The Line
In 1985 Los Angeles, struggling gossip journalist Hallie Pitney is desperate for her big break. When she uncovers a whisper about a legendary movie star's devastating secret, she knows it's the explosive scoop she's been waiting for. But as she navigates behind Hollywood's glittering, shuttered gates, Hallie is forced to make a dangerous choice: publish the career-making story of a lifetime, or sacrifice her own moral compass.
- Hallie - Journalist
- Malcy - Hallie’s informant
- Porter Sloan - Movie star, 74
- Jordan Sanchez - Journalist
- Heraldo - Gardener on Porter Sloan’s estate
- Gilloway - Police officer
- Malcy tells Hallie that Heraldo saw Sloan with a doctor covered head to toe in protective gear, which can only mean one thing - Sloan has AIDS.
- Malcy says he also gave the scoop to Jordan two days earlier.
- Hallie doesn’t want to run the story and ruin Sloan’s reputation, but she needs the money.
- Hallie calls Heraldo to ask about what he saw; he says he didn’t speak to Jordan but was contacted by someone named Gilloway.
- Hallie goes to Jordan’s house and sees him talking to a cop - Gilloway.
- Gilloway tells Jordan he needs to run the story about Sloan, otherwise he will make sure Jordan’s little brother goes to jail on drug charges.
- Jordan pulls out a gun, so Gilloway punches him in the throat, crushing his windpipe.
- Instead of calling 911, Hallie waits until Jordan dies, takes all his research on the Sloan story, and goes back home.
- Hallie calls in an anonymous tip that Gilloway killed Jordan.
- Hallie drives to Sloan’s house and sees proof that he has AIDS.
- Hallie realizes she cannot put her name on the article because she broke several laws, so writing the story won’t help her career and she sacrificed her morals for nothing.
The Line by Tim Weaver is a fantastic read if you want solid mystery and suspense. The story features great character development for Hallie as she navigates the cutthroat world of 1980s Hollywood gossip journalism. Placing the plot in the past to center around a very real issue prominent at the time gives the narrative genuine weight and offers a fresh, historical angle rarely seen in this genre. It’s highly entertaining and will stay with you long after you're done reading
- Blackmail
- Homophobia
- Death
Publisher: Amazon Original Stories
ASIN: B0G2MT7HK3
Publication Date: April 1, 2026
Note: Details are for the original edition. Other formats, editions, and audiobook versions may be available.
