Die Famous by Michael Koryta is a historical gangster novel set in the 1930s. It takes real events characters and events and creates a fictional story about the rise and fall of fame among gangsters. The story draws a connection to modern day fame culture and those chasing fame, while also touching on the lack of anonymity that comes with it.
Die Famous is very good. The characters are all interesting, the action scenes are white-knuckle tense, and it nails the theme of the cost of fame.
Die Famous joins my list of favorite novels set in the 1930s, alongside The Lincoln Highway by Amor Towles and The Four Winds by Kristin Hannah.
Die Famous captures the desperation of people just trying to survive after the Great Depression. The dialogue feels authentic but is never hard to understand. The robbers see their crimes as payback for the banks taking so much. The story captures the chaos of the FBI and its director, J. Edgar Hoover. This is the time of famous gangsters like Bonnie and Clyde and John Dillinger.
The characters are the standouts in the book. Savannah Cody is a driven woman who is so smart and manipulative, but she is also so much fun to read as she breaks all the rules. Her father is a stoic ex-detective who will always stick up for his daughter. Nickel is a getaway driver who knows everything about cars and maps. He would rather stay off the grid but keeps getting pulled into trouble. Alford, the son of Savannah and Nickel, was raised by his grandparents and is getting to know his mother for the first time. He is a great coming-of-age character who is mystified by both parents.
The pace of the novel is very steady. The novel has three main perspectives that rotate between chapters. One perspective is told in an interview style in the future, while the other perspectives catch you up to that point. This way of storytelling works well for the pacing, but I was a little confused about the timeline. One event is set up to confuse you a little so that the reveal is still a surprise. It worked, but it left me confused for a little while.
The ending is tense, and I found it shocking. It is very cinematic and easy to picture. The epilogue was great, as it jumps into the future and tells you how the lives of the characters worked out.
Die Famous was first published on September 22, 2026 by Little, Brown and Company.
Why did I read Die Famous by Michael Koryta?
I have read a Michael Koryta short story in The End of the World as We Know It, the Stand anthology, which I thought was good. It was different and had that crime element, being an ode to The Library Policeman by King. There was enough there to make me want to read one of his novels.
I believe it was my review of The End of the World as We Know It that prompted Little, Brown and Company to reach out and send me a copy through NetGalley. Thanks to both of them for the copy.
Plot Summary:
Nickel is a getaway driver for the Brady gang, and Savannah Cody had a love affair with him that was upended when the crime became too much. But years later, Savannah sees all the fame and wanted posters and wants to be a part of it, even if that means taking him down.
She brings their young teenage son, Alford, along. He has been raised by his grandparents and is unsure about each parent. On this trip, he will learn the price of fame and break a few laws.
What I Liked:
The writing is very good. Everything feels very organic. The historical aspect feels lived-in and accurate. The dialogue is very smart and fits well with the time period.
The robbery scenes and clashes with the police are intense, and the writing made me feel like I was right there with them.
I loved the scenes with Nickel, the dog, and the boy. That scene was great, and I loved how important it was to the story.
The characters are written very well. The novel also has great side characters who make up the Brady gang, along with other everyday characters who all have a story to tell.
I love the intensity of all the scenes with the gangsters.
What I Disliked:
The timeline got a little murky at times. I had a hard time figuring out when Savannah left Nickel and came back home. That was the biggest hole for me.
Alford was the least interesting character in a pool of super interesting characters. I loved the grandfather and thought he should have had a perspective that broke up Alford’s scenes. Alford is not a bad character, but the others far exceed him.
Recommendation:
Die Famous is a great novel that I recommend you check out. I fear it will get lost since so many novels are coming out this September. If you want a gangster novel with a strong female character and a coming-of-age story, then Die Famousis for you.
The novel gives off Bonnie and Clyde vibes, but it also reminded me of a Clint Eastwood and Kevin Costner movie called A Perfect World.
Die Famous has a lot of heart and gets the 1930s setting right. I will seek out more Michael Koryta novels in the future.
Rating:
Die Famous by Michael Koryta
4.5 out of 5 stars
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