Didn't really hit the mark for me; didn't find the characters particularly enthralling.

Many thanks to the publisher and author for the eARC.

Thank you NetGalley and Greater Path LLC for my early access to The Eleven, in exchange for a truthful review.

There’s a bunch of Paradise Lost references in The Eleven, but it reminded me more of Goethe’s Faust – combined with Ed Brubaker comics and a touch of True Detective. If all of that’s your jam, you’ll enjoy this, which has a slow start, but gets crazier and crazier, with the more surreal material worth the wait. There’s some fascinating stuff here about the source, and cost, of creativity – be that writing, or any ego-based / catharsis-driven activity that requires solitude – and the price paid for success (or failure!) in those fiery fields.

Pulp noir horror goodness.

Thanks to NetGalley and Greater Path LLC for an ARC of The Eleven in exchange for an honest review.

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️ 3/5

While I don’t think I was the audience for this book, I enjoyed it immensely. I was intrigued by the idea of the behind-the-scenes of Hollywood and what goes on with not just the lives of the filmmakers and their families but how intertwined the life of a journalist covering the story can get wrapped up in it. Overall, I would recommend it to those looking for a slower-paced mystery book with parental elements and love triangles. I hope that those looking for something in Hollywood with a mysterious intrigue will enjoy this one!

Thank you NetGalley & Greater Path LLC for the opportunity to read this title.

The Eleven is a gritty psychological thriller based around our main protagonist Kohl Reynolds, a prestigious screenwriter who we follow (unravelling) throughout the book during an interview with an internet gossip site whilst being wanted as a suspect for murder.

During his anecdote about him becoming one of the Hollywood elites, we follow his highs and lows within his career (& personal life) and learn about a symbol that haunts him and, eventually, its meaning.

I really enjoyed this book, the unexpected twists and the pace was just the right balance to keep the intrigue. The author also absolutely nailed Kohls descent into madness, it made me question as the reader from one page to the next on whether it was a dream? Or was it real? And finally, is everything that happened worth it?

Brilliant book and well worth a read. -K.
4 ****

Thank you to Net Galley, Greater Path LLC, and Died Famous Productions for the advanced copy of this title. The Eleven is a shorter read at 356 pages, and the synopsis is dead on about the description, but let me add Suspiria (the 70s) version to that comparison.

There is a presence in this book. It focuses on a screenwriter's (Kohl Reynolds) journey into the depths of dark Hollywood as he descends into madness, searching for a strange symbol he can’t escape.

This story digs into the seedy, gritty, grimy side of Hollywood as told by actors, producers, directors, and, yes …screenwriters. Hollywood has always been depicted (in novels and movies) as a place where dreams come true, but the story makes a place where dreams come to die and innocence is lost.

Our protagonist is very insecure, with the maturation of a 13-year-old. He’s hit rock bottom so many times that it’s unnatural.

The story also depicts the nature of humans being thirsty for all things celebrity. We are a culture obsessed with what they are wearing, eating, drinking, saying, and or doing …it’s never enough to satiate our wanting to know every part of their lives, good and bad. We crave the despicable.

What’s unbelievable for me is made-up movies and screenplay pitches that are ridiculous plots deemed to block bluster-Oscar-worthy successes.

What I loved was the world created within Kohl’s dreamscapes between reality and a fever dream or drug-induced haze. In some instances, we don't know what’s real or the dream due to the way the story sets the context. It’s so imaginative in a 70s dream within a dream style. (Suspiria)

There are many BIG secrets revealed at the end, which I didn’t see coming. This reveal leaves everything in an open state of starting this story again with a different character and a new ending.

NOTE: This review has been added to Good Reads ...https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/6327731054

I recently learned that this book is part of a series however it can be read as a stand alone. The story takes you on a wild ride and just when you think you’re about to get off, you get strapped back in with the truths being revealed, one after the other. I liked the mystery behind the secret society and rituals of Hollywood and all the twist and turns in the story. I also appreciated the author’s note at the end of the book. Thank you to the author, Kyle Rutkin, and NetGalley for an advanced reader copy. The opinions are my own.

