Hollywood Dead: A Sandman Slim Novel

Sandman Slim Series, Book 10

By: Richard Kadrey

Narrated by: MacLeod Andrews

Length: 9 hrs and 23 mins

Publisher's Summary

Life and death takes on an entirely new meaning for half-angel, half-human hero James Stark, aka Sandman Slim, in this insanely inventive, high-intensity 10th supernatural noir thriller in the New York Times best-selling series.

James Stark is back from Hell, trailing more trouble in his wake. To return to LA, he had to make a deal with the evil power brokers, Wormwood - an arrangement that came with a catch. While he may be home, Stark isn’t quite himself...because he’s only partially alive.

There’s a time limit on his reanimated body, and unless Stark can find the people targeting Wormwood, he will die again - and this time there will be no coming back. Even though he’s armed with the Room of 13 Doors, Stark knows he can’t find Wormwood’s enemies alone. To succeed, he’s got to enlist the help of new friends - plus a few unexpected old faces.

Stark has been in dangerous situations before - you don’t get named Sandman Slim for nothing. But with a mysterious enemy on the loose, a debt to pay, and a clock ticking down, this may truly be the beginning of his end....

©2018 Richard Kadrey (P)2018 HarperCollins Publishers

Love Sandman Slim!

It has been a long time since I listened to the last book in this series, so I totally appreciated having some of the same characters come back into Sandman Slim's life (or should I say existence?). Nevertheless, this book was as fresh as the first with all the cool supernatural goings-on in this terrific urban fantasy.
I love, love that it takes place in Los Angeles and I love how the author weaves in social commentary.
And no review is worth anything without saying that MacLeod Andrews is one of the very best narrators ever! Okay, so I have a major crush on his voice. There. I said it.

Disappointing second half

I love this series but the second half felt like it was reverting to old "it's all about Candy'" themes that I was hoping we're being left in the past books.

Anybody know a good necromancer?

Stark finds himself half-dead, having to make a deal with Wormwood in order to have their necromancer fully restore his old self. Well, after a year of being dead, things have changed at home and maybe for the better. This leaves Sandman wondering if coming back is good for his friends and himself. Meanwhile, he runs into his usual problems of being double crossed by most everyone he's dealt with. Kind of a homecoming story, with an interesting set up for the next installment. It's a must for Sandman Slim followers, with MacLeod Andrews doing his usual bang up job with perfectly presenting Sandman and company.

Place holder

Not the best in the series. It seemed like a lot of action with very minimal plot movement. A place holder in the series.

Great brook and continuation of Sandman Slim

However, it was mostly predictable and a few too many obvious convenient plot devices. Not that this is unusual but considering the lack of action it really shines through.

If you've made it this far in the series then definitely get it but it really wasn't up to par with previous entries. I'm hoping that this was just to tide us over until the next book comes. If we see another book in 6 to 12 months then I'd say this was more necessary than it current seems to be.

Great series..

I love this series and I love this narrator and I can't wait for the next one.

Paranormal urban fantasy

A fun book. The author constructs an edged paranormal noir adventure set in LA. The characters are likable in a believably constructed setting. There are enough twists to keep your attention without becoming bizarre - ok, without becoming more bizarre than the plot demands. P.S. The narration is spot on.

Sublimely Dark and Epic

Kadrey is a true master at weaving a complicated web of story arcs and dropping the perfect amount of humor in at the exact right spot.
Mcleod Andrews is the only Narrator that could have pulled this series off and did so with moxy and gravitas which are two things that are hard to put together.
Sandman Slim will forever be one of my absolute favorite series'.
As Ballistic Kiss just got released shortly before this review, I am eagerly awaiting my next credit allocation to snatch it up and burn through like Stark would a Malediction!

Does not disappoint

Sandman Slim is at it again. Not quite human and working against a time clock, he must help solve a problem for Wormwood or say bye-bye to his humanity. All the usual characters are in attendance and participate in Sandman Slim action. If you have gotten to book 10 you know what to expect from Slim. You will not be disappointed.

non stop fun for the whole family

That is if your family is into badass occult, supernatural awesome kickass never ending fun!