3 stars

"You can run from your shadow for a long time. But eventually, the reckoning will come. Hopefully, I'll be driving a Porsche in Malibu when mine catches me."

This story had so much potential. Hollywood, movie stars, a mysterious cult, the synopsis pulled me in immediately. After finishing this, I just feel like I wasn't the right audience for this book. I appreciate what it was trying to do. The story started out interestingly enough. The young intern, the pretty reporter, the mysterious screen writer, and a story that was too good to pass up. As things got going, it took on an almost noir type of vibe, a grizzled detective following dangerous leads, so I felt a bit disconnected, since that wasn't really the characters I was presented with. Overall, this was fully a male-centric story, with the female characters being flat and either Madonna or whore, sometimes both. The male characters were "dark, mysterious, fighting inner demons" and it was just a bit much for me. I was never able to connect with any of them or why the "eleven" was so creepy or why any of the characters became obsessed.

Based on other reviews of this book, it definitely had an audience and I am confident that they will find and enjoy this book. I think I could recommend this to readers who enjoy noir, stories about tortured and gritty men, and books about writers.

Thank you so much to NetGalley and the author for providing me with this eArc in exchange for an honest review.

As always I thoroughly enjoyed this new Rutkin release. I really enjoy this author's writing, and storytelling style. My first read was Influencer Island, and I have enjoyed everything since. This was a fun quick read that really delves into the dark side of Hollywood. As a book and movie addict I have followed entertainment news for a long time. I suspect a lot of crooked deals and goings on in the land of glam. Rutkin really captures that feeling in an entertaining creepy story.

I can see a lot of people enjoying this-- it is definitely an interesting premise. The characters are aplenty but the writing felt surface. The story is a little scattered and ridiculous-- but im not sure i was having fun.
I may not be the audience for this one. I felt like the potential was there, but somehow it felt more like a caricatured student film. I think I was expecting it to be a little different than it was, which is on me.

I was hooked from the cover and really enjoyed how good it presented the horror element to it. Kyle Rutkin does a fantastic job in writing this book and enjoyed the use of the Hollywood cult element. It uses the Hollywood element perfectly and it left me wanted to read more in this world. It had everything that I wanted and glad the story worked with the universe.

An intern from a gossip magazine is sent to interview a reclusive author. The author recounts a harrowing story of his life and his connection to a cult called The Eleven represented by the symbol XIIX. This is no ordinary cult.

The Eleven is a great example of why I like independently published books. The book is an unusual mix of genres. It is a thriller but also a thinking man’s horror tale. Surprisingly, it also contains a fair amount of Easter eggs about Dante’s Inferno. Ultimately, it reveals just how desperate people, especially in Los Angeles, are to be famous. It would make a great film that isn’t a cookie cutter remake or a superhero blockbuster. The book makes you think well after the last page is read. 5 stars!

Thanks to Died Famous and NetGalley for a digital review copy of the book.

The book is twisted and it has so many surprising and shocking twists. The characters were multifaceted and there was an inbuilt mystery and deadly truths. I loved the book format and writing. The plot was so atmospheric and mysterious. The book is unputdownable.

I would not spoil anything but you can expect dark secrets, deadly truths, reality behind the glamorous life of Hollywood, Complex relationships, mysterious characters, a mysterious symbol connecting the past and present and the twists and turns. This follows the odyssey of a screenwriter Kohl and their effort to get to the bottom of the mystery of Savannah Beck’s disappearance , a famous actress and in the midst of that they come across the dark secrets and deadly truths.

Thanks to the publisher and Author.

I'm very disappointed the I didn't love this book. Kyle Rutkin is normally a 4-5 star author but the Eleven just didn't do it for me. It is partly that the book wasn't for me, partly that I think it could have done with some editing.

To be completely fair, I do think some people would love The Eleven. It has an element of dark, personal mystery and a sort of Illuminati. If you enjoy unlikeable main characters and their descent to madness, then this book might be for you. Personally I couldn't remain interested in Kohl. He comes across as a fake deep man that believes himself to be a tortured artist but really is just an asshole and a bad dad. The mystery didn't peak my interest, and I found the ending a bit messy. Too much relationship drama for me.

Great story and great writing - I highly recommend this book to my fellow thriller lovers- a must read

Thank you so much to NetGalley and Kyle Rutkin for providing me with a complimentary digital ARC for The Eleven coming out April 11, 2024. The honest opinions expressed in this review are my own.

