The Golem of Hollywood

By: Jonathan Kellerman, Jesse Kellerman

Narrated by: John Rubinstein

Length: 18 hrs and 1 min

Publisher's Summary

“An extraordinary work of detection, suspense, and supernatural mystery. I spent three days totally lost in the world Jonathan and Jesse Kellerman have created. This is brilliant, page-turning fiction with mythic underpinnings that give it a special resonance; a rare collaboration where the sum is truly greater than the parts. The book is like nothing I’ve ever read before. It sort of took my breath away.” (Stephen King)

From Jonathan Kellerman, the number-one New York Times best-selling author and master of psychological suspense, and Jesse Kellerman, the international number-one best-selling author of The Genius, comes one of the most remarkable novels of the year.

A burned-out LA detective...a woman of mystery who is far more than she seems...a grotesque, ancient monster bent on a mission of retribution. When these three collide, a new standard of suspense is born. 

The legend of the Golem of Prague has endured through the ages, a creature fashioned by a 16th-century rabbi to protect his congregation, now lying dormant in the garret of a synagogue. But the Golem is dormant no longer. 

Detective Jacob Lev wakes one morning, dazed and confused: He seems to have picked up a beautiful woman in a bar the night before, but he can’t remember anything about the encounter, and before he knows it, she has gone. But this mystery pales in comparison to the one he’s about to be called on to solve. Newly reassigned to a Special Projects squad he didn’t even know existed, he’s sent to a murder scene far up in the hills of Hollywood Division. There is no body, only an unidentified head lying on the floor of a house. Seared into a kitchen counter nearby is a single word: the Hebrew for justice. 

Detective Lev is about to embark on an odyssey - through Los Angeles, through many parts of the United States, through London and Prague, but most of all, through himself. All that he has believed to be true will be upended - and not only his world, but the world itself, will be changed.

©2014 Jonathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman (P)2014 Penguin Audio

Critic Reviews

"An extraordinary work of detection, suspense, and supernatural mystery. I spent three days totally lost in the world Jonathan and Jesse Kellerman have created. This is brilliant, page-turning fiction with mythic underpinnings that give it a special resonance; a rare collaboration where the sum is truly greater than the parts. The book is like nothing I’ve ever read before. It sort of took my breath away." (Stephen King)

"One of the craziest, wildest, and most compelling works of popular fiction in years.... It traverses genres, blasts them wide open, and moves on to explode yet another cliche. It’s a pretty remarkable thing, this Golem of Hollywood. Give it a go." (Commentary Magazine)

"I had very high and, yes, unrealistic expectations for The Golem of Hollywood...[and] the Kellermans met my expectations and blew the roof off of them.... The Golem of Hollywood transcends genre. It’s a whole that exceeds the sum of its very considerable parts, creative and otherwise. It’s a religious tale that doubters and non-believers will love, a mystery that literary snobs will appreciate, and a story so wonderfully told that your bookshelf must have it." (bookreporter.com)

Very disappointing.

Would you try another book from Jonathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman and/or John Rubinstein?

I have read all the Jonathan Kellerman Dr.Delaware series.

If you’ve listened to books by Jonathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman before, how does this one compare?

I kept listening thinking it was going to get better and make more sense but it never did.

What about John Rubinstein’s performance did you like?

It was his usual great job.

Any additional comments?

This book was just a waste of my time. I'm usually patient with books developing a story line but this just wandered around and never answered any of the questions posed as it went along. I was afraid I was going to be disappointed at the end and I was, even more than I anticipated.

Not your everyday detective novel

The Golem of Hollywood by Jonathan and Jesse Kellerman

I am getting rather fond of Golems. In 2012 we learned about the Golem in The Shadow of Night. In 2013 we followed a Golem in The Golem and the Jinni and now for 2014 we have The Golem of Hollywood.

In The Golem of Hollywood Jacob Lev a depressed and alcoholic policeman is assigned to a unusual murder case and an unusual branch "special projects", because of his background. The perfectly sealed head of a victim with no body is found with Jewish symbol engraved nearby. Jacob, the son of a rabbi follows leads from Hollywood to Prague to Oxford, England in search of the identity of both his victim and the killer.

The book is a standard detective procedural with some very nonstandard Jewish mysticism. I personally found the early chapters on mysticism to be overlong and disruptive but as the novel proceeded the alternate story became less intrusive and more relevant to the present story.

I recommend this book for those who do not mind some genre twisting and who do not have preconceived ideas on what Jonathan Kellerman writes (this is definitely not an Alex Delaware novel). It is however a plausible enough mystery with some history and a perhaps a bit too much mysticism mixed in. 3 1/2 *

I should have paid attention to the reviews

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

Better plot- it was too plodding and didn't make sense. Not at all what I expected from jonathan kellerman.

Would you ever listen to anything by Jonathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman again?

Jonathan Keller- absolutely. Love the Dr. Delaware series.

