Synopses & Reviews
Blacklights recent tour has been rough on guitarist JP Kinkaid: a heart attack in Boston and a significant ramp-up of his multiple sclerosis have left him more physically fragile than usual.
With the tour over, JP is relaxing by sitting in as second guitarist for a new CD by his longtime local friends, the Bombardiers. The Bombardiers are breaking in a new frontman, singer/guitarist Vinny Fabiano. Self-absorbed and abrasive, Vinny is new to the Bay Area music scene. All anyone seems to really know about him is that he has some very expensive instruments, but no obvious source of income to pay for them.
A few weeks into the sessions, Vinny is found dead in the Bombardiers rehearsal space, smashed over the head with a custom guitar. The murder leaves the Bombardiers--who are already in hot water with their record label--without a singer or a regular guitar player. JP, calling in a favor, asks Blacklights legendary frontman, Malcolm “Mac” Sharpe, to step in and sub for Vinny. But then Vinnys cousin and guitar tech is found murdered in Marin County, and Vinnys most valuable guitar---a $75,000 custom Zemaitis pearl-top--is missing.
In the second book of this exciting, atmospheric series, Deborah Grabien shares her insider knowledge of the world of rock n roll, spinning a terrific mystery in the process.
Review
"
While My Guitar Gently Weeps keeps up - and, in some areas, exceeds the standards Deborah Grabien set with
Rock & Roll Never Forgets. As a mystery fan, I was fascinated by the plot itself; as a writer, I was delighted to encounter JP Kinkaid and Bree Godwin (not to mention Mac Sharpe!) once again; as an acoustic guitarist, I was constantly intrigued by the folklore, technical skills, and legendry that surround the creation of the perfect solidbody electric instrument. The unique dimension that JP's descriptions of living with multiple sclerosis gave Grabien's earlier novel remains as haunting, scary and inspirational as ever. You won't forget this one."--Peter S. Beagle, award-winning author of
The Last Unicorn,
Tamsin, and
A Fine and Private Place"Everybody knows there are dirty goings-on in the world of rock music, but nobody has ever captured them as excitingly or convincingly as Deborah Grabien's ingenious JP Kinkaid mysteries. Her storylines keep you guessing up to the end. I've met these people, and her inventive characters and background details are authentically 'right', down to the last plectrum. I loved Rock & Roll Never Forgets and she's done it again with While My Guitar Gently Weeps--a brilliant marriage of backstage skullduggery and suspense that draws you right in. Rock On, JP!"--Julian Dawson, recording artist and author of the upcoming Definitive Biography of Nicky Hopkins, The Worlds Greatest Session Man"As both a professional rock'n'roller and a die-hard fan of the mystery genre--especially when presented in unusual and unpredictable formats--I thoroughly enjoy Ms Grabien's authentic look at the place where murder and rock'n'roll collide. Whether it's the crazy backstage world of big rock shows, the intimate interaction of the session world, or the intimate and dysfunctional world of a local music scene, the author has an uncanny knack for dialogue and relationships, making her stories and characters extremely engaging and believable. The JP Kinkaid mysteries are a breath of fresh air in the mystery novel genre and a rockin' good read."--Mark Karan, recording artist and lead guitarist for Bob Weir and Ratdog
Synopsis
JP is sitting in as second guitarist with his longtime local friends as they break in a new frontman, Vinny Fabiano. Self-absorbed and abrasive, Vinny is new to the Bay Area music scene. A few weeks into the sessions, he is found dead in the rehearsal space.
About the Author
Deborah Grabien is the author of the Haunted Ballad series and five stand-alone novels. Additionally, many of her short stories and essays have appeared in anthologies and magazines. Deborah lives in San Francisco, California.