Kidnapping and intrigue in movie land

Winston Greene is a "B-List" movie star living in the LA area. His films are the ones that show up late at night, usually action thrillers. But he's been in a lot of them and people tend to recognize him on the streets, asking him for his autograph.

One morning he wakes up and Amy, his traumatized granddaughter is standing by his bedside with a thumb drive for him. His daughter, Clare (Amy's mother) has been kidnapped and the thugs want him to pay a huge ransom...from his movie earnings, you know. They don't realize he's broke.

So Win, with a couple of friends, has to figure out how to save his daughter from men who 1) don't believe he's not a millionaire actor, and 2) aren't afraid to kill anyone standing in the way of what they believe is going to be a big payoff.

This was a quick moving thriller that I recommend especially if you like crime stories that take place in the LA area or involve the movie industry, which this touches on.

I received this Digital Review Copy from Crooked Lane Books through Net Galley and Edelweiss in the hopes that I would read it and leave an unbiased review. This is that review.

Lindstrom does an admirable job on his first novel with good characters and descriptive backgrounds in an area he knows well. The ending gets a little soapy but the story has enough drama and action to hold your interest until the end.

HOLLYWOOD HUSTLE
Jon Lindstrom, author
Mystery/Thriller

Follow Winston Greene and his two unlikely sidekicks as they desperately search for Winston’s kidnapped daughter while having to protect his granddaughter at the same time. Will the good prevail?

I came at this book with a skeptical mind, but I did a complete 180 turn when reading it. It is an action packed thriller. With all that one would expect from this genre. I would give it a solid 5 out of 5 stars

Jon Lindstrom, a four-time Emmy-nominated actor of General Hospital, Bosch, and True Detective fame, delivers HOLLYWOOD HUSTLE —set in the dark underbelly of the LA film industry a riveting, action-packed debut thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat to the explosive ending.

Set in Wrightwood, California, 81 miles northeast of Hollywood, we meet Winston Greene, an alcoholic who has been a film star. He wakes up with his six-year-old granddaughter, Amy (Amelia) by his side.

Amy is traumatized and unattended, holding a thumb drive, which contains a video of Win's adult daughter Clare (Clarissa) —the girl's mom, who has been kidnapped by a gang demanding all his movie money for her safe return.

Win's wife died tragically in a car accident years ago after an argument that still haunts him. Winston (Win) cannot tell the kidnappers he has NO money. After his wife died, he let his insurance lapse, and cancer, hospitals, and treatments wiped out all his money and savings. He only has his house and credit cards.

Frantically, he is desperate and puts off the kidnappers as he is afraid to go to the cops since they said they would kill his daughter. His house has some issues, and he will not get much for it due to some problems he discovers and cannot sell it quickly.

He turns to his two best friends for help—a former disgraced LAPD detective, Theodore (Teddy), and a legendary Hollywood stuntman, Grover Washington.

He gets updates from the kidnapper, stating they will send her body in bags if they do not get the money. Frantically, he tries to figure out how to raise the money and get his daughter back safely.

In the meantime, we hear from Clare and the kidnappers—a plan gone wrong. Will she be able to escape before it is too late? We also get the backstories of the characters. All the characters are flawed and have made mistakes. Win is trying to redeem himself and save his daughter and granddaughter.

There’s no easy way out for Winston or his daughter—they are killers and will do anything to get money. They think he has the cash or can get it. He will have to outsmart the kidnappers to get his daughter back alive. (yes, he needs Tommy Lee Jones to help save the day).

HOLLYWOOD HUSTLE is action-packed with a twisty plot and well-developed, deeply flawed characters you care about mixed with humor. Like a Hollywood film, the actor turned novelist (a Hollywood insider) knows his way around LA and includes some fun behind-the-scenes footage of the film industry and mentions of stars. I enjoyed Win's character, and he reminds me of Bosch.

High stakes, high octane, and heart-pounding! Fans of Michael Connelly and Alex Finlay will enjoy this thrill ride. Bosch fans will want to give this a whirl!

