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Notorious in Nashville
The old and new collide in Nashville. A crooked developer, Tommy Kahn, plans to demolish a historic building, the Eagles Nest, and build yet another sleek, new tower. At The Bluebird Cafe, where so many music careers have been launched, a washed-up drunk named Notorious interrupts Willow Goodheart’s performance, accusing her of stealing his song. Truth-teller Caleb Hunter, determined to shine a light on the corruption in New Nashville, is murdered, his body dragged from the river.
Jordan Mayfair finds herself immersed in it all when she comes to “Music City” with Alex, her travel-writer uncle, and learns that her daughter Holly, who works for Tommy Kahn, might be in danger…
Jordan Mayfair finds herself immersed in it all when she comes to “Music City” with Alex, her travel-writer uncle, and learns that her daughter Holly, who works for Tommy Kahn, might be in danger…
288 pages, Kindle Edition
Published October 25, 2023
9 people are currently reading
19 people want to read
About the author
Phyllis Gobbell
17 books23 followersPhyllis Gobbell's new novel, Prodigal, is Southern fiction, due for release November 2024. Her fourth Jordan Mayfair mystery is now available -Notorious in Nashville (2023)! Award-winner Treachery in Tuscany (2018) is third in the Jordan Mayfair Mystery Series that began with Pursuit in Provence (2015) and continued with Secrets and Shamrocks (2016). She also co-authored two true-crime books based on high-profile murders in Nashville: An Unfinished Canvas with Mike Glasgow (Berkley, 2007) and A Season of Darkness with Doug Jones (Berkley, 2010). She was interviewed on Discovery ID's "Deadly Sins," discussing the murder case in An Unfinished Canvas. Her narrative, "Lost Innocence," was published in the anthology, Masters of True Crime (Prometheus, 2012) and is now available as an audiobook. She has received awards in both fiction and nonfiction, including a Silver Falchion Award for Best Cozy Mystery and Tennessee's Individual Artist Literary Award. She was associate professor of English at Nashville State Community College, where she taught writing and literature.
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Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews
February 26, 2024
Notorious in Nashville is the fourth book in the Jordan Mayfair mystery series by Phyllis Gobbell, so some backstory and characters from the past are featured in this one. Nevertheless, the author did a good job of filling in the relevant details, and I had no problem enjoying this story without having read the previous novels.
The first-person narrator and protagonist is widowed architect Jordan Mayfair, mother of five. Although she mentions the other four grown children, her oldest daughter, Holly, is the only one who makes an appearance in this book. Jordan is visiting Nashville with her travel writer uncle, Alex, who came to town for a book launch. His travel guide is somewhat controversial as he laments the disappearance of the character of "Old Nashville" in favor of the sterile, tourist trap, big-money "New Nashville."
Jordan and Alex stay with Jordan's old friend and sorority sister, Aurora, who gets Jordan involved in a preservation advocacy group that is trying to save an old building called the Eagles Nest by having it designated a historic landmark. Unfortunately, the new owner, wealthy developer Tommy Kahn, has plans to bulldoze the structure to make way for a new high-rise. And Jordan's daughter, Holly, works for Tommy Kahn.
Holly has become increasingly disillusioned with her boss and has discovered evidence of PPP fraud in his business. She has decided to resign, but first, she shares confidential company documents with a reporter, Caleb, who is doing an expose on Tommy's fraudulent dealings.
And then Caleb is murdered. Holly feels responsible.
And Tommy knows what she has done.
A subplot in this murder mystery involves the country music industry. Aurora's niece, Willow, is an aspiring singer/songwriter, and in the opening scene, she's singing in a club when a drunk has-been country singer accuses her of stealing his song. We learn his stage name is Notorious. Not only does Notorious become a murder suspect, but he has a deeper connection to Aurora than anyone realized.
The author did a great job of depicting the Nashville setting: the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Good story, good writing, recommended.
The first-person narrator and protagonist is widowed architect Jordan Mayfair, mother of five. Although she mentions the other four grown children, her oldest daughter, Holly, is the only one who makes an appearance in this book. Jordan is visiting Nashville with her travel writer uncle, Alex, who came to town for a book launch. His travel guide is somewhat controversial as he laments the disappearance of the character of "Old Nashville" in favor of the sterile, tourist trap, big-money "New Nashville."
