Also published as Deadly Ransom. Dead Rite (aka Deadly Ransom) takes Johnny and his gal pal newsreporter/ writer Muggsy to Hollywood where Liddell becomes entangled with a corrupt singer owned by the mob, a money laundering scheme, and more than a couple of corpses. In this novel, Kane switches the narration back and forth between points of view involving Liddell and a bunch of hoods. The parts featuring Liddell are terrific and include action and slinky women. The parts featuring the hoods aren't necessarily as successful. For this reason and because the plot is a bit convoluted, although it is a decent read, it simply isn't the best of the Liddells. ( )