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.

Dead Money by Jakob Kerr is a fast paced murder mystery. Based in San Francisco, it starts with the murder of the founder and CEO of a major tech company Journy. SFPD can’t seem to solve it, so they bring in the FBI. Lawyer turned fixer Mackenzie Clyde works for a venture capital company that happens to be the biggest investor of Journy. She joins the FBI in their search for the guilty party.
The plot flip flops between the present and Mackenzie’s past. The story is twisty and the reader is given little clues along the way that help to solve the crime at the end, yet in not a completely obvious way.
I liked that it was based on a tech company and felt I learned a bit about their philosophies on work and life. There was good fun descriptions about what goes on at Burning Man. And I liked that the two female main characters are strong, smart and know what they want and how to get it. This was a quality debut that is worth a read. Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for my ARC.

This book was really something. When I read the synopsis, I was expecting your typical run of the mill police mystery focused on the financial tech side of Silicon Valley. What I wasn't expecting was the amazing, witty, sharp-toothed dialogue, layered personalities, and wild twists that this novel was full of. From the first introduction to our main character Mackenzie Clyde, where she deftly breaks down the facade of a tech executive, I knew I was in for a fun ride. From there, she continued to out maneuver and dictate her interactions in a way that was really enjoyable to read. I had not heard of Jakob Kerr before, but I can definitely say that he is on my list from now on and I am excitedly waiting for his next release. Big big fan of Dead Money.

I did not expect to love this book as much as I did. It was a great whodunnit murder mystery with strong likable (and unlikeable) characters. I had a number of theories as I read - some were utterly ridiculous. It kept me on my toes and there were a lot of quotable moments that were impactful.

Great book and I’m looking forward to more from this author!

Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam Books for this advanced copy.

Dead Money by Jakob Kerr takes us to Silicon Valley where a CEO of a company is found murdered. The investor has a fixer named Mackenzie who gets involved in solving the case. A really fast paced story. The characters were good and believable. A good one to take to the beach or vacation. Thanks to NetGalley and Bantam for letting me read this book in exchange for an honest review.

The mystery starts slow, but the reveal and ending are worth it. In this debut from a tech insider, Silicon Valley fixer Mackenzie Clyde investigates a billionaire founder's death while pursuing her own agenda. Tasked with solving the CEO's murder, Mackenzie navigates high stakes and power plays, all while staying one step ahead and using her underestimation to her advantage.

“Dead Money” by Jakob Kerr

Trevor Canon is founder of the fastest growing tech company. A cleaning guy finds Trevor one night murdered in his office. The Venture Capitalist group that has given Trevor billions wants to find the murderer. MacKenzie Clyde an investigator with VC group partners with a Special Agent with the FBI to find the murderer. There is an interesting cast of upper management at the tech company. Overall the book started out slow. I am glad I stuck with it as the twist in the end was very good.

Thank you NetGalley and Bantam Books/Penguin Random House for providing this book.

In her job solving problems for Silicon Valley’s most ruthless venture capitalist, Mackenzie Clyde’s used to playing for high stakes. Even if none of the jaw-dropping sums in play ever seem to make it into her hands.

But her new assignment is something else entirely. The lightning-rod CEO of tech’s hottest startup has just been murdered, leaving behind billions in “dead money” frozen in his will--and as the company’s chief investor, Mackenzie’s boss has a fortune on the line. Which means that solving this impossible crime has just become her problem.

Jakob Kerr has written one twisty, unexpected thriller, and this reader is prepared to read everything he writes from now on. It's almost impossible to believe this is a debut novel; it is that assured, that complex, with fully developed characters. This is an author to watch -- and to read as soon as you can! Highly recommended. #DeadMoney #NetGalley #SaltMarsh Authors

Dead Money is a masterfully written thriller with a murder and rising tech company in limbo after the leader is murdered. I can't believe how good this book is. The author seems well versed in the finance side of things which kept the book moving along. I enjoyed the cat and mouse thing with Makenzie and FBI agent Danner. A list of suspects; all with motives and all with alibis. A really well written book. I figured it out very early but I think I got lucky. I can't wait for more from the author and hope it is half as good as this book.

"Dead Money" by Jakob Kerr stands out as a masterfully written thriller that immerses readers in the cutthroat world of high finance. Kerr demonstrates a remarkable ability to translate the complexities of this environment into a narrative that is both accessible and electrifying.

Right from the opening pages, Kerr hooks the reader with sharp prose and meticulous detail. The authenticity with which he describes the financial sector adds a layer of realism that enhances the suspense. It's clear that Kerr has a deep understanding of his subject matter, and he leverages this knowledge to build a story that feels both plausible and compelling.

