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Ridley Brone Mysteries #1
Last Call
Running a karaoke bar is no way for an ex-PI to make a living.
Just ask Ridley Brone, a California private investigator who returns to his Michigan hometown when he inherits his estranged parents' multi-million dollar estate. The songs his mom and dad wrote made them rich, but their popular karaoke bar, the High Note, made them famous. Now Ridley owns a bar he doesn't have a clue how to manage, and his every effort seems only to further tarnish his parents' legacy.
Then Ridley's high school love, Autumn, shows up asking for help. She suspects her husband of having an affair and wants Ridley to find the truth. Itching to do the kind of work he knows, Ridley takes her case. But after he finds her husband murdered, the karaoke bar feels like vacation compared to the hard job of proving Autumn's innocence.
Just ask Ridley Brone, a California private investigator who returns to his Michigan hometown when he inherits his estranged parents' multi-million dollar estate. The songs his mom and dad wrote made them rich, but their popular karaoke bar, the High Note, made them famous. Now Ridley owns a bar he doesn't have a clue how to manage, and his every effort seems only to further tarnish his parents' legacy.
Then Ridley's high school love, Autumn, shows up asking for help. She suspects her husband of having an affair and wants Ridley to find the truth. Itching to do the kind of work he knows, Ridley takes her case. But after he finds her husband murdered, the karaoke bar feels like vacation compared to the hard job of proving Autumn's innocence.
232 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 15, 2011
189 people are currently reading
754 people want to read
About the author
Rob Cornell
28 books111 followersWhether it’s a covert-ops team of vampire assassins or a greedy dragon who lives under Detroit’s MGM Grand Casino, most of Rob Cornell’s stories feature some element of the dark and fantastic. He has written over a dozen published novels, including two dark fantasy sagas—The Lockman Chronicles and the Unturned series. A native of the Detroit area, he spent a handful of years living in both Los Angeles and Chicago before returning to the Midwest, and currently lives with his family in Southeast Michigan.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews
April 16, 2019
finished this one yesterday the 15th of april 2019, tax day, it does us all and it does it well, ouch...good read, three plus stars i liked it, liked the karaoke setting nicely done comedic relief, first from cornell for me kindle library loaner already 30% into a reacher. looks like cornell has some interesting other stories...something about a monster hunter? vampire problems? sounds like a plan, will have to see if the library has anything more. onward and upward.
April 13, 2014
Fast moving, never a dull moment.
Page after page of clever plotting. Ridley Brone is a contemporary private detective from the old school. His outlook on life is far from exemplary, but he's a likable guy. Doing things his way, even when bodies, particularly those that have been murdered, show up when least expected. A great piece of entertainment. Recommended for anyone looking for a suspenseful night of reading. This work would have received five stars, but the generous serving of typos could not, in fairness to other scribes, go unmentioned.
Page after page of clever plotting. Ridley Brone is a contemporary private detective from the old school. His outlook on life is far from exemplary, but he's a likable guy. Doing things his way, even when bodies, particularly those that have been murdered, show up when least expected. A great piece of entertainment. Recommended for anyone looking for a suspenseful night of reading. This work would have received five stars, but the generous serving of typos could not, in fairness to other scribes, go unmentioned.
August 1, 2012
When you’re reading a mystery, do you try to solve the mystery? Not only whodunit, but often the how and why too. If you’re like me, you do. How I judge the plot of the book depends on how well the author hides the final outcome and how he or she does it. If I’m only halfway done with the book and I’m sure the butler did it and have a good idea of why, I’m not going to be happy. I’ll also feel cheated if at the climax the villain makes their first appearance and we find out the details are all things that we had no idea about until then. We need to be able to look back and realize the clues were there for us to piece together, just like they were for the protagonist, but they can’t be so obvious that we figure it out too early.
"Last Call" hit the mark in this regard. At one point I thought I’d solved the mystery. I’d identified a motive and a likely culprit and done so too early. But what I saw was a “red herring.” It was a piece of the puzzle, but misleading. When the critical piece of the puzzle was revealed at an appropriate time, I realized I’d never seen it coming, yet the clues were there had I been able to put them together. This is how a mystery should be plotted.
I also liked the character of Ridley Brone. His flaws, as much as his talents, make him interesting. That he tries (and sometimes fails) to do the right thing makes him that much more human. This is a character that is a good foundation for Cornell’s planned series.
Unfortunately, "Last Call" also suffered from substandard copyediting and proofing, for which I deducted one star.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
"Last Call" hit the mark in this regard. At one point I thought I’d solved the mystery. I’d identified a motive and a likely culprit and done so too early. But what I saw was a “red herring.” It was a piece of the puzzle, but misleading. When the critical piece of the puzzle was revealed at an appropriate time, I realized I’d never seen it coming, yet the clues were there had I been able to put them together. This is how a mystery should be plotted.
