What do you think?
Rate this book
Crossroads Thrillers #1
Blues Highway Blues
Winner of the Best Book of the Year awarded by Blues411
Music mogul Daniel Erickson’s life has come to a perilous crossroads. Literally. He has a ruthless pair of killers on his tail and is chasing a million dollars that he owes a Russian mobster.
Standing along the same Mississippi highway where legend claims that bluesman Robert Johnson traded his immortal soul for matchless command of the guitar, Daniel finds himself on a path that parallels the evolution of American music from the Mississippi Delta to New Orleans and on to Memphis, Nashville, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Philadelphia, the Jersey Shore, New York, and Seattle.
At every stop, Daniel’s tour gets more dangerous with the hit men closing in, an FBI agent obsessed with his capture, and a rogue motorcycle gang hunting him down. Blues Highway Blues, Eyre Price’s debut novel, is a compelling and unique combination: part edge-of-your-seat road trip across America and part examination of the music that comprises its soundtrack.
Music mogul Daniel Erickson’s life has come to a perilous crossroads. Literally. He has a ruthless pair of killers on his tail and is chasing a million dollars that he owes a Russian mobster.
Standing along the same Mississippi highway where legend claims that bluesman Robert Johnson traded his immortal soul for matchless command of the guitar, Daniel finds himself on a path that parallels the evolution of American music from the Mississippi Delta to New Orleans and on to Memphis, Nashville, Chicago, Detroit, Cleveland, Philadelphia, the Jersey Shore, New York, and Seattle.
At every stop, Daniel’s tour gets more dangerous with the hit men closing in, an FBI agent obsessed with his capture, and a rogue motorcycle gang hunting him down. Blues Highway Blues, Eyre Price’s debut novel, is a compelling and unique combination: part edge-of-your-seat road trip across America and part examination of the music that comprises its soundtrack.
413 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 26, 2012
164 people are currently reading
232 people want to read
About the author
Eyre Price
8 books12 followersEyre Price was born in Syracuse and raised outside of Scranton, but thinks of America's highways as his home. He's travelled the Blues Highway all the way from Bob Dylan's boyhood Minnesota home to Professor Longhair's shrine in New Orleans. With his son by his side, he's made pilgrimages to Graceland, Sun Studios, Stax, and Chess Records. He's stood at the crossroads where legend says Robert Johnson sold his soul and walked the alley between the Ryman and Hank Williams' favorite honky tonk. The result of these travels is BLUES HIGHWAY BLUES, a debut novel that reflects Price's passion for all American music, from the Delta's blues to Seattle's grunge.
Eyre and his wife, Jaime, live in central Illinois (for now) where they are raising their son to have a wandering heart and a musical ear.
Eyre and his wife, Jaime, live in central Illinois (for now) where they are raising their son to have a wandering heart and a musical ear.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews
December 17, 2017
An anarchic and very violent road movie, tracking the musical history of the US from Robert Johnson to the Ramones in a surreal chase across several states. A bit weird, but I will probably give the sequel a try sometime.
August 6, 2014
The best thing I can saw about this book is, yesterday I was reading it on the train home from work and I looked up an realized the train had stopped and I was alone, good thing I'm the last stop. The action starts on page 1 and never lets up. It's a quick sometimes brutal read. As a music lover I especially loved the musical treasure hunt aspect that really helped move the story along. The characters were well done especially Moog and Antibon. There was also just enough of the supernatural to raise the story above the usual action adventure thriller. This is a new writer for me and a debut novel. I was thoroughly impressed.
January 31, 2016
Interesting. Enthralling. Exciting. It's equal parts of music and...violence. Bliss.
May 26, 2018
Do you ever read a book that you are slightly embarrassed to admit you like? Well, this is one of those books. Extremely violent, but wildly entertaining is the best way I know to describe it.
Daniel Erikson is a man who struck a deal with a psycho Russian ex-Mafioso to borrow one million dollars. When he fails to pay back the loan, the adventure begins.
