Kilian, witnessed the horrific death of her partner in the set, she began doubting herself and the kind of job she got into. Amidst the tumult, she must need to trust her wits and unlock hidden skills in order to stay alive. Highly recommended book!

Profile Image for Joseph George.
17 reviews6 followers
March 22, 2023
The beauty of Dark Vanity lies in its perfect blend of thrill, horror, drama, intrigue, and realization. I thoroughly enjoyed the author’s delivery of the plot. The setting becomes tangible because of its amazing imagery. Imagining the place and time where the action takes place becomes very easy through Seller’s magical way of weaving words together. His characters come to life through explicit descriptions as well as their interaction with each other. The tone in which the whole story was being narrated was dire and action-packed with just the perfect amount of brooding undertones accentuated by the meticulous choice of vocabulary that made the readers aware of the seriousness of the situation.

I like the ending, and though there were murders and confessions, the ending is timeless. And I believe that it’s going to leave a long-lasting impression on both minds and hearts of the readers.

A great and suspenseful book to read!

Profile Image for Evelyn Vargas.
17 reviews1 follower
March 16, 2023
A remarkably brave and cunning actress, and a serial blackmailer, extortionist, and murderer crossed paths in Hollywood in this well-paced novel of suspense and thrill. Their clash brings LAPD Ed Reams, detective Alton, and Cam into action.

To anyone who enjoys crime and mystery, I challenge you to read the first chapters and not be absolutely enthralled by the writing. Isn’t it impossible not to be enthralled by it? We don’t frequently come across a book with a story that can both move you to your core and stun you with the amazing writing that it contains. A novel like Dark Vanity can’t be not loved or hated because of its beautiful prose.


I’ll just say, Gregory Seller, you did a fantastic job. I had a blast reading the book, and you did a fantastic job telling the narrative this dark.
Profile Image for Tyler Patel.
15 reviews2 followers
March 17, 2023
A well-thought villain and a unique protagonist in their slow-burn contention is unlike anything that has ever happened before. Thus, if you could go back, and wipe your memory of a book just to relive the excitement and thrill of reading it for the first time, this book would be it.

The villain’s good looks, charm, and personality masks his sociopathy to prey on Hollywood celebrities and others. He is not working alone. He is helped by a top talent agent with a dark secret. However, fate doesn’t always live up to one’s expectations. One of his greatest setbacks is Blair Kilian. Will Blair ultimately unmask him and expose his personality?

I’m not going to spoil anything for the readers. I’ll let them read themselves and discover the stunning plotline and well-drawn characters in this page-turning novel by Gregory Seller.
Profile Image for Raymond Price.
13 reviews10 followers
March 17, 2023
Dark Vanity by Gregory Seller is the perfect concoction of a heavily impactful discourse on a heavily dark-themed novel based on murder, chaos, trickery, and action. Combined with the author’s creative writing and remarkably wild imagination makes for a very satisfying story to read.

The author expertly entwines mystery, murder, mayhem, action, and beautiful words, and chooses the most exciting parts of the plotline for a very engaging reading experience.

Blair, Cam, Reid, Alton, and more and their well-paced conflict make a wonderful reading experience. Of all the elements of the story, the characters totally got my attention. The opening scene alone will welcome readers with a heart-thumping suicide, that seemed like a murder, but wait until you finish the book. Highly recommended!
Profile Image for Henry Cox.
12 reviews10 followers
March 20, 2023
A daring Hollywood star, Blair Kilian, meets a good-looking, and charming serial blackmailer and extortionist in this well-paced novel of mayhem and murder. The murder of anyone who gets in their way means nothing to them, mere collateral damage of their nefarious plan.

Every chapter is an experience itself, and it goes from erotic to dark in seconds that you don’t quite expect but should see coming. It’s compounded with a sense of dark and brutal murders that gets attention-grabber as the story progresses.

The only qualm I have for this book is that everything came at you fast and hard, not really giving you a chance to sit with it in the end. There was only so much you could do with the major stakes of the book, only so much that you could take in at a time. As such, it didn’t quite stick the landing, despite a spectacular attempt to do so.
Profile Image for Rebecca Roberts.
9 reviews
March 20, 2023
The best thing about books, especially novels, is that they bring the readers to a completely different place and time without having to leave the comfort of their reading area. Gregory Seller’s Dark Vanity is no exception. I truly enjoyed every part of it. He successfully captivates his readers with his knowledge of limelight and destruction. The beginning part alone where a man dived off from a building and vanished is both exhilarating and scary.

Seller is rich in his language in every conversation, and the description of the scenes is intricately detailed. It’s arousing in both mind and muscle! “Dark Vanity, not your typical Hollywood murder …” His words could simply be called artistic and sensual in a way that just pulls you right.