AUDIOBOOK: I read the e-book and listened to the audiobook narrated by the author (a pro), which bumped the book from 4 to 5 stars with a spectacular narration for an engaging performance for all voices. I highly recommend the audio! I cannot wait to see what comes next.

Thanks to Crooked Lane Books and Dreamscape Media for a gifted ARC and ALC for an honest review.

Blog review posted @
JudithDCollins.com
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
Pub Date: Feb 6, 2024
My Rating: 5 Stars (audio)
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I have been a fan of Jon Lindstom for many years for his work as an actor, and was intrigued when I saw he had written a novel. There is a lot going on in this action-packed debut novel. The adult daughter of an aging movie star is kidnapped and threats to his young granddaughter are also made. Win has to turn to his trusted friends, which include a stuntman and his amazing wife, as well as a former cop turned PI, to keep his granddaughter safe.

The story is told through multiple points-of-view, with many details given about each character's backstory. Sometimes the details, especially of the villains, aren't needed and get in the way of the flow of the story. I much preferred the chapters narrated by Win or one of his friends. Although the book has some pacing issues, things become very suspenseful as the deadline for the ransom draws nearer. You may have to suspend disbelief at a few things that happen toward the end, but I found the book entertaining and liked the hopeful resolution to the story.

I received an advance copy of this ebook at no cost from NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books, but my review is voluntary and unbiased.

When most of us think about Hollywood, we think of glitz and glamour and red carpet events filled with the biggest and best-looking movie stars. But in his debut thriller, Hollywood Hustle, actor-turned-author Jon Lindstrom offers a look at the darker side of Hollywood.

Full review published on NightsAndWeekends.com and aired on Shelf Discovery.

This was the debut novel by Jon Lindstrom. I am a fan of his acting which drew me to this book. I was interested to see what he had to say. There were some pacing issues and certain places it was slow due to the volume of description. Overall, I enjoyed it. There was a lot of action and an interesting cast of characters.

Thank you to the author, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for the Advanced Reader Copy (ARC) copy of this book and I am voluntarily leaving an honest review.

As someone who works in the film/tv industry and 10 of the 15 years were in LA, I could relate to this book quite a lot. A few areas could use some work that lost my interest but I over all enjoyed reading this!

Hollywood Hustle by Jon Lindstrom is a mystery with murders. The mystery really is a kidnapping, but the kidnappers were less than experienced and made a mess of things, hence the murders. The protagonist is Winston Greene, one of those actors one sees all the time on TV and in movies, but many don’t know his name. He has been an alcoholic for much of his career and probably survived only because of his now deceased wife. Their only daughter, Clare was married to a loser named Zeke with whom she spent a lot of time high. The best things to come from their union was Amy, his adorable fiveish granddaughter. It was with her the story started when she was dropped off at her grandfather’s house by a stranger who commented on how much Amy looked like her mother. He left the car in the drive and was picked up by another man. Clare had been kidnapped. They would be in touch. No police. But, he did have a friend, an ex-police officer he’d met on the set of a movie, who was now a PI. He called Theodore Beaureguard, who discovered in short order that the car belonged to a dead man who had been kidnapped and murdered. A warning.

One thing Lindstrom did extraordinarily well was describe the scene. He put you in the middle of whatever was happening. It was extraordinary. They wanted all his money. The joke was on them. He didn’t have any. He’d had cancer a few months earlier and with no insurance it’d cleaned him out. He and Teddy went to the bank and closed all his accounts: $28,000. They sold his car: $5,000. They tried to sell his house but it had some foundation issues and was unsellable at the moment. Clare may have been an addict but she got herself clean in captivity and was smarter than the guys that were holding her. It was a chase, well, several chases. Hollywood Hustle was an entertaining book and an amazing success for a first book. Lindstrom put much of his show business knowledge to work and came out with a better than average thriller. Good Job!

