This was a complicated mystery with a some thrills here and there that made my heart race. I wasn't sure what I was getting myself into and boy was it a roller coaster ride. This turned into a complex money thriller that had many twists and turns that really kept me focused and intrigued. I felt like reading this was the way to go because of the complex nature of the storyline.

Thank you to NetGalley and Bantam for the gifted e-ARC of this book.

I enjoyed this investigative suspense novel. The insights into venture capital and the tech start-up culture created a unique backdrop to a fairly traditional murder mystery. The middle of the story dragged a bit - there is a lot of dialogue and it became tedious and repetitive. However, the ending had an explosive conclusion with lots of fun twists and surprising reveals.

Thank you, NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC!

I gotta say that this book is one of the scariest I've ever read! The idea that AI is going off the rails into the point of madness could very well be true, and this story could be non-fiction.
I absolutely loved how the story is written, how well the characters are developed and described, and how many twists and turns are woven throughout.
Carve some time out before you start this book, because you will need it.
Bravo, Mr. Kerr

My latest book review and first of 2025 is Jakob Kerr’s Dead Money takes readers deep into the shadowy, high-stakes world of Silicon Valley, where big money, cutting-edge technology, and deadly secrets collide. This twisty thriller centers around Mackenzie Clyde, a sharp and resourceful lawyer (though she bristles at being called a fixer), who works for the ruthless venture capitalist Roger Hammersmith. When the CEO and co-founder of one of tech’s hottest startups is found murdered, and the San Francisco police seem to be spinning their wheels, Roger tasks Mackenzie with solving the problem.

Teaming up reluctantly with an FBI Special Agent who’s not thrilled about working alongside a corporate lawyer, Mackenzie dives into an intricate and dangerous investigation. The plot weaves back and forth in time, creating a layered mystery that requires close attention but rewards readers with a richly detailed story. While the book has a slow-burn pace rather than nonstop action, Kerr’s writing and the depth of the characters kept me engaged until the very last page.

As a San Francisco resident, I particularly enjoyed the book’s setting, which felt vividly authentic and added another layer of intrigue to the story. The novel also explores timely themes like the influence of venture capital, advanced AI technology, and the morally murky world of Silicon Valley billionaires. But rather than preaching, Kerr uses these elements to raise thought-provoking questions about what’s on the horizon.

Dead Money is a smart, twist-laden thriller that peels back the polished surface of the tech world to reveal a gritty, dangerous underbelly. With its compelling characters, intricate mystery, and timely themes, this book is a must-read for fans of slow-burn suspense.

Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for this eARC.

Jakob Kerr's "Dead Money" is a fast-paced and engrossing thriller that takes readers into the high-stakes world of financial crime and moral dilemmas. This novel centers around a young and ambitious hedge fund manager, Alex Caine, who gets entangled in a web of deceit, corruption, and danger as he uncovers a sinister plot that threatens his life and career.

Kerr masterfully weaves together a narrative filled with suspense, unexpected twists, and complex characters. Alex is a compelling protagonist whose journey from naive ambition to gritty determination keeps readers on the edge of their seats. The high-pressure environment of Wall Street is vividly depicted, making it easy to get lost in the intricate details of financial maneuvers and corporate intrigue.

The novel's exploration of themes such as greed, loyalty, and the cost of success is thought-provoking and engaging. Kerr's writing style is crisp and immersive, drawing readers into the fast-paced world of high finance and leaving them eagerly turning pages to see what happens next.

Highly recommended for fans of financial thrillers and anyone who enjoys a good suspenseful read. "Dead Money"" is a gripping novel that will keep you hooked from start to finish. Jakob Kerr's debut is a testament to his skill as a storyteller and promises great things to come in his future works.

A CEO of one of the fastest growing Tech companies is murdered in his highly secure private office execution style. The Executive team would inherit their shares of the company at that point except that shortly before he died he added a "dead money" clause that says his estate and the company is frozen until a suspect goes on trial for his murder, When the investigation starts to go cold, the Venture Capital firm that has funded the company for almost $5 billion sends their investigative attorney, McKenzie to join forces with FBI agent Danner. Fascinating glimpse into the tech world and the upper elite wealthy with so many twists and turns that leave you constantly guessing as to who murdered him but also what else was going on to make him that paranoid. Loved it!