I also liked the character of Ridley Brone. His flaws, as much as his talents, make him interesting. That he tries (and sometimes fails) to do the right thing makes him that much more human. This is a character that is a good foundation for Cornell’s planned series.
Unfortunately, "Last Call" also suffered from substandard copyediting and proofing, for which I deducted one star.
**Originally written for "Books and Pals" book blog. May have received a free review copy. **
March 6, 2021
The Past Is the Presnt
It’s time that you live in the present, but you fight it. You left town after a bad breakup. Your back now, but only because your parents died. With murders all around you and your own anger issues, you need to grow up.
It’s time that you live in the present, but you fight it. You left town after a bad breakup. Your back now, but only because your parents died. With murders all around you and your own anger issues, you need to grow up.
September 15, 2017
3.5 star
Some more minor but annoying lack of editing issues. Mystery is pretty good. . . . . . . .
Some more minor but annoying lack of editing issues. Mystery is pretty good. . . . . . . .
August 22, 2018
Enjoyable crimes to be solved story with a twisty plot that will provide for a satisfying read.
3.5 stars.
3.5 stars.
September 7, 2018
Started out slow
The story started out slow and I almost stopped reading it. I wasn't sure about my feeling for the main character - he had a lot of not so endearing qualities. But I persevered and it turned out that I liked the book.
The story started out slow and I almost stopped reading it. I wasn't sure about my feeling for the main character - he had a lot of not so endearing qualities. But I persevered and it turned out that I liked the book.
December 8, 2019
Leaves you wanting more
This was a great read I can't wait for the next book. He keeps it moving , just when I thought I had it, boom, something happens.
This was a great read I can't wait for the next book. He keeps it moving , just when I thought I had it, boom, something happens.
May 25, 2022
Little mystery, somewhat interesting main character. I figured everything out fairly early in the book. It was written long before publish, as the technology described is years behind current levels.
August 27, 2024
I really enjoyed this book and read it in record time! It pulled me in every time I picked it up! I look forward to reading more of his books! Would recommend! ❤️
April 22, 2015
Fortunately for avid mystery readers, LAST CALL is not the last book in Ridley Brone’s world, as it is the first book of this witty, enjoyable, who-done-it mystery series.
When an author creates a multi-faceted, believable character that sounds real, you know you are in for a good read. Ridley Brone is that character.
Ridley is a P.I. who returns to his hometown after his parents’ death to manage the karaoke bar they bequeathed to him—a position he is not qualified for, and an environment riddled with secondary characters whose quirks and banter enhance the reading experience.
Ridley has strengths, flaws, a keen sense of landing into trouble, and a humorous point of view, making him not only enjoyable to read, but relatable to the reader. Ridley is a guy’s guy, but also the type of protagonist women are drawn to, especially the damsel-in-distress type. He's the guy people go to when they have a problem (which is not uncommon given his investigative background) even if it lands him in serious trouble—which it does.
.
As the story unfolds the reader is able to connect with Ridley more as we meet the people from Ridley’s past—his friends (well-developed secondary characters, also flawed and peculiar) heightening the mystery, especially their interaction with Ridley.
LAST CALL has a well-paced, creative plot that pulls you in, and it won't let you go, as you will want to find out who the villain is, and how Ridley will deal with the unexpected twists thrown his way.
LAST CALL has a good balance of comic relief, seriousness and mystery, making this a recommended read.
I look forward to continuing with this series and connecting with Ridley on his next adventures in the series.
When an author creates a multi-faceted, believable character that sounds real, you know you are in for a good read. Ridley Brone is that character.
Ridley is a P.I. who returns to his hometown after his parents’ death to manage the karaoke bar they bequeathed to him—a position he is not qualified for, and an environment riddled with secondary characters whose quirks and banter enhance the reading experience.
Ridley has strengths, flaws, a keen sense of landing into trouble, and a humorous point of view, making him not only enjoyable to read, but relatable to the reader. Ridley is a guy’s guy, but also the type of protagonist women are drawn to, especially the damsel-in-distress type. He's the guy people go to when they have a problem (which is not uncommon given his investigative background) even if it lands him in serious trouble—which it does.
.
As the story unfolds the reader is able to connect with Ridley more as we meet the people from Ridley’s past—his friends (well-developed secondary characters, also flawed and peculiar) heightening the mystery, especially their interaction with Ridley.
LAST CALL has a well-paced, creative plot that pulls you in, and it won't let you go, as you will want to find out who the villain is, and how Ridley will deal with the unexpected twists thrown his way.
LAST CALL has a good balance of comic relief, seriousness and mystery, making this a recommended read.
I look forward to continuing with this series and connecting with Ridley on his next adventures in the series.