Jordan and Alex stay with Jordan's old friend and sorority sister, Aurora, who gets Jordan involved in a preservation advocacy group that is trying to save an old building called the Eagles Nest by having it designated a historic landmark. Unfortunately, the new owner, wealthy developer Tommy Kahn, has plans to bulldoze the structure to make way for a new high-rise. And Jordan's daughter, Holly, works for Tommy Kahn.
Holly has become increasingly disillusioned with her boss and has discovered evidence of PPP fraud in his business. She has decided to resign, but first, she shares confidential company documents with a reporter, Caleb, who is doing an expose on Tommy's fraudulent dealings.
And then Caleb is murdered. Holly feels responsible.
And Tommy knows what she has done.
A subplot in this murder mystery involves the country music industry. Aurora's niece, Willow, is an aspiring singer/songwriter, and in the opening scene, she's singing in a club when a drunk has-been country singer accuses her of stealing his song. We learn his stage name is Notorious. Not only does Notorious become a murder suspect, but he has a deeper connection to Aurora than anyone realized.
The author did a great job of depicting the Nashville setting: the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Good story, good writing, recommended.
July 23, 2024
A new author for me & although this is the fourth book in the Jordan Mayfair Mystery Series, it can be read as a standalone. After all, I did. I know very little about Nashville the place, other than the historic sites & music background that I have picked up from TV, this book went some way to fill that void.
Jordan Mayfair is accompanying her uncle Alex to Nashville, where he is promoting his latest travel book. His book has ruffled some feathers as he reveals how the new Nashville is growing to the detriment of the old. Tommy Kahn is a wealthy developer who wants to demolish the historic Eagles Nest, where music legends performed & a campaign is afoot to have it declared a significant landmark. He is not someone you should cross as Jordan’s daughter, Holly, discovers. She works for him & finds evidence of fraud, joining forces with a local journalist, Caleb. When Caleb’s body is washed up in the river, the story really takes off. Add in a drink-fuelled country singer & another aspiring one, & the plot thickens.
It took me time to understand the setting of this book, only because I had very little previous knowledge, & I think that had an impact on my initial reading enjoyment. The characters are well drawn & the story kept me turning the pages, wondering where we would go next. Recommended & I’ll certainly go back & read the earlier books in the series; when my tbr allows.
Jordan Mayfair is accompanying her uncle Alex to Nashville, where he is promoting his latest travel book. His book has ruffled some feathers as he reveals how the new Nashville is growing to the detriment of the old. Tommy Kahn is a wealthy developer who wants to demolish the historic Eagles Nest, where music legends performed & a campaign is afoot to have it declared a significant landmark. He is not someone you should cross as Jordan’s daughter, Holly, discovers. She works for him & finds evidence of fraud, joining forces with a local journalist, Caleb. When Caleb’s body is washed up in the river, the story really takes off. Add in a drink-fuelled country singer & another aspiring one, & the plot thickens.
It took me time to understand the setting of this book, only because I had very little previous knowledge, & I think that had an impact on my initial reading enjoyment. The characters are well drawn & the story kept me turning the pages, wondering where we would go next. Recommended & I’ll certainly go back & read the earlier books in the series; when my tbr allows.
October 26, 2023
Readers will find a lot to love with this sparkling new entry in Phyllis Gobbell’s popular Jordan Mayfair mystery series. Set in Nashville, as in previous books the story features Savannah architect Jordan Mayfair and her beloved uncle Alex. This time around, Jordan and Alex are in Music City, USA, where Alex is promoting his latest travel book, Rise of the New Nashville. Not everyone is happy with his view of the city sometimes known as Nash Vegas, with its sparkling new buildings and “tall, skinny” houses built in place of historic buildings that are being bulldozed to make way for big money. Add to that the chaos that is now downtown Nashville, with its boisterous party wagons and bars gone out of control in the name of tourist dollars. Mischief, music, and murder are served up in generous proportions as duplicitous investors and determined preservationists face-off against one another in a fight to the end. Vastly entertaining, Notorious in Nashville takes a close look at the heritage and future of a popular city as seen through the eyes of a Nashville insider. Gobbell’s fine writing makes these pages sing while offering a peek behind the glitz and glamor of this quickly changing town, where old friendships are not what they seem, betrayals are exposed, and the music plays on.