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing for the ARC! #deadmoney #netgalley

Wow. I can’t believe this is a debut novel! Mackenzie Clyde is a “problem solver” for a corrupt tech mogul in Silicon Valley. When the CEO of a successful startup is murdered, he leaves behind millions of “dead money” in his will. The police investigation is going nowhere, so Mackenzie is tasked by her boss to solve the problem.

This book was super twisty! It almost became a story within a story as it got more and more complex. I guessed most of the twists, but I wasn’t disappointed because there was always more to it. My biggest problem was not much happened in the first half of the book. I appreciated the character development and foundation laid, but it still dragged for me.

The ending was well fleshed out, and I can actually see this as a Netflix series. Overall, a good read and a fantastic debut of a novel that I will be recommending.

Big thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the gifted eARC!

Parts of this book were incredibly transparent but parts of it remained a complete mystery until the author decided it was time to let the reader in. That makes for a great, page-turning read. When will the reader be told what you think you already know? Like I said, I kept turning the pages. Don't let the tech world setting put you off. This isn't some big sci-fi exploration of what is happening. This was a solid who-done-it and why kind of mystery. There were a lot of done-its and whys making up a brilliant read! And, would it be in poor sport to think that I would love another book featuring Mackenzie. Clyde? What a great character! This was a longer than average book for me, but it was worth every page!

This was fine, I think I'm an outlier. I was kind of bored for most of it? The last 20% was good, but it felt very anti-climatic for most of it. There wasn't enough tension/drama - it was a tech bro that got murdered... felt low stakes to me. Ending was better but this was just "ok" for me.

Really great book! It's such a fascinating look at the (incredible insipidness) of the tech industry. I liked the characters and the ending is very clever.

I will say, I wish the author had consulted me on the Russian names before this was published! 1) Oberon is NOT a Russian last name. 2) Yelchin isn't super common either, and was obviously inspired by the late actor Anton Yelchin.

I did enjoy reading all the financial stuff. And I especially appreciated how the main character's mother worked as an accountant!

Dead Money was an exciting and easy read on a day with no electricity. I liked the way it all unfolded with flashbacks to incrementally give us the whole story. Mackenzie works as a fixer for a finance company and one of the founders of a tech startup they funded is murdered. Normally, they would own most of the company. But the victim rewrote his will just before his death putting it all on hold until his murdere is solved. It's a fast paced adventure going all over California. I enjoyed the twists and turns and trying to figure out who could be trusted and who could not. Easy to read in one sitting because there is no down time to get distracted in. Looking forward to see what the author does next.

“Dead Money” by Jakob Kerr is an engaging and thoroughly enjoyable 5-star read! The story follows Mackenzie Clyde, the Director of Investigations for Hammersmith Venture, as she teams up with FBI Agent Jameson Danner to solve the murder of a tech CEO.

Most of the chapters are set in the present day, allowing readers to accompany Mackenzie and Jameson as they navigate the complex world of tech executives. Interspersed throughout the book are flashbacks that begin 18 years earlier, during Mackenzie’s high school years, and trace her journey through law school to her current role at Hammersmith Venture. These flashbacks provide valuable insight into the experiences that shaped Mackenzie into the determined and resourceful woman she is today.

The story is well-written and maintains a brisk pace that kept me hooked from start to finish. The suspense is perfectly balanced, with just enough to keep you guessing about the how and why of the murder.

This was my first read by Jakob Kerr, but it certainly won’t be my last. I’m excited to explore more of this author’s work!

Thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine, Jakob Kerr, and NetGalley for providing me with the opportunity to read this ARC and share my honest review.

This was great. Fast-paced tech con job all rolled into one. Tech con job all rolled into one. Even though about halfway through the book, you could see how this was going to play out. Still interesting characters that kept it moving along at breakneck speed.
Thanks to NetGalley for an advance copy.

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group Ballantine for the eARC.

If you are looking for a super twisty, fast paced, never lets you catch your breath type of suspense novel - this is the one for you. I loved the tech start up component of this book too. Really great.

This book is a creative piece of wizardry in the form of a thriller. By the end of this book, I was eager to read all the other books that this author wrote, only to find that this was his first novel! Unbelievable!

The murder of an executive at a large startup company in the sparkling and money grabbing world of venture capitalists and giant tech companies is the perfect plot and setting for this intriguing and exciting story. There is a lot of technobabble and big business scheming, but the story is written so that even a reader that is inexperienced in high tech can follow along and understand.

