St. Barts Breakdown: Carribean Mystery Series, Book 4 Book

Rock-and-roll journalist Mick Sever is back with a new assignment: interview music legend Danny Murtz. One of the most successful producers in history, Murtz has walls lined with platinum records—and a closet full of skeletons.

But before Mick can hop a plane to the island paradise where Murtz has secluded himself after his latest “incident” (Murtz’s romantic conquests have a way of vanishing into thin air), he’s nearly run down by a speeding car. Coincidence?

Anonymous threats have Murtz convinced that someone is out to bring him down. Ravaged by mounting paranoia and fueled by drugs and alcohol, Murtz begins to suspect everyone, and Mick Sever is at the top of his list. If Mick isn’t careful, his next column will be an obituary—his obituary.

Publishers Weekly

In Bruns's mildly diverting fourth mystery to feature rock journalist Mick Sever (after 2006's South Beach Shakedown), Sever flies to a Caribbean island known as a haven for the rich and famous to interview Danny Murtz, a highly successful rock music producer who in his day turned out hit singles employing a unique orchestral sound. (Murtz will remind many of the real-life Phil Spector.) Murtz's lawyer and all-around fixer insists Murtz proceed with the interview while the lawyer tries to cover up the most recent death of a young woman with whom the producer was involved. Murtz, whose always erratic behavior has become dangerously more so, decides he can take care of his own problems, including a nosy journalist. Full of one-dimensional characters and implausible situations, this slight novel offers no insight into the world of rock from either the point-of-view of a journalist or a producer. (Mar.)