What initially drew me to this book was its stunning cover. The combination of the title and the design exudes an eerie vibe, leaving me curious about the story within. What truly piqued my interest, though, were the comparisons to "The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo" (a personal favorite) and "Eyes Wide Shut" (which utterly unnerved me). Even with these references in mind, I wasn’t prepared for the wild ride this book turned out to be!

"The Eleven" follows Kohl Reynolds, a screenwriter who created one of the most acclaimed film scripts, detailing his ascent to fame and the depths of his subsequent downfall. Many novels I've read about Hollywood portray the industry as a glamorous world sprinkled with a few dramatic plot twists. This book, however, explores a darker side of Hollywood, allowing readers to peer behind the curtain. With an unreliable narrator like Kohl, especially as his madness intensifies, we are left questioning what is real and what is merely a product of his drug-induced haze.

I started this book yesterday, and its fast-paced narrative had me racing to finish it by today—I simply had to uncover what was happening. There were moments when I genuinely believed Kohl was losing his mind and committing crimes without anyone pulling the strings, but I soon realized how mistaken I was.

By the end, I craved more clarity on certain aspects that felt unresolved (or perhaps I just missed something), but overall, the revelations were completely satisfying. If you’re in the mood for a story set in "Hollyweird," this book is perfectly timed with the current celebrity culture controversies. Plus, the cover is so lovely that I can't wait to add it to my shelf!

Thank you, NetGalley!

I like to go into my fiction reading having no idea what the book is about, even more so with a thriller. That said, for the first couple of chapters I was worried that it wouldn't be a story I was interested in... Hollywood, fame, missing starlet... Do not care. But it ended up really living up to the thriller genre!
The raw way of writing about Kohl's decent and the constant tension of not knowing where the story was headed or how things were going to end had me rushing through this book!
I often struggle with the ending of books like this, and it left me with a little bit of the "too cleanly wrapped up" feeling, but overall, such a great, emotional, tense, twisted story!

i really enjoyed this book. it had me guessing with each page and caught me off guard a few times as well. literally said ‘shit i should’ve seen that!’ out loud at one point. the mystery of it all was really well done that it felt like the ending cemented it, yet there’s room to question it, not in a forced way but in an over-analyzing way (a good thing). a star off because the ending felt unfinished, like it just needed a paragraph or two more to properly tie it all up. but still very much enjoyed it, especially how it all connected

Thank you to NetGalley, Greater Path LLC and DiedFamous for providing this copy in exchange for a review.

The Eleven by Kyle Rutkin is a quick read - not only because it's short, but because it's a real page turner.
Reminiscent of something like Under the Silver Lake, we follow a character who just lives his life until he suddenly gets pulled into the dark side of Hollywood.
While the characters stay somewhat surface-level, the mystery and cult aspects of this book make up for it and will leave you wanting more. The scope of the story is quite narrow, but could easily be expanded in a follow-up or, let's say, a movie.

I do have to mention that at least my version could have used some more proof-reading, as there are one or two spelling errors and especially an overuse of some words the author seems to be very fond of (like the word snickers).

Book Review: The Eleven by Kyle Rutkin

Rating: 5 Stars

As an avid reader and lover of mystery thrillers, I recently finished "The Eleven" by Kyle Rutkin, and I was hooked from the very first page. The novel follows the gripping story of Savannah Beck's disappearance and the subsequent media frenzy that ensues.

The protagonist, intern Conner Daniels, is thrust into the world of Hollywood secrets when he embarks on a mission to uncover the truth behind renowned screenwriter Kohl Reynolds' cryptic email. Rutkin weaves a complex tale of heartbreak, fame, drugs, and hidden truths that kept me on the edge of my seat throughout.

One of the aspects that truly stood out to me was Rutkin's ability to create a vivid and atmospheric setting. The way he portrays the dark underbelly of Hollywood, with its secrets and shadows, is both haunting and captivating. The characters are well developed, each with their own secrets and motivations.

Moreover, Rutkin's writing style is nothing short of mesmerizing. His prose is engaging, evocative, and filled with suspense, making it impossible to put the book down. The plot twists are expertly crafted, leaving just the right amount of breadcrumbs for readers to follow along without giving away too much too soon.

And let's talk about that cover - it's simply stunning. The eerie, noir vibes perfectly capture the essence of the novel and draw you in from the moment you lay eyes on it. It sets the tone for the story beautifully and adds another layer of intrigue to the overall experience.

