A Reader's Guide to Books and Reviews

Title: She Died Famous

Author: Kyle Rutkin

Genre: Contemporary, Thriller, Suspense, Psychological Thriller, Adult, Fiction, Crime, Mystery, Murder Mystery

Trigger Warnings: drugs, alcohol, stalking, suicide

Date Started: January 15th, 2023

Date Finished: January 15th, 2023

Status: Finished

Rating: .5/5

Sypnosis: A gripping psychological thriller about iconic superstar, Kelly Trozzo, and her suspected killer, the author she commissioned to pen her shocking Hollywood memoir.

A Star is Born meets Gone Girl, in this dark and twisted love story with an unforgettable conclusion.

The headline read: “Hollywood Superstar Kelly Trozzo Found Dead.”

With no suspect in custody, authorities turn their attention to best-selling author Kaleb Reed, whose obsessive relationship with the star has been followed by social media and tabloids alike.

In his online confession, Reed claims that his relationship with Trozzo began with a tweet, an unexpected endorsement from the pop star herself. Almost overnight, Reed’s novel garners national attention, and the reclusive writer is thrust into the spotlight. But according to Reed, the endorsement came with a price.

In the days that follow, Reed is invited to Trozzo’s Los Angeles mansion, where he is solicited to write her memoir. Lured by her physical appeal and charisma, Reed delves further and further into Trozzo’s fantasy world, ensnared by a twisted story of betrayal and vengeance.

On the night of Trozzo’s death, Reed finally discovers his true role in this story, as well as the pop star’s alternative ending to his famous novel—one that leads to his arrest.

Set in Hollywood, She Died Famous is an innovative thriller that exposes the dark side of fame and obsession in today’s digital landscape. The story’s shocking twists and the unreliable narrator will have every reader asking: Who killed Kelly Trozzo?

Review: Imagine your favorite celebrity has died. Not much is known about the relationship between the deceased celebrity and the man who is accused of murder.

You find yourself intrigued. You had been following this celebrity since the beginning. You are even part of her rabid fanbase and are part of the mourning. After all, this celebrity has been one of the most inspiring celebrities ever, always tweeting to motivate and encourage her followers.

Obsessed with the learning of the motives, you dive into the news clippings, special television episodes, rumors, etc to try and learn why your favorite celebrity was murdered. You have already made up your mind about the murderer. After all, you had learned enough about the accused through all the television and papers that seem to know all about him. So, you have already drawn your conclusion.

I was not impressed at all by this story. I felt like I was back in the 90s and reading about O.J. Simpson and Nicole Brown all through the papers, television, etc. All of this is made to give the collective mind belief in a person's guilt. It was the same in the 90s. Whether O.J. Simpson was guilty, I believe he was but his legal team managed to get the jury to see differently.

I just could not connect with any of the characters. I just did not feel like this book was really worth the hype I had seen on Tik Tok. That was one of the biggest reasons why I picked it up. Now I am not sure whether I will read the other books or not.