H.ollywood Hustle is author/actor Jon Lindstrom's debut novel. Since debut novels can be a hit or miss, I was hesitant but still intrigued by the premise of the novel. Hoping for a hit, I was a little dismayed that the novel didn't meet my expectations.

The characters in the novel just didn't get my attention. Most of them appeared to be drug addled, and lacking any personality. I simply could not connect with any of the characters, especially the main character, Winston. For the most part, all of the characters were pretty generic, monotone and boring.

The story itself didn't fare any better than the characters. The only excitement was the kidnapping of Winston's drug addict daughter. And even that wasn't much to shout out about. Most of the narrative seemed like window dressing with no real substance. I kept waiting for the turning point, but nothing happened except drug deals. Eventually, I lost focus and gave up at 34% A one star DNF for me.

I was invited to read a DRC from Oceanview Publishing through NetGalley. The review herein is completely my own and contains my honest thoughts and opinions.

I tried this book and although the premise was good and the story was unfolding well I could not get used to the style of writing.apologies,still giving 3 stars as was a good story ( the bit I read )

A fast-paced emotionally charged thriller that’s a breath of fresh air in the genre. The family-angle in this kidnapping narrative makes the experience all the more personal. The dialogue is crisp and realistic along with the plausible turn of events that make this gripping page-turner.

As a fan of Jon Lindstrom for over two decades, I was thrilled with a chance to read his debut novel, “Hollywood Hustle.”

Not all actors can also write well so I picked up this book with a little trepidation. Thankfully, I was not at all disappointed. The protagonist of this story is Winston, an actor whose star is quickly fading. He discovers his daughter has been kidnapped but doesn’t have the money to pay the ransom. Instead, he begins to search for her, recruiting a colorful cast of characters to assist him.

Lindstrom’s personal knowledge of Hollywood adds depth to this story as does the time the narrative spends on Winston’s connections to those around him. Though I thought the story resolved itself a little too neatly, if you want a fast-paced thriller that isn’t too obvious, you will enjoy this story.

Three and a half out of five stars.

Thank you the author, NetGalley and the publisher for the eARC of this novel.

Way to knock it out of the park with this debut thriller. This book was very fast paced from the beginning, which I loved. It's packed with twists and turns, and I completely devoured it. If you enjoy a good mystery- this one is for you! Four 1/2 stars :)

Special thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a free, electronic ARC of this novel received in exchange for an honest review.
Expected publication date: Feb. 6, 2024
Jon Lindstrom has starred on General Hospital and True Detective. Using his Hollywood knowledge, he journeys into the literary world with his debut novel, “Hollywood Hustle” and to say I was impressed is an understatement!
Winston Greene is on the fast track to being a Hollywood has-been, as he ages and his career starts to steadily decline. One morning he wakes up to his young granddaughter, Amy, staring up at him in his bed, apparently abandoned by her mother, Winston’s daughter, Claire. But the truth slowly comes out, Claire has been kidnapped and is being held for ransom, and the kidnappers expect Winston to pay up. The only problem is that Winston is broke and has no way to give the kidnappers what they want. With the help of a few friends, Winston actively seeks his daughter while trying to protect his young granddaughter, pursuing the kidnappers through the cityscape of Los Angeles.
“Hustle” is a fast-paced thrill ride, and definitely fits right in in the celebrity-inundated landscape of Los Angeles. Right from the first page, when Winston wakes up to a wide-eyed granddaughter in his bed, the action pulls you in and doesn’t let up.
Winston recruits a stuntman and a former police officer, now a private investigator, in his search for his daughter, who suffers with addiction. Winston is the protagonist and prime narrator but the supporting characters are just as entertaining! I loved the camaraderie and loyalty that the men had with each other, but they still managed to be likable and human, regardless of their completely unrelatable Hollywood lifestyle.
“Hustle” reads like a Hollywood script and it ends the same way. Characters are shot and stabbed, but only the villains succumb to their injuries, leading to a “Happily Ever After” which, although a bit of a stretch, was still enjoyable. This is a unique debut by an unexpected author, and I would support future works by Lindstrom!

I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book. I couldn't wait to keep reading and find out what was going to happen next. It was filled with cliff hangers that included excitement, cruelty, compassion and friendship!. It’s definitely worth reading!

This is a great book. Very reminiscent of Harlen coben
Story was very pacy and gripping.
I've reccomendEd to my book club.

Hollywood Hustle by Jon Lindstrom is a gripping debut thriller!
Ok, so I truly devoured this new and exciting read.
I really enjoyed reading about the ugly side of Hollywood and the gritty film industry.
This story is packed full of suspense, with rich characters and a rollercoaster plot twist.
Winston Greene is a unique protagonist, and Lindstrom has done a splendid job bringing him to life. The other characters are well fleshed out and are quite enjoyable.
Twists and turns, some really clever plotting and psychological insights. This is a well crafted book, a real page turner.
This is a wonderfully enthralling and entertaining fast paced thriller, jam packed with suspense and twists, that will appeal to many crime and thriller readers.
Thrilling, exciting and suspenseful Hollywood Hustle definitely surpassed all of the expectations!
I can’t wait to read his future titles.

Thank You NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for your generosity and gifting me a copy of this amazing eARC!