Our "hero" goes on a crazy scavenger hunt along the road to rock and roll, starting at the crossroads in Mississippi where Robert Johnson supposedly sold his soul to the devil for his talent with the guitar. Each step of the way, Daniel finds a CD with a blues song that leads to the next stop.
I enjoyed the historical references to the blues, country, rock and roll, and punk rock that the author intertwined through out this book. Add in a psychotic killer, a huge hit man, a supernatural old man, and a gang of bikers, and this is one wild ride.
I listened to the audio version of the book and the narrator did a great job. The only thing that would have added to my enjoyment of the book in this version would have been if the clues on the CD had been actual songs instead of just lyrics.
If you don't mind graphic violence that is reminiscent of Tarantino, you will enjoy this book.
Daniel Erikson is a man who struck a deal with a psycho Russian ex-Mafioso to borrow one million dollars. When he fails to pay back the loan, the adventure begins.
Our "hero" goes on a crazy scavenger hunt along the road to rock and roll, starting at the crossroads in Mississippi where Robert Johnson supposedly sold his soul to the devil for his talent with the guitar. Each step of the way, Daniel finds a CD with a blues song that leads to the next stop.
I enjoyed the historical references to the blues, country, rock and roll, and punk rock that the author intertwined through out this book. Add in a psychotic killer, a huge hit man, a supernatural old man, and a gang of bikers, and this is one wild ride.
I listened to the audio version of the book and the narrator did a great job. The only thing that would have added to my enjoyment of the book in this version would have been if the clues on the CD had been actual songs instead of just lyrics.
If you don't mind graphic violence that is reminiscent of Tarantino, you will enjoy this book.
August 27, 2017
First time!
This was my first Eyre Price book/novel and i found it very enjoyable. Good character developments smooth flowing story. Very well balanced. In this particular book the working in of the "mysteriousness" of the "legendary crossroads" encounter where Robert Johnson sells his soul is a great twist. I particularly like how the author..... Oh never mind, you'll just have to read it for yourself and you'll know what i mean.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to others by this author to see if this is his "writing style" our if it just fit this book.
This was my first Eyre Price book/novel and i found it very enjoyable. Good character developments smooth flowing story. Very well balanced. In this particular book the working in of the "mysteriousness" of the "legendary crossroads" encounter where Robert Johnson sells his soul is a great twist. I particularly like how the author..... Oh never mind, you'll just have to read it for yourself and you'll know what i mean.
I highly recommend this book and look forward to others by this author to see if this is his "writing style" our if it just fit this book.
November 4, 2017
I was made aware of this novel through a Goodreads search and talked my local library in to purchasing it. I'm glad I did! What a unique thriller this was. I am a fan of the blues but this novel would have kept me enthralled without making references and clues regarding blues and the history of American music. Following the main character, Daniel, had me shouting things in my head like " Go to Memphis!" Only to turn the page to find out he was going to Memphis! This is a series of three novels (so far) and I can't wait to read the next one.
August 4, 2019
Music, the Blues...What Can I Say?
I have played guitar now for over 55 years. Though I've loved all kinds of music, my love of the Blues led me to my first paid gig...$5 and all the beer I could drink! Of course a novel immersed in the history of the blues and its influence on all other American music genres is going to hold my interest easily. This is indeed a page turner with enough mystery and human interest to keep anybody reading to the end. Great characterization and storyline with a surprising (I think anyway) amount of humor!
I have played guitar now for over 55 years. Though I've loved all kinds of music, my love of the Blues led me to my first paid gig...$5 and all the beer I could drink! Of course a novel immersed in the history of the blues and its influence on all other American music genres is going to hold my interest easily. This is indeed a page turner with enough mystery and human interest to keep anybody reading to the end. Great characterization and storyline with a surprising (I think anyway) amount of humor!
