I love me a good commentary on today’s society and the inherent desire for fame. This is precisely why I was very pleased with Brian Bandell’s poignant Famous After Death.

The novel is a thriller and a mystery, but above all else, it’s a statement piece on today’s world and the unquenchable thirst to be on a magazine cover. In his book, Bandell tells the tale of three teens in Miami who have embarked on a journey to fame by posting videos of pranks online. All seems to go according to plan until a police officer is killed. Strangely enough, this foil to their masterplan only motivates them more towards depravity and callousness.
There’s an inverse relationship towards their postings. The teens soon discover that the more gruesome and media-worthy the murder, the more hits they get online. Doesn’t that just sicken you? What makes it more cringe-worthy is that despite being labelled as fiction, one couldn’t really help but imagine how plausible it would be in real life.
Chris, Jorge, and Kelso – the aforementioned teens – get a thrill of being concealed but having their victims gain fame after they’ve met their ultimate demise.
Bandell does not focus on one particular mindset or formula in his book. In fact, he effectively portrays his characters with an air of indifference and observation. Clearly, the morals of the reader will enable a like or dislike for particular characters, but Bandell does not commandeer the plot in that way. Instead, he brings characters to the forefront, including the stoic police officer Clyde Deauville, each of which provide the story with additional layers of wit, commentary, and depth.
It’s a pulsating read. Incredibly detailed and creative in plot structure and dialogue alike, Famous After Death is a thrilling addition to the popular fiction canon.
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