Structure-wise, I think this book has decent pacing and a solid narrative. I was pretty into it right away, but the first half was definitely much slower than the second. I had a few moments of, “Wow, I have so many things I should be doing instead of reading this” (true) and “Wow, I have so many other fun things I could be wasting my time on” (not as true). But I’m happy I sucked it up and kept going. The end rounded everything out really well but was twisty-turny enough that I literally went back to look for plot holes—yay! I also require each thriller author to actually surprise me at least twice per book to consider it well done and Jakob Kerr delivered.

I also really liked the book’s pov and the main character, Mackenzie—she is cool, strong, and smart, and I like cool, strong, and smart female characters. She’s definitely an underdog in a male-dominated industry, which is one of my favorite overused tropes (not even a joke). I think Kerr actually did a great job writing about how her character navigated that as a woman, which was both surprising and awesome.

I thought each supporting character was mostly well-developed and multifaceted, but I’m a little nitpicky about characters. I want to know every single small, stupid, pointless detail about them because I just want to know and love them. Some of the characters in this book almost felt like they were written just to fill specific plot points. I guess that’s quite literally a character’s purpose in a novel… but I think it just felt too obvious sometimes? I don't know. I make everything more complicated than it needs to be.

Anyway, Mr. Kerr is literally a lawyer who worked in tech, so in terms of subject matter, he knows what he’s talking about. The law/tech jargon was 100% understandable but not dumbed down, which was the perf balance for a generally knowledgable person. That aspect of the technical writing was really successful. I would even go as far as to say that the writing was very well done overall, which is a huge compliment because I’m mean.

Overall, I give this one 3.75 stars. I would recommend it if you’re into murder mysteries or thrillers and can be patient while the story develops. It’s an easy read that doesn’t make you think very hard (which I love), but Mr. Kerr kept me guessing most of the book (which I also love). You'll also find it amusing if you’re a Silicon Valley-tech-world mega critic like me.

Dead Money is a murder set in the tech world of Silicon Valley which reads like it is asking to be made into a movie. Mackenzie Clyde is a fixer. I enjoyed her personality, tenacity, and sharp mind. Her boss Roger has tasked her with working with the FBI Agent in charge of the murder investigation of CEO Trevor Canon. Billions of dollars of Rogers's company money are being held until the murder is solved. Mackenzie and FBI agent Danner slowly build trust to get to the bottom of this unexpected and twisty mystery.

Secrets and deception are the foundation of the story. The first half of the book is a slow build as the author sets the groundwork. I enjoyed each reveal as the story moved between events years before the murder and the days after as the investigation was underway. This is Jakob Kerr's debut novel and I am impressed with their ability to deliver a satisfying ending and tie up all the loose ends. This is a crime thriller I will be recommending to everyone.

Thank you NetGalley and Bantam for the advanced reader copy in exchange for my honest review.

This book keeps you guessing. Right when you think you've got it figured out, there's a plot twist that makes the book even better than you thought it could be! Thrilling, blood boiling and very descriptive, makes you feel like you are Mackenzie. Amazing read!! Only thing missing from Mackenzie from a female reader like myself, would be a romantic partner or thoughts of one. It’s touched on a little bit with one of the characters but a woman has needs just like anyone else. And one as driven as Mackenzie would definitely take what she needs and not spend any time on actual relationships. 8/10 book! Thank you!!

Wow. This was so good! In “Dead Money,” Jakob Kerr gives us an inside look at the start-up world of Silicon Valley where billionaires are created overnight, and no idea is ever too big. The characters here are smart, complex and perfectly suited to this world as is the action and intrigue, which keeps you guessing. No one is telling the truth, and everyone is out for themselves.

A big thank you to Kerr for giving us the main character, Mackenzie, in all her imperfect glory. She is an unapologetic badass and we need to see more of her in the future. Which we will, as Paramount has acquired the rights to this story. I’m excited to see what they do with it!

If you are a fan of John Grisham, Michael Crichton, or Harlan Coben, you’ll love this one.

Thank you to Netgalley and Random House – Ballantine for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Not my usual read: Silicon valley murder mystery... but I appreciated the break from my regular reading list. A friend recommended this to me, she was blown away by it. I can see how this will be turned into a movie, it reads like an action packed movie.

The plot and information builds slowly. I would say the first half of the book is just a slow build of the plot. People who are presented one way, are totally something else altogether. I did figure out the murderer pretty early on though, so that was a bummer for me. It was just too obvious for me, personally. It was a fun read, but I wouldn't necessarily say this author is a great writer, but more of a good storyteller. The story did tie up pretty neat with no loose ends, and I appreciate a good twisty story that gets wrapped up by the end. It feels satisfying. Most horror books usually have lots of loose ends and unexplained ish.

