Murder on Music Row

by Stuart Dill

Twenty-three-year-old Judd Nix, an unpaid intern at the most prestigious personal management firm in country music, gets the opportunity of a lifetime when his boss and mentor, Simon Stills, offers him a temporary position - an opportunity that may just cost Judd his life.

In a landscape where record companies are under siege, stuck in the old order of physical CDs and antiquated technologies, Simon's young, electrifying star, Ripley Graham, has emerged as the best-selling digital artist in music history. Meanwhile, Ripley's label, Galaxy Records, is preparing a secret merger agreement that would create the largest record conglomerate in the world. Trouble arises when rumors spread that Ripley and Simon are withholding Ripley's new album in hopes of renegotiating his contract.

When Simon and Judd are shot on the famed Grand Ole Opry stage during the filming of Ripley's new music video, no one is more upset than Ripley - especially as everyone assumes the shots were meant for him. While Simon's life hangs in the balance, Judd seeks help from Megan Olsen, Simon's right hand and Ripley's day-to-day manager. The two set off on a high-powered chase to disclose the real motive behind the shooting and spare Ripley from a second murder attempt.

Not unlike John Grisham's legal thrillers and Michael Crichton's science-based thrillers, Stuart Dill's "music industry thriller" can now be added to the literary lexicon. Murder on Music Row leads readers through a maze of twists and turns that connect Nashville, New York, Los Angeles, and London in a behind-the-scenes look at an industry where there are no limits in the pursuit of money, power, and fame.

Genres: Mystery, Book Club, Realistic Fiction

344 pages, Paperback

First published October 1, 2011

Reviews

[E. B. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh, I love a good murder thriller! Mr. Dill has written a winner. The Nashville setting, the celebrities mentioned, the present day technology, the twists and turns of the story all kept me in anticipation - just as a good mystery should. So glad I found this one!

[Lee Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a lot going on in this thriller in addition to the "attempted murder of the music star". The power brokers in the music business, the creation of napster and the profitability of the stars in the music industry. It is an interesting read. It took me a little while to get into it and then the pages started to fly by. It was predictable in the final outcomes and fairly easy to untagle the added twists in the story line, there was some humor in the characters as the nurse Shirley gave lightness to the severity of the hospital scene. All in all, it was worth my time and I enjoyed the book.

[Alissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the inside look at the country music business. Although I found Judd to be a little too naive and bumbling. At times there were too many music executives to keep track of, but it was a descent who done it.

The end was suspenseful and very climatic.

[Sara · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read this a few years ago now, but I still remember being completely hooked from page one. The combination of murder mystery and the music industry was so interesting to me. I couldn't put this down!

[Shelley · Rating 3 out of 5]

A little hokey, but if you have lived in Nashville you will enjoy it. The characters constantly forcing Nashville trivia into conversation and delivering commentary on the entertainment industry.

[Kristin · Rating 3 out of 5]

I started reading this book before bed while on vacation, but it ended up requiring more focus and doesn't lend itself well to that extra-relaxed environment. Unlike the same-named song, which refers to the decline of traditional-sounding country music on the radio, Dill's book focuses on a murder attempt on Ripley Graham, the next hot country music star whose rapid rise to fame dwarves that of any performer before him. Dill has experience behind the scenes on Music Row, managing big name stars in real-life, and he uses that experience to write a compelling story. He's a big name dropper, putting Graham at events with the biggest names from the last 2-3 decades in country music, at all the biggest venues, from arena shows on his tour to the Grand Ole Opry house, where the shooting occurs. Thankfully, the bullet misses Graham, who is filming a music video there, but it instead critically injures his manager and wounds an intern at the management company who was there as a guest of the manager. While visiting the manager at the hospital, the intern learns that something is afoot and Ripley might have been targeted by someone with a more defined intention than the 'crazed fan' angle that the media is presenting.
Dill introduces a lot of characters who may have it out for Graham, but at the same time, they also stand to benefit from Graham having a long, successful career. There were many occasions where I was having trouble telling the good guys from the bad guys, aside from our protagonist, the lowly intern tasked with continuing to figure out what is bothering his boss and how it ties into the shooting.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

If you really like country western music, you might like this. I got bored with history and background of the Nashville music scene and I thought the mystery line was mediocre.

[Sara · Rating 4 out of 5]

I got this book from a goodreads giveaway. I am so glad that I did. I was really happy to read the current references to technology and events because it always makes the story more accessible to me. The plot gripped me with long, sharp talons.. I had difficulty putting this book down!!

I wish I had another novel by this author to read. I will be on the lookout!

[Bud · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author did a good job describing Nashville and the environs. He also wove a decent tale, fast paced and believable. I would recommend this book without hesitation.