I was invited to read Hollywood Hustle by Crooked Lane Books. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #Netgalley #CrookedLaneBooks #JonLindstrom #HollywoodHustle

"Hollywood Hustle" by Jon Lindstrom takes readers on a thrilling ride through the dark side of the LA film industry. Lindstrom, an Emmy-nominated actor, crafts a compelling debut that delves into the price of fame and the seedy underbelly of Hollywood. The story follows has-been film star Winston Greene as he faces a nightmare scenario – his daughter kidnapped by a murderous gang demanding his nonexistent "movie money." Lindstrom's narrative is fast-paced, introducing a diverse cast of characters whose perspectives add depth to the plot. While some dialogue and plot elements may feel derivative, the novel excels in unexpected twists and over-the-top moments. Lindstrom's efficient pacing and the dysfunctional dynamics of the kidnappers make for an engaging read. Despite a few clichés, "Hollywood Hustle" showcases Lindstrom's potential, offering a gripping thriller with memorable characters and a glimpse into the darker side of Hollywood.

An interesting one ... not sure if it resonated with me but it was very Hollywood stylized. I wasn't sure about the era it was sitting in as it felt older than it was, although it was more of a modern story

Hollywood Hustle is like a rollercoaster ride, it has so much action happening in a limited time frame that once you start reading it you just do not want to stop! The characters are relatable, the plot is well put together, and the twists and turns guarantee an unexpected ending. Great read!
I thank Mr. Lindstrom, his publisher, and NetGalley for this ARC.

I was lucky enough to receive an early copy of the intriguing thriller debut, Hollywood Hustle. Written by actor Jon Lindstrom, who has appeared in quite a few crime fiction shows and films himself, Hollywood Hustle had a cool story about the price of fame and the dark side of Hollywood which I really liked the sound of.

Hollywood Hustle ended up being a fun first book from Lindstrom, which takes the reader on an exiting and fast-paced adventure through a dark Hollywood kidnapping. Lindstrom starts things off quickly, with the readers given an effective introduction to the main character, fading actor Winston Greene, and the unthinkable scenario he finds himself in. After an initial focus on Greene, the author branches out the focus of the story, splitting the perspective between various characters, including Greene, his two loyal friends, the kidnappers, and more, to create a wonderful and highly entertaining narrative.

Much of the story follows Greene, as he is forced to try and raise cash he doesn’t have to secure his daughter’s release. While he goes about that, you get to see what the kidnappers are up to, as their botched operation quickly comes undone in several different ways. At the same time, one of Greene’s friends begins an investigation into the case, while a nosey tabloid journalist tries to scoop up dirt on the troubled actor. These various storylines all come crashing together, and I liked how well Lindstrom was able to tell a cohesive tale while also focusing on his characters. I did find that some of the dialogue was a little weak in places, and the story did get a little derivative at times, but this was mostly a great read. I especially enjoyed how Lindstrom took the plot in some surprising and unpredictable directions, and several over-the-top deaths really spiced things up. While I didn’t love one plot twist at the end that relied on an overused writing cliché, I ended up having a lot of fun with this cool story, and I managed to finish it off in only a couple of days.

I really enjoyed Hollywood Hustles’ great story, and there were some excellent writing elements that helped it stand out. Lindstrom set a great pace for the entire book, and I appreciated how he got right down to business. I felt the entire story flowed efficiently and effectively, and he didn’t make the story overstay its welcome, finishing it off at just the right time. Splitting the perspective chapters between the various characters involved in the plot also worked well, as you quickly get multiple eyes on the dangerous unfolding situation. I liked the great mixture of distinctive character perspectives that emerged, and the slow-burn introduction of the three kidnappers was pretty awesome, especially as they all have compelling individual backstories, and it quickly becomes apparent that none of them are natural team players. Honestly these three antagonists proved to be a major highlight of the entire story, and their dysfunctional relationship, over-the-top actions, and well-crafted pasts that examine interesting, failed takes on the American dream increased my enjoyment of the entire book.

