I had high hopes for this book. The premise sounded SO intriguing, but ultimately the book fell short. First, the characters aren’t even remotely likable. There’s a gratuitous amount of sex, drugs and weird Greek mythology interludes, but it all felt like overkill. I found myself slogging through this novel despite it being a fast read. IMO? Pass.

I attempted to read this on several occasions and simply could not get into it. DNF at 27% as it didn't interest me. Not my cup of tea.

She Died Famous is a fascinating book exploring the dark side of fame, obsession, love, and even a little hope. I don’t know if saying that I liked the story is exactly accurate. I enjoyed reading it. I was fascinated by it. I was intrigued and disturbed. I couldn’t put it down. I think this only trouble I had with it was a few small parts where I had trouble following what was real and who was who, though some of that fits right into the story. I love that it was told through blog posts and interviews. The format was perfect for creating an atmosphere of uncertainty. The characters were not likeable, but were in the important ways relatable. I am sure I will get even more out of this as I think on it more. I will happily look for more from this author.

Many thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the copy in exchange for an honest review.

2.5 STARS

"Set in Hollywood, She Died Famous is an innovative thriller that exposes the dark side of fame and obsession in today’s digital landscape. The story’s shocking twists and unreliable narrator will have every reader asking: Who killed Kelly Trozzo? "

I am really torn on how to rate and review this. There were parts that I really enjoyed and parts that I ....didn't. The synopsis of this book sounded so intriguing - a Hollywood star murdered after an obsession relationship with an author....who writes an online confession? AND it's told through blog posts, news articles and police interviews? Count me in!

Unfortunately I found the execution of the story a big lack lustre and even tedious at parts. There were several chapters that I skimmed (but only so I could get back to the parts that convinced me to keep reading!) I immediately disliked both Kaleb and Kelly (neither had many redeeming qualities) and I found Kaleb's drug induced psychotic narrative hard to follow at times. I'm not even quite sure I "got" the ending either. However, there was enough substance to the story to keep me reading until the end. So I guess that's something?

Thank you to Netgalley, the author and publisher for this digital copy! All views are my own.

First Id like to thank @netgalley and Publisher @thegreaterpath for a copy to review
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Thanks to author @kmrutkin for an incredibly wild read, diving deep into the dark side of fame in today’s digital world.
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Dark and damaged are two words that come to mind while reading this novel. Told from a combination of news headlines, blogs and interviews made me feel like I was following a true Hollywood crime story. Narrators are unreliable, fame obsessed ... I was wondering WTH was going on the entire read ?!? Which was a good thing!
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Characters are all damaged in a web of popularity obsessed behaviour. A trip into the minds of tormented characters all wanting fame and seemingly able to do anything, even murder, to rise to the top.
🖤
𝐒𝐘𝐍𝐎𝐏𝐒𝐈𝐒
A Psychological Thriller about iconic signer, Kelly Trozzo, and her suspected killer. A love story with an unforgettable conclusion that really makes you go “huh”? (I reread the ending a couple times and discussed with fellow reviewers to help me get a grip on what had happened). With no suspects in custody, authorities turn their attention to author Kaleb Reed, whose obsessive relationship with Kelly has been followed by social media. From his online confession, his agreement to write Kelly’s memoir and his twisted story of betrayal and revenge all eyes are on him. But did he really kill her?
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Triggers ~ sex, drugs, abuse, mental health

This was a trainwreck of a book and I mean this in the best possible way! You can't look away, just like reading the headlines of the tabloids in the checkout lines. Pop-star Kelly Trozzo and her manager are found dead in her mansion. Who killed them? Blogger/stalker Kaleb Reed is the most likely suspect. The story unfolds through blog posts, news articles and interviews. This is a strange way of telling a story and I did have to get used to it but it was very effective, especially considering the characters and subject matter. A warm and fuzzy story, this is not, but I highly recommend it!

Thank you to NetGalley, Kyle Rutkin and Greater Path LLC for this ARC!

Scrambling to have a person in custody after the shocking discovery of Kelly’s body authorities turn to the author Kaleb Reed as their top suspect – his compulsive relationship having been well documented over social media and the tabloids. The solitary author and his fictional novel were shoved into the spotlight when pop star Kelly Trozzo talks about how much she loves it over social media. Fame and backing come with a price and Kelly seems like she is asking for more than just a memoir. As Kaleb is woven further into Kelly’s life he digs further into her life of duplicity and retribution until it’s too late to back out of the role she planned for him. That is where their story began but how did it end? Who killed Kelly Trozzo?

Kelly Trozzo’s character is highly reminiscent of our childhood actors and singers but especially brings to mind Britney Spears and Miley Cyrus. Once the general populace traps the child stars in one role it is not easy for them to ever be seen as anything else. Especially when many of them have become “role models” for young girls and boys. This novel is a fictional but dark and damaged look into how fame and popularity is not always what it seems to be. A close look at Kelly’s involvement with agents, fans, friends, significant others, sex, drugs/alcohol, social media and tabloids. I thoroughly enjoyed this book and I could definitely see this being more accurate than fiction.

