In Rick Lenz's Mit Out Sound, Emily Bennett is a resourceful movie producer/actress who hears rumors about an incomplete movie starring John Wayne and James Dean. She is determined to locate it herself—this will be her most notable achievement yet. Emily spoke to John Wayne before his death and learned more about this unfinished film. Emily retrieves it after tracking down the person accused of stealing the unfinished movie. After watching it, she gets the creative urge to complete the film. Emily organizes a group of actors and assistants to complete this revolutionary project. Amid the excitement, she falls in love with two of the actors. This results in dire consequences for their project. Emily also reaches out to her brother, Ben, to convince him to join her cast. They both have unresolved issues with their ailing father. How will their complicated family dynamics and Emily's romantic connection with two members of her cast affect the film's production?

Mit Out Sound is a compelling literary novel filled with drama and intrigue. This novel covers many themes like family dynamics, self-introspection, unresolved father issues, self-identity, unresolved trauma, adulthood, and self-acceptance. Rick Lenz has crafted a superior and believable cast of characters that will mesmerize you with their past failures, future hopes, and everything else in between. Their shared encounters are well-expressed. It is remarkable how Lenz uses one situation—the production of a film—to expose the depth of the human soul and the importance of developing one's identity early in life. There are no wasted words in this novel. I particularly love how Lenz depicts Emily's and Ben's emotional life journeys. As readers, we become constantly cued into their emotional states. They both struggle internally throughout their attempts to reconcile with their past selves and become the people they desperately hope to become one day. Overall, this novel is deeply moving and profoundly captivating. I highly recommend it to fans of dramatic and character-driven tales.

Mit Out Sound by Rick Lenz is a compelling drama that follows aspiring movie producer Emily Bennett as she investigates the legend of a lost film starring James Dean and John Wayne. Her skepticism fades when she encounters two gifted celebrity impersonators, Jimmy Riley and Tom ‘Duke’ Manfredo, alongside the elusive film editor who once stole the master negative. As production begins, Emily navigates a complex love triangle with Oedipal undertones while confronting her family's unresolved issues. Set against the backdrop of Arizona’s Apache holy grounds, Lenz intricately weaves together themes of ambition, familial strife, and the blurred lines of reality. Lenz’s writing is both accessible and rich in detail, drawing readers into the nuances of the filmmaking process alongside the captivating world of celebrity impersonation. His ability to balance humor with drama creates a dynamic read, with plenty of multidimensional characters whose personal histories and emotional struggles resonate throughout the narrative.

Emily, Jimmy, and Duke each grapple with their pasts and relationships, allowing readers to connect deeply with their very different journeys and motivations, and the way Rick Lenz brings all the different plot threads together is smooth and confidently handled. The choice of Arizona’s Apache holy grounds as the film location adds symbolism and mystique to the narrative as the underlying themes of ambition, familial bonds, and the nature of legacy within the entertainment industry play out with great emotional impact. The interplay between the characters’ on-screen personas and their off-screen conflicts also has some brilliantly witty dialogue and very telling personal revelations, prompting readers to reflect on how their personal histories influence their aspirations and relationships. Overall, Mit Out Sound is a brilliant work of drama that will entertain fans of bold, character-led novels.

Emily Bennett relishes her job in the movie production industry. She gets wind of a missing, unfinished film starring the legendary John Wayne and James Dean. Emily goes as far as locating the person possessing the missing reel. Viewing the film inspires her to complete it using a new ensemble of actors. She hires Tom Manfredo and Jimmy Riley to play the parts of Wayne and Dean lookalikes. Emily even persuades her alcoholic brother, Ben, to sober up and star in the film. Under the guidance of the film's director, Solange Borugian, completing the new project takes an interesting and somewhat dark turn. The film production process has a profound impact on each character. They are forced to confront parts of themselves they would prefer to leave buried. Rick Lenz's dramatic novel, Mit Out Sound, evocatively explores the importance of facing one's past.

This novel is a sublime philosophical drama that touches on the necessity of inner healing. They say confrontation and confession are healthy for the soul. Essentially, this is the underlying takeaway from this heartfelt novel. It carefully delves into the fragility of the human mind and the connections we foster. Rick Lenz does an outstanding job of gradually revealing the vulnerable realities of each character. Even though Emily is the central character, I empathized with Ben the most. Ben's character demonstrates the dark side of a person lacking self-worth and a purpose in life. Lenz unravels the family dynamic between Emily, Ben, and their father and their unhealthily enmeshed lives in a beautifully jarring way. The lives of the secondary characters also merge with Emily's and Ben's story arcs. The novel teaches us that if we don't confront our traumatic past, we might unknowingly undermine our future in the long run. Mit Out Sound is perfect for readers who love dramatic fiction with a psychological twist.

Mit Out Sound by Rick Lenz is a captivating and multi-layered story that blends Hollywood lore with deeply personal journeys. The premise of a lost film starring icons like James Dean and John Wayne is intriguing, drawing readers into a unique mix of drama, mystery, and emotional tension. Lenz’s characters are rich and complex, notably Emily Bennett and the impersonators Jimmy and Duke. Their lives reflect the blurred lines between reality and the art they create. The setting in Arizona, with its mystical qualities, adds another layer of depth, enhancing the atmosphere. The intricate relationships between the characters, especially the love triangle with Oedipal undertones, pull you in as their pasts resurface in unexpected ways.

The story's themes of unresolved family issues, friendship, and the harsh realities of the film industry are expertly woven, making the book engaging and thought-provoking. Lenz crafts a story that keeps you invested in the characters’ journeys on and off the set. The narration is fluid and immersive, seamlessly blending past and present events to create a layered storytelling experience. Rick Lenz's style is engaging, drawing readers into the world of Hollywood with vivid descriptions and sharp character insights. The voice feels conversational yet introspective, allowing readers to connect with the characters' internal struggles and emotional journeys. It moves effortlessly between moments of personal reflection and dramatic tension, maintaining a balance that keeps the pacing consistent and engaging. Mit Out Sound is a compelling read for anyone who enjoys stories about flawed people navigating complicated emotions and artistic ambition.