[Michael Cody · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked the story, and the writing was generally quite good. The Nashville geography held a nice familiarity for me and echoed my memories of the place, although I lived there several years before the setting of this story. Dill takes readers not only through Nashville scenes and its music business culture, but also touches down in New York, London, and other places. The leaping around from place to place works out all right and doesn't become difficult to follow. My only trouble with the narrative is that it often strays into asides (mostly short) that are always interesting but don't always enhance the story or move it forward. Maybe, however, much of it was for the benefit of readers who know little about the workings of the Nashville music business. It was a good mystery, and I enjoyed reading it (most if it) in the air between Prague, CZ, and Philadelphia, USA, finishing it up somewhere over Georgia in route from Philadelphia to Atlanta.

[Alonzo Church · Rating 4 out of 5]

When a person has a moderate amount of fame — either inherited or earned through their own endeavor — that person suddenly desires to write a mystery novel. Of course the mystery covers their area of fame, and plot, characters, and narrative skills are secondary.

Mr. Dill is a skilled agent for country music artists. He writes his suspense novel about agents and the country music stars and record producers that make them crazy. In this one, shots are fired at a hotshot music star. Naturally, the agents are the ones who solve the mystery and ensure both legal and poetic justice are done. A well rendered setting makes up for so-so characters and plot. 3.5 stars, rounded up because this feels neither lazy nor ghostwritten.

[Stacie Odeneal · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a debut novel by a seasoned veteran of the Nashville music world. Mr Dill has a day job, and it seems he is good at it.

This book is an interesting and engaging mystery that is also an interesting and engaging look at a fascinating world, that perhaps hits home because I’m 6th generation Tennessean and loved the familiarity.

It’s not butter, but it’s a solid Oleo. I’m a bit incredulous towards the critics who may find fault with a solid and palatable read.

Dont overthink it and just enjoy the scenic Tennessee ride.

[Christina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting take on the typical murder mystery. I love country Music and have been to Nashville twice. Now I wanna go back and spend some time on Music Row. And every time I hear a top artist on the radio I wonder, is this the artist that was his inspiration? Who was it? Inquiring minds want to know….

[Maggie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good read, but at times felt like Dill’s flaunting of industry knowledge just because he has it got in the way of plot and character development. Interesting to a Nashvillian like me, but could see it feeling too weighted down with music business info for another reader.

[Patti Creazzo · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s an easy read. Being a country music fan I enjoyed the background to this mystery. Was a little confusing in the beginning trying to keep so many characters straight but definitely a really good read.

[Nefty123 · Rating 4 out of 5]

surprisingly delightful. looking for 2nd book in the series.

[Sara Boghdan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Received this book from a Goodreads giveaway.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

That was a thrill ride. I'm still not sure exactly what happened - sort of like the main character feels at the end of the book.

Any book that starts with an assassination attempt is going to dump a person into the action quickly. Well, this book does begin with an assassination attempt, then backs up for the lead-up to the shooting. That the shooting happens at the Grand Ole Opry should tell a person a lot about the setting.

Judd Nix wants to be in the music industry - in Nashville, not New York or LA, Nashville. He becomes an intern at one of the most popular artist agencies in Nashville and is hired to replace a girl on maternity leave. The Elite Management agency has one very big star, Ripley Graham by name. He's exceedingly popular - think Garth Brooks on steroids popular - and also just a little bit psycho. After the shooting, things just get wilder. Hang onto your hat, make a flow chart to keep track of just who's double-crossing whom, and learn a lot about the country music industry in the process.

The author, Stuart Dill, has his foot on his native heath, as he's a retired artist manager. He knows the ins and outs of the Nashville recording industry, and puts his knowledge of Nashville and its environs to good use.

I couldn't put it down until I was done.

[Terri Lynn · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh good grief. My father in law has been in the Nashville music industry for decades and still is. We have been here for a while ourselves and know a lot of people in the industry, entertainers that is. This book makes me CRINGE. This is so hokey, so pathetic, it is worse than an amateur pushing poorly written country songs at the Bluebird Cafe. This is NOT Nashville at all. Most of us would like to take Dill over to the Parthenon in Centennial Park and offer him as a sacrifice to the huge statue of the goddess Athena there.

What I would like to see is a writer with actual talent write a book set in Nashville. This is just country music soap opera and so full of cliches. Please, don't think that this is what Nashville is like. It is NOT and I have been here off and on for many years and have been living here for a good while now helping a friend and some family and can say so from extensive firsthand experience.

I can say one thing good about this book though. On a cold winter night, you can toss it in to feed the fire in your fireplace. That is all it's good for.

[Barb Henderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Murder on music row
The story began with a lot of details and superfluous facts about the music industry. The actual event happened well into the book. Even as the story unfolded it was packed with unnecessary details. The basic story was good but seemed to be hindered by the clutter of detail.

[Brooke · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's a fun story, and if you love Nashville or country music, you'll probably love this book. But I found the dialog a bit unrealistic and I didn't care for all the music industry minutiae.

[Csimplot Simplot · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent book!!!

[Mary Kay · Rating 3 out of 5]

An otherwise pleasant read that takes place in Nashville was ruined by our heroine who "wretched" in the sink.

[Kelley Tackett · Rating 2 out of 5]

Ugh.

[Novajean · Rating 2 out of 5]

only okay!!!