August 30, 2017
Entertaining Thrill Ride
This was a Great Read! First book by this author for me, and can't wait to read another. I was always wondering what was going to happen next. It was a journey in a book, and I traveled it with suspense and laughter at many times. Eyre Price can paint a picture with his words. Highly recommend
This was a Great Read! First book by this author for me, and can't wait to read another. I was always wondering what was going to happen next. It was a journey in a book, and I traveled it with suspense and laughter at many times. Eyre Price can paint a picture with his words. Highly recommend
September 15, 2017
Once you get on the Blues Highway it is hard to get off.
From the first paragraph I was hooked had to know where this crazy trip was gone to take us. I wanted to know just what Eyre Price had cooked up next. Glad to know there are more books in this series. This one is going to be hard to top.
From the first paragraph I was hooked had to know where this crazy trip was gone to take us. I wanted to know just what Eyre Price had cooked up next. Glad to know there are more books in this series. This one is going to be hard to top.
July 14, 2017
Predictable
I suppose this book would be better if the climax wasn't predictable right from the start. It was a good idea themewise but not that well executed. If you're looking for a beach read where you don't have to think, it's ok. Otherwise predictable and lacking substance.
I suppose this book would be better if the climax wasn't predictable right from the start. It was a good idea themewise but not that well executed. If you're looking for a beach read where you don't have to think, it's ok. Otherwise predictable and lacking substance.
October 9, 2017
As an author that writes in a similar genre I was fascinated with this story. The treasure hunt was sure genius, and I just wish there was more to that end of the story, deeper clues, more music history, and less of the of the Russian kingpin and his hired hands.
June 29, 2022
Not your usual On The Road story with Bob Hope and Bing Crosby, this tale takes place across country intertwining cities and citizens who have important legends in the history of Blues Music! Hunted becomes hunter in more ways than you think including the highest fidelity endgame climax
August 21, 2017
The essence of music and life is today. A magical mystery tour. Keep on rockin'
December 30, 2017
La novela es buena. Mezcla la comedia, la violencia extrema y lo paranormal.
April 8, 2018
Get ready for one wild ride! Warning: lots of cussing and violence.
May 31, 2019
Loved this book, funny and irreverent and human. All about being in the wrong place at the wrong time and the problems and adventures of mischance.
June 19, 2019
Written for the screen.
November 20, 2019
4 Stars. very good story
Highly recommended for Music aficionados, as many genres of music play a big part in the story.
Highly recommended for Music aficionados, as many genres of music play a big part in the story.
May 19, 2024
I picked up this book and never could I ever even imagine what a ride it would be! Mixing a bit of adventure with glorious violence and to my big surprise, it is a great mix!
June 26, 2012
Nelson DeMille once said, "We're all pilgrims on the same journey -- but some pilgrims have better road maps." It's that sensibility that grounds Eyre Price's debut novel, "Blues Highway Blues," and it's the map of a century of American music that underpins a wild, offbeat, violent and ultimately rewarding journey of reluctant self-discovery for Price's pilgrim, disgraced Los Angeles music promoter Daniel Erickson. In the twisted wreckage of sacrificing his family and nearly his life on the irreparably warped altar of the popular song, Erickson gambles what's left of his future on a doomed dive into reality television production funded by a heartless Russian gangster's million dollars. Erickson's venture fails monumentally, and he'll have to surrender to the Russian the secret cash stashed in Erickson's home safe to buy himself and his estranged son long lives. Ungraciously accompanied by a couple of the Russian's thugs, Erickson opens his safe only to find a compact disc where his own million bucks used to hide. But it's not a total loss -- the CD has a blues song whose peculiar lyrics point Erickson towards the Mississippi Delta crossroads where legendary bluesman Robert Johnson purportedly traded his soul to the devil for guitar mastery. The song hints Johnson's crossroads is where Erickson will discover his heisted treasure. His straits beneath dire and sinking fast, Erickson slips his handlers and begins the long, strange trip to the Delta and beyond, pursued throughout by scary monsters and super creeps. With an occasional leg up from someone not quite of this world, Erickson finds himself propelled on a fiendish scavenger hunt through America's musical meccas; first along the so-called "Blues Highway" from New Orleans to Memphis, and then to Seattle via Nashville, Chicago, Detroit, Philadelphia and New York, desperately following a cross-country trail of cryptic lyrical breadcrumbs to reclaim his money and his soul before he loses them both too soon.
