Roadhouse Blues (Mike Travis Series) [Hardcover]

Baron R. Birtcher (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: November 2000

Illegitmate son of famous rock star acts out his father's dark fantasies.

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

Mike Travis, a retired homicide detective, is summoned back to duty when a murder victim's wounds lead investigators to suspect she's the latest victim of a serial killer whom Mike had tried and failed to catch. Picking up the killer's trail once again proves to be more deadly than Mike could possibly anticipate. The cop-coming-out-of-retirement premise is a familiar one, but, handled well, it can still provide plenty of new surprises. Birtcher clearly put some work into this novel, assembling his plot out of components that are slightly unusual (how many mystery novels, for instance, use rock-and-roll-legend Jim Morrison as a vital plot element?). The novel is quite graphic in places, and the dialogue gets a bit raw from time to time, but Birtcher doesn't use vivid imagery and language as a substitute for good storytelling. The novel is well crafted and entirely satisfying, a complete success. Another Mike Travis mystery would be most welcome. David Pitt
Copyright © American Library Association. All rights reserved

Review

Birtcher deserves praise and accolades for what he's produced here. If you love a good mystery, this is it. -- Today's Librarian

ROADHOUSE BLUES is enjoyable entertainment. Readers wanting a mystery with links to classic rock, this novel is a good choice. -- Forward Magazine

Readers wanting a mystery/suspense novel with links to classic rock history and mythology, this novel is a good choice. -- Forward Magazine

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Hardcover: 254 pages
• Publisher: Durban House (November 2000)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1930754000
• ISBN-13: 978-1930754003
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.3 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #345,125 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Baron R Birtcher is an LA TIMES and IMBA BESTSELLING author of the critically acclaimed Mike Travis series. He has been a judge for both the Edgar Awards and Shamus Awards. His third novel, Angels Fall, was nominated in 2009 for Left Coast Crime's BEST CRIME NOVEL OF THE YEAR.


Visit him on the web at www.BaronRBirtcher.com
or
Read his blog at www.BaronRBirtcher.blogspot.com
or
Follow him on Twitter


He has recently completed his first stand-alone thriller, and is working on his next novel.

He lives with his wife, Christina, in Hawaii and the Pacific Northwest.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the best of 2001, February 17, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Roadhouse Blues (Mike Travis Series) (Hardcover)

I read about this new writer and Roadhouse Blues in the L.A.Times. It is the first in a series about Ex-LA honicide detective, Mike Travis. Being a series reader including all the books by Robert Crais, Dennis Lehane, Lawrence Block, and Steve Hamilton, gave me a base of reference from which to judge. I think that Roadhouse Blues is one of the best books of 2001 and I am surprised that it did not get consideration for the Best First Novel for the Edgars. It's just that good!
Thanks Baron for the Excellent read. Please Keep up the good work.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Stirring Exciting New Character and Writer, December 18, 2000

By 

"admiralrdt" (Birmingham AL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Roadhouse Blues (Mike Travis Series) (Hardcover)

Excellently written by Baron Birtcher...new action Mike Travis character will keep readers coming back for future stories. Each paragraph held the story line and moved swiftly through to the finale.....I can't wait for the next Mike Travis action mystery. I expect to line my bookshelves with more of Baron Birtcher's books. No doubt this new writer will be making it to the top of the best seller charts quite rapidly. Go for it Baron!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best I've Read In a Long, Long Time!, January 28, 2002

By A Customer

This review is from: Roadhouse Blues (Mike Travis Series) (Hardcover)

Birtcher's Mike Travis is one of the most refreshing and engaging tough-guy detectives I've found in a very long time. The setting is mostly Avalon (Catalina Island) and Los Angeles, and the plot is full of bizarre twists and turns, not the least of which involves Doors' front man Jim Morrison.

Very inventive and original.