July 29, 2015
We join Ridley Brone a lonely love sick and slightly broken man on a quest that he never asked for as he had already retired from the detective world.
A quest that will ultimately change his life, and lead to a brand new one soon afterward, as he learns answers to actions taken fifteen years previous when he was just a high schooler, and how they fit into his life now. He learns true identities; losses close friends and becomes closer to others who he thought he had lost touch with.
He learns who he can trust and who he can rely upon and starts to build a whole new life. But will he be allowed to live it?
I found this book an easy fast paced read that I had to force myself to put down so I would leave the house in time and also so that I wouldn’t miss my bus stop, and be late for work.
With plenty of suspense and intrigue, even though it is also full of cliché after cliché it is a good starter book for those that wish to dive into the world of detective stories for the very first time.
A quest that will ultimately change his life, and lead to a brand new one soon afterward, as he learns answers to actions taken fifteen years previous when he was just a high schooler, and how they fit into his life now. He learns true identities; losses close friends and becomes closer to others who he thought he had lost touch with.
He learns who he can trust and who he can rely upon and starts to build a whole new life. But will he be allowed to live it?
I found this book an easy fast paced read that I had to force myself to put down so I would leave the house in time and also so that I wouldn’t miss my bus stop, and be late for work.
With plenty of suspense and intrigue, even though it is also full of cliché after cliché it is a good starter book for those that wish to dive into the world of detective stories for the very first time.
September 30, 2014
3.5
I wasn't sure if I wanted to give this book a rating of 3 or 4 stars so it's at the halfwaymark. I definitely did not see the twist coming. And there were pieces that I could have put together in the beginning but did not seem to add up at first.
There were a noticeable number of typos, but that did not strongly detract from the point of the plot. Just could have used a bit more proof-reading.
Autumn certainly was totally fudged in the brain. And due to Ridley's personal issues and emotions, he had an issue taking a step back and seeing the big picture at times.
The storyline was interesting. I can not say I am now a devoted fan, no. However, if I were to see another book written by this author, I would check it out to see if it intrigued me.
I wasn't sure if I wanted to give this book a rating of 3 or 4 stars so it's at the halfwaymark. I definitely did not see the twist coming. And there were pieces that I could have put together in the beginning but did not seem to add up at first.
There were a noticeable number of typos, but that did not strongly detract from the point of the plot. Just could have used a bit more proof-reading.
Autumn certainly was totally fudged in the brain. And due to Ridley's personal issues and emotions, he had an issue taking a step back and seeing the big picture at times.
The storyline was interesting. I can not say I am now a devoted fan, no. However, if I were to see another book written by this author, I would check it out to see if it intrigued me.
October 28, 2014
Most of this was read while I was sitting out back on the porch swing on October 28th, enjoying the fall weather--with a lot of breeze. This was actually quite entertaining--with twists and turns. Our hero returns to his home town years after the death of both his parents to find that he is wealthy, and the owner of a karaoke bar. It seems that if he doesn't agree to run the bar, it will revert to the woman who was the close friend of his parents. He also finds out that there is a daughter, born to his girlfriend Autumn. She is screwed up. Her husband is killed.
You can sort of get the idea.
You can sort of get the idea.
September 26, 2014
I downloaded this ebook as it was a free offer on kobo and I am a die hard mystery fan. This story did not disappoint I really didnt see all the twists and turns. Ridley is a fantastic character and the comedic descriptions of the High Notes regulars help to even out what can at times be a distressing subject matter. I will definitely be reading another of Mr Cornells books.
One thing I would like to point out is that although the ebook is free and you don't expect perfection there were a large number of spelling errors throught the book which did at times become frustrating.
One thing I would like to point out is that although the ebook is free and you don't expect perfection there were a large number of spelling errors throught the book which did at times become frustrating.
January 23, 2016
Last Read
I read a lot of detective fiction--perhaps my favorite genre. I found the characters interesting, and by the end of the book everything made sense. I was amazed that the author wrote this while in college, but after thinking about that for awhile I found that made sense as well. There was an over the top quality to the book which disturbed me a bit. I gave up trying to count the number of different psychopathologies which popped up as I read on. Any one of the characters could have been the central one. I didn't learn as much as I wished about any of them.
I read a lot of detective fiction--perhaps my favorite genre. I found the characters interesting, and by the end of the book everything made sense. I was amazed that the author wrote this while in college, but after thinking about that for awhile I found that made sense as well. There was an over the top quality to the book which disturbed me a bit. I gave up trying to count the number of different psychopathologies which popped up as I read on. Any one of the characters could have been the central one. I didn't learn as much as I wished about any of them.
October 30, 2014
This mystery starts with the return of a PI to where he grew up when his parents with whom he has not talked for 15 years are murdered. I stopped reading this book at one point and took it up again when I finished another one on my Kindle. I don't find books where the characters have so much psychological angst coming to a boil throughout the story. If you like that in a book read on, if not pass this book by. The mystery resolves rather quickly and believeably.