However, most of Lindstrom’s character work revolves around protagonist Winston Greene, who serves as the heart and soul of the book. A formerly famous actor who has reached has-been status and now only works bit gigs, Greene is a character with many parallels in real life, which makes his story even more relatable. Initially shown to be a flawed but caring man, Lindstrom slowly reveals several of his darker demons, including the price he paid for fame, his battle with alcoholism, his struggles being a father and husband, and the guilt he harbours for his past mistakes. Lindstrom builds in a very good narrative about Greene trying to redeem himself throughout the course of Hollywood Hustle, especially when it comes to his daughter and granddaughter, and you really find yourself pulling for him as a result. The author also uses Greene’s character to help highlight the many negatives involved with a Hollywood career, which adds an interesting and personal edge to much of the plot. The protagonist’s cynical views of the acting scene, especially after a complicated and currently expired movie career, make for a great inclusion, and I personally loved the fun fictional movie quotes attributed to Greene that are scattered throughout the novel. Greene really felt like a character that Lindstrom was pouring himself into, and I deeply appreciated how compelling and powerful his story got at times.

Overall, I quite liked Hollywood Hustle, and I felt that it was a good, solid debut from this interesting author. While Jon Lindstrom has some growing to do as a writer, this was an excellent first effort, especially when it comes to creating great characters, and I hope we see some more entertaining books from Lindstrom in the future.

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Actor and now debut novelist, Jon Lindstrom’s Hollywood Hustle (2024) is a crime mystery tale set amongst the hills of Los Angeles. Win ‘Winston’ Greene is an aging Hollywood film industry actor whose granddaughter wakes him up one morning. She had been dropped off by a stranger, who advised Win not to involve the police and pay money for the return of his daughter. As Win tries to raise the cash, his only assets are his car and house, so he calls on Teddy, a friend and former policeman, to assist. Despite a surprise reveal mid-book, plenty of gun-toting action and a grandfather-wannabe hero, this is a somewhat mundane action thriller. So overall, it’s a tad disappointing and only an average two and a half stars read rating. With thanks to Crooked Lane Books and the author, for an uncorrected advanced review copy for review purposes. As always, the opinions herein are totally my own, freely given and without inducement.

1.5 Stars - rounded up because I finished it.

Well, the best I can say about this novel is that I finished it and that it was a fast read. I did manage to finish this book to see how the author pulled off a happily-ever-after-type storyline. And what a fairy tale it was, especially the ending!


Trigger warnings--- Heavy drug usage, multiple murders, kidnapping, incredibly bad plotting, and overly descriptive/wordy.

Since Mr.Lindstom is/was an actor, I can see why this book was filled with movie references, even if they seemed to be in there for really no reason at all. Yes, the character of Winston was an actor (never a star!), so we could expect a lot of references to the art.

I could not manage to feel anything for these characters - not sadness, which I should have felt based on the kidnapping, not horror of all of the deaths, nor did I find anything amusing, which I am sure we are supposed to have felt at times.

Since Winston's daughter had been kidnapped, this book was about him and his buddies getting her back. However, he goes about it in the stupidest ways possible. I don't even want to talk about what he and his pals do because it would spoil the book for those who want to read it.

*ARC supplied by the publisher Crooked Lane Books, the author, and NetGalley.

"Jon Robert Lindstrom is an American actor, writer, director, producer, and musician. He is well known for his roles of Kevin Collins and Ryan Chamberlain on the ABC Daytime soap opera General Hospital and its spin-off Port Charles.

This crime novel is set in Hollywood and is written by one of my favorite actors from daytime tv. I jumped at the chance to read it. I enjoy a good crime novel and with his experience, Lindstrom has the background to come up a great story.

The plot is what drew me in. A has-been film star teams up with a stuntman and disgraced LAPD detective to save his daughter. struggled to stay engaged at the beginning. My persistence did pay off though in the end. This is a good book for those readers who have an interest in crime novels, particularly those with characters needing redemption

Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for this ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.

