Dead Money

Author: Jakob Kerr
Genre: Crime Thriller
416 pages
Publisher: Bantam, 2025

Synopsis
Don’t call me a fixer. This isn’t HBO.

In her job as unofficial “problem solver” for Silicon Valley’s most ruthless venture capitalist, Mackenzie Clyde’s gotten used to playing for high stakes. Even if none of those tech-bro millions she’s so good at wrangling ever make it into her pockets.

But this time, she’s in way over her head—or so it seems.

The lightning-rod CEO of tech’s hottest startup has just been murdered, leaving behind billions in “dead money” frozen in his will. As the company’s chief investor, Mackenzie’s boss has a fortune on the line—and with the police treading water, it’s up to Mackenzie to step up and resolve things, fast.

Mackenzie’s a lawyer, not a detective. Cracking this fiendishly clever killing, with its list of suspects that reads like a who’s-who of Valley power players, should be way out of her league.

Except that Mackenzie’s used to being underestimated. In fact, she’s counting on it.

Because the way she sees it, this isn’t an investigation. It’s an opportunity. And she’ll do anything it takes to seize it.

Anything at all.

Featuring jaw-dropping twists and a wily, outsider heroine you can’t help rooting for, Dead Money is a brilliant sleight-of-hand mystery. Written by a longtime insider, it is also a dead-on snapshot of the Valley’s rich and famous—and a glimpse at the darkness lurking behind the tech world’s cheery facade.

My review
Dead Money by Jakob Kerr is an absolute rollercoaster of a crime thriller, and I was hooked from page one. Honestly, it’s hard to believe this is Kerr’s debut. The story is twisty and full of unexpected turns that kept me flipping pages late into the night. At the center of it all is Mackenzie Clyde, the sharp and savvy Director of Investigations at Hammersmith Venture. Officially, she investigates things. Unofficially? She’s the one who cleans up messes for her ruthless boss, venture capitalist Roger Hammersmith. When Trevor Canon, the CEO and co-founder of the hottest tech startup in San Francisco, is found dead and the police aren’t getting anywhere, Roger sends Mackenzie in to get answers—and fast.

One of the things I love most about thrillers is getting to meet new characters, and Dead Money definitely delivered. Mackenzie Clyde and Special Agent Jameson Danner make for an unexpected duo, but their dynamic totally works. They’re an unlikely team, yet completely captivating. Kerr does a great job developing both characters in a way that feels natural, and it didn’t take long before I was fully immersed in their world. They’re believable, compelling, and the kind of characters you want to follow wherever the story goes.

I was definitely hooked by the tech startup scene and the look behind the curtain of venture capitalism. As the investigation deepens, more motives and opportunities for the murder come to light, which kept me on my toes. Kerr really nails the character development and plotting, but I did wish for a bit more world-building to make San Francisco feel more alive. There were a few minor inconsistencies here and there, but nothing that really took me out of the story. And that ending? Wow. While there are a few clues along the way, Kerr still manages to throw in some surprising twists right up until the very end.

Overall, Dead Money is a twisty, addictive read that had me hooked from start to finish. The fast-paced narrative blends the cutthroat world of venture capitalists and the tech industry with a gripping murder investigation, creating an engrossing story that I couldn’t put down. It was so fascinating to watch the layers peel back and uncover all the hidden secrets. Honestly, this is the kind of story that could easily turn into a series, and I’ll definitely be keeping an eye on Kerr to see what he comes up with next!

My recommendation: definitely worth the read!