October 7, 2014
I thought the idea of a PI with a karaoke bar worked out very well. I thought it was pretty sleazy that he slept with her shortly after her husband died, I guess I was expecting more of a Travis McGee type of person? who would have thought her father could be such a sleaze bag? here are a few more buzzwords that might help you get interested: cops bomb explosion drunk high school friends sex change rolls Royce Dixie autumn . I enjoyed the book and will read more by this author.
October 23, 2014
Last Call (A Ridley Brone Mystery)
Life has a way of bringing us back to the beginning, but not sure if it's just a good time to be there. Ridley finds himself back home after a fifteen year hiatus. No legal basis for his PI determined mindset, but unwilling to give up until he gets to the truth. An action that nearly costs him his life. Great reading and writing. Thanks for another great read. Looking forward to reading the next one.
Life has a way of bringing us back to the beginning, but not sure if it's just a good time to be there. Ridley finds himself back home after a fifteen year hiatus. No legal basis for his PI determined mindset, but unwilling to give up until he gets to the truth. An action that nearly costs him his life. Great reading and writing. Thanks for another great read. Looking forward to reading the next one.
November 7, 2014
Had me hooked from page one. And every time I thought I had it figured out, Cornell throws a curve ball that puts you back on your heels. The characters were well developed and believable. In fact, the entire plot, even with all the twists and turns, could have been taken right from the underside of a newspaper headliner; the story that is never told in the media, but it exists none-the-less. I will definitely read more from this author.
August 30, 2016
The plot twists were wonderful and the ending a surprise, two major pluses for a mystery. I like a flawed main character and Ridley is certainly that. I would have given this book four stars, but the old high school love and the weakness Ridley had for her annoyed me to no end. Anytime she appeared in the story, I groaned and silently urged Ridley to stay away from her. In all fairness, without her, there wouldn’t have been much of a story, but I could have done with a lot less of her.
September 16, 2014
MANGLED MORASS OF MYSTERIES
We readers might think we're getting close to finding out the answers to the questions Ridley asks, but he and we are nowhere near the truth. Ridley didn't know his parents or his girlfriend or the parents' valued employee as well as he thought. A very enjoyable mystery read.
We readers might think we're getting close to finding out the answers to the questions Ridley asks, but he and we are nowhere near the truth. Ridley didn't know his parents or his girlfriend or the parents' valued employee as well as he thought. A very enjoyable mystery read.
November 5, 2014
I don't usually read those hard boiled private eye mysteries but this one I really liked. The author kept me guessing until the end and didn't hesitate to kill off characters that I expected to be important to the series. I plan to read more of the series...if only to learn more of ridley's back story.
November 27, 2014
Mystery with a twist
I enjoyed reading this book and it was well written. Sometimes I felt that story was being drawn out but once I got past it the story became really interesting. I thought it was going to be the typical whodunit type mystery but as the story unfolds I was surprised with the ending.
I enjoyed reading this book and it was well written. Sometimes I felt that story was being drawn out but once I got past it the story became really interesting. I thought it was going to be the typical whodunit type mystery but as the story unfolds I was surprised with the ending.
March 22, 2015
Ridley Brone is an unlikely bar owner but a good private investigator. Thrust into the ownership of his parents karoke bar after they were killed, Ridley is approached by an old flame to look into her current husbands dealings. Very enjoyable. Looking forward to the next novel in the series. Enjoy!!
September 23, 2014
A Gripping Book
This book grips you from the start and never stops. The characters are all real and their actions believable. The suspense builds every few pages and when one dilemma is solved there is another to take its place.
This book grips you from the start and never stops. The characters are all real and their actions believable. The suspense builds every few pages and when one dilemma is solved there is another to take its place.
October 3, 2014
Wow this was good! A real page turner with some excellent characters. I loved the fact everyone was flawed - so much more believable. I also loved the fact I was kept guessing till the bitter end, there was nothing predictable about this. More, more, more please!
October 16, 2014
The plot thickens
I usually get my books off the free list and seem to always get some romance.crap I have to skip through but this was one page turner, plot thickening, crazy twist and turn book I would totally recommend
I usually get my books off the free list and seem to always get some romance.crap I have to skip through but this was one page turner, plot thickening, crazy twist and turn book I would totally recommend
October 29, 2014
A pretty good book. The author keeps you guessing throughout the whole story and leaves you with a cliffhanger at the end so you want to gt the next one to see what happens. The story seems to jump around a bit but overall not bad.
June 13, 2015
I know it's a novel, but could it be a bit more serious about crime science, police work or the law ? Kind of funny, definitely weird and not much to do with the real world .......but as I said, it's a novel ;-)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 52 reviews