Thank you to NetGalley and Greater Path LLC for this opportunity to read rate and review this ARC which will be available 4/11/24!

This was an unflinchingly horrific story that is like the 7 husbands of Evelyn Hugo and Eyes wide shut were tossed into a blender. It’s a twisted psychological horror/thriller about a screen writer’s perilous descent into an old Hollywood cult. It was never once predictable and the plot/pacing was sharp and unrelenting. I thoroughly enjoyed this story.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!

I thoroughly enjoyed this booked! It gripped me from the beginning, the main character is really likeable and you find yourself cheering him on throughout the whole book. If you like cults, secret societies, and an inner look at Hollywood you will LOVE this book!

This was quite the trip. Taking a dangerously close look at how much one sacrifices themselves for success in Hollywood by any means necessary. It uses the idea of this mysterious symbol that connects to an age old conspiracy within Hollywood in telling this nightmare of a horror story.

There are many themes from flawed relationships, addiction, abusive pasts and much more that build the characters within this story. The dynamics ever changing from the consequences of their choices that are influenced by this dream of a successful future they are all chasing. Between the lines is a looming darkness that engulfs those who choose to indulge and the results of those choices lay the foundations of Kohl Reynolds life story.

I was hooked straight away. The further you read the more breadcrumbs appear enticing the reader to want to know more. It almost felt like the reader is in Kohl Reynolds shoes in being addicted to the idea of this conspiracy but also like Conner in wanting to unearth the truth.

This was a thrilling psychological horror that I definitely enjoyed.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest review. Unfortunately, it appears that I still haven't learned my lesson with Kyle Rutkin's books. I just find them to be outlandish, and not in a fun way.

This was a lot. It had everything I wanted going into this. I feel for me it got too all over the place; to the point where when I set the book down and cake back to it I’d already forgotten what happened.

I will say it was very entertaining and I would happily read more from this author. Maybe it was just me haha

I was immediately drawn in to this book and I couldn't put it down especially as we got deeper into the novel and the Hollywood secrets are revealed.

The way I had chills reading this book! It was such a thrilling one for sure!

The plot of the book unravels as it delves deep into the world of celebrity culture and the dark underbelly of Hollywood, exploring themes of friendship, love, betrayal, and the lengths people will go to in order to achieve fame and success. As Connor and Kohl unravel the mystery of the missing actress, they are drawn into a web of deceit and manipulation, ultimately uncovering the sinister truth behind the Hollywood elitist cult.

The symbol XIIX serves as a mysterious and enigmatic thread that ties the story together, adding an element of intrigue and symbolism to the narrative. I loved how the writing style is gripping and immersive, keeping me on the edge of my seat as they follow the twists and turns of the plot.

Despite the dark and unsettling subject matter, the book ultimately left me with a sense of hope and redemption, offering a glimmer of light in the midst of the darkness. The Kyle Rutkins Died Famous series is known for its unique blend of horror and psychological thriller elements, and this installment is no exception.

Overall, the book is a must-read for fans of cult horror and psychological thrillers, offering a compelling and thought-provoking exploration of fame, power, and the price of success. With its engaging storytelling and complex characters, it is sure to left me questioning my own perceptions of reality and the true nature of the world around me.

