Gritty. Wild and full of that California that those of us from there will get and under, but those not from here will get a kick ass story!

A combination of fantasy, science fiction and mystery that didn't fit together well. Too many weird theories tossed in, along with characters that don't connect.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of My Dirty California.

The premise was so intriguing I had to request it and I became doubly excited when my request was approved.

This is a hard novel to describe; it's science fiction, drama, thriller; a lot happens but not all at once.

There is one main plot happening, and two subplots connected to it: Jody Morrel is looking for the murderer who killed his younger brother, Marty, and the reason behind it; an immigrant woman named Renata wakes up in a strange place with a woman she doesn't know; Pen, a documentary filmmaker has dedicated her life to searching for a mystical house called Pandora's House, and Tiphony is seeking a better life for herself and her son, by locating stolen art.

Eventually, these characters' paths will collide, but not for some time.

There's a lot of exposition to get through; what Jody is doing, what Pen is doing, Jody tracks potential suspects to his brother's death, how Renata uses her street smarts to survive, and there's a ton of descriptive detail about California; it's lifestyle, it's environment, and its vibe, which was useful in setting the scene.

I'm a lifelong New Yorker, born and bred. so I appreciate a glimpse into the West Coast life, I still wouldn't live there, but that's just me.

The characters were diverse and interesting: I liked Jody, Pen and Renata, and their separate journeys.

I did enjoy the science fiction aspect of the story and I like how that plot thread is left up to the reader to wonder about.

The writing is good, but I wished the narrative hadn't taken so long to get to Point C from Point A; there's just so much exposition it began to read as repetitive.

I loved the happy ending; the full circle moment when Jody and Renata meet.

My Dirty California isn't for everyone, but I recommend it if you're looking for something different to read.

NetGalley - This was an amazing, outstanding, mind-blowing novel. I had no idea where or how it was going.
I really don't think I've read anything like this before.

From murder to trafficking to alternate universes.... and so many of my favorite spots in California. Wow. What a rollercoaster of a read.

Who is this book for? Adventurers, mystery lovers, suspense lovers and of course those of you fascinated by the big question: Are we all just living in a simulation!

Please tell me there will be a sequel. There DEFINITELY deserves to be one.

Jason - what an inventive novel. Congratulations!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an advance copy of this book in return for an honest review.

Marty Morrel left Pennsylvania 10 years ago at the age of 17. Following his mother’s death, his father seemed to have trouble connecting with Marty and his older brother Jody. Jody has been diagnosed with obsessive compulsive personality disorder (OCPD), which is different from OCD. Those with OCPD may engage in rigid behaviors and procedures, but don’t have intrusive thoughts and overwhelming compulsions those with OCD have. Jody’s compulsion is to make lists.

Marty returns home, and the reunion is going well. At least it was until Jody leaves to run an errand and returns to find his father dead, his brother dying and the gunman fleeing. Jody begins searching for the murderer, and finds his brother’s blog, My Dirty California. Marty had posted videos of his journeys through California, and Jody decides that tracing Marty’s footsteps will lead him to the killer. There are a string of interconnected stories and characters that Jody meets along the way: a documentary filmmaker who believes life is a simulation and is searching for the portal to another dimension, an undocumented immigrant who might have found the portal, Marty’s friends and acquaintances who have stories to tell, and a woman searching for a massive stash of stolen art.

It’s a strange story with a lot of moving parts, but it works on some level. However, there are times when the story goes along well, then gets bogged down with lists. Jody retraces his brother’s travels, and we hear about everywhere he went, where he ate, what he ate. Also, the simulation portal is enough science fiction for the plot. However, we are introduced to all kinds of believe it or not strange theories: Bimini Road, pyramids, Faraday cage, Mandela effect. If you're a sci-fi buff, all this might be meaningful, but I found it disrupting because I HAD to stop reading and look up things like lizard people that live underground. I had no idea!

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This ARC was provided to me via Kindle, Simon & Schuster and by #NetGalley. Opinions expressed are completely my own.

An interesting story that takes you places you might not expect.

My Dirty California takes the reader on a wild journey through California, as the protagonist, Jody, looks for the killer of his brother Marty and his Dad back in Pennsylvania. While the book initially starts out as what appears to be the typical revenge novel, it morphs into one crazy ride where we meet any number of eccentric characters, and also learn of Marty’s website, called My Dirty California. Jody uses the videos on it to try to piece together the motive for the killing.

In the meantime we meet the other main characters. Renata is an illegal who makes it to California, and who meets Marty before disappearing. Pen makes documentaries and believes there are portals to other worlds. Tiphony’s husband is in jail, and gets her involved in a scheme to recover stolen art. How these disparate plot lines resolve themselves and come together make this book a great read.

My thanks to Simon & Schuster and to Netgalley for providing an ARC of this entertaining novel.