Rock & Roll Homicide
R.J. McDonnell
ISBN: 9780981491417
Killeena Publishing
Reviewed By Brooke Carleton

Official Apex Reviews Rating: 


Jason Duffy, rocker turned private investigator, has just scored the job that could launch his career. The lead singer of the band Doberman's Stub was killed in an accident that involved his head phones exploding during a recording session, his widow is set to inherit $5 million dollars, and she is also the San Diego Police Department's lead suspect. So, she hires Jason to find the real killer before the SDPD pushes the blame onto her.

While investigating, Jason learns that the victim was in the middle of a hostile renegotiation with his record company and that the record company has ties to the Russian Mafia. Because Jason is only in his first year of private practice, he's inexperienced and does not have the contacts within the PD to gather information, so he turns to his estranged father, an ex-SPDP detective, to help him out.

During the investigation, the reader gets to take a look into the lives of the band mates and learns that the drummer is an alcoholic/drug addict, the bass player lives in an ordinary neighborhood in order to conceal his rock star status, and the lead guitarist and song writer lives well beyond his means. As Jason comes closer to solving the crime, his girlfriend, staff, and family are all pulled unwillingly into danger.

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 has 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.