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Mike Travis #2
Ruby Tuesday
Former LAPD detective Mike Travis returns in a novel of sex, drugs, rock and roll—and murder—from the award-winning author of Roadhouse Blues.
The mystery has fascinated the music industry since 1977—the year when some tapes went missing from the Stone Blossoms’ final recording session for one of the most anticipated rock albums of all time. The band’s charismatic leader committed suicide on the same day.
Retired cop Mike Travis learns about the puzzling history in the worst way possible. After sailing from Catalina to his family’s old beach house in Kona, Hawaii, he discovers there’s been a bloodbath. Five victims have been murdered, including his childhood friend’s wife and a former Stone Blossoms guitarist, Danny Webb. And when his friend is suspected of going on a jealous rampage, it’s up to Travis to prove his innocence.
Turns out Webb was involved in a multi-million-dollar deal—providing he could produce the lost tapes. Travis knows just how toxic greed can be, but even he’s not prepared for the violence to come . . . and just how close to home it will hit.
“A fast-paced look at the dark side of music and greed. I couldn’t put it down.” —Brad Freeman, K-Hawaii Radio
“The climax is fast-paced, just how a detective needs to work when he finally puts it all together.” —Rapport magazine
The mystery has fascinated the music industry since 1977—the year when some tapes went missing from the Stone Blossoms’ final recording session for one of the most anticipated rock albums of all time. The band’s charismatic leader committed suicide on the same day.
Retired cop Mike Travis learns about the puzzling history in the worst way possible. After sailing from Catalina to his family’s old beach house in Kona, Hawaii, he discovers there’s been a bloodbath. Five victims have been murdered, including his childhood friend’s wife and a former Stone Blossoms guitarist, Danny Webb. And when his friend is suspected of going on a jealous rampage, it’s up to Travis to prove his innocence.
Turns out Webb was involved in a multi-million-dollar deal—providing he could produce the lost tapes. Travis knows just how toxic greed can be, but even he’s not prepared for the violence to come . . . and just how close to home it will hit.
“A fast-paced look at the dark side of music and greed. I couldn’t put it down.” —Brad Freeman, K-Hawaii Radio
“The climax is fast-paced, just how a detective needs to work when he finally puts it all together.” —Rapport magazine
270 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 19, 2001
11 people are currently reading
23 people want to read
About the author
Baron R. Birtcher
10 books181 followersBaron R. Birtcher spent a number of years as a professional musician, guitarist, singer and songwriter and founded an independent record label.
His first two hardboiled mystery novels, Roadhouse Blues and Ruby Tuesday were Los Angeles Times and IMBA Best-Sellers.
Angels Fall, the third installment in the critically-acclaimed Mike Travis series, was nominated for the 2009 Left Coast Crime Award (the “Lefty”) for Best Law Enforcement/ Police Procedural novel of the year.
Rain Dogs is Mr. Birtcher’s first stand-alone novel, and a Claymore Award finalist.
He has also had the honor of serving as a judge for both the Edgar and the Shamus Awards.
Baron currently divides his time between Kona, Hawaii and Portland, Oregon.
His first two hardboiled mystery novels, Roadhouse Blues and Ruby Tuesday were Los Angeles Times and IMBA Best-Sellers.
Angels Fall, the third installment in the critically-acclaimed Mike Travis series, was nominated for the 2009 Left Coast Crime Award (the “Lefty”) for Best Law Enforcement/ Police Procedural novel of the year.
Rain Dogs is Mr. Birtcher’s first stand-alone novel, and a Claymore Award finalist.
He has also had the honor of serving as a judge for both the Edgar and the Shamus Awards.
Baron currently divides his time between Kona, Hawaii and Portland, Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews
May 17, 2025
Mike Travis is looking forward to some downtime at his home in Kona, Hawai'i. What he doesn't expect to find is a trashed house and a musician squatting there. Well, not actually squatting. He does have permission from Mike's brother who failed to clear it with Mike.
Mike orders the guy to clear out, and he does, sort of. Before he can say aloha, Mike is embroiled in multiple murders, complicated relationships and the care of a teenaged girl. It's a taut, compelling and complex mystery that kept me turning the page until the end.
I'm glad this is a series and there are more Mike Travis adventures.
Mike orders the guy to clear out, and he does, sort of. Before he can say aloha, Mike is embroiled in multiple murders, complicated relationships and the care of a teenaged girl. It's a taut, compelling and complex mystery that kept me turning the page until the end.
I'm glad this is a series and there are more Mike Travis adventures.
October 19, 2018
This 2nd book is even better than the first. Rock n roll and Hawaii.
October 21, 2024
More like 3 1/2 stars. Another man of incredible talents and all the women jump in bed with him, even some that shouldn’t.
July 24, 2025
A really fine read!
Good characters, lots of twists and turns,and an all round amazing plot!! Anyone who enjoys a great mystery will definitely enjoy this book!!
Good characters, lots of twists and turns,and an all round amazing plot!! Anyone who enjoys a great mystery will definitely enjoy this book!!
Read
July 30, 2011Read this because it was set on the Big Island, and I tend to read any fiction set here. But I might have set it aside if it was set anywhere else. Like the title, the story is vaguely involved with old rock songs and romantic regret. Mike Travis is a haole ex-cop who comes back to his childhood home with vague plans to set up a charter boat business. He's a tough, hard-drinking guy who is accompanied by a couple of
other tough guys, one an ex army seal. Because in stories like this trouble follows the narrator, a murder occurs the day after his arrival. It seems to the local police that a hard drinking (as in alcoholic) local friend of Mike's is the guilty party, but Mike isn't so sure it doesn't relate to a long-defunct rock band. Rich hotels, seedy bars, a femme fatale. Not great, but might get you through the night.
other tough guys, one an ex army seal. Because in stories like this trouble follows the narrator, a murder occurs the day after his arrival. It seems to the local police that a hard drinking (as in alcoholic) local friend of Mike's is the guilty party, but Mike isn't so sure it doesn't relate to a long-defunct rock band. Rich hotels, seedy bars, a femme fatale. Not great, but might get you through the night.
May 12, 2015
I was anxious to read the 2nd Mike Travis mystery since I live in Kailua Kona, HI.
In this book Mike Travis an a retired Los Angeles detective sails his boat with several friends into the Kailua Kona harbor and drops anchor. He is planning on staying in Kona and going to Honaunau to check out the house he and his brother were left by their father when he died.
The home becomes the site of 5 killings, one an old friend he dated when he was a teenager visiting there.
The book becomes an intriguing police investigation into the reasons for the killings and the back story leading back to the rock n roll roots of some of the victims. He is trying to clear the husband of his old girl friend while finding the real killers.
Great book and interesting twists and turns. Love my hometown locale.
In this book Mike Travis an a retired Los Angeles detective sails his boat with several friends into the Kailua Kona harbor and drops anchor. He is planning on staying in Kona and going to Honaunau to check out the house he and his brother were left by their father when he died.
The home becomes the site of 5 killings, one an old friend he dated when he was a teenager visiting there.
The book becomes an intriguing police investigation into the reasons for the killings and the back story leading back to the rock n roll roots of some of the victims. He is trying to clear the husband of his old girl friend while finding the real killers.
Great book and interesting twists and turns. Love my hometown locale.
Want to read
November 24, 200711/23/07 rec via amazon used books
Displaying 1 - 7 of 7 reviews