Thoroughly enjoyed this novel. My first Jon Lindstrom book but definitely not my last. The story was so easy to fall in to and the characters were fantastic. Hooked me from early on and never let go.
Thank you NetGalley, Jon Lindstrom and Crooked Lane Books - Alcove Press for the opportunity to read and review this book

Winston, an actor who needs a break, finds he's got a big big problem when his daughter is kidnapped. He doesn't have the money the bad guys have demanded so he rounds up a couple of friends to help him. And of course he doesn't contact law enforcement. This wasn't a great read but it could make a good movie

Hollywood Hubris. The evocative and darkly hilarious tale of a kidnapping of a Hollywood star's daughter is well paced and quite descriptive, though it does evoke more of the 70s/ 80s vibes than more modern times - despite clearly being set in said more modern times. So perhaps it feels a touch anachronistic at times as well, but it actually somehow manages to work?

No, the biggest problem here wasn't the characterizations or the action or the (dark) comedy, it was the guns - and specifically the typical Hollywood hubris of not knowing basically anything about them. No, civilians do not have "automatic" pistols - those things are hard to get for even criminals, and generally extend a jail term much longer than they're actually worth as a tool. Instead, every time Lindstrom says "automatic", he *should* be saying "semi-automatic" or even simply "pistol", if he is seeking to distinguish it from a revolver (which he also uses in this text). (Both revolvers and non-revolving pistols are semi-automatic, meaning one bullet fires per trigger squeeze vs automatic meaning bullets keep firing as long as the trigger is held down, for those reading this review who may be under the same lack of basic gun knowledge as Lindstrom and his editors.) Further, several times when someone is shot - both from a shotgun (which does in fact pack more of a punch, as depending on the load it can send up to 2-3 .45 caliber sized pellets flying at the same speeds that a pistol sends a single .45 bullet flying at) and a pistol - the body is described as flying backwards, as Hollywood tends to do. However, this is one that anyone who has watched Mythbusters knows is incorrect, as they specifically tested this exact myth and showed that it does not actually happen. And that is *without* even having any actual gun knowledge, as it is basic physics! (F= mA -> Force = mass x Acceleration, but the target also has standing inertia that the force must be powerful enough to overcome to achieve said result... and bullets that civilians might fire - yes, even the vaunted .50 BMG round - simply don't have that kind of mass and acceleration. And by the time you get up to rounds that *do* have that kind of force... it tends to have a *far*... messier... impact than simply causing someone to fly backwards off their feet for a few feet.) A final note related yet not to these points about guns is that another author I know is actually a medical investigator in Saint Augustine, FL, and per his commentary over the years, the "tangy coppery" smell of blood that so many fiction authors use - including Lindstrom here? Also fictional. It is for all of these blatant inaccuracies - yes, even in fiction, as they actively perpetuate misinformation that could harm real people - that the star was deducted.

Still, for those who simply want an almost "Expendables" type action/ thriller with a cast of "seasoned" Hollywood dwellers trying to resolve a kidnapping of a family member of one of their own on their own... this really is quite a strong tale in that particular vein, and as long as you approach it as just that type of Hollywood action movie and check your brains at the door, you'll find a quite strong and enjoyable tale.

Recommended.

HOLLYWOOD HUSTLE was a gripping and gritty thriller set in LA. Winston Greene is a working actor who has overcome his addiction to alcohol and recently gotten through a cancer diagnosis. When his granddaughter is dropped off at his home with a flash drive showing her mother's plea to get her away from her kidnappers, Win is in big trouble. He's almost completely broke after letting his health insurance lapse after his wife's death and paying off his medical treatments for his cancer.

Determined to do anything he can for his daughter, he calls on some old friends including a disgraced police officer turned Private Investigator and a legendary stuntman. He is willing to do anything he can to gather a ransom to rescue his daughter, but he doesn't have much to work with.

Meanwhile, we get to know the kidnappers who are all lazy, entitled men who think the world owes them a good living and are willing to kill or steal to get it. And we meet Win's daughter Clare who is also an addict and who was instrumental in the beginnings of the plot to get money from her father. The plot quickly goes out her her control making her an actual prisoner of her three co-conspirators.

I liked the action in this thriller which pits a troubled but decent man against villains who are just barely under control of themselves and who have no respect for anyone but themselves. Lindstrom created a fast-paced plot inside an excellent setting. The contrast between the villains and Win and his friends was stark.

Fans of gritty thrillers with a Hollywood connection will enjoy this one very much. I did.