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Burnside Series #3
Bubble Screen
A series of thefts are plaguing a local warehouse and the owner brings in Burnside to find out who's behind it. The owner, a big donor to Burnside's alma mater, USC, has an idea of who the culprit is. But theft quickly turns to murder and Burnside is plunged into an investigation where the tentacles expand well beyond a simple case of larceny.
The story leads Burnside onto the trail of people who have only one purpose in life, that being the pursuit of money. And they will do anything to acquire money and use any means necessary to keep it. And through it all, Burnside also has to come to grips with his relationship with his girlfriend Gail Pepper, and make a life altering decision about his future.
Interweaving the world of business with the world of college football, Bubble Screen is set in the heart of Los Angeles, and is the third novel in the Burnside series. It is a marvelous continuation of David Chill's first two novels, Post Pattern and Fade Route, yet this story also works exceptionally well as a standalone novel. Bubble Screen is a captivating murder mystery that combines fascinating characters, a fast moving story line, and an explosive ending that is both dramatic and unexpected.
The story leads Burnside onto the trail of people who have only one purpose in life, that being the pursuit of money. And they will do anything to acquire money and use any means necessary to keep it. And through it all, Burnside also has to come to grips with his relationship with his girlfriend Gail Pepper, and make a life altering decision about his future.
Interweaving the world of business with the world of college football, Bubble Screen is set in the heart of Los Angeles, and is the third novel in the Burnside series. It is a marvelous continuation of David Chill's first two novels, Post Pattern and Fade Route, yet this story also works exceptionally well as a standalone novel. Bubble Screen is a captivating murder mystery that combines fascinating characters, a fast moving story line, and an explosive ending that is both dramatic and unexpected.
264 pages, Kindle Edition
First published March 30, 2014
155 people are currently reading
381 people want to read
About the author
David Chill
19 books55 followersDavid Chill is a USA TODAY Bestselling Author, and has written a total of fourteen works of fiction. These include the medical suspense novel, Curse Of The Afflicted. The first thirteen books are part of the Burnside Mystery Series: Post Pattern, Fade Route, Bubble Screen, Safety Valve, Corner Blitz, Nickel Package, Double Pass, Tampa Two, Flea Flicker, Swim Move, and Hard Count.
David Chill's debut novel, Post Pattern, was an award-winning book in the Private Eye Writers of America contest for new mystery authors. The Burnside Mystery Series has received much critical acclaim over the years and has spent time on numerous bestseller lists.
Born and raised in New York City, David received his undergraduate degree from SUNY-Oswego, before moving to Los Angeles where he earned a Master's degree from the University of Southern California. He presently lives in California.
If you would like to find out when new novels are published, please sign up for David Chill's mailing list. You can do so here: http://eepurl.com/PMvlP
David Chill's debut novel, Post Pattern, was an award-winning book in the Private Eye Writers of America contest for new mystery authors. The Burnside Mystery Series has received much critical acclaim over the years and has spent time on numerous bestseller lists.
Born and raised in New York City, David received his undergraduate degree from SUNY-Oswego, before moving to Los Angeles where he earned a Master's degree from the University of Southern California. He presently lives in California.
If you would like to find out when new novels are published, please sign up for David Chill's mailing list. You can do so here: http://eepurl.com/PMvlP
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews
January 22, 2021
This is a pretty good addition to the Burnside series. I loved the setting and definitely liked this book.
September 26, 2014
The story got off to a slow start and even though the main character was developed and believable, he and all the other characters that came and went lacked any real depth or emotion. Not a single character ever came to life in the sense of bringing some passion to the story. It caused the story to be a very dry read, when there was so much potential and a plot that was itching to come to life. I gave it 3 stars for the simple reason that the story-line holds so much potential it carries the story. But what a waste of a great plot.
January 25, 2015
Easy read, fast paced mystery.
Family owned business and missing inventory gets Burnside into fights again. But in this book he's using cell phone, web. His short football carrier helps and hurts him. But one incident opens his eyes and makes his mind about Pepper. Greed, money and family dynamics.
Family owned business and missing inventory gets Burnside into fights again. But in this book he's using cell phone, web. His short football carrier helps and hurts him. But one incident opens his eyes and makes his mind about Pepper. Greed, money and family dynamics.
April 1, 2014
The 3rd book in the Burnside series is another excellent read. Bubble Screen is tightly written and features the usual crackling dialogue and rapier wit of the protagonist.
And this one has an ending that will surely be a complete surprise!
And this one has an ending that will surely be a complete surprise!
September 15, 2014
Slow start
This story offered insights into football people and the law that I hadn't considered in my own prejudices. While the solution to the mystery is not disclosed until the end, the clues are there to see where things will go in the denouement.
