Dead Money: A Novel

“A gripping thriller that pulls back the curtain on the secret world of tech billionaires.”—Time (100 Must-Read Books of 2025)

“A stone-cold banger of a novel—a twisty journey through Silicon Valley’s dark side, wrapped in a stunning mystery package with some wild surprises along the way.”—Blake Crouch, New York Times bestselling author of Dark Matter


EDGAR AWARD NOMINEE • A WASHINGTON POST AND CRIMEREADS BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR

DON’T CALL ME A FIXER. THIS ISN’T HBO.

As the unofficial “problem solver” for Silicon Valley’s most ruthless venture capitalist, Mackenzie Clyde’s an expert at wrangling tech bros and their multimillions—even as her own shot at a windfall remains just out of reach.

But now she’s playing for higher stakes. Because the lightning-rod CEO of tech’s hottest startup has just been murdered, leaving behind billions in “dead money” frozen in his will—and Mackenzie’s boss is the company’s chief investor.

With a fortune on the line and the official investigation going nowhere, it’s up to Mackenzie to step in 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 Mackenzie’s used to being underestimated. In fact, she’s counting on it.

“Terrific . . . filled with jaw-dropping twists and turns . . . an unpredictable nesting-box of surprises.”—The New York Times Book Review

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Published Jan 28, 2025

416 pages

Average rating: 7.15

40 RATINGS

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Community Reviews

Sue Dix
Mar 14, 2026
10/10 stars
Now, that was a wild ride. This is a story within a story within a story. I did not see that ending coming. Throughout this novel, Mackenzie’s character just shines. I love the back and forth of past and present that slowly build her story and push the narrative along. This is an exciting and smart novel.
WineforReading
Feb 17, 2025
8/10 stars
Good read… kind of surprise ending.
Anne-Marie Eberhardt
Jul 02, 2025
10/10 stars
Really good with a fabulous twist!

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