Rachel’s life changes overnight after meeting Molly Byrne, a former child star and current tabloid fave for her drunken escapades and rotating cast of boyfriends, and what begins as a chance encounter in a nightclub bathroom quickly grows into a genuine friendship.
When Molly is found dead, Hollywood accepts her death as an overdose. But Rachel knows for a fact her friend was clean—and she’s not alone in her suspicions that Molly was murdered.
With the help of a ragtag group of residents from her apartment building, a friendly paparazzo, and a handsome detective, Rachel must solve the mystery of Molly’s death before she’s written off for good.
If you enjoy 2000s-era Hollywood/paparazzi culture, stories about suspicious celebrity deaths, & amateur sleuths, you’ll love this one. It’s quite different from the author’s previous books, but the character depth & immersive writing style she’s known for are very present. And we’ve got some very original tropes that make this story feel fresh—fallen child star, suspicious death, paparazzi, found-family in the entertainment industry, media spin, and more!
Told from Rachel’s 1st-person POV, you really get immersed in her investigative mind where she questions everything. Even though she knew Molly for a very short time, it’s clear how connected to her she felt, & when details about Molly’s death don’t add up, she feels obliged to get to the truth. She’s up against the entertainment industry & everyone has a version of events that benefits them—infuriating to read at times!
It’s so interesting to watch as Rachel gets entangled with industry insiders & paparazzi—and it’s not easy to know who’s loyal to Molly & who’s protecting themselves. What’s obvious is that almost everyone is hiding something, & you’ll be second-guessing many of them. If you pay close attention, especially when Rachel is asking key questions, you’ll be able to predict some reveals, but likely not all. The ending reveals some truths that are satisfying & unsettling, and it leaves you thinking about how truths can be easily manipulated by who’s telling the story.
Narrator Performance
Narrator Christine Lakin, a former child star herself, really elevates the book. She portrays Rachel with a curious, determined voice that suits her as someone used to questioning people. As Rachel digs deeper & discovers dark secrets, her tone carries more tension, concern, but also conviction, making her even more compelling. Molly, who only appears in a few scenes, is given a sarcastic, playful voice perfect for a somewhat troubled celebrity.
There are a lot of supporting characters, & each is given a distinct voice & personality that makes the audiobook very immersive. If considering this book, pair the a physical copy with the audio for the best reading experience!
Narrator Performance
Narrator Christine Lakin, a former child star herself, really elevates the book. She portrays Rachel with a curious, determined voice that suits her as someone used to questioning people. As Rachel digs deeper & discovers dark secrets, her tone carries more tension, concern, but also conviction, making her even more compelling. Molly, who only appears in a few scenes, is given a sarcastic, playful voice perfect for a somewhat troubled celebrity.
There are a lot of supporting characters, & each is given a distinct voice & personality that makes the audiobook very immersive. If considering this book, pair the a physical copy with the audio for the best reading experience!
Narrator Christine Lakin, a former child star herself, really elevates the book. She portrays Rachel with a curious, determined voice that suits her as someone used to questioning people. As Rachel digs deeper & discovers dark secrets, her tone carries more tension, concern, but also conviction, making her even more compelling. Molly, who only appears in a few scenes, is given a sarcastic, playful voice perfect for a somewhat troubled celebrity.
There are a lot of supporting characters, & each is given a distinct voice & personality that makes the audiobook very immersive. If considering this book, pair the a physical copy with the audio for the best reading experience!
