Caribbean Mystery

Against the exotic backdrop of Jamaica and Florida, charismatic rock reporter Mick Sever investigates a reggae band's involvement with the violent deaths of young girls in this gripping mystery of music and murder. Led by their mysterious and captivating singer Derrick Lyman, the band seems ready for their big break. But after their first American concert, a beautiful young girl is murdered. A member of Derrick's entourage is caught red-handed, and the case seems to be closed, except that Sever knows it's not over. Threatened at every turn, Sever must enter the world of rock and roll to find the truth and expose a murderer before he kills again. "Don Bruns has staked out his turf…sex, drugs, rock & roll, and murder. What more could you want?" "Murder and suspense, hot Caribbean music and steamy Miami nights-Jamaica Blue smolders with passion and danger." "Well-paced prose, unnerving, high-speed action, and lively subject matter...A solid debut." "Bruns nails the world of celebrity journalism" "A bright, fresh, dead-on debut from a great new voice...buy it now and get in on the ground floor with an important new writer."

Congressman Shapply, a former music insider who now leads the crusade against offensive lyrics in rap songs, is attacked and murdered in front of his Washington, DC, home. His son, Nick, is arrested and charged with the murder. But veteran music journalist Mick Sever, Nick's best friend, believes his claims of innocence. With the help of an old flame, Mick must penetrate the bizarre Shapply family-the icy matriarch Alicia, the disturbed daughter Amber, and the religious brother-in-law-to find the truth. The investigation will take Mick from the halls of the Capitol to the beaches of Barbados. Threatened by unknown assailants and dangers at every turn, Mick becomes the hunted as the killer turns the tables in a stunning climax. "Bruns is a master story teller, and Barbados Heat is an incredibly fast-paced tale. Its complex plot would suffer in lesser hands. Bruns, however, is a master at keeping things moving, rendering the difficult easily understandable. This book will put Bruns' name on the 'A' List of many readers, and deservedly so. Highly recommended." "This compelling mystery and high-speed read combines a thorough knowledge of rock music and a vivid perspective on the sometimes-murky industry that produces it." "Bruns nails the world of celebrity journalism." "Barbados Heat delivers exactly that. Heat!" "Bruns does a phenomenal job of explaining the music industry and its controversial nature."

Welcome to South Beach, where the nights are way too hot and the days can leave you dead in the water. Someone is about to make a killing in the music industry. Why would songwriting legend Gideon Pike disappear just as his 30-year career turns a multimillion-dollar profit? Music columnist Mick Sever goes looking for his missing friend Gideon Pike in the gritty backrooms of Miami's nightclubs, dodging suicide speedboats and running from sniper fire. He soon discovers that the major players in the music industry are not just making the headlines, but pulling the strings that create them. Hit it right, and the royalties-even someone else's-can rake in millions for the rest of your life. Now, Sever must find Gideon before Korean mobster Jimmy Shinn does. Jimmy is ready to cash in on the one secret that will strip away what's left of Gideon's career, his fortune, and his life. Whoever gets to Gideon first will either save him or pull the trigger.

Rock-and-roll journalist Mick Sever is back with a new assignment: to 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.

For rock and roll writer Mick Sever, another story, another deadly island paradise is all in a day's work. This time, Mick heads to Nassau, Bahamas, home of the legendary Highland Studio. Known for pumping out hits that burn up the charts, Highland is where the magic happens-or rather, where the magic happened until a devastating fire destroyed the entire studio. No one knows how the fire started, who started it-or whose body was found among the charred ruins. Sent to get the inside story on the opening of the new Highland Studio, Mick finds this is hardly the Phoenix-rising-out-of-the-ashes story he expected. Some say the studio's haunted, some say it's cursed, but one thing is for sure: someone-or something-wants to stop the music. A smashed guitar and erased tracks send a subtle warning, but murder? That's an entirely different tune. If Mick doesn't act fast, Highland Studio, along with everything and everyone in its path, could go up in smoke. It's not always better to burn out than to fade away.