Title: Cast Them Dead
Author: Joe Kilgore
Publisher: Encircle Publications
ISBN: 978-1-64599-423-7
Pages: 206
Genre: Mystery
Reviewed by: Michaela Gordoni
Hollywood Book Reviews
When an overzealous blackmailing Hollywood movie director turns up dead, the Los Angeles police department calls on detective Brig Ellis to help out. Working with big-name celebrities and movie makers is usually not Brig’s wheelhouse. One murder leads to another, and it only gets messier. But Brig is quick to get to work and speedily discovers clues one after the other. Five people have conspired together to kill movie director Abel Dane, but thanks to the clever conception of a murder roulette, no one will know who among the five is the real killer. Things are heating up, and like any dedicated detective, Brig risks getting caught in the crosshairs. However, Brig is ex-military and very well capable of protecting himself. But can he keep up and figure out who has committed these murders before it is too late?
Author Joe Kilgore has expertly nailed the requirements for a perfect short and catchy title. Cast Them Deadhints at both the theme of the book (Hollywood) and the genre (mystery). It is written at a great pace, not too fast nor too slow, and it answers the reader’s questions right as they surface. It contains spots of humorous elements and dialogue throughout, like, “Never question a man who quotes his mother… especially if he’s your boss.” Joe Kilgore likes to give it a real feel by adding authentic aspects like real and not-so-well-known details about the Los Angeles area, etc. It may be a brief read, but its plotline is full and bursting at the seams. Joe Kilgore has filled his book with lots of characters and just as many motives. Brig Ellis is a well-developed character, and his instincts are spot on. And as one might expect from a novel with a Hollywood theme, the novel does contain adult content and some crude language.
Using the idea of a roulette murder in a Hollywood setting is a very clever idea, and it is easy to see why Joe Kilgore chose to frame the novel in the way he did. Cast Them Dead is an exciting book which has all of the necessary elements that make up a great mystery novel. The storyline could definitely be developed to make an entertaining film, too. It is an exciting modern day whodunnit novel that even Agatha Christie would be proud of.