Roadhouse Blues: Volume 1

By Baron R. Birtcher

Book Overview

"Enjoyable entertainment . . . a mystery/suspense novel with links to classic rock history and mythology" featuring recovering detective Mike Travis (Foreword).

After twenty years at the LAPD Homicide Bureau, Mike Travis is finally retiring and starting over on Santa Catalina Island. In the small town of Avalon, he lives and works on his yacht, sailing and chartering scuba diving trips. There, among tourists and quirky locals, he tries to banish the residual darkness from his mind. It's not that easy, especially when the one case he never solved comes back to haunt him . . .

A murdered woman on Venice Beach bears all the signs of the serial killer Travis had been tracking before he retired: a single stab wound to the heart, a series of deep cuts on the left hand, and a cryptic message--this time, a grisly computer-generated image of a lizard. To finally finish what the killer has started, all Travis must do is get as far into the madman's head as he can before the next victim is targeted--and then hope he can crawl back out again . . .

"Well crafted and entirely satisfying, a complete success. Another Mike Travis mystery would be most welcome." --Booklist

"Birtcher deserves praise and accolades for what he's produced here. If you love a good mystery, this is it." --Today's Librarian

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 1504096088
• ISBN13: 9781504096089
• Release Date: September 2024
• Publisher: Open Road Media Mystery & Thri
• Length: 242 Pages
• Weight: 0.56 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.5" x 5.3" x 8.0"

Customer Reviews

One of the best of 2001

I read about this new writer and Roadhouse Blues in the L.A.Times. It is the first in a series about Ex-LA honicide detective, Mike Travis. Being a series reader including all the books by Robert Crais, Dennis Lehane, Lawrence Block, and Steve Hamilton, gave me a base of reference from which to judge. I think that Roadhouse Blues is one of the best books of 2001 and I am surprised that it did not get consideration for the Best First Novel for the Edgars. It's just that good!Thanks Baron for the Excellent read. Please Keep up the good work.

One of the Best I've Read In a Long, Long Time!

Birtcher's Mike Travis is one of the most refreshing and engaging tough-guy detectives I've found in a very long time. The setting is mostly Avalon (Catalina Island) and Los Angeles, and the plot is full of bizarre twists and turns, not the least of which involves Doors' front man Jim Morrison. Very inventive and original.

ROADHOUSE BLUES DELIVERS

I came to this book after a book store friend of mine turned me on to Birtcher's newest, RUBY TUESDAY. I read that one in one sittng, and had to read ROADHOUSE BLUES. The plot is highly orginal -- a link to the seventies music scene via the always interesting/controversial Jim Morrison, and extremely well written. Birtcher has the ability not only to make characters come alive, but to bring you right into the locale. You can feel the sand in your toes when you stand at the crime scene under the pier at Venice Beach, and feel the pouring rain during the climactic chase scene in Avalon. I loved this book, and felt the same about Ruby. Together, these are TWO OF THE BEST HARDBOILED NOVELS I'VE READ ALL YEAR.

Stirring Exciting New Character and Writer

Excellently written by Baron Birtcher...new action Mike Travis character will keep readers coming back for future stories. Each paragraph held the story line and moved swiftly through to the finale.....I can't wait for the next Mike Travis action mystery. I expect to line my bookshelves with more of Baron Birtcher's books. No doubt this new writer will be making it to the top of the best seller charts quite rapidly. Go for it Baron!