Thank you to Netgalley for an ARC of this book.

This is a great debut, perfect for anyone who likes contemporary issues in their mysteries/thrillers. Kerr's writing is fast-paced, funny, and gives a real (sometimes satirical) sense of the start-up culture in Silicon Valley. Good main character and a lot of fun. I look forward to his future books.

Thanks to Netgalley and Ballantine for letting me read an eARC of Dead Money by Jakob Kerr. Dead Money is an astoundingly brilliant mystery/thriller that is multilayered with intriguing characters that get under your skin and compel you to read further. I loved the main characters of Mackenzie and Agent Danner and appreciated their relentless drive in pursuit of solving the CEO's murder. When you think you have everything figured out, the novel's plot shifts and reveals another layer you did not see coming. If you love mysteries and thrillers, check out Dead Money as soon as possible.

Thank you Netgally and Random House Publishing Group for choosing me to read this ARC as my first one.
Dead Money by Jakob Kerr is set to release in January 2025.

If you are looking for a murder mystery about a CEO of a tech company who is murdered and another tech person who is missing then I’d pick this up!

This book did start a little slower to me but I was hooked once I started reading it. I couldn’t put it down.
This story is about women coming to power and what they have to do to get there.
I never had any ideas where this story was going and the twist was really good. I thought I had an idea of what was happening but I was wrong.

It was a fun read and for the authors first book I was impressed with it!

You can find this review on Goodreads as well.

I have not read a more fascinating, smart, layered and thrilling book like this one in a long time. There were quite a few twists I did not see coming and for an avid reader of thriller/crime books that’s saying something. The author did an amazing job of telling a complex story in an interesting and vivid way. Wow! Fantastic debut!

Many thanks to Random House/Ballantine for the advance readers copy.

Chefs Kiss.
So twisty you won’t know which way is up and which way is down.
Every chapter is masterfully tailored individually, and it all comes together flawlessly in the end.

Haven’t read anything like this since Dark Matter or the 4MK series.
This deserves a standing ovation.
One hell of a debut.

5 ⭐️

Dead Money by Jakob Kerr

This was absolutely perfect 🙌 It has everything I love in a good book — someone is murdered, someone is missing, the main character isn’t just a female… but she is extremely self sufficient and likable (that never happens).

I can’t even put into words how well Jakob Kerr captivated me as a reader and kept me on the edge of my seat absorbed the entire time. I can’t wait to see what else he comes up with… and hoping Mackenzie makes a reappearance in whatever it is!

Thank you Ballantine Books (an imprint of Penguin Random House) for providing me with this advanced reader’s copy in exchange for my honest review via NetGalley. All opinions are my own.

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By Jakob Kerr
Release Date 01/28/2025

ONE OF THE BEST BOOKS I'VE READ!! 🙌🏼🙌🏼🙌🏼
I realize this book isn’t releasing until next year, but I genuinely mean it when I say you will want to ASAP.
Paramount bought the rights to produce a show based on this book - why? Because it’s that good.

A little bit about this book ;
Mackenzie is a lawyer/investigator working for Hammersmith Venture, a capitalist firm. She reports directly to Roger, the president. A recent murder of the CEO of a startup company has billions of Hammersmiths money frozen until this murder is solved. So she and FBI agent Danner are working together to solve this murder.

WHY I LOVED THIS BOOK ( and I think you will too 📚)
Mackenzie is an intelligent badass. She is no damsel in distress. (Pet peeve for me) - At first, Mackenzie and Danner have a few bumps in the investigation; eventually, they trust each other to do the job, and the book takes off into something you’ve never read before. I had to use good ole Google at least 5 times while reading this book.
And boy, what a path this book takes you on. I didn’t move for 3 hours and finished the book in one sitting. My mind is blown. Jakob Kerr is one hell of a writer, and I look forward to every book he writes after this.
5 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️S⃣T⃣A⃣R⃣S⃣

#bookstagrammer #bookstagram #booklover#bookstack #booknerdigan #goodreads #bookrecommendation #instareads #bookishproblems #bookblogging #bookblogg #debutthriller #netgalley
#addthistoyourTBR #penguinrandomhouse #bantambooks #jakobkerr #deadmoney #thrillmemore #netgalleyreviewer

This book was amazing. So many twists and turns and it kept me guessing all the way to the end. This is what a thriller is supposed to be to be like. I am not the fastest reader but I wanted to just keep reading this book. As an author that this is his first novel I hope there will be more… character development was done really well and the way he describes the relationship between everyone was done very well. I was on the edge of my seat and kept wanting to read another chapter. #DeadMoney #NetGalley #JakobKerr

Dead Money by Jakob Kerr: A Thrilling Tech-Investigative Debut

I was fortunate to receive a preview of Dead Money from NetGalley, marking my first experience with the site.