There’s always something to be thrilled about in every situation.
Profile Image for Kayla Garza.
18 reviews5 followers
March 20, 2023
Dark Vanity by Gregory Seller is not for the faint of heart. The way he describes the appearance of a setting and draws the characters in such detailed ways creates an incredibly clear image making reading like watching a movie. Each conversation and action depict each character’s personality really well with stunning accuracy.

The book's beginning chapter grabs the reader's right into the plot. It opens with a shocking murder, and mystery. The plot has multiple climaxes and while the conflict wraps up in the denouement, the cliffhanger at the end lets readers know more is to come.

TW, this book contains profanity, gruesome murder, and deeply erotic scenes. But if these things don’t bother you at all, then look no further. It’s definitely something that you would want to take your time reading and savor all the engrossing and heart-thumping tale.
Profile Image for Shirley Bailey.
16 reviews3 followers
March 21, 2023
Captivating, suspenseful, erotic, and scary: with eloquent prose that brings to life realistic and believable characters, and events.

Ms. Kilian knew exactly that the appeared-to-be murder she witnessed is real and not imaginary. The person that was killed without a trace was the same person she had an affair with minutes before he got killed. Days later, that same person appeared on the set but with a different personality. Puzzled and confused, Blair tried her best to solve the mystery behind the murder she had witnessed. It turned out, she became the victim of blackmail and extortion.

The satisfying touch of thrill and heart-thump makes a stunning reading experience. It's an easy read for crime and thriller buffs while trying to relax while still being suspenseful and exciting.

Profile Image for Carol Wheeler.
9 reviews1 follower
March 22, 2023
Gregory Seller takes us on a whirlwind of survival, action, steamy romance, gory murder, and drama through the lives of these villains and protagonists.

Alton’s role in the story becomes one of the highlights of the book. His way of helping people is unconventional, but necessary. He solves everything, but ironically he wasn’t able to solve his own problems. Blair must keep her mouth sealed, otherwise, she’ll end up begging for her life. Thanks to Cam and Alton’s help, she escaped the trap.

What I like the most about this book is that every twist has its huge surprise and aha moments. Seller expertly captivates his readers by weaving a web of excitement and thrill, a dash of heart thumps, and a couple of well-placed suspense and action, and based on the cliffhanger at the end, it was simply hard to top.
Profile Image for Jeff Carpenter.
18 reviews5 followers
March 22, 2023
An exciting and heart-thumping novel with many intriguing characters and a thought-provoking plot.

Get ready and join the fun of solving the mysterious murder of Reid Garrett and the escape of Blair Kilian from a serial blackmailer and extortionist.

Thirty-year-old Blair Kilian, a Hollywood actress, is in deep water after witnessing a murder that vanished without a trace. Things begin to turn strange when she realizes the person that was murdered that night is alive. However, he is different and seems to have no idea about who she is. The next scenes after that bring a well-planned kidnapping that puts Blair’s life in danger.

With a plot this heavy and dark, the reader is taken on a roller coaster of raw emotions as well as the main character’s experiences. I highly recommend it.
Profile Image for Margaret Duncan.
4 reviews1 follower
March 22, 2023
An exhilarating, well-balanced mystery/crime book from a talented author.

Will Blair Kilian totally unmask her enemy and the people behind her tragic fate?
Left puzzled and confused, Blair tried to find out who got killed that night, and how the victim vanished without a trace. To further complicate matters, the person that was killed appeared to her the following couple of days on their TV set. Her unlikely response leads to rape. Now, the fun part begins.

I had no idea how much I enjoyed the book until I started reading it. Seller deserves a lot of credit for producing amazing narratives straight from his wild imagination. The author surely knows how to leave his readers utterly speechless. The action and confrontation are splendid examples of this.

My only qualm with this book was the tidy ending but based on the epic cliffhanger this book is worth reading.

Profile Image for Frank Ruiz.
7 reviews
March 17, 2023
I am highly recommending this book. As a huge fan of deep thriller and suspense novels, I found Gregory Seller’s Dark Vanity to be exactly my cup of tea. It exceeded my expectations and I had a blast reading the whole novel.

The complex characters and plot made this book an unforgettable page-turner that will have you on the edge of your seat the whole time. I love how Blair Killian was weaved into the plot, making her unique, and stood out among the characters. Her witt, judgment, beauty, and unique personality trait made her a remarkable character, equally contrasting the antagonist’s sociopathy.

This book is way more exciting, thrilling, and suspenseful than the usual novels. Recommended with five stars!
Profile Image for Sophia Stewart.
14 reviews3 followers
March 20, 2023
Who am I not to recommend a book as good as this one? Dark Vanity is an incredible book that will have you on the edge of your seat. Through her remarkably challenging career, amidst the limelight, the author’s imaginative and brilliant mind is given a clear manifestation. There were a lot of times that I really felt for the character, especially the kidnapping, the raped, and the attempted murder, just because it was like the writing of the book makes the readers see the story in a perspective that magnifies the whole feeling behind every scene and every emotion in the characters of the story.

