Jamaica Blue

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.

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...

Mick Sever is the most intriguing character to hit the whodunit genre in a long time. A freelance rock and roll journalist, Sever is brought to Jamaica to review the hottest Reggae band since the Wailers. The leader, Derrick Lyman, is a charismatic Rastafarian who mixes violent political lyrics with intense tunes and has a cult following. Unfortunately, young, attractive, female members of that following keep turning up dead after his concerts. Mick decides the real story is in the murders not the music and begins a pursuit of the guilty parties that puts him in as much jeopardy as the victims.With his ex-wife Ginny along for support he draws ever closer to the truth, while deftly negotiating the seamy underbelly of the music industry. Bruns does this sort of thing far better than Kinky Friedman, Greg Kihn or others who have gone before. Mixing tidbits about real rock legends with fictional ones gives this first novel a sense of realism and urgency that keeps pages turning. The relationship between Sever and ex-wife is a highlight of the book-how many slueths work with an ex?If you are into music at all, or if you just like a good mystery, this book will scratch your itch. Hopefully there is a sequel around the bend as Mick Sever deserves a long run.

Internationally famous and highly regarded rock critic Mick Sever accedes to writing an article on a new reggae group Derrick and the Laments headed by the charismatic Derrick Layman, whose songs advocate violence especially against women. At a recent Derrick and the Laments, two women were killed. Now at the celebration party after the group`s debut American event, someone kills another girl. The Miami police arrest security guard Roland Jamison, since he is standing over the body holding a bloody knife.Sever was on the scene when the police found Jamison hovering over the corpse, but he noticed the confused face of the accused. The police reject Mick's plea that Jamsion is an innocent dupe so he begins his own inquiries fueled by his success as a true crime writer of one book involving a murdered rock star. The police and the music industry refuse to help Sever and even try to physically remove him from derailing the rise of a potential reggae superstar, but the author-journalist keeps trying to uncover the truth.The murder mystery takes a back seat to the insightful look at the music industry especially the publicity behind luminaries, famous people, and future stars. The investigation has some action as assailants try to stop Sever, but feels more like a cozy even with sex and drugs in the background. Readers who enjoy a comprehensive look at the world of rock from the perspective of an insider rolled into a who-done-it will enjoy Don Bruns debut tale.Harriet Klausner

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.