Jamaica Blue
August 24, 2010 by Caribbean Vacation and Island Tips
Filed under About Caribbean
When successful and charming rock journalist Mick Sever goes to Jamaica to see the ‘next big thing’, a reggae/rap band with a flare for hypnotic beats and violent lyrics, he finds that there’s more than just sun, sand and music on the island of Jamai
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(out of 8 reviews)
List Price: $ 6.99
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Review by Ken Dandrea for Jamaica Blue
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Kind of hokey. Really took a leap of faith to follow the story line. How many murders would it take to stop an actual concert and would a concert really be that important to ignore multiple murders.Does get some points for the Ginny character. She seemed the most real.Kind of tough going
Review by Michael L. Slavin for Jamaica Blue
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Free lance rock & roll critic and author Mick Sever is drawn into the world of reggae and Rastafarian culture. A charismatic singer who sings provocative lyrics is on the way to quick stardom. Sever had written a book on sex, drugs, rock and murder previously finds himself headed down a similar path as female concertgoers are murdered. He could well be a private investigator as well as writer. Surprisingly good read.
Review by booksforabuck for Jamaica Blue
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When an old friend asks him to check out a new band, rock and roll reviewer Mick Sever drops his book tour and heads for Jamaica. It looks like Sever’s friend, promoter Bobby Vane has hit the jackpot. Derrick and the Laments is magical–and Sever writes a complimentary review. Surely the two murders that happened after the band’s shows are just coincidence. But when a third woman is killed–and one of the band’s roadies accused of the murder, Sever knows he’s got to look more closely. He’s sure he saw confusion, not guilt in the accused man’s eyes. Author Don Bruns writes convincingly about the music business and the power, money, drugs, and sex that surround it. His descriptions of the charismatic band leader Derrick ring true. JAMAICA BLUE is a well written first novel for Bruns. I would have liked to see more attention to potential red herrings, however. Although Sever identified several potential suspects early on, he never seemed to get around to investigating them–surely a top journalist would have tracked down these loose ends. JAMAICA BLUE isn’t a perfect novel but it marks a promising first mystery. I’ll be looking for more novels by Don Bruns.
Review by for Jamaica Blue
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Jamaica Blue starts off with sex,drugs and murder, all on the first two pages. Set in the tropical splendor and squalor of Jamaica and South Florida, writer Mick Sever follows a new rasta band. Every concert is followed by the brutal murder of a young female from the audience. Sever stumbles on a murder seemingly in progress, then finds himself a target for murder. Aided by his ex wife and a concert promoter, Sever delves into his rock and roll past looking for answers to the murder. Besides great descriptions of Key West, Miami, and Jamaica, there is enough blood and suspense to go around for everyone.
Review by Bruce Lewis for Jamaica Blue
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Derrick Lyman, the leader of a Jamaican Reggae and Hip-hop group, Derrick Lyman and The Laments, is hailed as the new Bob Marley. A veteran rock journalist, Mick Sever, is invited by the group’s manager to write about their rising fame and emergence as superstars. However, two women have been found murdered after their concerts. This arouses curiosity in Sever, who begins to ask questions about the murders. The trail leads to another murder after the band’s appearance in Florida, and a dangerous investigation by the rock journalist-sleuth ensues. This is a solid debut by Mr. Bruns, who intricately weaves suspense within the backdrop of a music superstar culture. The author is a musician, songwriter, and advertising executive…