Very well-written and filled with suspense and tension. I have read other books where the story changes from the present to sometime in the past, but Jacob Kerr has taken this style to a whole new level. Just when you think you have it figured out, Mr. Kerr shows a scene from the past that completely changes everything. This is most definitely an author to watch for in the future, an illustrious career is pending.

Dead Money was a good thriller. Mysteries, murder, multiple financial crimes, revenge, deception…this book has lots of reasons to enjoy! Was evenly paced with alternating timelines to adeptly weave several stories together with some surprises and some expected twists. An afternoon well spent!

Thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing House - Ballentine for the opportunity to read this ARC.

I found this book to be less than what I expected unlike many other reviewers. It was a difficult read for me as I found the characters unlikeable and predictable. On top of that it was easy (at least for me) to figure out who commited the murder after the main characters were introduced. Overall, a book with great potential, but lacking in an engaging writing style.

I received a free Kindle copy of this book courtesy of publisher with the understanding that I would post a review on Goodreads, Net Galley, Amazon and my nonfiction book review blog.

A tech company CEO is murdered. Before he is murdered, he changes his will to add a clause that freezes his shares, if he is murdered, until his killer is brought to justice. After the San Francisco police are able to gain traction in the investigation, a powerful and influential investor calls in a favor with the FBI that they take over the investigation and also allow his "investigator" assist. Mackenzie is an "investigator" for the venture capital company, she is teamed up with agent Danner tasked with tracking the killer and releasing the billions of dollars held up by the will. This began as a slow burn but quickly snowballed into a very well paced thriller. Lots of twists!

I loved this book. Every time I thought it was wrapping up, there was another sub plot uncovered. I enjoyed Mackenzie's character - someone who was fed up with putting up with other people's demands and the way she worked things so that it always led to her getting what she wanted. If you like a murder set in the tech world with a strong female lead, that twists and evolves into another story, this one is for you.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC.

A big 4.5 stars! This creative and unique thriller is sure to be a huge hit when it releases. Set in the tech world (which I am sure will be the setting of many future thrillers), the story jumps off the pages. The characters are well crafted, and the story kept me guessing. The ending is fabulous. I highly recommend this one.

I went in intrigued by the blurb but unsure how I'd like it beyond that and I was pleasantly surprised.

This book was an unexpected treat in every chapter. The ‘silicon valley’ settings are well written
and for people with ties to the area, it’s a fun ride through the sites and sounds of the incredibly
inventive and solidly described back stabbingly brilliant crimes that you will not believe even
when you’re right there as you read what has been taking place. I was surprised to finish the
book in just two days because I just could not put it down, I hope this might be the start of
a series because the characters who survived are poised to return with more
stories in the world of Venture Capital within the confines of the technology sector.
My thanks to Bantam Publishing via Netagalley for the download of
the book for review purposes.

This debut novel features a multi-faceted story of murder, lies, and high-stakes corporate espionage.

Mackenzie Clyde is a lawyer and private liaison for venture capitalist Roger Hammersmith. Her boss requests her unique skills in helping to unravel the details surrounding the murder of Trevor Canon. Trevor was the founder and CEO of a startup company that went viral, amassing a fortune that is now frozen in the grips of a clause recently added to his will.

Despite the easy-to-guess twists in the investigation . . . this narrative is well-paced and entertaining. I recommend this book to those who enjoy police procedurals and the ruthless intricacies facing the corporate world of technology and industry.

I thank NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced copy of Dead Money for my unbiased evaluation.  3.5 stars

Thanks to Netgalley for the arc! This was a good debut, kept my attention, and makes me interested to see what the author does next. It had some flaws typical of first attempts (people were constantly referred to by their first name and never “she said” or “he did” which feels unnatural to read), etc. but overall good!

Highly entertaining and quick, this book kept me engaged from the start. “Dead money” can mean a few things but in this case, it was about a provision from a CEO’s will if he died. When he was found dead in his office, it started a chain of events with an invigorating criminal investigation.

Money was a big focus as it was noted that everything in society is driven by wealth. Rooms interiors were top of the line in San Francisco homes and work places. The author even said that rich neighbors objected to noisy trash pick-ups early in the morning. I remember a woman in an affluent DC area complaining when she heard workers at 8:30 a.m.

The characters were described pretty well and the story was easy to follow. This book gave readers a good clue where technology may be headed these days and what programs are catching the billionaire’s support in Silicon Valley.

We all think hard work gets you places but a leading character wasn’t convinced. This story was cleverly written and kept me wondering how it was going to end. I had a few thoughts but I was wrong and surprised with an unexpected twist. This would be great as a Netflix series.

