Cracking America Book

Nearly gave up on this book half way through - it's at least 100 pages too long.

'Cracking America' tells the story of an English Country & Western singer (Honey), her best friend (Stella Marie) and a filmmaker (Tom) and the trio's attempts at breaking into the US Country scene in Nashville. Not long after they arrive, a banjo player working with them dies in mysterious circumstances, Honey and Stella Marie are accused of murder and then taken to the house of a counselor, who attempts to get the girls to open up, reveal what happened and work on their defense for their upcoming court case.
The majority of the novel is made up of Honey's recollections of her life from childhood to the present day whilst experiencing extreme frustration of being under virtual house arrest - her upbringing, relationship with her best friend and family members and her love life. It's boring, repetitive and made me want to give up on several occasions.

The story doesn't really move on until the final chapters when we discover the truth behind the banjo player's death, and what will happen to Honey's musical career. Given the length of the book, by the end I was no clearer to understanding the relationship between some of the characters and their motivations, especially as the very ending makes you wonder how serious any of them were about 'Cracking America' in the first place.

It's part murder mystery, part emotional drama, and for all you learn about the Country & Western scene beyond a couple of Stereotyped music industry insiders, this book could have been set in any music scene in any American city. Not recommended.