Noise Floor

The Vinyl Detective #7

by Andrew Cartmel

The Vinyl Detective plunges into the world of electronic dance music in his seventh adventure. Expect laughs, LPs, cats and the return of fan favourites, Nevada, Tinkler, Stinky Stanmer and more.

The Vinyl Detective enters the fraught and frenzied realm of electronic dance music. 
Lambert Ramkin aka Imperium Dart, techno trickster and ambient music wizard of the 1990s, has gone walkabout, disappearing from his rather palatial home in Kent. 
This isn’t the first time he’s pulled a vanishing act, but he’s never been gone so long before and his wife — wives, actually; it’s complicated — are worried and hire the Vinyl Detective to find the old rascal. 
They theorise that wherever the missing man is, he won’t be able to resist turning up at a record fair somewhere in search of 12-inch white label acid house singles, which he collects compulsively. 
And no one knows the world of record fairs better than the Vinyl Detective.
They’re not wrong…
But once our hero finds the wandering Lamb the trouble really begins — including terrifying mind-fucks with a side order of, if things break the wrong way, mass murder.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller, Contemporary, Ebooks, Music

Kindle Edition

First published April 23, 2024

Reviews

[Bill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Andrew Cartmel's seventh novel in the Vinyl Detective series is another great read. Reading this is just like meting up with old friends you haven't seen for a long time & whose company you have really missed.
Noise Floor is full of mystery & humour in equal measure & the dialogue flows beautifully. I don't think I've had so much fun reading a new novel in along time.

[Jazzy Lemon · Rating 4 out of 5]

336pp. A series about a man who is a Vinyl detective, hunting for rare records who ends up involved in solving other crimes.

[Martin Maenza · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am a big fan of this series and its author (see my earlier reviews) and was very excited to dive into another of his mysteries.

Of course, the entire gang is back. Cartmel has created a solid dynamic between the detective, Nevada, Agnes and Tinkler; it is like checking back in with old friends each novel. He has established the voices and rhythms of these characters over the past eight years which makes their banter come across easy and natural.

The story moves along at a steady pace, with the Vinyl Detective and company following the trail of wayward Lambert. However, just when I thought I had a handle on the plot's flow, Cartmel makes a sharp turn and moves everything into an unexpected and thoroughly entertaining direction. By the end, though, he manages to wrap things up by bringing all the elements to an exciting conclusion.

[Will Macmillan Jones · Rating 3 out of 5]

Didn't rock for me

I'm a big fan of the first three in this series: witty, clever and entertaining. This felt much more contrived and leant heavily on readers knowledge of the characters, the plot being too thin for my taste

[mr a j gough · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series of you like music,Cats,thrillers excetera give this series ago.This is book 7.

[Ruth Love · Rating 5 out of 5]

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to have a DRC of this audiobook for review.

Another great outing for our favourite team, including thrills, spills and even some recipes.
The narrator once again does an excellent job of bringing to life the familiar characters, as well as some new ones.
The book is well paced and has a good mix of humour, intrigue and peril.
This is must read for fans of this series.

[Hans · Rating 4 out of 5]

Noise Floor is a huge improvement on the previous novel in the series and on the horrible Paperback Sleuth spinoff about Stinky Stanmer's sister. In hindsight, Attack & Decay was a massive letdown for me. As a metal fan, I had the impression that Andrew Cartmel actually had zero interest in writing about his chosen topic of Scandinavian metal and that his research basically amounted to quickly browsing a Wikipedia article and then making stuff up while interchangably mixing up Death Metal, Black Metal and Gothic Rock. As someone who actually loves those genres and was excited about an author taking a dive into that scene, this sucked.

Now, I don't have the faintest clue about the EDM scene of the early 90s and for all I know, Cartmel's representation in Noise Floor might be equally bad. But I just wouldn't know and thus, it was much easier for me to enjoy the novel. I guess sometimes ignorance really is bliss. Another big plus is that Cartmel dialed back Tinkler a bit, who was at his peak annoyance level in the previous novel and almost made me quit. Don't get me wrong, he still has the humour, charm and manners of a 12 year old boy who just discovered porn, but it helps that he takes a backseat or simply isn't present for large parts of the novel.

Other than that, Cartmel mostly plays to his strenghts by creating a cozy, relaxed atmosphere with lots of nods to cat lovers, foodies and vinyl/paperback collectors. The case in Noise Floor involves the VD being hired to find aging EDM star Lambert Ramkin aka Imperium Dart, who has gone AWOL from his three lovers. During his (not very hurried) investigation, he and his friends run into a lot of weird people and unlikely occurences and also inevitably get drawn into another murder case. Here, Cartmel goes through the motions, meaning: there is no police and some willingness to suspend disbelief is necessarily required for some of the more nonsensical developments.