This story offered insights into football people and the law that I hadn't considered in my own prejudices. While the solution to the mystery is not disclosed until the end, the clues are there to see where things will go in the denouement.
September 22, 2014
Better than I expected
A bit slow going in the beginning. Not sure if I wanted to finish it but got totally caught up and enjoyed the finish.
A bit slow going in the beginning. Not sure if I wanted to finish it but got totally caught up and enjoyed the finish.
July 20, 2017
Bubble Screen Scores a TD
Burnside, a former USC football player and police detective, is hired to track down theft at a cable-installation company. Life-threatening situations ensue.
This is the third book in the Burnside series. I've read the first two, but in reverse order, and enjoyed them both very much. It's been a while since reading books 2 and 1, but book 3 seems to have upped the ante considerably. The characters are more deeply developed, and the plot is more complex.
Vague suspicions haunted me while reading as to who did what and why. Some of my suspicions we based on gut instinct (totally admissible in court, right?). Some were based on a preponderance of smoke. And some appeared after the point of revelation. All in all a satisfying read.
Highly recommended.
Burnside, a former USC football player and police detective, is hired to track down theft at a cable-installation company. Life-threatening situations ensue.
This is the third book in the Burnside series. I've read the first two, but in reverse order, and enjoyed them both very much. It's been a while since reading books 2 and 1, but book 3 seems to have upped the ante considerably. The characters are more deeply developed, and the plot is more complex.
Vague suspicions haunted me while reading as to who did what and why. Some of my suspicions we based on gut instinct (totally admissible in court, right?). Some were based on a preponderance of smoke. And some appeared after the point of revelation. All in all a satisfying read.
Highly recommended.
August 18, 2020
This is the third book in the contemporary Los Angeles area private eye with just one name, Burnside. This series takes on a football theme with the book titles because Burnside is a former college football player for USC. He is now in his 40s and after a13 year stint with the LAPD, he has turned to private investigations as his new career. In this story, Burnside is juggling three investigates. The main case is employee theft at a cable TV installation company with investigations into potential NCAA recruiting violations and home HVAC installation fraud. Having three cases at the same time does make it seem more realistic. But at times the realism doesn’t hold-up as solutions seem at times to fall into Burnsides lap as opposed to following a trail of clues.
January 16, 2021
Fast paced whodunnit with a great SoCal ending
The story is a whodunnit with a quickly moving story one. the character development is started early and provides the reader with a good understanding of the players quickly. Following the twists is easy enough with one or two little curve balls to keep you guessing. The conclusion of the story stretches over three story lines and ends in a heart warming SoCal fashion. I recommend this book to those that like Robert B Parker types novels.
The story is a whodunnit with a quickly moving story one. the character development is started early and provides the reader with a good understanding of the players quickly. Following the twists is easy enough with one or two little curve balls to keep you guessing. The conclusion of the story stretches over three story lines and ends in a heart warming SoCal fashion. I recommend this book to those that like Robert B Parker types novels.
September 2, 2023
There's absolutely nothing wrong with this Burnside detective novel. It's what's missing that disappointed me. The PI narrator seems too much of a role model, by which I mean he lacks flaws and quirkiness. This made for a very serious and unsurprising series of events. The excitement ticked up in the last two chapters. However, the last chapter heavily relies on the reader's interest in college football. All in all, I would not rule out reading another Burnside novel, but this one didn't win me as a diehard fan.
November 20, 2024
Burnside has 3 irons in the fire on this one. Billy The Fixer is conning people out of thousands with a fake HVAC installation scheme and one of the victims wants him found. A major cable installation company is having units go missing and no one can discover why. The university, SC, wants to know who is trying to illegally sign their star athlete. That is a lot of ball to juggle at the same time, but there is plenty of action to go with it. All while he and his girlfriend Gail try to manage a long term relationship
February 10, 2021
Burnside is hired by one of the most dysfunctional families in writing. He is hired by the father when their equipment begins disappearing. Shortly thereafter the father is murdered. The investigation leads to the theft, more embezzlement and, of course, murder. Burnside continues wisecracking and fighting his way through confrontations. This is fast and easy reading. Thanks to the author and publisher for an e-galley for an honest review.
October 7, 2024
It had potential, but failed to deliver. The story started slow, and while PI Burnside was believable, all characters lacked depth and emotion. The plot was predictable, with a clear ending midpoint through the book. Some parts were enjoyable, but overall, it was a dry, unengaging read. The characters felt like cardboard cutouts, making it hard to invest in their stories. A disappointing read that failed to capitalize on its promising plot.
