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Reviewed by Asher Syed for Readers' Favorite
The Wrong Person To Be Famous by Mark Kaijim revolves around Nolan Rhodes, a journalist for Front Row magazine, assigned to cover the murder of Brandon Paisley, a former teen idol whose life had recently spiraled downward. Initially reluctant, Rhodes takes on the story, discovering that Paisley’s murder might be tied to his troubled past and connections with powerful figures. Rhodes’ investigation leads him through a maze of clues, from possible gang involvement to personal vendettas and corporate deceit. He interviews sources and local informants, coming up against threats that suggest a larger, more dangerous conspiracy. As Rhodes pieces together the truth, he finds himself in deeper peril, and the motive behind Paisley's death forces a balancing act between his safety and seeking justice for the victim.
Mark Kaijim's The Wrong Person to Be Famous is a fantastically executed hard-boiled mystery that is swaddled nicely in suspense and intrigue. I was drawn to the book because, and I'm a little ashamed to admit this, I love reading about stars that go kerplunk. Not dead, just fallen. But Kaijim gave me dead and I am all here for it. Kaijim's writing is sharp and immersive, pinning up a near-cinematic picture of Rhodes’ journey with the patient, restrained hand of a gifted storyteller. The story's pacing is well-handled and the entire shop isn't given away before it should be, even when a questionable suicide is introduced. Any story written to allow the weighted drop of another death and still keep the guessing and twists coming from and to readers is a winner. The characters are great, with honorable mentions to the smoky haze of Poppy and Pastor Eboue, a former gang member turned pastor. Overall, this novel is an engrossing read that combines solid character development with a taut, perfectly woven plot. Very highly recommended.