Anyway, this is something fans of the series should be used to by now and if it hasn't stopped you from enjoying the books until now, I believe it won't stop you from enjoying this one. That being said, since Noise Floor heavily references previous novels, you'd think that there would also be some character development throughout the series. But no, nothing, zero. Every character basically has two or three traits that they rarely diverge from.

For example, Nevada is essentially reduced to being very fond of money with occasional stints of badassery. In fact, Cartmel repeats her love for money so often that you might almost think it was an actual character trait, and a good one at that. Well, I guess The Vinyl Detective will just stay one of those series where the author goes through certain tropes on repeat and as long as he doesn't release three books a year, it might still work for another couple of books.

Now, this might all sound very critical and somewhat negative, but I actually enjoyed Noise Floor quite a bit. It's cozy, mindless fun and a real treat if you're not expecting a super deep, twisty crime thriller that keeps you at the edge of your seat.

[Annarella · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Vynyl Detective stories are always very entertaining and a way to learn more about the world and the characters of a specific musical genre.
This time is electronic dance music and one of the wizard of the 90s scene.
It's as entertaining and well done as usual. The narrator does a good job in giving life to the characters and the solid plot kept me hooked and guessing.
Highly recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Verity W · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wanted to report back in on this one - with a heavy heart - as I flagged it when it came out because it's actually the first time this series has disappointed me. I'd been saving it for when I needed cheering up, but actually I sort of wish I hadn't. I had some big issues with the first book in Carmel's new (and linked) series The Paperback Sleuth, to the point where I didn't buy the second one, and some of the things that I didn't like about that I also spotted in this one. Now whether that's because I'm looking for them now because the Paperback Sleuth has rubbed me up the wrong way so much, or because writing two series has led to a diminution in quality I don't know. There is a good plot in here somewhere, but it's too thin in the execution and is overshadowed by the way it's written and some of the flourishes. To sum up, after reading this, I haven't bothered to pre-order the next one (which I have been doing since the second book in the series) although I probably will still read it if I can get it for a decent price. Urgh. I hate even writing this, but I do try to be honest with you all.

[Justin Mansfield · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was really just going through the motions. There's the old Stinky feud but there's absolutely no explanation about how it happened, how Stinky "just happened" to get involved in the village vinyl fete or was a pathetic deus ex machina plot point. No explanation about the girl from the Wales hotel and her brother, was she a groupie, a hired whore, part of an entourage? Who knows, probably not even the author. The pie hunt? Seriously? And I'd love the author to explain exactly what it is that Tinckler brings to the stories, he's got the mental and emotional development of a twelve-year-old and contributes nothing but Buster Saunders levels of euphemisms; he's the literary equivalent of the dumb Disney sidekick.
After the awful effort of the book detective I'm starting to think that Cartmell is a one-trick pony as an author and that trick wore off a while ago.
There's no depth at all to his books and their stories.
Oh, but he does throw in a macaroni and cheese recipe to pad things out by a few paragraphs.

[E_F_S · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, I love this series!! I've read them all and they always act as pure escapism. Top tip: get the audiobooks for long journeys, you won't be disappointed.

Andrew Cartmel's "Noise Floor" marks the seventh installment in the beloved Vinyl Detective series, and fans will not be disappointed. This time, our intrepid hero finds himself navigating the labyrinthine world of electronic dance music, with all its quirks, beats, and surprises. And the usual cast of characters is present: Nevada, Clean Head, and Tinkler... and the cats!

As always, Cartmel infuses the narrative with his signature wit and charm, delivering a story that is equal parts entertaining and suspenseful. From the outset, readers are drawn into the search for Lambert Ramkin, aka Imperium Dart, a legendary figure in the electronic music scene who has mysteriously vanished. With the stakes higher than ever, the Vinyl Detective must rely on his keen instincts and encyclopedic knowledge of record fairs to track down the elusive DJ. There's a visit from everyone's least favourite DJ as well.

What sets "Noise Floor" apart from its predecessors is its exploration of a new subculture within the world of vinyl collecting. As the Vinyl Detective delves deeper into the realm of electronic dance music, readers are treated to a fascinating glimpse into a world filled with pulsating beats, rare white label singles, and larger-than-life personalities. Cartmel's attention to detail is impeccable, and it's clear that he has done his research, capturing the essence of the electronic music scene with authenticity and flair.

