Overview
Dead Money by Jakob Kerr is a razor-sharp corporate thriller set against the high-stakes backdrop of Silicon Valley. This debut mystery combines insider knowledge of the tech world with a twisty murder investigation, featuring Mackenzie Clyde, a lawyer, has worked her way up to the position of Director of Investigations for Hammersmith Venture, the tech industry’s most prestigious venture capital firm.
Key Takeaways
| Aspect | Details |
|---|---|
| Genre | Corporate thriller/Mystery |
| Setting | Silicon Valley tech world |
| Publication | January 28, 2025 |
| Length | 416 pages |
| Publisher | Bantam Books |
| Reception | “Terrific . . . filled with jaw-dropping twists and turns . . . an unpredictable nesting-box of surprises.”—The New York Times Book Review (Best Thrillers of the Year So Far) |
Book Structure
Dead Money follows a traditional mystery structure with modern Silicon Valley complexity:
- Setup: Introduction to Mackenzie Clyde and the high-stakes venture capital world
- Inciting Incident: Investigation into a tech billionaire’s suspicious circumstances
- Rising Action: Layers of corporate corruption and personal vendettas unfold
- Multiple Plot Twists: “an unpredictable nesting-box of surprises”
- Resolution: A climactic revelation that recontextualizes everything
The narrative structure mirrors the complexity of the tech world it explores, with multiple storylines converging in unexpected ways.
About the Author
Jakob Kerr brings unique authenticity to this Silicon Valley thriller. Kerr, who worked at Airbnb for a decade, brings an insider’s knowledge and a satirist’s sensibility to his debut novel. Jakob has also been a bartender, sportswriter, and—for one disastrous afternoon—the driver of an ice cream truck. After fifteen years in San Francisco, he recently returned to his native Pacific Northwest, where he now lives with his wife and children.
His background as both a lawyer and communications executive in the tech industry provides the novel with its authentic portrayal of Silicon Valley’s power dynamics and corporate culture.
Why This Book Resonates
Dead Money strikes a chord with contemporary readers for several reasons:
- Timely Relevance: The idea of world-domination through the technology of artificial intelligence is not the purview of science-fiction writers anymore: Dead Money serves up realpolitik with a veneer of American panache.
- Insider Authenticity: Author Jakob Kerr’s Silicon Valley background lends a glamorous, galling and sometimes humorous authenticity to his debut mystery
- Complex Female Protagonist: The book features a “wily, outsider heroine you can’t help rooting for”
- Social Commentary: 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
Ideal Audience
Dead Money appeals to:
- Mystery/Thriller Enthusiasts seeking complex, contemporary plots
- Tech Industry Professionals and those interested in Silicon Valley culture
- Readers of Corporate Fiction who enjoy books like Bad Blood or The Circle
- Fans of Strong Female Protagonists in challenging, male-dominated environments
- Anyone Interested in AI and Tech Ethics given the novel’s prescient themes
Memorable Quote
“If you’ve ever dreamed of murdering a tech billionaire—or if you simply love a good story—Dead Money is for you.” —Nick Petrie, author of The Price You Pay
Central Themes
| Theme | Description |
|---|---|
| Power and Corruption | Explores how immense wealth and influence corrupt individuals and institutions |
| Technology’s Dark Side | Examines the dangerous potential of AI and tech monopolies |
| Gender Dynamics | Features a female protagonist navigating a male-dominated industry |
| Moral Ambiguity | Questions the ethics of survival in cutthroat corporate environments |
| Class Warfare | Highlights the vast disparities between tech elites and everyone else |
| Justice vs. Revenge | Explores the fine line between seeking justice and personal vengeance |
FAQ
Q: Is this book part of a series? A: No, Dead Money is a standalone novel, though it’s Jakob Kerr’s debut and Dead Money is Jakob Kerr’s first mystery—the first of many, I hope.
Q: How technical is the book? A: While set in the tech world, the focus is on character and plot rather than technical details, making it accessible to general readers.
Q: Is prior knowledge of Silicon Valley necessary? A: No, Kerr provides sufficient context while leveraging his insider knowledge to create authenticity.
Q: How violent is the content? A: The book contains murder and corporate intrigue but focuses more on psychological tension than graphic violence.
Q: What makes this different from other corporate thrillers? A: The authentic Silicon Valley setting, complex female protagonist, and twisty, propulsive plot structure with multiple surprising revelations.
Final Thoughts
Dead Money represents a compelling entry into the corporate thriller genre, distinguished by its authentic Silicon Valley setting and complex moral landscape. The plot is prescient, illuminating the dangers of what lurks behind the glittering façades of high-profile money and excess. Jakob Kerr has crafted a debut that satisfies both as a page-turning mystery and as sharp social commentary on contemporary tech culture.
The novel succeeds in creating a protagonist readers can invest in while delivering the kind of “jaw-dropping twists” that keep pages turning late into the night. For readers seeking intelligent entertainment that also provides insight into one of our most influential industries, Dead Money delivers on multiple levels.
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5 stars based on early reviews)