In conclusion, "The Eleven" is a masterfully crafted tale that seamlessly blends mystery, drama, and the secrets surrounding a longstanding Hollywood cult. Rutkin's ability to connect all the dots with an ending that feels both satisfying and surprising is perfection.

If you're a fan of atmospheric mysteries with a twist, I highly recommend diving into "The Eleven" - you won't be disappointed. It's a wild ride that will keep you guessing until the very end.

⚠️This review was written based on personal opinions and experiences with the book. Individual preferences may vary⚠️

This was another DNF from me from my recent ARC TBR. The cover and the premise were more than enough to pull me in but the first person POV just threw me off and I did not like the narrator at all. Which I guess may have been the point with this character, but it just wasn't what I was expecting and not in a good way. DNF at 13%

The Eleven is a gritty story about the underworld of Hollywood elite! I really enjoyed this story and felt like the storyline was original and interesting. We follow a young reporter who is working for a TMZ type publication as he tries to get the story from a washed up famous actor accused of hurting his girlfriend.

I did get confused by all the characters and their connections to one another but that was likely more of a “me” issue than the book. I wish there would have been more in depth exploration of how the “cult” worked. But I felt this was a solid & interesting book! Thank you NetGalley for the e-ARC. All opinions are my one.

Rutkin's books are my favorite popcorn thriller novels, at this point. Something about the multimedia format that they're presented in just speaks to my ADHD brain and has me devouring them.

This one was no exception, although I will admit I didn't like it as much as his others. It was a little bit too surreal for me- which is something I can't believe I'm saying, because I usually love surrealism. But in the context of this style of novel, it just didn't really work for me as much as the more 'grounded' storylines of his others.

Still, a fun read that I buzzed through!

This was a gritty, realistic read following the whisperings of the dark cult of Hollywood, and showcasing the non-existent limit people will go to live in fame and fortune.

This isn’t my usual read but honestly it was a good palette cleanser.

I found the storyline a little hard to follow; there is a lot of bouncing from past to present as well as multiple POV’s. If it’s your thing, you’re in luck. Otherwise just be sure to keep yourself reminded of who’s who and where you are in the timeline. For me personally it made the storytelling choppy and therefore left the plot muddled.

The characters’s personalities were unique but still felt flat. There was some attempt at character development but I was not overly impressed with said attempt. I did appreciate that there were multiple primary and secondary characters. It absolutely kept the plot realistic and allowed for more depth.

There are some refreshing and unexpected twists, that to me was the redeeming quality of the story. I felt like I absolutely had to stick it out just to see how all the loose ends got tied up. I can report that it is in fact worth to finish the story and it probably won’t end the way you think it will.

I appreciated that this was not a rainbow and sunshine type of story. The vibe stayed gritty and honest from start to finish, even if the writing was hard to follow most times.

⭐️⭐️⭐️

In this twisty thriller, screenwriter Kohl Reynolds unravels a dark conspiracy lurking beneath Hollywood's glitzy facade. Blending the allure of 'The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo' with the sinister undertones of 'Eyes Wide Shut', this tale follows intern Conner Daniels as he delves into Reynolds' shocking claims, risking his life to expose a century-old secret. If you're looking for a fast-paced, suspenseful read that will keep you guessing until the end, this book is for you.

There's a fun story in here, but the characterisation and prose were both too weak to really latch onto.

There's a lot of heavy topics covered - drugs, cults, family trauma - but they never feel like they have the necessary weight attached.

Connor, a gossip column intern, is contacted by his idol (an infamous screenwriter) to tell his story. The only catch, this screenwriter is the main suspect in a missing person's case. Connor is drawn to this story because of the connection it has to his own life. He believes his idol has the answers he's been looking for his whole life.
This psychological thriller had me hooked from the beginning. I was addicted to the story and needed to know the answers as much as Connor did. The story started to lose me about half way, but mostly due to personal preferences about tropes within the story.
Overall, this was an enjoyable read. I recommend this to fans of Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Daisy Jones and the Six.

I absolutely LOVED this book. I ended up staying up way too late just to finish it. I couldn’t put it down and the ending is perfect.

This book is described as The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo meets Eyes Wide Shut. I've never read Eyes Wide Shut so I can't comment on that, but this story definitely reminded me of Evelyn Hugo. I like the interview type of story telling. This book immediately grabbed my attention and kept it the whole way through. There were a few repetitive parts and some were a little too unrealistic. But I still enjoyed the book and would recommend to friends. I liked the plot twists! Thank you very much for letting me read and review this one early!