Of course, no Vinyl Detective novel would be complete without the lovable cast of characters that fans have come to know and love. From the enigmatic Nevada to the irrepressible Tinkler and the ever-present feline companion, readers will delight in reuniting with familiar faces as they join the Vinyl Detective on his latest adventure.

As the plot unfolds, Cartmel keeps readers guessing with plenty of twists and turns that will leave them on the edge of their seats. From heart-pounding chase scenes to moments of quiet reflection, "Noise Floor" offers a perfect balance of action and introspection. And just when you think you've figured it all out, Cartmel throws in a curveball that will leave you reeling.

If there's one criticism to be made, it's that the resolution feels slightly rushed, with certain plot threads tied up a bit too neatly. However, this is a minor quibble in an otherwise stellar novel that will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next installment in the series.

In conclusion, "Noise Floor" is another triumph for Andrew Cartmel and the Vinyl Detective series. With its engaging plot, vibrant characters, and immersive setting, it's a must-read for fans of mystery, music, and vinyl culture alike. So dust off your turntable, crank up the volume, and get ready for a wild ride with the Vinyl Detective.

[Charles · Rating 2 out of 5]

The Vinyl Detective and his crew search London, Wales, and Surrey for an aged acid house musician who was gone walkabout.

My dead pixels copy was a modest 325 pages. It had a 2024 UK copyright.

Andrew Cartmel is a British novelist, screenwriter, and graphic novel author. He is the author of more than ten novels, including his The Vinyl Detective series. This is the seventh book in that series. The last book of his I read was Attack and Decay (The Vinyl Detective #6) (my review).

Being familiar with the Vinyl Detective series is strongly recommended for reading this book. In particular, characters from several previous books make re-appearances.

All the books in the series have used a vinyl recording as a McGuffin. This book switches it up a bit. The McGuffin is an aging, successful, mid-1980’s, dance/electronic musician. He’s taken a break, and disappeared himself. His polyamourous wives want him back. Instead of scouring metro-London for a vinyl album, The Vinyl Detective flits about: London, Wales and Surrey in search of him. However, the McGuffin takes evasive action, and it’s likely someone else is looking for him too, and not just for an autograph?

The original book in that series Written in Dead Wax (The Vinyl Detective #1) (my review) was a moderately amusing, British, hipster, murder mystery with vinyl collector and audiophile world building. However, as the series got long, the author had gotten stuck in a groove. There’s always a vinyl record to look for. There’s always musicians involved in murder. The police either never get involved in the murder(s) or were not effective. There's ailurophilia. Food and wine are consumed with a foodies love of detail and vintages. The Scooby-Doo inspired Vinyl Detective team swings into action, providing a cook's tour of London and nearby counties. They solve the murder. And, there is typically a Summation Gathering at the end.

Well, nothing has changed. This is the same story, only when not in London, the story is mostly in Surrey . If I had to guess at the specific location, I’d bet the action took place in Windlesham? There is a short stint in Wales too.

This is a popcorn read. It's total fluff. It’s also familiar fluff. The narrative reminds me of my own misspent, hipster, youth in Putney (SW5), not far from the Vinyl Detective's flat. Although, nobody ever tried to murder me. (That I'm aware of.) I’m also a bit of an audioholic and an audiophile, with foodie leanings like the protagonist too. I like reading about the music, even if the bands are thinly veiled versions of the real thing. However, the story is likewise thin. This is another of the author’s graphic novels, made book-length.

[Jesse · Rating 3 out of 5]

Given the last couple of these, I was prepared to say, in essence, "that's enough of that, then," but this was pretty enjoyable. The intra-group repartee, with a large measure of drooling maleness played for comedy--plus, it has to be said, what seems like still a pretty countercultural pro-drug sensibility for England--is by this point quite familiar, but it still flows easily and wittily, as do the geeky audiophile, anorak record-collector, and foodie bits. The mystery here remains a bit...baggy, shall we say (full marks to Ben Aaronovitch for so enthusiastically and consistently pumping everything Cartmel writes seven books into the series), but the atmosphere of amiably druggy polyamory feels warm and lived-in, and more true to the scene (this time, '90s rave culture) than what he attempted with death metal last time out, where the characters turned into cutesy cartoons--imagine a murder-mystery episode of Dethklok. His punk novel felt similarly defanged. (If you're craving something set in those worlds that grasps the bleakness more authentically, try Elizabeth Hand's Available Dark, which fictionalizes the most notorious brutalities of Norway's early-90s scene, or Generation Loss, in the long aftermath of 70s downtown NYC. Need to read John Wray's latest as well.) I think his best work comes when he allows himself to get a bit nasty; the one that always sticks with me is the swing-music entry, Victory Disc, where the emotions and the underlying crime are rawer and uglier.
That said, this was fun and a breeze to, uh, breeze through. It just didn't resonate as deeply as I know his work can. Will very probably keep reading these and maybe his pb-sleuth semi-spinoffs as well.