The suspense started off at an easy pace while the groundwork was laid out and the murder investigation began, but then it took off like a rocket and never slowed down. Good investigative work leads to a den of vipers and ups the level of excitement and intrigue. I couldn't put this book down.

This book would make a great movie. I can't wait to read what this author writes next.

My sincere thanks to Random House Publishing Group-Ballantine and NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read a DRC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. All opinions expressed are my own.

Enjoyable debut novel from Jakob Kerr.

Mackenzie Clyde works for Hammersmith Venture as an investigator, assisting her boss, Roger Hammersmith with his relationships with the founders of the Silicon Vally tech companies that he supplies the startup money for.

When Trevor Canon, the CEO of Journy, a thriving tech company, is found murdered, Roger sends Mackenzie to assist the FBI in their investigations, to protect his huge investment in the firm.

What follows is a very twisty, clever thriller with some great characters. It's told in two timelines - the present day investigation of the murder, and the story of Mackenzie's past and how she got where she is today. I assumed that the older timeline was just backstory, but it becomes clear it is vital to the plot as the many surprises unfold.

Who is lying, and who is being played?

I loved the strong female characters, and the many twists and turns of the plot. I appreciated the ending, although I thought there were a few small plot holes, but that didn't diminish my enjoyment at all. I'm hoping this is the start of a series. The writing was very impressive.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

When Silicon Valley's biggest tech startups' CEO is murdered, Hammersmith puts MacKenzie, their "fixer" on the case along with the FBI due to a "dead money" clause in the CEO's will stating that if murdered, his stock is frozen until his killer if found. Hammersmith has given billions of dollars to this company and wants its money back asap. Trevor, prior to his death, appeared to have been hiding something important because why add the "dead money" clause?

This is a well written, twisty and suspenseful thriller! The author skillfully alternated between the present timeline, and various points in Mackenzie's past that lead up to her present role with Hammersmith. What I loved about this fast paced story is that not everyone's motivations are clear.
While I could see where the author was leading us with the ending, but the way he wove it all together didn't make it an obvious conclusion by any means, which I loved!

HIghly recommend!!!

What a ride! This thriller is full of twists and secrets. The story takes place in Silicon Valley in the “tech world” and Mackenzie is the FMC. She works for the largest venture capital firm as an investigator. One of her firms biggest clients gets murdered and she’s assigned as liaison to the FBI to help find the killer. This story is fast paced and it was hard to put down. Random House Publishing Group- Ballantine provided a complimentary digital ARC via NetGalley. All opinions expressed in this review are my own.

Congrats to Jakob Kerr for his exciting debut thriller set in the tech world of San Francisco. The plot: Mackenzie Clyde, a lawyer, has worked her way up to the position of Director of Investigations for Hammersmith Venture, the tech industry's most prestigious venture capital firm. Her boss, Roger Hammersmith, the founder and president of the firm, has invested heavily in Journy, a storybook startup company that is the crown jewel of HV's investment portfolio. Unfortunately Journy's founder, Trevor Canon, was found shot to death in his private office three weeks ago and the SFPD has made no progress in their investigation. Now the FBI has become involved and Roger Hammersmith has demanded that HV be attached as an advisor in the investigation and Mackenzie will represent the firm as a liaison, reporting directly to her boss.

As the biggest shareholder in Journy, HV was slated to now have the controlling interest. But shortly before his death, Canon added a new section to his will, a 'dead money' provision, stipulating that in the case he is ever murdered, all his assets would be frozen until the murderer is found and prosecuted. Apparently Canon had an inkling that someone wanted him dead.

So Mackenzie begins working with Special Agent Jameson Danner, who seems less than thrilled to be including her in his investigation. And so begins a very twisty, turny thriller plot. The story was well written, with timely flashbacks to Mackenzie's past that fill in the background little by little. I thought I had figured out the whodunit fairly early but Kerr had some surprises up his sleeve for me. I liked how it all turned out. Very smart! I always look to see how a male author handles his female characters and I thought Kerr created interesting and clever personalities with Mackenzie and others.

Many thanks to the author and publisher for providing me with an arc of this debut thriller. I will look forward to reading more from this author. My review is voluntary and the opinions expressed are my own.

LOVE a good revenge story!

Twists, turns, secrets fill the pages of this debut novel from Kerr. Nothing is as it seems, makes for a great thriller. When you've got to read the last word to understand the motivation, the crime and the revenge, guess what, I am hooked.

Its an ending that is truly satisfying.

Thank you, Random House Publishing Group - Ballantine | Bantam