Mit Out Sound

Mit Out Sound book cover.

A lost film. A legendary cast. And a final take that could tear them all apart.

Emily Bennett never believed the rumor that Showdown—a 1950s Western supposedly starring John Wayne and James Dean—was real. But when she tracks down the reclusive film editor who may have stolen the original negative, her skepticism turns into obsession.

Determined to finish what history couldn’t, Emily assembles an unlikely cast: two uncannily gifted celebrity impersonators, a fierce and unrelenting director, and her estranged brother, a damaged actor with something to prove. Each of them carries scars from a fractured past, but none more than Emily herself—still reeling from the emotional wreckage of a father who never wanted her.

As production begins in the haunting landscapes of Arizona, strange parallels emerge between the film’s storyline and the crew’s off-screen relationships. Tensions erupt. Alliances shift. And an unexpected love triangle unearths secrets that refuse to stay buried.Determined to finish what history couldn’t, Emily assembles an unlikely cast: two uncannily gifted celebrity impersonators, a fierce and unrelenting director, and her estranged brother, a damaged actor with something to prove. Each of them carries scars from a fractured past, but none more than Emily herself—still reeling from the emotional wreckage of a father who never wanted her.

What started as an audacious filmmaking gamble becomes a reckoning. With the cameras rolling and tempers flaring, Showdown threatens to become more than a movie—it might be their final shot at healing…or their most spectacular collapse.

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Reviews

"Hollywood story lovers, character-driven narrative enthusiasts, and anyone who enjoys a near-perfect novel will find this book endlessly appealing."
– Reader Views

"...culminating in a wildly dramatic climax that is both unsettling and eye-opening."
— Booklife

"An often-chilling study of self and perception ... Mysterious ... compelling ... will surely please those with an interest in the intersection of film and philosophy."
— Kirkus

"Rick Lenz's Mit Out Sound chronicles the glitz, glamour, and gore of life in the film industry ... A scheme worthy of a Tinseltown blockbuster is born."
— Manhattan Book Review

"The filming becomes personal ... The result is a legendary piece of filmmaking with a dramatic conclusion ... Very reminiscent of Larry McMurtry's the last picture show."
— US Review of Books

"...a transfixing dramatic mystery. ... Lenz's storytelling is first-rate in showcasing a movie production that takes on a life of its own."
San Francisco Book Review

"...Rick Lenz presents an enchanting reading experience ... Embark on an unforgettable journey through nostalgia and captivating storytelling."
— Midwest Review of Books

"Mit Out Sound is a brilliant work of drama that will entertain fans of bold, character-led novels."
— K.C. Finn for Readers' Favorite

"... a deeply sympathetic (book), and deeply enjoyable because of it. ... catching a cinematic feeling without losing the beauty of the prose..."
— Los Angeles Book Review

".Mit Out Sound is an intricate psychological puzzle inside the magic and mystery of movie-making. He is spot on from cover to cover."
— Dennis Dugan, Film Director