The characters are a highlight of the novel, each crafted with care and depth. Kerr's protagonists and antagonists are not merely archetypes but fully fleshed individuals with distinct motivations and moral ambiguities. This complexity makes their interactions all the more engaging, driving the narrative forward with an intensity that never lets up.

"Dead Money" excels in its pacing, maintaining a taut, suspenseful rhythm that keeps readers on edge. The plot is full of unexpected twists and turns, ensuring that the story remains unpredictable and gripping. As themes of power, greed, and redemption unfold, Kerr invites readers to ponder broader ethical questions, adding a layer of depth to the thriller.

In "Dead Money," Jakob Kerr has delivered a standout novel that deftly combines the excitement of a financial thriller with rich character development and thought-provoking themes. It’s a book that will keep readers hooked until the very last page, making it a must-read for fans of the genre.

I loved it! Thinking back on how everything played out I'm marveling at how it all came to together by the end. That was brilliant. And exciting. And a really great read. Excellent writer.

So much talking! For the first half of this book, nothing much really happens. The main characters, an FBI agent and a lawyer/investigator for a VC group, work together attempting to solve the murder of the prominent founder of a wildly successful Silicon Valley startup. I was ready to dnf, but because the writing is so compelling, I kept going, and sure enough, we got somewhere. Clever with a few twists and turns, I can see this as a Netflix series, and I look forward to his next book. Three and a half stars rounded up.

Thank you, Netgalley and the publisher, for the complimentary copy.

This is a debut? There’s no way! Kerr delivers an exceptional maze of twists and turns! Makenzie is a strong female lead. She is a lawyer that is thrown into a murder investigation with the FBI. It was relatable and current, which I loved. I enjoyed the back stories sprinkled throughout and reading all about the world of tech. Thank you NetGalley for allowing me this inside look! I can’t wait until this hits the shelves in order to have a copy of my own, but I am already wishing for more from Kerr! I will say it again, great debut! I am impressed!

A thriller that keeps you turning pages. Though I tend to lean more toward psychological thrrillers, this was a nice change of pace. I was concerned that I might not be able to follow it because it's theme revolves are Silicon Valley, venture capitalists, and the tech-y world. But the author did a fantastic job of explaining the ins and outs of that world without it feeling like "mansplaining", and that is very much appreciated. Oh, some of it probably went over my hed, but I never felt lost. I would definitely read more from Mr. Kerr in the future.

Dead Money is a fast paced murder/mystery thriller that has enough conspiracy theories in it to be entertaining without being very silly. The book is about the "brilliant" founder of a tech start up who is murdered in his office and the venture capitalist who funds him has asked Mackenzie Clyde, his firm's investigator, to team up with the FBI task force who is working on solving the murder.

The story is written non linearly for the most part. Throughout the chapters that advance the plot there are flashbacks to prior points in Mackenzie's life that explain or provide a completely different perspective to what is happening in the present. I enjoyed that because it was like unraveling a puzzle while reading it and finally realizing what was actually happening.

I appreciated the details about Silicon Valley culture and how out of touch many of these ultra rich- or really just ultra rich on paper- tech "visionaries" are. It was funny and on point without leaning too much into stereotypes (and yes, there is a "Sheryl Sandberg" type character who is pivotal to the plot and way cooler than the actual Sheryl Sandberg). I also enjoyed the repeated motif of how Mackenzie slept after (almost) each day on the investigation.

I would definitely recommend this to someone looking for a clever, fun, fast paced thriller.

Many thanks to Random House/ Bantam Books and to NetGalley for this ARC to review. This review is my honest opinion.

I received this book as an ARC through NetGalley. I am a librarian and have read hundreds if not thousands of thrillers in my lifetime. I have to be honest, the name is what caught my attention. I was surprised when I finished that this is Mr. Kerr's first book. The attention to detail is amazing. I was sure I knew what happened in the story, but I was still surprised by the ending. I love the strong female lead in this story. I would have read it in one sitting, but life interfered and it took longer than I wanted to finish it. I will be waiting for future books from Kerr and will tell everyone in the library about this great new author.

I will update soon, so this review rating is subject to change. I want to process my thoughts on it first.

This one started off a little slow for me but picked up about half way through and I couldn’t put it down after that. It is a great story about women coming to power and the hoops they have to jump through to get there. It’s full of deception and kept me wondering. The twist towards the end was perfect and kept me hooked.