EXCLUSIVE

EXCLUSIVE: “Hollywood Hustle,” the debut novel written by “General Hospital” star Jon Lindstrom (Kevin Collins), is set for release on February 6, 2024, wherever books are sold, Soap Opera Network has learned. In fact, we have your first look at the cover and a tease of what readers can expect from the actor-turned-novelist himself!

A gripping thriller set in the dark underbelly of the Hollywood scene, “Hollywood Hustle” is a propulsive and tense thriller that will transport readers to the seedier side of Los Angeles, depicted in bold prose by an insider. The story follows Winston Greene, a has-been film star who wakes one morning to find his six-year-old granddaughter at his bedside—traumatized, unattended, and gripping onto a thumb drive. She comes bearing video proof that her mother, Win’s troubled adult daughter, has been kidnapped by a murderous gang demanding all his “movie money” for her safe return. But they don’t know it’s all gone, long gone. Unable to go to the police for fear the kidnappers will make good on their promise to kill his daughter, Winston turns to two close friends—a legendary Hollywood stuntman and a disgraced former LAPD detective who used to consult on Win’s cop films. There’s no easy way out for Winston or his daughter—the gang is violent and willing to do anything to get the money they’re after, and Winston begins to realize that to get his daughter back, he’ll have to beat the kidnappers at their own game.

Acquired for publication by Crooked Lane Books, “Hollywood Hustle” is the perfect match for fans of similar novels written by the likes of Alex Finlay and Jeffrey Deaver.

“Writing a novel has been unlike any other creative endeavor I’ve undertaken, and I’ve tackled more than a few,” Lindstrom tells Soap Opera Network of his foray into fiction writing. “There are certainly some similarities between how books, movies and TV are brought to the public, but they end there. The biggest difference I’ve seen is the unconditional support the literary world gives to writers!”

As for working with the team at Crooked Lane Books, he notes, “They have shown me nothing but love and encouragement. And the care and consideration they’ve given to this journey is beyond description. I mean … just look at that cover! It rocks!”

Explaining his journey into writing, Lindstrom says he pretty much went the traditional route. “I just wanted to spend some time writing down a story every day, and ‘Hollywood Hustle’ is what it became. Then a few authors I know, like Alex Finlay, advised me to go to book conferences, meet some people, and pitch my books to agents, so that’s what I did.” He adds, “I went to ThrillerFest in NYC in the summer of 2022, and met a wonderful agent, Liza Fleissig. We worked together on some edits for a couple of months, and then she submitted the manuscript to only a few houses, including Crooked Lane.”

After a meeting with the publisher’s senior editor Jess Verdi, Lindstrom says, “It was instantly crystal clear that she completely got my book, and that Crooked Lane was the publisher for me. I hope to be with them (and Liza) for my entire novel writing career. (And isn’t “Crooked Lane” a great name for a publisher?)”

In addition to the above cover reveal, Soap Opera Network has an exclusive excerpt from Chapter 2 of “Hollywood Hustle,” which you can read below.

Chapter 2

Winston closed the heavy front door behind him and made sure he locked it. Eighty years old, the house had a thick, wide entranceway secured by an oak door that must have been trucked in from up north, someplace where old-growth lumber was milled. It had hung there since the place was built (by hand), and was set dead center with a two-foot-by-one-foot, diamond-shaped, beveled window. Plenty large to see anyone out- side waiting to get in.

“Is he gone?” Amy asked.

“Yes, honey, he’s gone. It’s okay now.” She looked up at him, her little eyes filled with worry. Win kneeled to her height. “That man brought you here?”

She nodded.

“From where?”

Amy remained quiet.

“Amy, honey, you can tell me.”

She clutched the stuffed puppy tighter and looked away from him.

“Amy?”

“From my house!” she said. “He gave me the heejees.”

“Heejees” was their code for “heebie-jeebies.” They’d use it if they happened across a slime trail of a big slug in the woods or a rotting animal carcass. It also meant a feeling that was just about as bad as could be, something Amy had already experienced too

10 JON LINDSTROM

many times in her short life—Clare and Zeke had made life harder than it ever should have been for this little girl. And now this.

Winston set his hands gently on her shoulders and nodded in agreement. “Me too, honey. But he’s gone now.”

Win saw a hint of relief in her eyes. He knew she felt safe with him, more than with anyone. Perhaps because she’d never once seen him drunk or high, the way her parents usually were. Clare had grown up around him when he was at his most alcoholic, something he regretted deeply, and now she seemed determined to follow in his footsteps. Win didn’t want the pattern to be repeated with Amy.

“Did he hurt you?”

She shook her head, then looked at her feet. “He made me lie down in the car. On the floor. It smelled bad.”

Anger rose in Win’s chest, but he was careful not to show it. Thus far, this kid had not gotten a fair shake in life, and he felt responsible for that. After all, it had been his demons that had caused him to lose the plot when it came to raising her mother. But what was done was done as far as Clare went. He would do everything he could to get her back from God knows what she’d gotten herself into this time, but Amy was his focus right now.

He envisioned wrapping his hands around that skinny prick’s neck, watching his stunned, agonized face turn crimson as his eyes swelled beyond the sockets and burst in bloody twin explo- sions like special effects squibs. Just like in the movies.

Win knocked out that grim fantasy with a shake of his head. “Did he tell you to give me something?”

Amy nodded and dug deep into her jeans pocket. She held up a small lime-green rectangle of plastic that he first took for a miniature cigarette lighter. It was a thumb drive.

Jon Lindstrom, Chapter 2 (Pages 9 and 10) of “Hollywood Hustle”

To pre-order your very own copy of “Hollywood Hustle,” click here (purchase options include Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Target and Walmart, among others). The hardcover novel retails for $29.99 and will be available wherever books are sold upon release.