Jakob Kerr‘s mystery novel Dead Money is one of the few, if any, Silicon Valley novels I have read over the years. While I am a big fan of Silicon Valley the television show, Dead Money has a bit more murder mystery than the hit HBO comedy, but is equally as entertaining.
A Silicon Valley fixer investigates a billionaire founder’s death while pursuing her own agenda in this twisty, sharply observed debut mystery from a tech world insider.
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.
Dead Money is a particularly engaging novel with Jakob Kerr’s keen ability to weave in sharp observations about Silicon Valley’s culture seamlessly into his plot. Kerr’s background in the industry allows the author to paint vivid pictures of the inner workings of this unique landscape—where coffee-fueled brainstorming sessions are juxtaposed against opulent parties hosted by eccentric moguls—and does so with such authenticity.
This mix of Silicon Valley elements with murder mystery was such a unique take on the genre and was exactly what I was hoping for when cracking open the book. Dead Money gives us a fresh new and innovation story in a wide world of mystery novels. While it took a few chapters to get going, the pacing throughout the remainder of Dead Money kept me glued to its pages long after I should’ve put the book down. Initially slow-building yet never dull, Dead Money hits full speed ahead midway through the book and never looks back.
Some may have discovered the whodunnit of it all earlier in the novel, I was still in the dark until the big reveal. This allowed me to enjoy the journey, no pun intended, of Dead Money all the way until the end. Each new twist and turn just added more depth to the narrative to keep me hooked. Truly was one of the few novels I have read this year where I did not want to put down for any reason.
Dead Money by Jakob Kerr emerges as more than just another murder mystery novel; it stands a testament to Kerr’s outstanding ability to craft a story that is both filled with knowledge of the industry and an entertaining whodunnit at the same time. The author’s history in Silicon Valley brings credence to the inner works of the industry and adds authenticity that those outside the world of tech don’t have. Kerr deserves recognition on this debut novel that was a hit in my book.
Dead Money hits bookstores everywhere on January 28, 2025 from Bantam Books. The audiobook is available for pre-order at Libro.fm!