This book is described as The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo meets Eyes Wide Shut. I've never read Eyes Wide Shut so I can't comment on that, but this story definitely reminded me of Evelyn Hugo. I like the interview type of story telling. This book immediately grabbed my attention and kept it the whole way through. There were a few repetitive parts and some were a little too unrealistic. But I still enjoyed the book and would recommend to friends. I liked the plot twists! Thank you very much for letting me read and review this one early!

This is my second Kyle Rutkin novel (the first was Influencer Island) and he has quite a knack for exploring the dark side of fame and the lengths that people will go to reach star status. I recommend this for anyone who likes the dark side of Hollywood and conspiracy theories, unreliable narrators, and characters who know what it truly means to “wake up in the morning feeling like P. Diddy.” 👀 👀

Kohl Reynolds was once the most sought after screenwriter in Hollywood. Now, after an epic fall from grace, he’s promising a Hollywood exposé to end all exposés to any journalist with the guts to pursue the story. Connor, who has no idea what he’s going to do after his summer internship at a gossip rag ends, seeks out Kohl and his allegedly hot and spicy tea. Kohl’s story intersects with the hottest gossip story at the time, the disappearance of actress Savannah Beck, and involves a demonic cult that underlies Hollywood success.

Go buy this book but if you have to drive somewhere to get it please don’t brush your teeth with a bottle of Jack and then drive. Also if you are too young to get my Ke$ha references, we’re fighting. If you’re too old, I’ll allow it.

Thank you netgalley and Kyle Rutkin for a copy of this novel in exchange for a review.

How much would you sacrifice for a chance of obtaining endless fame & power?

Young journalism intern Conner is eager for his first big break. When a Hollywood starlet suddenly vanishes, he jumps at the opportunity to investigate the mystery and believes that disgraced screenwriter Kohl may just be the key to obtaining the answers he needs for his piece.

Written primarily in an interview format, the novel takes readers through Kohl's highly disturbing life story as he recounts it to Conner. It quickly becomes apparent that Kohl is a man unravelled, an unreliable narrator whose mind has been distorted by decades of addiction and spiralling obsession. The lines between reality and drug-induced hallucinations blur, enveloping readers in a fever dream that is as disorienting as it is engrossing.

Without giving too much away, I highly recommend this novel to those interested in stories involving cults, the grit and glamour of Hollywood, generational trauma, and unreliable narrators.

Thanks to Netgalley & Greater Path LLC for the ARC!

Didn't hate it but also didn't looooove it. We folkow Khol's descent into madness pretty much and by the end I thought I was also going a bit mad, just because it felt like a loooot of info from his story was being thrown at me in a short space of time. I struggled to grasp what went on and why and how. However, I did like the first half of Khol's story, I would have happily listened to his retelling of his time in Hollywood, the glam and grime of it... The side we don't get to see really.

What does tie this book up nicely and makes it makes sense is that the author tells us at the end that it's a story of self healing amd taking that into consideration you kinda get it.

Think I'll be giving another title from the author a go because I did enjoy his writing style, was easy to digest and I did feel kike I was there with the characters.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the advance reading of this book.

Imagine me as the memed sequence of Vince McMahon's growing excitement when I heard about this book.
A missing starlet? Yes.
Hollywood conspiracies? YES.
Cults? YEEESSSSSS.

Unfortunately, this book didn't work for me on nearly any level. It reads like a pulp novel, which would be wonderful if I thought it was intentional...

Pros:
The overall premise is a fun one!
That cover is really nice.

Cons:
The dialogue
The pacing
The plot mechanics
The reason anything in the story was happening at all

The Eleven follows the story of Kohl as he tells his story to a journalist while being accused of a murder. You'll have to read it to find out any more synopsis for fear or ruining it!

This book is so fun in the darkest way! I love the interview style of storytelling and Kohl was such an interesting character to watch unfold. The drama built just like a Hollywood drama and the pacing was great. I loved that there was this Jack Torrence style tortured writer theme throughout. Rutkins books always make you think so much deeper about many different themes and I love that about them. The cult elements were really vivid and laid out well. I would have liked a little more detail in the end about the cult aspects themselves but like all cults, you never learn everything! Definitely give this one a read! I don’t think you’ll regret it!!