In The Eleven by Kyle Rutkin we meet Connor in aspiring writer from Kansas Who came to LA to intern at a celebrity gossip magazine. His time at the magazine is almost up when the magazine gets an email from Kohl Reynolds he says he is ready to blow the top off of an old Hollywood conspiracy about a cult that has been running the town forever. The first time he meets Kohl Reynolds it’s almost as if he has bitten off more than he can chew while looking for his wallet under the gritty bars table where he went to look for the writer he sees a type of Mark that gives him a visceral reaction. Unbeknownst to Conner the story will begin and end with that Mark. When he starts talking to the elusive Mr. Reynolds The aspiring journalist has many questions but Mr. Reynolds doesn’t want to answer any of them instead he has a story to tell and gives Connor specific instructions and an address and tells him to show up and he’ll tell him everything. In the meantime and up-and-coming actress who is also Kohl’s ex girlfriend has gone missing and Connor‘s interviewie is a person of interest in the case but when her body is found he becomes a suspect Connor is worried he is interviewing a murderer but win Kohl pulled out a gun and tells the reporter to follow him he does. This was a great book it is a paranormal horror end it is a great one. Every now and then you run across a book that is truly awesome the last time I loved the book this much was The Carnaval Of Curiosities and before that it was years ago with The Night Circus in my opinion this is a feet of literary genius and a well put together plot with a steady narrative that pulls you along word by word I haven’t even mentioned his rivalry with Jacob Perry, his muse Jane, his drug addiction and so much more. If you like books about cults and the paranormal then you’ll definitely love The Eleven by Kyle Rutkin I don’t believe horror gets any better than this one. I want to thank greater path LLC and Net Galley for my free Ark copy please forgive any mistakes as I am blind and dictate my review.

Thank you to Netgalley and Greater Path LLC/Died Famous for my arc in exchange for my unbiased opinion.

"The Eleven" by Kyle Rutkin is an "Eyes Wide Shut"-inspired Hollywood mystery that's set off by the disappearance of actress Savannah Beck. Celebrity tabloid, InsideJuice.com, sends intern, Connor Daniels, to investigate a potential lead with screenwriter Kohl Reynolds. Once renowned, Kohl claims to have a world shattering story for Connor but he only has two days to give it.

This did remind me of "Eyes Wide Shut" but it also heavily reminded me of "Under the Silver Lake" which also takes place in Los Angeles and also looks at a mysterious cult that's behind the success of the Hollywood elite. I really enjoyed this. It was easy to get invested in the story and the mystery of everything but around the 60-70% mark, it kind of dragged for me. I just felt like a lot of information was being dumped on us through Kohl's recollection and I was kind of getting bored because he was literally info dumping everything that had happened. Yes, it mattered to the overall story, but it was just a lot all at once.

That said, I enjoyed reading this. It was creepy, interesting, and it totally reminded me of Los Angeles. As a Californian who grew up visiting family in LA who worked in the industry, I felt like this cult was plausible for sure.

I've just finished this book. Not a one sitting read, but once I got into it, I read faster and still finished it within a day! . At times it felt a little slow, but a lot of it was the telling of a life story so you don't expect non stop action. It was different to my usual books, but I enjoyed it anyway. I have read another book by this author and I recommend him

Thank you to Netgalley for the ARC!

Unfortunately at DNF for me! The writing felt very surface level and I feel like I knew where it was going for a majority of the book, so I couldn't help but tune out. I feel like it would be a better audio, so I may try again if it comes out in that format.

The Eleven is a crazy book that keeps you on the edge of your seat. Connor is an aspiring writer working for an entertainment journalism company. He finds a story featuring a writer Kohl. This book is told mostly as Kohl telling Connor about his past and how it has led to the events happening now. The entire story revolves around a secret group that centers around the number 11. The book has many twists and the next scene is never to be guessed.

3.5 rating.
I really enjoyed Influencer Island and overall I do really recommend this author as I really like their ideas.
This book just didn't end up hitting the same for me unfortunately. The first half was great and I was really absorbed in the story being told and the secret cult being unraveled but after that it got quite repetitive in some ways and also just lost me plot-wise. A lot of it was unbelievable in the way the story would progress, a lot of coincidences turning up right in their face, it didnt feel like we were discovering anything but being told it instead.

There are many things about The Eleven that had me hooked and wanting to dive further in the story—a Hollywood mystery, many characters and just an overall cool premise. But often times everything seemed too convenient, over and over the person or thing they needed would just show up in front of them without any searching. There are times this became very unbelievable, everyone for this mysterious cult was also very loose lipped. It didn’t seem that hard to put the pieces together when everyone was guiding him along the way. I just hoped for more struggle in getting to the end points.
Overall I would say it’s more of a popcorn mystery than a real thriller.