“There is darkness inside us all. Sometimes, it makes us want to go into a tower, alone, and drown in that despair and shame. But the darkness can be defeated. Every curse was meant to be broken.”

The writing of this novel was broken up in interesting ways that I hadn’t experienced a writer do before. Part blog, part interview and part news stories – it broke up the novel nicely but you do need to pay attention to the titles as they go back and forth between time and outlet. This book is not without it’s share of sensitive subjects mainly being: sex, drug/alcohol use, suicide and mental disorders. I would recommend this novel to readers who enjoy murder mysteries, suspense and fiction. Thank you to NetGalley and Greater Path LLC for letting me read this novel in exchange for an honest review.

"On July 15, superstar Kelly Trozzo and her manager, Barry Monroe were found dead at Trozzo's Hollywood mansion. In the days that followed, the LAPD turned its attention to best-selling author Kaleb Reed as the primary subject in the murders. What follows is an account of the events leading up to and following that infamous night."
- Kyle Rutkin

She Died Famous is told through blog posts, transcripts, news articles, and interviews. I know that this isn't everyone's favorite method of storytelling, but I like it, and it really worked for this story. (Which is also really good!) The timeline is a little muddled, going back and forth between the past and present, but not every story needs to be completely linear for me.

Imagine Joe Goldberg from "You" meets a former Disney starlet who has shed her good girl persona and become a party girl. (I have some serious issues with how Disney treats its stars, but that's neither here nor there.) Then add copious amounts of drugs and alcohol and some seriously obsessed fans.

I liked it and I will definitely read more books like it.
4/5
TW: drug and alcohol use/relapse

*I received this book from Netgalley in exchange for my review.

What a fast paced story that’s hard to put down. I love how this was told from blogs, interviews and articles. I found that so unique and fresh. I enjoyed the twists in this story.

****Review****


Compelling and twists that will leave you reeling.


I started this book with trepidation, I thought I wouldn’t be able to finish the first couple of chapters but before I knew it I was hooked being dragged along with a lot of twist and turns.
This book isn’t like many others its written in a unique and wonderful way. It has many little plots with the big one and although sometimes its a bit hard to follow, its worth reading.
It leaves you wondering did she in fact kill herself or did she have a helping hand from her soldier. I for one will be following this author for more amazing books.
Thank you to Netgalley/ Kyle Rutkin/ Greater Path LLC for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

This is written from what's supposed to be different witness accounts and viewpoints. I found it choppy and while now difficult to follow, not really worth the read sadly.

My Thoughts:
Told through a series of blog posts, memories, interviews and book snippets, all belonging to various players, She Died Famous tells a very coherent story in a really all-over the place way.

The overall story is told by the blog of Kaleb Reed, a narrator of highly questionable reliability. He is an author, yes, but he’s also a massive drug addict, a mentally unstable stalker, and a weird incel type. He wrote an entire incel love story about the woman he stalked, which is sort of the crux of the whole story.

This novel he wrote, called Pay Me, Alice is the book that leads the starlet Kelly Trozzo to seek him out and involve him in her bizarre life, and eventually her bizarre death. Kelly is just as whacked as the rest of them. Maybe even more so. There are no “good guys” here. Not really.

This book is definitely not for the faint of heart. It’s pretty massively fucked up. There are some mentions of self harm and suicidal ideations, shit loads of drug use, and incredibly conflicting accounts by a bunch of people who only see their own parts in Kelly’s story rather than the bigger picture, or even Kelly’s role in things. Basically, everyone only sees what they want to, and all anyone here wants to see is themselves.

I was also watching You on Netflix this last week, and honestly Kaleb reminds me so much of Joe on there that it was sort of messing with my brain. I felt like I needed to start checking behind shower curtains and shit just in case there was some creepy stalker hidden back there. And I don’t even have a curtained shower…

Overall, this was a solid mystery that played out in a fashion that I think began to be telegraphed fairly early on, but the stories each player was telling were still conflicting enough that it kept me doubtful that my assumption was correct, which I always appreciate. And added to that, there were still a lot of causal factors that I hadn’t guessed at all. So, good mystery writing, says me.

Rating:

⭐⭐⭐⭐
The story was cohesive and well written. The characters were all just awful, but believably awful. It was entertaining but also surprisingly intense. Don’t read while also watching You. It’s too much creepy stalker action for one person to reasonably deal with.

I was getting major Miley Cyrus vibes from this main character. She was wreckless and crazy. The main character was a little annoying an obsessive. The heavy drug use could be a trigger. The ending was left unanswered.

Rutkin’s new novel is hard to really review due to the many parts that make this work on so many levels without even scratching the surface about the plot. I can say that with all its moving parts, this is one hell of a murder mystery set in the world of celebrity and will not let you down.