"Blues Highway Blues" will appeal to fans of both thrillers, and American music. Price knows both subjects well, and aptly weaves them into a droll and entertaining morality play hinged on a simple truth: we all have our crossroads to tread, so be sure to tread them well.
"Blues Highway Blues" will appeal to fans of both thrillers, and American music. Price knows both subjects well, and aptly weaves them into a droll and entertaining morality play hinged on a simple truth: we all have our crossroads to tread, so be sure to tread them well.
July 1, 2013
Great debut mystery novel. (I'm not reading the second in the Crossroads series). The ultimate bues roadtrip: Robert Walker, Sun Records, Stax, New Orleans, Cleveland (yea! Are Alan Freed's ashes really in the Rock n Roll Hall of Fame?
This is more than a road trip, though. It's a road littered with the bodies of the good and the bad.Some reviewers have complained about the violence, but if you like Tarantino, you'll like this. In fact, I kept thinking this needs to be optioned.
Our protagonist, Daniel Erickson, isn't a bad guy. He works in the music business. Enough said. He's run afoul of Russian Mafiaoso Filat Preezrakevich, who's so bad he's knocked off his wife and children. We first run into Daniel being tangled over a 60 storey balcony at a hotel in Las Vegas. Daniel, by Mr. P's right-hand man Moog. Daniel's day goes south after that. But our day goes up.
If you love the blues and its history as long as a banging good chase story, this is it. Will Daniel be redeemed?
This is more than a road trip, though. It's a road littered with the bodies of the good and the bad.Some reviewers have complained about the violence, but if you like Tarantino, you'll like this. In fact, I kept thinking this needs to be optioned.
Our protagonist, Daniel Erickson, isn't a bad guy. He works in the music business. Enough said. He's run afoul of Russian Mafiaoso Filat Preezrakevich, who's so bad he's knocked off his wife and children. We first run into Daniel being tangled over a 60 storey balcony at a hotel in Las Vegas. Daniel, by Mr. P's right-hand man Moog. Daniel's day goes south after that. But our day goes up.
If you love the blues and its history as long as a banging good chase story, this is it. Will Daniel be redeemed?
October 7, 2012
Great read! Excellent characters, a bit cliche in some ways, but flawed and very real in others. Good story. A troubled music executive who's reached the end of his rope is forced to reexamine himself as he follows a series of musical clues that trace the evolution of rock-n-roll. From the birth of the delta blues at the Crossroads in Clarksdale, Mississippi to the epicenter of the grunge scene in Seattle and everywhere in between, the novel pays tribute to a long list of musicians and innovators that built the truly unique American art form. It's a "road" book for the 21st century, complete with soul searching (divine intervention?), car chases, narrow escapes, and violence....LOTS OF VIOLENCE. Yeah, the body count piles up pretty quickly so if graphic bloody killing by pschopathic assassins offends you, this isn't gonna be your bag. If that type of thing IS what you're into, well you are going to love this book, mi key!
November 10, 2012
Let me start by saying that BLUES HIGHWAY BLUES isn't the type of book I normally read. The books I peruse usually have strong female main characters.
I was unexpectedly captivated from the first page by Eyre Price's gift of the pen. I don't think I've ever picked up a book and been so impressed with the writing so lyrical, almost poetic. I even found myself rereading paragraphs, sometimes out loud just to hear the beauty of the words.
The main character, Daniel Erickson is on the run from multiple unsavory thugs, who, for different reasons want Daniel dead, after he gives up the money they think he has with him.
