Justas the rock band, Doberman’s Stub, was about to reach stadium tour status, itsleader was brutally murdered when his headphones exploded during a recordingsession. The widow, who inherits $5 million, is the San Diego PoliceDepartment’s number one suspect. She hires Jason Duffy, a 27-year-old PI inhis first year of private practice, in spite of his background as a formermusician.
Jason learns that the victim was also a veryskilled contract negotiator, who was in the middle of an acrimoniousrenegotiation with the record company at the time of his death. He also findsthat the record company has a very unhealthy tie to the Russian Mafia.
As an inexperienced detective, Jason does notyet have the contacts within the police department to gather vital information.He is forced to mend fences with his estranged father, an opinionated ex-SDPDdetective.
While Jason investigates the record company, healso takes a close look at the three surviving members of the victim’s band.One is an alcoholic/drug addict drummer, on the verge of being kicked out of thegroup. The second is a bass player who camouflages his rock star status byliving in an ordinary house in a lower middle-class neighborhood. Third is alead guitarist and writer of half of the band’s songs, who lives well beyondhis means.
Jason has not yet become hardened to the veryreal dangers of his new profession. We experience his inner conflict as hisgirlfriend, staff, and family are drawn into the danger zone.
After Jason’s part-time employee is severelybeaten during a stakeout, he sells the story of the Russian Mafia’sinvolvement in the record business to a tabloid journalism TV show in amisguided effort to protect his employer and coworker. This serves to drive thecase to new heights of danger and suspense.
Jason goes behind the industry veneer of sex& drugs & hedonistic lifestyles. He shows us how the 21stCentury world of downloads, file sharing, and image demographics need to beconsidered in a case of Rock & Roll Homicide.
Praise and Reviews
AC Associated Content - Arts &
Entertainment
"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."
For the full review click:
http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/2149469/book_review_rock_and_roll_homicide.html
BookPleasures.com
"RJ McDonnell's enjoyable style is somewhere
between Carl Hiaasen's in Basket Case and Michael Connelly's in Chasing
the Dime ... Rock & Roll Homicide is both interesting and
entertaining." ... reviewed by
Steve
Moore
For the full review click:
http://www.bookpleasures.com/websitepublisher/articles/1118/1/Rock-amp-Roll-Homicide-Reviewed-By-Steve-Moore-Of-Bookpleasurescom/Page1.html
The GENREVIEW
"I'm not too old to enjoy a good rocker story and
McDonnell delivers it ... It's a great murder mystery." ... reviewed
by
Marlene Pyle
For the full review click:
http://thegenreview.com/?p=406
Stubble Music Magazine
"This is the best rock & roll murder mystery
I've read in years - and believe me I seek them out." ... reviewed by
Kitty Harte
For the full review click:
http://www.stubblemusiczine.com
Apex Reviews
"Rock & 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 & 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." ... reviewed by
Brooke Carleton
For the full review click:
http://www.apexreviews.net/RRH_-_RJMcD.html
Critical Mick (Ireland)
"The novel's romantic subplot was both refreshing
and authentic ... It's a fun read ... Rock & 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." reviewed by Mick Halpin
For the full review click:
http://www.mickhalpin.com/criticalmick_rock_roll_homicide.htm
Reading and Reviewing
Title: "Great Characters Make for Great Music
Mystery" ... "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." reviewed by Christine Zibas
For the full review click:
http://readingandreviewing.blogspot.com/2008/11/great-characters-make-for-great-music.html
The Midwest Book Review
"A brilliantly written tale of sex, drugs, rock & roll, and
the Mob. "Rock & Roll Homicide" is highly recommended for
community library mystery collections."
For the full review click:
http://www.midwestbookreview.com/sbw/aug_08.htm#Mystery/Suspense
Armchair Interviews Book Review
"Armchair Interviews says: Wonderful character
development."
For the full review click:
http://reviews.armchairinterviews.com/reviews/rock-roll-homicide
Mysterious Reviews / Hidden Staircase
Mystery Books
"Filled with insider details of the entertainment
industry, music and mystery fans alike will be thrilled with Rock &
Roll Homicide. But even those readers simply looking for a fast-paced
story with likeable characters will appreciate the book."
For the full review click:
http://www.mystery-books.com/2008/09/mystery-book-review-rock-roll-homicide.html
Books n Bytes
"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!" reviewed by Webspinner
For the full review click:
http://www.booksnbytes.com/reviews/rv42398.html
Gumshoe Review
"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."
For the full review click:
http://www.gumshoereview.com/php/Column.php?Search=200805&ColumnType=USBOOKS
MyShelf.com
"Rock & Roll Homicide is an engaging mystery that takes
the reader through a very detailed investigation."
Reviewed by Connie Harris. For the full review click:
http://www.myshelf.com/mystery/08/rockandrollhomicide.htm