This book is definitely a keeper, and I’ll be recommending this one for days to come with my friends. Kudos Gregory Seller for giving us this wonderful work of yours for our enjoyment.
Profile Image for Charlotte Hughes.
11 reviews2 followers
March 20, 2023
I was deeply intrigued by the author’s talent in writing this book. You can really tell that Gregory Seller is a passionate and skillful writer. His attention to the tiniest details of the imagery makes the whole novel easy to picture in the mind’s eye that reading feels like watching a film. Mr. Seller did his homework on the background of his subject.

The book will take you to a great action, suspense, and exciting chase between the main character, LAPD and the mastermind of the mayhem. Blair’s character was completely well-drawn and you could only imagine the struggles she must have faced to get away from the unforeseen dangers. I was heavily impressed at how well this book was written. Indeed, Mr. Seller once again proved his ingenuity with this insane masterpiece.

Profile Image for Jonathan Cooper.
15 reviews11 followers
March 21, 2023
Gregory Seller transports you to a world of his own invention. This is a novel that highlights blackmail, murder, mystery, and action and it was a lot of fun connecting the puzzles together to solve the mysterious suicide witnessed by Blair.

Blair, the LAPD representatives, Cam, Alton, and among others must work together in order to find out the real culprit behind the extortion, blackmail, and chaos. With that being said, the well-thought-out plot line transformed Dark Vanity into a breathtakingly appealing world of speculative fiction.

Seller has stunned us with this debut book of his with a sense of darkness and sensuality that propels the flow of the story. With its meticulously designed intelligible conversations, the plot becomes easy to imagine.
Profile Image for Emma Ward.
18 reviews2 followers
March 21, 2023
Can you stop a well-established Hollywood star that is both evil and good-looking from preying on its victim? With money, charm, and looks, it is impossible to say no to Reid Garrett no matter what his requests are. Behind his angelic mask lies a devilish intent.

This book is hard to put down. In all honesty, I’ve finished this book in just one sitting. I read this work like someone thirsting for water after days in the desert sun—voraciously ingesting the pages as quickly as I could to reach the stunning climax and tragic ending. I cannot recommend Seller’s expertly written novel highly enough.

It’s a compelling, page-turning, exceptional book that will leave you breathless—both in the written word and emotionally.

Profile Image for Douglas Jordan.
9 reviews
March 16, 2023
While reading this heart-thumping epic novel, I was blown away by the plot development. I wanted to leap into the pages and help Blair escape the impending danger. In all honesty, this was a well-written novel that I didn’t want to finish. I had a wonderful time reading and anticipating what's going to happen next, and who’s going to be the next victim.

The story’s primary character, Blair, was beautifully woven into the plot to continue a magnificent story that not only tells a story but also gives impeccable entertainment for the readers to enjoy.

Kudos and massive respect to the author.
Profile Image for Frances Murray.
14 reviews
March 16, 2023
The book, Gregory Seller, is a book that is not for me. Even if there were parts that had me engrossed as others, that point stands.

The prologue where it divulged the tidy ending wasn’t really engaging to me. The antagonist’s fate in Russia and his ultimate demise seemed like a draft and was written in a raw form. I believe it needed gentle editing to become convincing and tangible to the readers. Although I appreciate the author’s effort in building an engaging and suspenseful plot line, this book is not for. Nevertheless, this is an impressive concept and with a little effort, it can become an impressive novel.

Profile Image for Scott Chavez.
16 reviews1 follower
March 17, 2023
The action, the mayhem, the personalities, and the fact that everything felt so real… You’d feel as though you’d been transported to the setting of the novel. This book must have taken a lot of time and effort to write. And I can understand how much effort Gregory Seller put into the plot to get to this point.

This book was awesome! Although this book has a lot of trigger warnings, I was so engrossed in the plot that I was sad to see it come to an end.

I enjoyed how the author intertwined the lives of his main character and the villains and drew all my emotions as I read. More of this author’s work is on my reading list.

Profile Image for Alexander Mendoza.
11 reviews2 followers
March 17, 2023
This is a novel that is based on murder, mayhem, deceit, steamy tryst, and thrill. It is exceptionally written. Don’t be put off by its TWs, as you progress, everything rightly falls in place and it will keep you turning pages with ease.

Blair is a rising Hollywood star, who happened to have a secret affair with one of Hollywood’s biggest stars, Reid Garrett. Everything turned awry after Reid’s fake death.

In this high-stakes tale of international intrigue, Blair, Alton, and Cam will find themselves facing off against a psychopath, a top-tiered agent, and other untold dangers - as they come to realize that not everyone is who or what they appear to be.
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