This page turner starts out with the death of a celebrity superstar who seems to be a cross between Miley Cyrus and Britney Spears but is greater and achieved more through her records, films and television show. Kelly is a megastar using social media to rally her countless fans; as they play follow the leader and would probably jump off a cliff if Kelly asked them to. When her shocking death occurs, there is one suspect, the author of a novel that Kelly loves and endears and one she has been having an affair with. This is the basic premise.

We have a story that is told through interviews, blogs, books excerpts and interviews in an interrogation room. This is what brings the book alive and drives the reader forward to complex conclusion. This is an extremely readable book that I could not stop reading and as the pieces come together, it leads you down a road that you do not see coming at you. Personally whilst I was reading it, I assumed that I had it worked out due to most mystery, I tend to work out due to reading so many. This is not the case of She Died Famous.

The characters are all very strong and there is no a weak point amongst them. There are no extra characters for the sake of driving the plot forward and they all play a part in each of the character’s past and present. The characters are all seen through someone else’s eyes or through their interviews which leads an interesting aspect to them. This tends to lead the reader to reach their own conclusion with fantastic results.

The plot as stated is told in flashbacks or part of a blog which brings it together in an exciting way. The ending will surprise the reader and there is a deep heart felt conclusion that will not be what one would expect and is very welcomed.

Overall, this is an excellent page turner that scores so many points along the way and keeps moving to his exciting ending. This will hopefully get discovered because it is a book that doesn’t disappointment and works on so many levels that when it finds it audience, people will want to discuss in further details. As I don’t like to discuss or give away plot points in my reviews because I do think when surprises like this, the reader really needs to discover these for themselves to keep it exciting. The novel gives a look at celebrity, a complex murder case and the power of love and is a must for people who like their murder mysteries deeply thought provoking.

This book was really good in a lot of ways: interesting layout, story, and characters. However, the ending kind of fell flat. I feel like there should have been more to it.

I was HOOKED from the very beginning. Creepy and dysfunctional characters, a murder, and an interesting mystery. But somewhere along the line I was sadly lost. There is something missing for me. A connection to the characters. It was an OK read, but not the slam dunk I was hoping for.

The format of this book was unique, including newspaper headlines and clippings, blog posts, interviews and so forth. The way it was entwined within the book was perfect and added so much to the book experience.

Kelly a Hollywood star was murdered, and we are taken back to the days leading up to it when she befriends Kaleb, an author to write her memoir. She reeled him in by helping make his first book famous, so he is stuck. As he delves more and more into her twisted life, it leads to his arrest. How it came to that and what Kelly was really about will leave you shocked.

This dark and twisty novel is one to add to your bookshelf for the coming year.

This story is written in a super unique style- kind of like Daisy Jones & the Six- but oh man is this darker and more twisted- which I LOVE! The author has put this together as a combination of blogs, news headlines, and t.v. interviews. I wasn't sure that I would like it as first, but it really worked. I enjoyed this book mainly because it is so different from anything I've read before. Warning: This book does touch on heavy subjects like addiction, physical abuse, and suicide scenes so this should be understood before diving in if these things trigger you. I found the characters to be well developed and realistic while also disturbed. Kelly is a singer/actress (much like Lady Gaga's character in A Star is Born) and Kaleb is an addict and possibly insane author, Jez Kelly's assistant and Kelly's best friend Lizzy - who had very important roles in telling this story. I enjoyed getting to know them all.
I couldn't shake the feeling that I wanted more though. I’m not sure if I didn’t want it to end or if I wanted a different ending for Kaleb. This was definitely a dark and twisted story of obsession, addiction and the real-life demons that live deep within the characters. I can't give more away without spoiling, but if you wanna know who killed Kelly, you must read this book. I enjoyed it very much. Thank you, Net Galley for the ARC!

I really enjoyed this book. It has a great example of how multiple people can view the same set of events through very different lenses depending on the information they have and their biases. The author plays with fame, social media, and fan culture to create a captivating thriller. It kept me turning the pages. I enjoyed the different formats used to tell the story: interviews, blog posts, news stories, etc. I can see how there might be people who would not enjoy this book. But it was a hit for me.

She Died Famous – Kyle Rutkin

Synopsis: Superstar Kelly Trozzo and her agent are found murdered, and all the signs are pointing in one direction… Author Kaleb Reed. Trozzo sought Reed out after reading his book, and overnight made him an internet sensation and a best-selling author. The story is told through Reed’s blog, police interviews, magazine and newspaper articles. Reed is the main narrator, although Trozzo’s best friend Lizzy, and her obsessed assistant Jez, reveal their stance on certain situations, including Trozzo’s budding relationship with Reed. It dives deep into the dark side of fame, drugs, addiction, and obsession. Throughout the whole book, you’ll have the same question… who killed Trozzo?

Review: I absolutely loved this book! The format worked so well for the story being told, I’m a huge fan of celebrity gossip rags, so this was right up my alley. The book is so entertaining, it’s definitely one you won’t be able to put down! Rutkin did an amazing job capturing multiple sides of the story, while providing all the details a reader requires. Easily, one of my favourite thrillers of 2019! Can’t wait to read more by Rutkin!