I enjoyed Andrew Cartmel’s first mystery featuring The Vinyl Detective. You can read my review here. This new second adventure, The Vinyl Detective: The Run-Out Groove, has our hero and his girl friend, Nevada, hired to find a rare 45 record (which may have a secret message hidden on it) of “Britain’s answer to Janis Joplin.” Valerian, a troubled girl, was the lead singer in a 1960s rock band. Valerian died–the coroner ruled suicide–and the band broke up. Now, decades later, Valerian’s brother hires The Vinyl Detective and Nevada to find the child Valerian gave birth to before her death. Like the first book in the series, the “thrill of the hunt” for rare records and untangling the stories behind the music generate the excitement. Of course, the Dark Forces try to kill The Vinyl Detective and Nevada, but they interpret this as: “We’re getting close to the answers.” The Vinyl Detective: The Run Out Groove is the perfect Beach Book. Light and frothy, it will amuse you as you work on your tan. GRADE: B+
I liked this one, too, and I’m looking forward to the next in the series.
Bill, Andrew Cartmel captures the “thrill of the hunt” for rare recordings perfectly!
I liked the first one too, and have this one on hold.
Jeff, Bill Crider told me he liked the second VINYL DETECTIVE novel better than the first. They are different mysteries with different records being searched for.
I actually put the first one on hold, but had too many to review to get to it. I’ll read them eventually. Do you need to read them in order
Maggie, I’d recommend you read the VINYL DETECTIVE series in order. Events from the first book are referred to in the second book. Both books are quick reads.
Not got to it yet, but the “Dark Forces” part makes it sound like there’s a supernatural element to it, which would turn me off.
Rick, think of “Dark Forces” in the STAR WARS sense. No supernatural stuff.
I really enjoyed the first one last year. I need to get this one sometime soon.
Scott, you’ll enjoy this new VINYL DETECTIVE mystery. I can’t wait for the next one due in 2018!
Thanks for the post, George. This series sounds like fun. It is going on my summer reading list.
Elgin, the VINYL DETECTIVE series is perfect for Summer Reading!