Daniel wants to save his 19 year old son, before the mobster, or one of the hit men or the the unethical FBI agent can get to the young man.
Music history plays into the plot and as a background for this one of a kind story.
I probably won't read other books in this genre, but will read Eyre's next book, no matter the genre. I hope that's soon.
I was unexpectedly captivated from the first page by Eyre Price's gift of the pen. I don't think I've ever picked up a book and been so impressed with the writing so lyrical, almost poetic. I even found myself rereading paragraphs, sometimes out loud just to hear the beauty of the words.
The main character, Daniel Erickson is on the run from multiple unsavory thugs, who, for different reasons want Daniel dead, after he gives up the money they think he has with him.
Daniel wants to save his 19 year old son, before the mobster, or one of the hit men or the the unethical FBI agent can get to the young man.
Music history plays into the plot and as a background for this one of a kind story.
I probably won't read other books in this genre, but will read Eyre's next book, no matter the genre. I hope that's soon.
January 23, 2013
This was the first book of its kind that I have read in a long time. I mostly read Fantasy books (Lightbringer, Wheel of Time...) but this one sounded interesting to me so I gave it a try.
Overall, I enjoyed the characters, story, and the intense pacing of the story. There are some elements that are fairly predictable but that didn't bother me, it was more about how it played out and watching characters develop.
There are a couple of fairly gruesome bits in here, so be ready for that. They are few, not overdone, and brief so it didn't bother me but if that sort of thing easily turns you off you might want to skip a few pages (you're not missing much, they add nothing to the story).
Overall, I enjoyed the characters, story, and the intense pacing of the story. There are some elements that are fairly predictable but that didn't bother me, it was more about how it played out and watching characters develop.
There are a couple of fairly gruesome bits in here, so be ready for that. They are few, not overdone, and brief so it didn't bother me but if that sort of thing easily turns you off you might want to skip a few pages (you're not missing much, they add nothing to the story).
November 16, 2014
This was one of those books that I finish knowing more than when I began. In this case, music history from blues through punk. The creative twist on the scavenger hunt was woven perfectly with an exciting (& violent!) thriller. I caught myself thinking several times throughout about the countless mistakes we make in life, and how we recognize our chances at redemption. Don't let the music history or lack of a romantic subplot prevent you from picking up this author's engaging debut!
May 4, 2015
I have to admit, this is far from my usual tastes, and I only read it because it because it was a freebie. I have to say, I'm glad fate gave me this book!! It was a suspenseful, quick read, with lots of twists and turns. This book had an interesting history of American music, a hint of the supernatural (without getting all weird), and some characters you'll be surprised you're rooting for. A pleasant surprise, I thoroughly enjoyed this book!
February 4, 2017
Great book
I listened to most of it and enjoyed the story. It is quite an adventure and the characters are awesome. The descriptions of the locales and the people Daniel meets are so finely done that they with the reader.
I listened to most of it and enjoyed the story. It is quite an adventure and the characters are awesome. The descriptions of the locales and the people Daniel meets are so finely done that they with the reader.
July 12, 2012
great book hard to define the genre close to a crime novel as it features a Russian monster his muscle a record executive on the run from the aforementioned hoodlums. But the most interesting aspect of the novel is the journey through the history of America's popular music. From Robert Johnson to New York's punk music scene. Some violence at the very end but an awesome first novel.
February 5, 2013
I enjoyed this book. There was a lot of information about the Blues history and modern American music. I did not check for authenticity but enjoyed the information as well as the story none the less. The characters were believable and the main character was very likable. Did not enjoy the violence in the story so much. Could be pretty graphic at times.
July 12, 2015
A crazy, antic picaresque novel. A Ken Kesey road trip through the history of the blues right up to now. The writing is as full of great similes and metaphors as currants in a Christmas cake. You had to love the bad guys (a la Carl Hiassen) as much as (or even more than) the good guys. I'll read the series...
Displaying 1 - 30 of 39 reviews