This is the second book I’ve read by this author. I loved the other one, so I was really excited to receive this. This book definitely had a different feel to it. I think it’s more adult and has some mature, dark themes. It delves into the dark side of Hollywood and fame. The characters are definitely unlikable at times and there’s a lot of heartache. I wasn’t keen on some of the decisions. But overall, I loved it. I love the format of the book and the writing is really fun. I definitely will read future books by this author.

I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys dark Hollywood stories!

Fantastic character development, although in the beginning, there was a lot of telling, not showing, specifically when characters are introduced. Ie. Grace, the workplace crush. Instead of directly telling the reader she is a crush, show us how the main character is infatuated by her.
The writing style could use more rhythm. A composition of short, medium and long sentences to keep the reader engaged.
Good imagery throughout.

Kyle Rutkin is such a guilty pleasure author for me! The Eleven was reminiscent of a Tarantino film, dark and mysterious, with tortured main characters and dread looming over the whole thing. We start off meeting Conner, who’s vying for the opportunity to cover THE it Hollywood story of the missing Savannah Beck. He lands an interview with none other than Kohl Reynolds, once a legendary screen writer, washed up and mostly forgotten. We’re taken on Kohl’s journey told through flashbacks of his life as he’s telling Conner. We soon discover something a little more sinister than a simple disappearance is at hand and we are shown the “dark side of Hollyweird”. For anyone who loves conspiracy theories, even if you don’t believe them, and fans of celebrities, movie stars, and the glitz of Hollywood.

Thank you to NetGalley and Kyle Rutkin for an advanced e-copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Holy Hannah! Kyle has done it again!

There are few books/authors that completely suck me into a story. Kyle is one of those authors. It seems no matter what he writes, the story brings you deep into the belly of the beast and eats at your soul before spitting you back out. In the best way possible.

This book, like She Died Famous, brings you down a very dark path. Through the absolute worst a human can go through. There is so much mental anguish and turmoil that you can actually feel as you read the book. It's like you yourself are in the depths of a fever-dream. Your psyche is right there in the thick of it. Your heart is pounding. Your mind is racing. What the f is going to happen next...

But as the story unwinds, there is a great takeaway. There is some sort of light at the end of the tunnel. Though this story is absolutely dark, twisted and heart-wrenching, there is also rebirth and reawakening. The characters are able to see the bigger picture and work through the worst things that happened to them. In finding the deeper meaning, it is healing as much as it is traumatic.

The characterization is phenomenal! The "holy shit" moments are on point. The twists and turns are flawlessly executed. It is amazing the way the mind works, both within the story and as the writer coming up with the story. Bravo, Kyle. For everything.

I will say, this story was a little different than I had imagined it would be . But in the most Kyle style of writing. I couldn't have asked for a better story.

I will literally read anything Kyle writes and he has worked his way into my top authors of all time. HIGHLY reccomend anyone to read these books and not come out changed in some way. But, beware, these journeys are not for the fain of heart. Though in some ways, it might be just what you need. Even if you didn't know it going in.

This book will stick with me for a very long time! All the damned stars!

It was definitely an interesting and different read. The plot was uncommon and well-executed. I enjoyed learning about Reynolds and his relationship with his parents as well as his links with the cult. I did not care as much about his personal life and sexual relationships, nor did I particularly care about another important character in Reynolds’ story. And I could not ignore my strong dislike for one character. But I still appreciated reading this novel and would love to watch a movie adaptation… I think it would be awesome. It was a rather visual story, and it truly unfolded in my head as I was actually watching it and not reading it.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC in exchange for a honest review.

Really good book that makes the reader fall into the story. Loved the characters in this one and how well they worked together.

I love “Influencer Island” by K. Rutkin and this was just as entertaining, descriptive, fast paced, and well-written as his other book. I often find myself not liking a 2nd book of an author as much as the 1st, but this was just different enough (story line and style written) that it really stuck out. I love K. Rutkin’s writing style as it does bring much complexity to the narrative.

I enjoyed “The Eleven” from the very start and could not put it down. The more you continue through the story the more curious one becomes. I enjoyed this title and look forward to other K. Rutkin books in the future!

What caught my attention about this book was the beautiful cover. Both the title and the cover feel so eerie, this book could've been about anything. But what really caught my attention was the comparison to The Seven Husbands of Evelyn Hugo (which I loved) and Eyes Wide Shut (which freaked me the fck out). Having these two comparisons in which I have consumed in the past didn't even prepare me for what to expect because this book was a ride itself!

