Been Here and Gone: A Memoir of the Blues (2000) by David Dalton A one-hundred-year-old musician shares his memories of a life in the blues. “[S]uch shrewd storytelling and strong voices will have blues lovers ‘hooked, lined and sinkered.’” — Publisher’s Weekly “I enjoyed the southern voice and feel of this book as well as …continue…
And My Shoes Keep Walking Back to You (2002) by Kathi Kamen Goldmark The journey of a country music singer from the Bay Area trying to jumpstart her career. “The combination of Goldmark’s playful humor, her smooth prose style and her knowledge of the music business carry the day.” — Publisher’s Weekly BUY FROM AMAZON
The Little Country (1991) by Charles De Lint A fantasy novel involving Celtic fiddler Janey Little who gets transported across the ocean by a magical book. “An intricately structured novel, full of a wealth of detail about music, Cornwall, and things magical and arcane.” — Patricia McKillip “ In this story, music – and folk …continue…
Radio Activity (2004) by Bill Fitzhugh A rock station DJ becomes a sleuth in this murder mystery. “…[W]hat really gives the book its vitality is the obvious love that Shannon (and presumably Fitzhugh) have for classic rock music of virtually every persuasion.” — Publisher’s Weekly “Radio Activity is highly recommended as a smart, quick read …continue…
Honky Tonk Kat (1996) by Karen Kijewski A murder mystery set in the world of country music; part of the P.I. Kat Colorado series. “Ms. Kijewski captures the sweaty thrills of life on the road.” — New York Times Book Review Karen Kijewski on Mystery Authors Online BUY FROM AMAZON
Twelve Bar Blues (2002) by Patrick Neate …continue…
The Best of Jackson Payne (2000) by Jack Fuller A musicologist’s research into a jazz musician’s death draws him into a mystery that becomes an obsession. “Fuller’s latest novel [is] itself a kind of jazz improvisation, with multiple voices playing within a structured plot line, trying to define a life that defies explanation.” — Library Journal …continue…
Lost Highway (1997) by Richard Currey A banjo player in West Virginia tries to make it in a bluegrass band and struggles with personal tragedies related to the Vietnam War. “… as eloquently piercing and deeply American as a classic folk ballad…told in haunting prose that allows Lost Highway to emerge on the page like …continue…
The Song Reader (2003) by Lisa Tucker A young woman has the unusual gift to diagnose people’s problems based on the music that they listen to and then prescribe a playlist. “Tucker’s assured debut novel is an achingly tender narrative about grief, love, madness and crippling family secrets.” — Publisher’s Weekly “It doesn’t matter what …continue…
Swing (2005) by Rupert Holmes A murder mystery sat in the 1940s California jazz scene. “Holmes’s narrative is saturated in the atmosphere of noir and swing, and he has even recorded an accompanying CD of jazzy numbers containing musical clues.” — The New Yorker “The second mystery from Rupert Holmes is peppy and twisty, and …continue…