North Of Sunset by Henry Baum

 

A serial killer is stalking Hollywood.  He's known as the Vanity Plate Killer as he only targets those vain enough to have a vanity plate on their car which he takes along with their life.  It seems like Hollywood should be a place that wouldn't have a serial killer; it's the city of dreams not nightmares.

Michael Sennet is Hollywood's leading man.  He is the star of whatever movie he is in, his face instantly recognizable.  He is recognized wherever he goes and everyone loves him.  But Michael isn't happy.  He wants something more.  His marriage is stale and he wants to direct but is pigeonholed into the acting role.  When he strays from his marriage in a moment of pique, he is photographed and then blackmailed.  

Michael can't have that.  He is the king not some pitiable victim.  He kills his blackmailer and mimics the Vanity Plate Killer.  He gets away with that but then there's the neighbor who saw something, the real serial killer who isn't happy about someone stealing his fame, those who keep Michael from doing what he wants.  Plus killing is more fun than he ever expected.

Readers will be swept along with this narrative.  While it is not as tightly plotted as some books, it has a rapid pace that is intriguing.  The story is told through the narratives of various characters; Michael, the man who runs the studio, Michael's wife, the blackmailer, the serial killer, Michael's wife and the detective.  There is not really a mystery as it is known all along who does each murder but there is a need to continue reading to see how everything turns out.  This book is recommended for thriller readers.