dark, edgy, and completely captivating. It is a story of not only betrayal and vengeance, but one of obsession, darkness, and the price you pay for fame. It is also a story of handling your inner demons and how every single one of us are dealing with our own wounds. The story itself kept me guessing all the way until the end because I spent the entire book having no idea who killed Kelly Trozzo. This was so fantastic because so many books can be predictable

Review: 5 Stars

I picked up an ARC of She Died Famous a couple months ago, mainly because the title and cover had intrigued me. But I was on a fantasy kick so I didn’t pick this book up for a while and it came back across my radar last week when looking for books for Top 5 Saturday’s topic, unreliable narrators. (Check out last week’s Top 5 Saturday post here!) Something about this book just drew me to it. I don’t know what I really expected, but what I got was a raw, and twisted read that kept me on the edge of my seat. She Died Famous is one of those books that I know will stick with me for a long time. I could relate to each character in the story even if I couldn’t relate to celebrity life I could relate to the humanity in each of the characters.

I don’t think I’ve ever read anything quite like She Died Famous. It was so dark, gritty and authentic. It was really twisted and full of sick, flawed characters. But there was truth in this story. There was love in this book, even if it was a dark and messy love. The story took you into the mind of a stalker who had mental illness and a drug addiction and made you understand him and even empathize with him. I was able to relate to these incredibly flawed characters while they battled their darkest demons. Kelly, Kaleb and Sara battled abuse, trauma, loss, mental illness and drug addiction. While this novel was quite the thriller and filled with suspense it was also a story about human suffering. She Died Famous really got into my head and I don’t think that I will forget it anytime soon.

Kyle Rutkin did a fantastic job of creating a celebrity character that felt larger than life and he also made a fantastic choice to write in first person from Kaleb’s perspective. Through his obsession I started to feel obsessed with Kelly myself. Through Kyle Rutkin’s writing his characters shined so bright, but they also cast giant shadows that they drowned themselves in. She Died Famous is probably one of the best portrayals of drug addiction and mental illness that I’ve ever read. This book is dark, but it is fantastic.

I really loved the way that the story is told. Through interviews, news articles, blog posts and flashbacks the reader is told the events leading up to Kelly’s death. Reading the story as it was told in this way made me feel like a fan following the story of Kelly’s death. Each character’s perspective couldn’t be trusted. Some of the characters were mentally ill or suffered from drug addiction, viewed the same event drastically different from one another and some of the characters just flat out lied. It made the story so interesting because the whole time I was trying to find the truth underneath it all and I desperately wanted to know what happened. The suspense was built up so well and the climax of the book hit hard.

Honestly, I don’t think I will ever read anything quite like this book again. She Died Famous is truly a work of art that captured pain, love and hope in the most twisted way possible. If you enjoy gritty books, suspenseful thrillers or psychological stories I beg you to give this book a shot. You will not be disappointed.

Kelly is a child actor with a blossoming career but is riddled with obstacles including a suicide attempt.
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Kelly becomes enthralled with a book written by an author, Kaleb. She quickly becomes obsessed with Kaleb and wants him to tell her life story.
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I honestly don’t know how to describe this book as it is extremely unique and is written in a way I’ve never seen. The chapters include Kelly being interviewed by a media outlet, Kaleb writing in a blog and transcripts of Kelly’s friends being interviewed about her death by police.
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I really enjoyed reading the book and had trouble putting it down. I’m still not entirely clear on who committed the murder but this didn’t bother me. I think the story was fascinating and Kaleb reminded me of a character in a Hunter S. Thompson book. I think it’s worth checking out.

A thought provoking, jaw dropping psychological thriller that looks at the world of celebrities and fans. It's an intriguing and well thought out plot that keeps you guessing with all it's twists and turns.

It is a book like no other, I enjoyed the suspence. I would ask myself how did she die famous and not only does the book explains how she died famous, but the book itself has made her famous. kelly trozzo had lots of secrets and for being famous I surely didn't know about her until I read this book and knowing the primary suspect is the one who was writing her memoir. Unbelivable story and is a real page turner. All in all she died famous and others close to her became famous in a bad way.

Lady Gaga, Lindsay Lohan, Britney Spears. These are just some of the celebrities that came to mind while reading this story. She Died Famous celebrates the dark and twisted side of celebrity. This is all for the cameras and the Instagram posts and juicy gossip sites like TMZ.

Kaleb is hired to write a book about Kelly Trozzo after she reads his novel and sees him at his book signing. Kelly came up in the scene as a child actor and singer. She has a huge following called the KTroops who scream and fawn over her every move. Kelly tells Kaleb that she will make him fall in love with her and then break his heart.

This book begins when Kelly is found dead on her driveway and her manager is dead on the property as well. Told through interviews and blog posts and in a non linear timeline, readers will see how this format fits the theme of the book. There are three plot lines going at the same time. Don’t look for likeable characters, there aren’t any. In fact, the characters are so over the top that I found myself enraged at times. Like any car accident, it’s hard to look away.

I most enjoyed Kaleb’s personal story within the story. It was the only one that had some heart and redeeming qualities. This book won’t be for everyone but if you follow celebrity gossip and like the above-mentioned celebrities then this might be the book for you.

Thank you to @netgalley and @thegreaterpath publishing for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

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.
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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.

This was a very fun, easy, and page-turning read. I have always loved reading about the dark side of fame and Hollywood, fiction or true. And I liked the setup of this novel. It was very with it's time. But as much as I love unreliable narrators, there were too many in this one, and ended up leaving the reader very confused and unsatisfied. The ending had me saying "really? that's it?" because I didn't feel like I got an closure. The author has alluded to a sequel, but I feel like had this one ended properly it wouldn't have needed one.