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RJ McDonnell

RJ McDonnell

About

I am the author of the Rock & Roll Mystery Series. My first novel, Rock & Roll Homicide, has been two Kindle Top 100 lists from June 2014 through October 2014.  My second novel, Rock & Roll Rip-Off won the Premier Book Awards 2010 Mystery/Thriller of the Year. The third book in the series, The Concert Killer, was voted "Fan Favorite" by my readers. The 4th novel, The Classic Rockers Reunion with Death, opened with a TV interview on NBC and a very fun launch party with live rock music. Diamonds, Clubs, and Rock & Roll has been described as the "most imaginative" novel in the series, taking place in an undersea club on the floor of La Jolla Cove.

Through the Eyes of Maria: Consequences

Through the Eyes of Maria: Consequences

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Description

<p>Maria’s life shifts course when destiny brings her into the arms of Christian. His earnest kindness and generosity offer the potential for a future she never imagined possible. Afraid of pushing Christian away, Maria changes her identity and buries her sordid past.<br /><br />But when the truth threatens to expose her calculated deception, will Maria find the courage to face her demons and salvage all that's at stake?<br /><br />Or will Maria be forced to accept that she simply cannot outrun the shadows that chase her?</p>

Story Behind The Book

Media Links

Interview with Dublin reviewer, Critical Mick

🔗 http://www.criticalmick.com/criticalmick_mcdonnell_interview.htm

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National article on how parents are using the book to get adult children interested in reading books

🔗 http://features.csmonitor.com/books/2008/09/09/a-rock-n-roll-mystery/

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Article on the novel's many San Diego references

🔗 http://www.sandiegoreader.com/weblogs/bands/2008/sep/29/rockin-book-reviews-plus-concert-crasher-manifesto/