[Robin Duncan · Rating 4 out of 5]

It’s comforting to drop back into The Vinyl Detective literary universe after a couple of years away, and most of my favourite elements are back, and doing the business in distinctly cosy fashion. There’s a convincing enough case to follow, a decent amount of jeopardy, and sufficient nerdery of the musical, oenological, gastronomic and sartorial varieties to keep most fans happy. Even the petrol-heads get some fan service now, which I appreciate as one of that demographic in addition to the other groups.

The problem, of course, is that fan expectation and the servicing of same tends to stifle any real character development, and that is a genuine pity. The main players – our titular ‘tec, Nevada, Tinkler and Agatha – have become suitably predictable, and we must rely on the ‘guest stars’ to provide moments of genuine surprise. Still, mustn’t grumble too much, this is an enjoyable read (listen), even with a rather over-long deconstruction of events at the end. I keep my fingers crossed that the author might take us outside the series comfort zone next time, but I fear it might be too late for that now.

[Jalissa Mooney · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m so happy that the Vinyl Detective is back in another adventure. I’ve missed the team. He and Nevada are still going strong. Tinker is still a drug-obsessed, sex-crazed weirdo, but a lovable weirdo. This mystery isn’t really about a missing vinyl record but rather someone who recorded one. He may go missing, or on so called ‘adventures’ but his family wants him back and recently he’s been receiving death threats. When a friend of his is killed things get interesting and dangerous. I’m nit surprised that two of his sones are involved in wanting him dead. I mean, the man lived with three women all of which he’s had one child with. Who wouldn’t become upset and angry about that eventually? He made his son’s mothers just ‘one of three’ instead of ‘the only’. He stupidly decided he wanted everything and everyone without caring about the consequences. Of course the Vinyl Detective and his team find out the truth in time.
What I hate the most is how the Vinyl Detective comes up with a great idea for a Vinyl Record Fair and stupid Stinky, the radio host, steals it and claims all the glory, fame and publicity. He always steals from the Vinyl Detective because he’s too stupid to come up with any original ideas and he’s nowhere near as good as the Detective. I hate him so much and I hope the author has plans to make Stinky confess to stealing and loose everything.

[Elena Gaillard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A lively and relatively action-packed installment for the Vinyl Dectective and Nevada! (And Agatha and Tinkler and the kitty cats.) A new genre of music and vinyl for them to delve into, and some engagingly oddball characters for them to deal with. Some seriously risky business, and Nevada gets to bring forth her chops as a security expert.
If you've followed the series--and I started reading the series when the first book came out, and I'm still very much a fan--you still might cringe just a little at what appear to be some questionable choices made by Our Heroes. Just remember, sex and drugs and music industry hijinks are just part of their normal landscape (along with wine and food appreciation).
Needs to be said: if you're new to these books, you really do have to start with Book 1 or else you won't appreciate the full character histories--you won't know just how badass Nevada can be, just for starters.

[Kathie · Rating 4 out of 5]

In this seventh book of the Vinyl Detective series, the unnamed detective and his usual cohorts - Nevada, Agatha, Tinkler and the cats - appear again. He is asked to find, not a recording, but a missing artist, Lambert Rankin, who has been a star of electronica with an unconventional lifestyle. The story starts rather listlessly, with not much effort or success for the first chapters, but picks up momentum as the detective is drugged and then someone tries to frame him and Nevada for a murder and drug crimes. As usual, things get crazy quickly after that, with Lambert reappearing claiming his life is being threatened. The climax is a wild ride, literally, with Agatha's launching the car across the roof of a village church.

[Rob · Rating 3 out of 5]

Amusingly I've once again enjoyed an Andrew Cartmel novel whilst sat by a pool in Crete! Having assumed Cartmel was done with the vinyl detective now that he's started his paperback sleuth series, I was excited to see this one drop just as I was about to head on holiday. Another jovial outting for the detective. I enjoyed the 90s themes but found the overall plot a tad lacking and not as humerous/engaging as some of his others. Even so, it was still enjoyable and I do enjoy returning to this group of characters for the occasional light hearted murder/music caper. A positive 3* but a 3* none the less :)

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’ve enjoyed each book in the series, even if I’ve found one of the characters incredibly irritating. Fortunately he’s somewhat toned down in this and in latter books he’s really showed his worth to the group. (It’s Tinkler, obviously it’s Tinkler) I do still want to punch Stinky Stanhope though.
Found Noise Floor interesting, and the tension held well throughout the book. The threat level appeared higher for everyone involved including the catkins!