September 2, 2024
In addition to the mystery, suspense and characters, the setting stands out in this one. The sights and feel of Nashville jumped off the page as I read it. It looks like it is part of a series, but it is the only one I have read. Any pertinent information from previous books is provided and I had no trouble following the plot.
There are two storylines that interweave throughout the story and I waffled back and forth whether they were linked. I’ll admit I was sure I knew what was up and couldn’t have been more wrong.
I liked how the setting was such an integral part of the story. I so often finish a mystery or thriller and can’t name where it took place. The old and new Nashville, it’s heritage, landmarks and the music were front and center. While it’s been a time since I visited, it all felt very authentic.
I liked Jordan and her strong will. She comes across as competent even though she is an amateur sleuth. Her bond with her daughter and her willingness to do anything to protect her give her a strong motive to get to the bottom of things.
I was engaged from the start and wanted to keep reading to find out what happened.
If you are looking for a book with a rich setting along with suspense and mystery, you should give this one a try.
There are two storylines that interweave throughout the story and I waffled back and forth whether they were linked. I’ll admit I was sure I knew what was up and couldn’t have been more wrong.
I liked how the setting was such an integral part of the story. I so often finish a mystery or thriller and can’t name where it took place. The old and new Nashville, it’s heritage, landmarks and the music were front and center. While it’s been a time since I visited, it all felt very authentic.
I liked Jordan and her strong will. She comes across as competent even though she is an amateur sleuth. Her bond with her daughter and her willingness to do anything to protect her give her a strong motive to get to the bottom of things.
I was engaged from the start and wanted to keep reading to find out what happened.
If you are looking for a book with a rich setting along with suspense and mystery, you should give this one a try.
November 18, 2024
As a former resident of Nashville, I absolutely loved Notorious in Nashville by Phyllis Gobble! The book is a captivating exploration of the city’s colorful and intriguing history, with fascinating anecdotes about its past. I especially appreciated the mention of historical landmarks and familiar spots—those small details brought the story to life in a way only someone who knows Nashville could fully appreciate.
One of the most enjoyable aspects was Gobble’s comparison of old Nashville to the modern-day city. As someone who witnessed the transformation of Music City firsthand, it was fun to see how the city’s rich history and cultural shifts were woven into the narrative. The book is not just a journey through Nashville’s past, but also a reflection on how the city has evolved over time.
Gobble’s writing is engaging and well-researched, and the way she blends history and Nashville’s unique character makes this book a must-read for anyone who loves the city or is curious about its fascinating history. Highly recommend!
June 10, 2024
I only know about Nashville through media, but Gobbell made me feel like I was stepping right into its hot, sunny, music filled streets. The history and tension of old versus new just flows right off the page. Jordan is an excellent character, and I love how deeply she feels things, and what a caring mom she is, even though her kids are all grown. Her family and friends that surround her in this story have plenty of depth as well, and I can't say I'd be shocked to find any of them walking around the streets of Nashville. It's clear from the writing that Gobbell is very familiar with the city, and the landmark locations in it. There's just a sense of authority that emanates from the page. I was intrigued by the mystery, but the kidnapping is what really got my heart racing. If you enjoy cozy mysteries, I highly recommend this one!
October 25, 2023
Captures all the good and some of the bad stuff that happens in Music City, USA. Jordan continues to grow as an investigator, uncovering corruption in the fast-moving real estate development business. Gobbell shines at capturing the tone and grit of Nashville's rhinestone-strewn streets.
January 25, 2024
Another enjoyable read in the Jordan Mayfair series.
April 8, 2025
This book was very enjoyable to read! I live just outside Nashville and know most of the places mentioned in the book.
Displaying 1 - 9 of 9 reviews