My thanks to Bantam Books and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advanced copy of this book with an expected release date of January 28, 2025.

I’m surprised how much I enjoyed this book.

This twisty mystery kept me guessing and had a few surprises in the wings. The dual timelines worked perfectly to deliver the tidbits at the appropriate times, and also drove the fast pacing.

The action toward the end was exciting and fun; it also drove the faster pacing.

This book had a solid plot with interesting characters.

This book might appeal to readers of Freida McFadden, Nita Prose, and Gillian McAllister.

While this story is a little bit far fetched - why would a venture capital lawyer collaborate with the FBI for a murder investigation? - the book shows a lot of the intricacies of startups, with their weird and interesting founders and directors. It is, at the end, a murder investigation, that will for sure leave you wondering who did it, even after the truth is unveiled.

Thank you to NetGalley for an ARC of Dead Money.

The premise was intriguing and though I don't care about the tech industry and the bros who run it, the narrative quickly drew me in.

Mackenzie Clyde is a fixer who has worked her way from humble beginnings to the top as the right hand woman to a ruthless venture capitalist.

When the founder of a hot start-up is murdered, Mackenzie works alongside the federal agent investigating the death. She soon discovers the feds aren't being honest with her, but then neither is she.

I liked the police procedural aspects of the narrative as Clyde and the federal agent speak to witnesses and colleagues.

The flashbacks provided context and insight into Mackenzie's motives and ambitions, which I guessed early from the start.

I did find the narrative toward the end dragged on and the suspense and urgency suffered.

I also got annoyed and bored of everyone describing the dead CEO and Yoo as geniuses, brilliant, etc.

I matched Mackenzie when it came to rolling my eyes.

I did like Mackenzie and her mom, and the writing style and tone.

I look forward to reading more books by this author.

Mackenzie is a young woman who has clawed her way to the top and is now the lead investigative lawyer for a very rich VC. She fixes his problems, investigates possible ventures and makes sure they have all the dirt on the people they’ll be investing in. When one of their clients is murdered she is placed with the FBI’s investigation team to liaise and help solve the murder as quickly as possible. What follows is a cat and mouse game full of twists and turns that will leave the reader trying to figure out who to trust.

A highly engaging Silicon Valley murder mystery with enough twists and turns to keep you guessing, all while peeking into the innerworkings of the tech industry.

Mackenzie Clyde is investigating the death of tech CEO Trevor Cannon. His assets were in some sort of agreement that, if anything happened to him, the assets would be frozen, becoming dead money This is where the title of Dead Money comes from. Clyde is not really a detective, but a lawyer and the personal employee of tech mogul Roger Hammersmith. He has an interest since his investments are tied up with the dead money left behind by the murder victim. So, Clyde is sent to investigate and represent her boss' interests.

The book takes the reader through the world of Silicon Valley and its tech companies. There is a ruthless element there. The reader gets good insight into the character of Mackenzie Clyde through flashbacks that show her growth and development and how she got where she is. The characters even visit the Burning Man festival. It was interesting seeing this event through their eyes. The plot has plenty of exciting twists and turns. I thought the ending was well done too.

This is a great novel of suspense, mystery, intrigue, and I enjoyed reading it.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

Mackenzie is a lawyer/nvestigator who reports directly to Roger Hammersmith, the president of a venture capitalist
firm. When the CEO of a startup firm is murdered, Mackenzie is sent in by her boss to work with the FBI in
exposing the murderer. Mackenzie is under pressure to produce results as the firm as over $5 billion dollars
invested in the startup. When it is determined that one of the executives is most lkely the killer, the chase is
on to reveal who and why. Mackenzie's backstory is also revealed. Engrossing fast paced thriller.
#DeadMoney #Random House #Ballantine

I enjoyed this book, is creation of characters, and the plot twists. A great vacation read, definitely keeping you on the edge of your seat.

Dead Money follows Mackenzie Clyde as she assists the FBI in investigating the murder of a Silicon Valley tech genius/CEO, Trevor Cannon. Prior to his death Trevor changed his will to lock his assets in a "dead money" clause, and appeared to have been hiding something important to cause his paranoia. The twists and turns of this story were enjoyable all throughout. The author skillfully alternated between the present timeline, and various points in Mackenzie's life leading up to her becoming an investigator for an important venture capital firm that financed Trevor Cannon's tech company. Not everyone's motivations are clear, and the twists and turns kept me invested in this book from start to finish. 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 made it all the more enjoyable for me to read.
Thank you to Random House Ballantine and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.