Collins writes in visual scenes; action and dialogue move the story along at a fast clip. Slang and profanity pepper the dialogue. Some are her accustomed colloquial language; some are very 1990s and current—the buzz words of the day.

Instead of flashbacks to introduce the villainous antagonist, she uses in Hollywood Kids a peripheral subplot about Ricca, printed in italics, that she intersperses between the episodes dealing with the main characters. Gradually, the relationship between what the outsider Ricca is doing and planning to do becomes clear as his exploits make the news and become known to the other characters. As always, the doings of the "outsider" bring the plot to its climax.

Unlike many previous Collins novels, Hollywood Kids does not climax with a huge party or gala where all the major players are gathered like sitting ducks for the antagonist. Instead Jordanna is alone...