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Reviews

<span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span></span><p><strong><font color="#808000" size="4">AC Associated Content - Arts &amp; Entertainment</font></strong></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span><p><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><font face="Georgia">&quot;Most enjoyable for readers are the characters author RJ McDonnell brings to the story. They grow and develop over the course of the story, and readers get drawn into their worlds.&quot;</font></font></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span><p><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">For the full review click:</span></span></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span></span><p><a href="http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2149469/book_review_rock_and_roll_homicide.html"><font color="#0000ff">http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2149469/book_review_rock_and_roll_homicide.html</font></a></p> <br /><p><strong><font color="#808000" size="4">BookPleasures.com</font></strong></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span><p><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><font face="Georgia" size="3">&quot;RJ McDonnell's enjoyable style is somewhere between Carl Hiaasen's in <em>Basket Case</em> and Michael Connelly's in <em>Chasing the Dime</em> ... <em>Rock &amp; Roll Homicide </em>is both interesting and entertaining.&quot; ... reviewed by</font><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"> <font size="3"> <a href="http://stevenmmoore.com/?p=582"><font color="#0000ff">Steve Moore</font></a></font></font></font></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span></span> <p><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">For the full review click:</span></span></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span></span><p><a href="http://www.bookpleasures.com/websitepublisher/articles/1118/1/Rock-amp-Roll-Homicide-Reviewed-By-Steve-Moore-Of-Bookpleasurescom/Page1.html"><font color="#0000ff">http://www.bookpleasures.com/websitepublisher/articles/1118/1/Rock-amp-Roll-Homicide-Reviewed-By-Steve-Moore-Of-Bookpleasurescom/Page1.html</font></a></p> <br /><p><strong><font color="#808000" size="4">The GENREVIEW</font></strong></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span><p><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><font face="Georgia" size="3">&quot;I'm not too old to enjoy a good rocker story and McDonnell delivers it ... It's a great murder mystery.&quot; ... reviewed by<br /> Marlene Pyle</font></font></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span><p><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">For the full review click:</span></span></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span></span><p><a href="http://thegenreview.com/?p=406"><font color="#0000ff">http://thegenreview.com/?p=406</font></a></p> <br /><p><strong><font color="#808000" size="4">Stubble Music Magazine</font></strong></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span><p><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><font face="Georgia"><font size="3">&quot;This is the best rock &amp; roll murder mystery I've read in years - and believe me I seek them out.&quot; ... reviewed by Kitty </font>Harte</font></font></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span><p><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">For the full review click:</span></span></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span></span><p><a href="http://www.stubblemusiczine.com/"><font color="#0000ff">http://www.stubblemusiczine.com</font></a></p> <br /><p><strong><font color="#808000" size="4">Apex Reviews</font></strong></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span><p><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><font face="Georgia" size="3">&quot;Rock &amp; Roll Homicide is a fast-paced, deeply twisted, and hilarious story that will have readers salivating for more as they dive further into the plot. McDonnell has a great knowledge of the music industry, and his characters are dysfunctional, yet well-crafted. Rock &amp; Roll Homicide is a well thought out mystery that leaves you on the edge of your seat. This cast of characters is perfect for a series, and hopefully we'll see just that in the future.&quot; ... reviewed by Brooke Carleton</font></font></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span><p><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">For the full review click:</span></span></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span></span><p><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"><a href="http://www.apexreviews.net/RRH_-_RJMcD.html"><font color="#0000ff">http://www.apexreviews.net/RRH_-_RJMcD.html</font></a></span></span></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span></span><p><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"><strong><font color="#808000" size="4">Critical Mick (Ireland)</font></strong></span></span></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span></span> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span><p><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><font face="Georgia" size="3">&quot;The novel's romantic subplot was both refreshing and authentic ... It's a fun read ... Rock &amp; Roll Homicide is at its best when RJ McDonnell is pushing the PI formula into places it has not traditionally been pushed. I look forward to see where he and Jason Duffy go next.&quot; reviewed by Mick Halpin</font></font></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span><p><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">For the full review click:</span></span></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span></span><p><a href="http://www.mickhalpin.com/criticalmick_rock_roll_homicide.htm"><font color="#0000ff">http://www.mickhalpin.com/criticalmick_rock_roll_homicide.htm</font></a></p> <p><strong><font color="#808000" size="4">Reading and Reviewing</font></strong></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span><p><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><font face="Georgia" size="3">Title: &quot;Great Characters Make for Great Music Mystery&quot; ... &quot;McDonnell never forgets that in every situation, there are real motivations, and he is able to bring out the best in his characters and story.&quot; reviewed by Christine Zibas</font></font></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span><p><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">For the full review click:</span></span></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span></span><p><a href="http://readingandreviewing.blogspot.com/2008/11/great-characters-make-for-great-music.html"><font color="#0000ff">http://readingandreviewing.blogspot.com/2008/11/great-characters-make-for-great-music.html</font></a></p> <h3><font color="#666600"><font size="4"><strong>The Midwest Book Review</strong></font></font></h3> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span><p><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><font face="Georgia">&quot;A brilliantly written tale of sex, drugs, rock &amp; roll, and the Mob. &quot;Rock &amp; Roll Homicide&quot; is highly recommended for community library mystery collections.&quot;</font></font></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span><p><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">For the full review click:</span></span></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span></span><p><a href="http://www.midwestbookreview.com/sbw/aug_08.htm#Mystery/Suspense"><font color="#0000ff">http://www.midwestbookreview.com/sbw/aug_08.htm#Mystery/Suspense</font></a></p> <p><strong><font color="#808000" size="4">Armchair Interviews Book Review</font></strong></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span><p><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><font face="Georgia" size="3">&quot;Armchair Interviews says: Wonderful character development.&quot;</font></font></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span><p><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">For the full review click:</span></span></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span></span><p><font color="#0000ff"><a href="http://reviews.armchairinterviews.com/reviews/rock-roll-homicide"><font color="#0000ff">http://reviews.armchairinterviews.com/reviews/rock-roll-homicide</font></a></font></p> <p><font color="#808000" size="4"><strong>Mysterious Reviews / Hidden Staircase Mystery Books</strong></font></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span><p><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><font face="Georgia" size="3">&quot;Filled with insider details of the entertainment industry, music and mystery fans alike will be thrilled with<em> Rock &amp; Roll Homicide</em>. But even those readers simply looking for a fast-paced story with likeable characters will appreciate the book.&quot;</font></font></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span><p><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">For the full review click:</span></span></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span></span><p><font size="3"><a href="http://www.mystery-books.com/2008/09/mystery-book-review-rock-roll-homicide.html"><font color="#0000ff">http://www.mystery-books.com/2008/09/mystery-book-review-rock-roll-homicide.html</font></a></font></p> <p><strong><font color="#808000" size="4">Books n Bytes</font></strong></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span><p><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><font face="Georgia">&quot;When I first picked up this book, I thought the entire idea was funny but was in no way going to hold my interest. WRONG! McDonnell has written the first in what I hope to be a series that quite cleverly ties three different strands together into a workable whole and provides an entertaining twist on PI work. Watch for more - this should be a series!&quot; reviewed by Webspinner </font></font></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span><p><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">For the full review click:</span></span></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span></span><p><a href="http://www.booksnbytes.com/reviews/rv42398.html"><font color="#0000ff">http://www.booksnbytes.com/reviews/rv42398.html</font></a></p> <p><strong><font color="#808000" size="4">Gumshoe Review</font></strong></p> <p><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><font face="Georgia">&quot;Jason has not yet become hardened to the very real dangers of his new profession. We experience his inner conflict as his girlfriend, staff, and family are drawn into the danger zone.&quot;</font></font></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span><p><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">For the full review click:</span></span></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span></span><p><a href="http://www.gumshoereview.com/php/Column.php?Search=200805&amp;ColumnType=USBOOKS"><font color="#0000ff">http://www.gumshoereview.com/php/Column.php?Search=200805&amp;ColumnType=USBOOKS</font></a></p> <p><strong><font color="#808000" size="4">MyShelf.com</font></strong></p> <p><font face="Book Antiqua, Times New Roman, Times"><font face="Georgia">&quot;<em>Rock &amp; Roll Homicide</em> is an engaging mystery that takes the reader through a very detailed investigation.&quot;</font></font></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span><p><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"><span style="font-family:Georgia;">Reviewed by Connie Harris. <font size="3">For the full review click:</font></span></span></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span></span><p><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"><a href="http://www.myshelf.com/mystery/08/rockandrollhomicide.htm"><font color="#0000ff">http://www.myshelf.com/mystery/08/rockandrollhomicide.htm</font></a></span></span></p> <span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"></span></span><p><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"><span style="font-family:'Book Antiqua', 'Times New Roman', Times;"> </span></span></p>