What three words best describe John Rubinstein’s voice?

Love his narration.

Any additional comments?

Just that I wish I had paid more attention to the reviews. Audible readers provide great insight into the books. Great community of Audible readers.

Is that you Dr. Delaware?

Would you consider the audio edition of The Golem of Hollywood to be better than the print version?

Haven't read the print version.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Golem of Hollywood?

I enjoyed the alternate storyline of Cain and Abel.

Have you listened to any of John Rubinstein’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

Yes he is a wonderful performer.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

Yes but I don't want to spoil it for others!

Any additional comments?

Jonathan Kellerman is one of my favorite authors and John Rubinstein a favorite narrator. I couldn't help but imagine Dr. Alex Delaware as the main character because of the narrator. He did a fabulous job otherwise.

The story was very interesting to me. I love the alternate story lines and slightly supernatural feel. The ending didn't quite fulfill me and I was left with some unanswered questions and confused thoughts. All in all it was a great listen and I definitely recommend.

Weird Biblical Connections and Mystical Happenings

What would have made The Golem of Hollywood better?

I don't care for mystical happenings, and this book's attempt at a conclusion relies on such beliefs.

Would you recommend The Golem of Hollywood to your friends? Why or why not?

NOT AT ALL. I don't know anyone that wants to read about a 500 year old bug that can morph into a seductively beautiful (& naked) woman that kills bad guys.

Which character – as performed by John Rubinstein – was your favorite?

John Rubinstein's performance was, as always, great. I liked his Jacob Lev.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

While I'm sure that the book was well written, and the concept of tying modern police drama to biblical times is interesting, since I was looking for an Alex Delaware type novel, this book left me disappointed to the point of anger at such an implausible conclusion (which really wasn't a conclusion).

Any additional comments?

I'm sure there's an audience for this genre of book, and in that context this is probably a GREAT book, so I'd suggest that you make it more clear that this is NOT a story about real life police drama, but a fantasy novel that merges with police drama. Otherwise, many more people will be angry and disappointed.

A disappointment

What would have made The Golem of Hollywood better?

Cutting out the entire historical storyline. If this had been a video I would have fast forward. And this comes from someone who has a good knowledge and interest in Jewish history and culture.

Has The Golem of Hollywood turned you off from other books in this genre?

It has turned me off the collaborations of Jonathan Kellermann. I'm a fan of his work but when he collaborates with another writer (mostly family members) his high standard definitely drops.

What about John Rubinstein’s performance did you like?

John Rubinstein is one of the best readers and I always enjoy his work. He makes you feel you listened to an entire cast of characters. But even Rubinstein could not save this book.

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment. I regret I wasted my credit on this book. I always looked forward to a new Kellerman and even pre-ordered but this was a bomb.

Any additional comments?

I finished the book but I was tough as glue. Every time I finally go into the present storyline, there came another chapter with more Biblical history which made me more and more irritable. Next time I will not pre-order but wait until the reviews are out.

Very Disappointed

What disappointed you about The Golem of Hollywood?

How old is Jesse? Like maybe 13?

Has The Golem of Hollywood turned you off from other books in this genre?

Yes

What about John Rubinstein’s performance did you like?

John Rubenstein is wonderful and he tried to salvage this sinking ship

What character would you cut from The Golem of Hollywood?

All of them

Any additional comments?

This was a complete, incomprehensible waste of time for me. I will try to return the book to Audible

A WALK THROUGH UNWASHED PUBIC HAIR

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

A story, sexual scenes resembling humans, a decent plot line, believable characters,
a different author. I have always enjoyed both Jonathan and Faye Kellerman's books. I will never buy another book where the son is involved. The writing show a crass and little talented writer.

What was most disappointing about Jonathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman ’s story?

The story line had promise but it did not carry through.

Did the narration match the pace of the story?

Better material woulld have helped

What reaction did this book spark in you? Anger, sadness, disappointment?

Disappointment and the need for a shower. Anger and sadness,

Any additional comments?

I would never buy another book by Jesse Kellerman

This book is awful

I can't believe Jonathan put his name on this fluff I should have known better

not worth your time

What could have made this a 4 or 5-star listening experience for you?

This story is such a mess I don't even know how to explain how bad it is.
One of my big problems is I am a big fan of the Alex Delaware series written by Jonathan Kellerman. This book is written about different characters, but is read by the same narrator, John Rubinstein, and follows the same story line. When listening I am hearing Alex Delaware and Milo Sturgis instead of the new characters. I am afraid this will be the first Jonathan Kellerman book that I am unable to finish.

Would you ever listen to anything by Jonathan Kellerman and Jesse Kellerman again?

I will give them another chance since I have liked all of Jonathan's other works.

How could the performance have been better?

Should have used a different narrator,

If you could play editor, what scene or scenes would you have cut from The Golem of Hollywood?

All of them