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Jason Keltner is struggling. His wife is divorcing him, he's living in a run down house, and the day job he hates is keeping him from doing what he'd really love to do, music. So, he does what any 20-something in his shoes would do, gets involved in a murder.

Jason only met Monica Gleason once, but he encouraged her to get on stage for the performance where she ultimately died. Channeling all his energies into finding out what happened, it's not too long before he's making enemies. But what has he learned that would earn him drive by shootings, smashed car windows, and attempted kidnappings? Dragging his friends Mitch and Robert along, he's determined to find out.

I actually read the second book in this series (Coffin's Got the Dead Guy on the Inside) first. Reading this book really helped me understand the relationships between the series characters that had tripped me up reading that book. The plot moves along in several unexpected directions, and the characters are different and interesting. Living in Southern California, I especially had fun following the locations as they went to places I know. Jason and his friends have a very fun sense of humor, and I found myself laughing out loud at their dialog many times. I especially enjoyed the scenes between Jason and Detective Johns.

I will admit to being just a little disappointed with this book, however. This is obviously a first novel. The writing style is a little choppy, I guessed a couple things before they happened, and some of the humor fell flat. I didn't notice these problems in the second book, and I expected this book to live up to those standards. But these really are minor complaints over all.

This book is a weird mix of suspense, humor, and dark plot that actually works. I've enjoyed the first two in the series and look forward to reading about Jason's further adventures.

This book is one of those mystery thrillers that you need to read carefully, because even the smallest details become important. It's hard to put this book down -- the constant twists and turns to the plot, and insights into the characters, are truly fascinating. Combine that with Keith Snyder's obvious love for the darker side of life balanced with humor, and you have a truly fun read. This isn't a 'cotton candy' mystery thriller that you read and forget about the day after -- this book will stay with you. I can't wait to read the sequel!

Jason Keltner is compelled to find the killer of someone he met only once, a woman he talked into getting over her stage fright, so that he can get over being divorced and having a hateful day job when what he wants to do is music. Although at times the victim of so much control that the writing seemed forced and even movie-scriptish, the composition was often laugh-out-loud funny, made of not only wise-guyish, but often wise observations; built on scruffily appealing 20-somethings, and by and large fresh.

Jason Keltner met performance artist Monica Gleason only once, in a brief encounter just before her final--and fatal--stage appearance.

Was her death by laser suicide or murder? Jason's decision to find the answer is based less on a desire to see justice done than on a need to have a reason to get out of bed in the morning. His day job is unexciting, his music career is going nowhere, his divorce is about to become final, and his roof is leaking. He needs a mission.

A little breaking and entering convinces him that Monica was murdered. A little drive-by shooting--with Jason himself as the target--convinces him that indiscretion is the better part of valor in this case. Aided and abetted by his friends Robert Goldstein and Martin Altamirano, who are also living life in the fast-food lane, Jason takes to heart the advice in an ancient treatise on warfare--"Harass your enemy ceaselessly"--and sets out to make a real nuisance of himself in order to expose the killer.

Keith Snyder's first mystery is a unique blend of noir and humor, with glimpses into the southern California music scene and the sometimes dark world of on-line communication. The action is fast, the dialogue is crisp and often zany, and the plot is full of unexpected twists. With Jason Keltner leading the way, solving a murder is a real trip.