"Hollywood Hustle" by Jon Lindstrom is an adrenaline-fueled thriller that immerses readers in the gritty underbelly of LA. Winston Greene, a faded film star, grapples with a nightmare when his granddaughter delivers evidence of his daughter's kidnapping, demanding his elusive 'movie money' as ransom. Lindstrom's bold prose, shaped by his insider knowledge of Hollywood, vividly paints a seedy landscape.

The characters, particularly Winston, are well-developed, adding emotional resonance to the tense plot. As Winston enlists a stuntman and a disgraced detective for a perilous rescue mission, Lindstrom masterfully sustains suspense. While some plot complexities may test believability, the novel's propulsive pace and unexpected twists make it a compelling read. "Hollywood Hustle" earns a solid four stars for its gripping narrative and insider's view of the entertainment industry. Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the advanced copy. #HollywoodHustle #NetGalley

This book immediately engaged me and kept my interest. It starts with a past his prime film star, Winston Green, waking up to the stares of his six year old granddaughter. From the thumb drive she gives him, he realizes his only, estranged daughter has been kidnapped. When he goes to the front door, he is met by a member of the kidnappers and a car that indicates this isn’t their first kidnap and the previous one ended in the death of the victim. Win is unable to go to the police for fear they will instantly kill his daughter if he does. That leaves him to rely on his friends, a disgraced former LAPD detective and a Hollywood stuntman, for help. My only criticism of the book would be its use of long descriptions. Although the story deals with the crime and his attempts to get his daughter back, it is about relationships, friendships, family and loyalty.
Thank you to NetGalley and Crooked Lane Books for the opportunity to read and review this book.

I was really curious to see how Lindstrom’s debut would turn out, especially having seen his work onscreen. Well, this background happened to be either a blessing and a curse. “Hollywood Hustle” is a book ready for the big screen. It’s fast-paced and full of action, and we’re given context to relationships and decisions with (perhaps way too many) descriptions and flashbacks, which would be great in a movie. Not so much in a book, unless you’re Tolkien. It’s still pretty engaging and enjoyable.

This was a surprisingly good novel from a first time author. Mystery readers will enjoy the tale by Lindstrom.

Review of eBook

Early one morning, Winston Greene awakens to find his six-year-old granddaughter, Amy, standing beside his bed. The thumb drive she holds reveals that a gang abducted her mother, Winston’s daughter. He’s to pay all his money to gain her safe return.

Unable to go to the police, Winston enlists the aid of his friends. Former cop Theodore Beauregard . . . better known as Teddy . . . and stuntman Grover Washington, hoping they will be able to help him rescue Clare. What the kidnappers don’t know is that they’ve guessed wrong.

Winston Greene has no money to pay a ransom.

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Like a Hollywood film, the action is swift and breathtaking; the plot, twisty and surprising. Well-developed characters exhibit flaws and vulnerabilities as well as their strengths, making them both believable and relatable. Compelling and suspenseful, this story of a kidnapping is also a story of family and friends, a story of loyalty and love. The action is swift, sometimes unexpected; the unfolding story guaranteed to keep the pages turning as fast as possible.

The behind-the-scenes glimpses of the film industry add a layer of interest in the telling of this tale. As might be expected in such as story, the emotions are strong and often introspective. Readers who enjoy action-filled tales are sure to enjoy this exciting story.

Highly recommended.

I received a free copy of this book from Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley and am voluntarily leaving an honest review.
#HollywoodHustle #NetGalley

I had the pleasure of reading @thejonlindstrom's debut novel, HOLLYWOOD HUSTLE. It's Michael Connelly meets Elmore Leonard. Full of twists and turns, with rich characters and an insider's eye for Hollywood details. I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. On sale Feb 6!

I was issued this book by NetGalley for my unbiased review.

This was Jon Lindstrom's first effort. It is a very well done book. I would expect a bit of improvement in his next efforts. This has a very interesting story and keeps you interested. I just had a difficult time determining if I liked Win Greene, or not. A little more character development would help in his future endeavors.

Overall I enjoyed the book and would like to read more and watch the author's growth.

This wasn't for me. Story didn't grab me and seemed to ramble. Thanks to Netgalley for the opportunity to read this book

One of the strengths of Jon Lindstrom as an author is that as an he has a lifetime of observing how human behave and the details that go into creating a setting. One of the weaknesses of Jon Lindstrom as an author is that he may provide more detail than the reader wants to read. Either way, I found this mystery novel to be engaging and look forward to reading his next novel. Thank you Crooked Lane Books and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in return for an honest review.

In this debut thriller from actor Jon Lindstrom, fading actor Winston Greene's young granddaughter is dropped at his house, along with the news that her mother has been kidnapped. The kidnappers assume that Winston has far more money than he actually does. What follows is a race against time as Winston and his good friends try to stay ahead of the kidnappers and keep his daughter alive and his granddaughter safe. Lindstrom has created an excellent page turner. In addition to the action and suspense of the plot, readers will enjoy some behind-the-scenes looks at the film industry. The characters are all fully realized; Winston's fears and flaws make him a complex and sympathetic hero. Here's hoping that this is only the first of Lindstrom's books.

Hollywood Hustle, written by Jon Lindstrom, is an exhilarating rollercoaster of high stakes and adrenaline-fueled excitement. This gripping tale seamlessly blends humor, raw emotion, mind-bending plot twists, and heart-pounding action, leaving readers on the edge of their seats.