The Eleven is about Kohl Reynold's, a screenwriter who has produced one of the best scripts for films, and what it told for him to ascend into his fame, as well as just how deep his downfall went. All books I've read that centered Hollywood painted this world as rainbows and butterflies with a few drama points to move the plot along. This book, however, took the theme of Hollywood into a darker path where we get to peak behind the curtains. With a narrator as unreliable as Kohl is once his madness begins to fester, we as readers don't know what's reality and what is a drug induced haze.

I started this book yesterday and the way this book is paced I was able to finish it today because I just had to find out what in the world was happening. There were times were I though Kohl was genuinely mad and committing crimes with no one behind the trigger, but boy was I wrong.

I wanted more answers at the end about certain parts that I feel like were left blank (or maybe I missed it), but overall, all the reveals at the end were worth it and if you're in the mood to read about Hollyweird (and this book is coming at a perfect time with all the downfall stuff happening in celebrity culture right now), pick this up! And it's such a nice cover I will be getting it for my shelf

Thank you NetGalley, Greater Path LLC/Died Famous, and Kyle Rutkin for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Kyle Rutkin's books always entertain me. As someone fascinated by Hollywood and cults, The Eleven was double the (dark) fun. Just suspend belief and enjoy the ride.

I like how Rutkin unapologetically leans into the darkness of fame and the people who crave it. While the plot was predictable, the surreal world that Rutkin creates makes it feel fresh. Or the dark and messed up equivalent of fresh - this is a compliment. The book would make a great miniseries and I look forward to reading Kyle Rutkin's next book.

Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the gifted e-arc.

Fascinating to read about Hollywood cults and secret societies and just how much people who aspire to be actors and part of that life will do to get what they want
Lots of twists and turns and I would say the more I read the miore I wanted to read even more,it was quite addictive

This was such a bizarre book I don't know where to begin. Kohl Reynolds is a has-been screenwriter, who once was very successful but has fallen into a slump of late due to drinking, drugs, and his obsession with a curse he might have inherited from his father, marked by the roman numeral 11-XIIX. He first sees this symbol in a book he reads as a young man, called 'The Jeweler' written by Robert Drifter. He becomes obsessed with this author when he finds out from the publisher that he's unknown and anonymous. Kohl can only write when he has this book next to him, is medicated, and has his father's ring in view. He feels demons rising inside him and he must write to unleash them. As if that wasn't weird enough, at the same time, he's a potential suspect in the disappearance of his girlfriend, actress Savannah Beck. Kohl reaches out to a tabloid magazine and tells them he has the biggest story in Hollywood and wants them to write it for him.Soon Conner, a young intern, meets with Kohl and starts the interview process. Thus begins the narration of Kohl's life and dance with the devil, in 'Interview with a Vampire' style. As Conner slowly starts to uncover the truth, we learn about Koh's rivalry with famous actor Jacob Perry, his belief that three shadows are watching him, and his relationship with Savannah, Jane, and his daughter Penelope. As the police close in on Kohl, the story moves more quickly along as Conner tries to get as much information as he can before it's too late.Is Kohl telling the truth, that a cabal runs Hollywood and chooses who is successful and who is not based on how much they are willing to sacrifice? There are some good twists and eye opening moments here but I wasn't that impressed with the conclusion. It was unbelievable, of course since it was supernatural, but some things didn't add up. If this book was tightened up a bit, it would make a good screenplay.

Kohl is a writer and an addict, both of which make him an unreliable narrator in a wild tale of cults and conspiracies. As he shares his story with Conner, spins you around and makes you question what you know. This was especially the case in Part II, aptly titled The Untethering of Kohl Reynolds. I, too, felt untethered, because I didn’t finish this book in one sitting and so every time I picked it up I had no idea where I was supposed to physically be in the story. I couldn’t remember what had happened in the “real” world, since we were submerged for so long in Kohl’s story. I appreciated the grounding that the reader gets from Conner’s POV and would have liked to have more of that in the second half. I got so lost in Kohl’s recounting of his story that I almost forgot about Conner entirely - easy to do, since his character seemed underdeveloped. Luckily, the ending tied things back together in a way that was satisfying, but not contrived.
I really enjoyed this one and kept wanting to read on to find out what happened next. The cult was a little over the top, but leaves you thinking twice about what might have inspired your favorite artists. I’m still not sure what’s real and what’s not - but I’m inclined to believe Kohl’s wild story. Whether or not it was true… it was a great story. And wasn’t that kind of the point?

Thanks to NetGalley and the author for providing the advance copy, in exchange for an honest review.