Deception by Britt Lind
What's It About?
In her debut novel, Deception: A Hollywood Mystery (Bublish) — the first in the Rosemaria Baker Hollywood Mystery series — author and actress Britt Lind takes readers into the devouring vortex that is Hollywood.In her debut novel, Deception: A Hollywood Mystery (Bublish) — the first in the Rosemaria Baker Hollywood Mystery series — author and actress Britt Lind takes readers into the devouring vortex that is Hollywood.
Josh Sibley is not your average LA transplant. Yes, he’s a talented singer and songwriter looking for his big break, and after 10 years of trying, at age 30, still hasn’t found it. But he’s also a kind soul who’s become embroiled in Hollywood’s vicious life cycle.
“All I want is to make a living writing music. That’s it.” Josh’s love for his craft propels him to keep trying, but years of rejection have taken their toll. He admits he’s an alcoholic.
THE ANIMAL WHISPERER
Josh hasn’t had a paying songwriting job for six months. Thank heaven he has his job at the zoo caring for the animals. What it doesn’t provide in salary, it provides in nourishment for his soul. “Animals had always been his touchstone, and his empathy for them was something he had been born with.” He’s an animal whisperer of the most extraordinary kind, loving them as if they were human. Especially Noor, the black panther he’s basically raised.
Josh had learned to care for the vulnerable when he was a child, nurturing his little brother, Scott, who was born developmentally challenged. Growing up, Josh had protected Scott from their abusive father, who could never accept a child with special needs.
Josh’s friend Jennie, who works at an ad agency, arranges for him to write the song for a new feature starring a famous singer; Josh thinks this might be his big break. The only hitch is that the director, Stan Levy, wants Josh to coach his wife, Lila, to sing Josh’s song. It’s the last thing Josh was expecting, but he reluctantly agrees. Little does he know his life will never be the same afterward.
DEATH AND DISASTER
While coaching Lila in her singing, Josh is both surprised and dismayed that he’s attracted to her, and she to him. It takes everything he’s got to keep his hands to himself — after all, having an affair with the director’s wife would kill his shot at fame. But soon, it’s a moot point. Someone murders Stan in his home.
After the murder, Lila disappears, and Josh worries about her safety. Not only has his chance to have his music included in Stan’s feature film just died with Stan, he’s a suspect in Stan’s murder, along with Lila. He’s sure Lila had nothing to do with the murder. She was going to sing in Stan’s film, and that opportunity is now in jeopardy.
Beverly Hills Sergeant Rosemaria Baker is determined to discover who killed Stan. Although Josh is initially at the top of her suspect list, as she gets to know him, she’s drawn to his sensitive and compassionate personality, despite his subconscious need to self-destruct. Rosemaria also thinks she just might be falling for Josh.
As the investigation into Stan’s murder continues, Josh learns that Lila is not the person he thinks she is and realizes Rosemaria might just be the kindred spirit he’s been searching for. But can they emerge intact from Lila’s frenzied need for fame and Josh’s own carefully hidden secrets?
A LIKABLE PROTAGONIST
With Josh’s devotion to his mentally-challenged brother, Scott, and his love for animals, readers can’t help but root for Josh in his struggle to become a successful Hollywood singer/songwriter and find the love he’s been searching for.
We get to know him well; Lind writes chapters alternating between Josh’s childhood in Marysville, Wisconsin, and his current life in LA.
Herself an actress, Lind is intimately familiar with the workings of Hollywood and pursuing dreams, lending a realistic portrayal of LA’s brutal dog-eat-dog mentality and the quest for fame. She’s also an animal rights activist who uses her love of animals to connect readers with Josh’s empathy for creatures who need him.
Fans of murder mysteries with likable characters in challenging environments should enjoy this latest entry into the Hollywood murder mystery subgenre.
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