Good new characters appearing, the return of others and the possibility of a future antagonist means I’ll keep reading this series.

[Sara Tilley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Return to form after a couple of very dodgy books. Gen X 90s clubbing is the backdrop for their pseudy discussions about food, wine and rare vinyl, as well as pampered cats and shameless use of recreational drugs.
The evocative trips to the two gigs speak of someone who knows/knew the scene. But the gritty (yet not fully explained) murder jars amidst their frothy adventures and the big reveal is all too obvious.
While it runs out of steam in the last few chapters, it’s still one of the better books in the series. Not as frivolous as it pretends to be.

[Michael Dunn · Rating 2 out of 5]

A long wait for a disappointing book.
Seems like the author has run out of ideas

What's different and wrong about this latest installment?
There is no record to find, just a person.
So he's a real detective.

There is usually an artist involved and there is, but he doesn't appear in the story for a long time.
The plot isn't all that interesting.

Not enough cats in the story.

The actual perps are easy to spot.
They are so stupid that only the mystery women can be considered the mastermind.
Wondering if that's the last we've seen of her?

[Max · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book features the Vinyl Detective and his friends as they search for a retired electronic musician who has perhaps run off. The story, set in England, is told from the Detective's perspective as leads are run down. A dead body elevates the seriousness of the matter but never fear, things are eventually resolved in a satisfactory manner.

The best part of this series is the three friends, who have the best lines and personalities. The Vinyl Detective himself is not anywhere as interesting, but capably serves as the narrator.

The book is a fast and fun read, and instantly forgettable.

[Richard Jackson · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 stars. I have now read all the Vinyl Detective series and have enjoyed them all. I am hoping a new one is in the works at this time. I have to say I did not like this one as much as some of the preceding volumes. Yes, the banter was there as always which is a major plus in my opinion and Tinkler is a favorite of mine. This story didn't have as much about searching for records or about many older artists and to me wasn't in line with the rest in the series.

[Rodrigo Llamozas]

That's a 4.5 right there.

This series keeps getting better and better, but it does feel like the main characters (our vinyl detective and Nirvana, er, Nevada) are nothing but an excuse for the thrills to occur, for the story to move along, and for the side characters to appear and do or say funny (or dangerous/menacing) things.

Yet, been a fan since book one, and will continue to read any and all future publications.

Highly recommended.

[Jon Matthews · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series, one I stumbled on by sheer accident many years ago is like putting on a comfy and familiar jumper during a cold snap. The characters are like friends and the storylines are always so unbelievlably unbelievable that they almost make complete and total sense. I love these books and I love Andrew Carmels writing. I'm equally shocked and disgusted with myself that there is a spin-off series that I haven't heard of, so I'm off now to find out more! Can't wait for book 8.

[Mark Phillips · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Vinyl Detective (his name is never mentioned in the series), Nevada, Tinkler, and Agnes unravel the strange disappearance of a '90s electronic dance musician, Imperium Dart, at the behest of his three wives. Snarky humor, well-drawn quirky characters, and occasionally gripping suspense make this an excellent entry in the series. My only complaint was that this one didn't have as much of the Lovejoyesque discursions into the minutiae of record collecting as previous novels.

[Greg Trosclair · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good solid entry in the series. Does feel less original than past novels but I am always happy to fall into the Vinyl Detective world. They are always super relaxed non stressful easy reads. I wish that he would publish a soundtrack for each of his books as I feel he must have one for each genre that he has covered in the series.

[Jamie Bowen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Vinyl Detective has to delve into electronic dance music this time, to find the mysterious and enigmatic Lambert Ramkin. But Lambert doesn’t want to be found, or does he? The hunt will go from the bizarre to the dangerous.

A crazy ride for the Vinyl Detective and gang this time. Often funny and bonkers.

[James Cooke · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another rollicking adventure but with the main protagonist taking a backseat to Nevada who now seemingly runs the show and takes the initiative. Now firmly a Gang of Four this latest caper involves a missing electronic artist. Some unusual twists and turns and some amusing encounters. A good escapist read.

[Ryan Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a great addition to this hilarious mystery series. Our hero, the Vinyl Detective, has another case along with his crew, Nevada, Tinker, Agatha and cats. This time he isn't looking for a record but a missing man, a famous performer. It was great to read.