As a fan of investigative thrillers by authors like John Grisham, Harlan Coben, and James Patterson, Dead Money immediately caught my interest. Given my background in Tech, this book offered an engaging blend of familiar territory and fresh excitement.

Jakob Kerr’s debut novel stands out for its unique characters and unpredictable twists. Each twist is backed by a solid backstory, making the plot both intricate and believable. While I pride myself on my ability to predict the guilty party in thrillers, this book kept me on my toes, managing only to identify the red herrings.

The positive elements of Dead Money are prominent from the start. The narrative is compelling, the pacing is perfect, and the balance between technical details and suspense is masterful. Kerr’s writing style is crisp and engaging, promising a bright future in the genre.

In conclusion, Dead Money is a must-read for fans of tech-centric thrillers. Jakob Kerr has set a high bar with his debut, and I eagerly anticipate his future works.

Dead Money by Jakob Kerr

This book's plot is characterized by Silicon Valley, venture capitalists, little boy tech titans, and violence. Mackenzie Clyde is an investigator for Roger Hammersmith, a venture capitalist. One of the recipients of Roger’s financial largesse, Trevor Canon is murdered, and Roger wants answers.
Mackenzie’s role in this book is Byzantine, when you pin her character down, she shows another facet. Kerr did a marvelous job with the plot and painted an unflattering portrait of the tech world.

This was a fun book to read and it captivated and entertained simultaneously.

I strongly recommend it and look forward to more from Kerr.

What a fun read! It’s a mystery/crime novel, but so much more. The plot, while complicated, is easy to follow due to the writing talent of the author. The story revolves around the ego driven world of Silicon Valley where the rich get richer, without regard to who gets hurt along the way. The heroine of the story has some moral ambiguity of her own, but you can’t help but root for her.

Even though the book doesn’t come out until January, Paramount has already acquired its rights for future tv development. Be on the lookout for this great story by a first time author.

Thank you NetGalley and Random House group for this thrilling ARC.

Thank you for the ARC!! I loved this book and thought the characters and story were well written. I will be recommending this to others.

This book was not fast-paced for me, the beginning of it seemed pretty meandering, with most of the clues we received from suspects feeling identical, nearly regurgitated. The first 60% of this book did not feel especially captivating to be, but after the 60% mark, the entire book spiraled into twists and secrets I would have never imagined in the seemingly plain introduction. It is worth sticking it out through the simple opening for the twists we get in the end. Big Tech/White Collar Crime has never been my go-to, but I found the descriptions of the tech world quite funny and enjoyable, as well as our main character. Overall, I thought this was a decent debut novel, and I'm excited to see what Jacob writes next.

"Dead Money" is a deliciously twisty and sharply observed debut mystery from Jakob Kerr, a true insider's glimpse into the high-stakes world of Silicon Valley. Mackenzie Clyde is a complex and captivating heroine - a "fixer" for a ruthless venture capitalist, adept at solving problems and navigating the treacherous currents of tech world power dynamics. When the lightning-rod CEO of a hot startup is murdered, leaving behind billions in "dead money" frozen in his will, Mackenzie finds herself riding shotgun with the FBI, determined to uncover the truth.

Kerr's deft plotting and keen eye for detail bring this world vividly to life. The mystery at the heart of the story is deliciously complex, filled with surprising twists and turns that kept me guessing. But what truly makes "Dead Money" shine is Mackenzie herself - a brilliant, complicated woman who is constantly underestimated, even as she wields immense power behind the scenes. Kerr has crafted a character who is equal parts sympathetic and morally ambiguous, her own agenda and desire for personal gain adding an irresistible layer of tension to the proceedings.

The supporting cast is equally well-drawn, from the FBI agent Mackenzie is compelled to work with to the various power brokers and tech titans who populate her world. Kerr displays a keen understanding of office politics, corporate maneuvering, and the precarious nature of wealth and influence in Silicon Valley. This backdrop serves not only to heighten the suspense, but to offer biting social commentary on the excesses and inequities of the tech industry.

"Dead Money" is a supremely satisfying read - a taut, twisty mystery that also functions as a compelling character study and an incisive glimpse into a rarefied world. Highly recommended for fans of smart, propulsive thrillers.

Dead Money by Jakob Kerr is a fast paced murder mystery in the tech industry. The founder of a tech company is found dead. Mackenzie, a fixer for the venture capitalist company that finances the tech company is brought into the FBI investigation of the death as a tech consultant. The story is twisty and the clues are slowly meted out which keeps you in the dark. The plot flips between the present and Mackenzie's past, leaving you to wonder what the connection is between the murder and her past. You will not be disappointed when you find out the truth.
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the advanced copy of the book. The opinions are my own.