Judith‘s review of Remix
Ric Kealey is the lead singer of an extremely successful rock band–The Voices in My Head–and he died three years ago. Caz Tallis restores antique rocking horses in her London studio. When Ric turns up, shabby and alive, on Caz’s rooftop terrace, she is reluctantly drawn into investigating the murder that caused Ric to fake his death.
This is a novel that is an “import” from the UK and which has been on their best-seller list for some time. It is really a composite novel–a murder mystery as well as a romance novel. It is filled with colorful characters that give this novel a wonderful liveliness and which keep the reader interested from start to finish.
Rock band, especially the highly popular ones, have made a significant impact on contemporary culture. Their lives and activities take up whole sections of even legitimate publications and nearly everything, no matter how seemingly insignificant, make headlines. So it was with the band The Voices in My Head whose founder and lead singer and main music composer is accused of murdering his best friend, Ric Kealey’s childhood friend who now played bass in the band. Found dead with a knife in his chest, and with Ric’s fingerprints all over the knife, the police were convinced of Ric’s guilt. Facing the end of his career, the end of the band, and years in prison, Ric Kealey “died” with the help of his brother-in-law and band manager, Phil. Now, three years later, Rick is back, found sleeping on Caz Tallis’ terrace sofa, along with his mangey dog. He tells Caz his name is Joe and he bums a ride to the home of his manager, demanding his fortune which has curiously disappeared from the Swiss account where it was supposedly accruing interest.
Caz ultimately finds out Joe’s true identity and through an interesting set of circumstances, Ric becomes her boarder. Reluctantly, Caz agrees to help Ric investigate his friend’s murder. Claiming to be a reporter, Caz interviews the remaining band members, Phil the manager, and the murdered man’s girlfriend. What a mess, but then, murder is always messy. Caz and Ric become emotionally and sexually involved and the relationship with Phil deteriorates. There are lots of twists and turns here, surprises as the personalities and nuances of past involvements come to light. Several of Caz’s friends get involved and become quite important to the progress of the story. All in all, it is a convoluted tale that sort of makes sense all along the way and which is just a darn good mystery story. That it also becomes a romance is fine as well.
I really enjoyed this novel a great deal because it was a story into which I could sink my teeth, which kept my interest, which constantly tempted me to read the last few pages, and which also kept me wondering how Caz and Ric would ultimately come out. I do think that for American readers there are a goodly number of British terms–references to specific items that are just named differently than in the American language–that might make some difference for U. S. readers. That being said, I don’t think anyone will find that detracting significantly from the story. Just an observation . . .
I am delighted to have an opportunity to become acquainted with this author’s work. I believe she has two other novels that I am looking forward to reading. I think anyone who likes the mix of mystery and romance will find this novel a very satisfying reading experience.
I give this novel a rating of 4.25 out of 5.
You can read more from Judith at Dr. J’s Book Place.
This book is available from Hoxton Press. You can buy it here
Oooh – this sounds interesting and a different. And a fab e-price too ♥
Off to download.