April 2, 2020
WAAY TOO MUCH FOOT BALL TALK. BUT THE MESSAGE TO YOUNG ROOKIE PLAYERS WERE SPOT ON. I THINK SOME OF THESE YOUNG PLAYERS COULD USE A GOOD TALKING TO. THIS REALLY SHOWED YOU CAN’T JUDGE A FAMILY BY WHAT THEY SHOW TO THE PUBLIC, IT PROVED ALL THAT GLITTERS. I WAS SURPRISED BY THE ENDING IT ALL WRAPPED UP JUST RIGHT. ;D
September 26, 2017
4*
This series is generally enjoyable and no exceptions here. Good characters, nice mystery. Answers aren't given away. 4 star. .
This series is generally enjoyable and no exceptions here. Good characters, nice mystery. Answers aren't given away. 4 star. .
November 4, 2017
Big commercial for SCU football. I don't like SCU or football.
February 15, 2019
This is an entertaining series. It keeps the reader involved.
March 31, 2019
Good book
You people should just read this novel yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourselves and I really enjoyed reading this novel very much so. Shelley Ma
You people should just read this novel yourselves and write your own review on this novel yourselves and I really enjoyed reading this novel very much so. Shelley Ma
April 17, 2019
This was a good 3 book series to read. Certainly not Michael Connelly but a good read.
September 12, 2019
I like the Burnside Series--they are easy to read and have good plots. I rate this a 4.9
November 22, 2020
he starts on a cast to investigate a case of thefts in a warehouse. takes him to Las Vegas and back.
enjoyed
enjoyed
August 31, 2025
Loved it!
Another great book by David Chill. Good plot, faced paced the whole way through. They just keep getting better. Can’t wait to read his next one.
Another great book by David Chill. Good plot, faced paced the whole way through. They just keep getting better. Can’t wait to read his next one.
March 21, 2017
This seemed like three stories in one book that all had surprise endings. Good character development and good dialogue. Now I guess I'll have to read Burnside #1 and #2...
September 2, 2015
Another solid entry in this series.
Burnside – I wish the author would give him a first name – is hired to investigate thefts at a cable installation company. He uncovers a whole lot more, including embezzlement and murder. At the same time, he’s also trying to help a woman get back the money she lost to a con artist.
Burnside is a realistic character. He does his best to be an ethical and moral man and sometimes has doubts about what he’s doing and why. He also has a touch of Robert B. Parker’s Spenser in that he’s always one step ahead of the bad guys in a physical confrontation.
Chill’s writing is smooth and flows well, although there were a few places in this book where what should have been one sentence was broken into two, giving them a ‘choppy’ feel.
The next book in the series is already on my ‘To Read’ list.
Burnside – I wish the author would give him a first name – is hired to investigate thefts at a cable installation company. He uncovers a whole lot more, including embezzlement and murder. At the same time, he’s also trying to help a woman get back the money she lost to a con artist.
Burnside is a realistic character. He does his best to be an ethical and moral man and sometimes has doubts about what he’s doing and why. He also has a touch of Robert B. Parker’s Spenser in that he’s always one step ahead of the bad guys in a physical confrontation.
Chill’s writing is smooth and flows well, although there were a few places in this book where what should have been one sentence was broken into two, giving them a ‘choppy’ feel.
The next book in the series is already on my ‘To Read’ list.
July 9, 2015
Hidden Play
Miles Larson and Clara, owners of Malco hired Burnside, a former football star, to find the employee stealing from their company. Miles and Clara Larson were important people at USC and donated money lavishly to the university.
While investigating the theft, Miles was murdered and now Burnside was investigating two cases. What was Miles doing with a football recruiting agent? AIds that get him killed?
Suspense filled mystery that keeps you turning the pages for more.
Miles Larson and Clara, owners of Malco hired Burnside, a former football star, to find the employee stealing from their company. Miles and Clara Larson were important people at USC and donated money lavishly to the university.
While investigating the theft, Miles was murdered and now Burnside was investigating two cases. What was Miles doing with a football recruiting agent? AIds that get him killed?
Suspense filled mystery that keeps you turning the pages for more.
November 4, 2016
I enjoyed the book very much. Burnside is a fun character and David Chill is an author that keeps the reader guessing. Also Chill likes to put additional mysteries into the main story as well as interesting events in the personal lives of the main characters. Only a couple language blips, but I look forward to more mysteries in this series.
October 6, 2014
Held my interest all the way through.
Tends to deal with all problems and violence clean cut, methodical, logical, A to Z in a little to clean cut, uncomplicated almost to good to be true manor.
I still like his style and use of language
Tends to deal with all problems and violence clean cut, methodical, logical, A to Z in a little to clean cut, uncomplicated almost to good to be true manor.
I still like his style and use of language
May 30, 2015
Football fans would probably enjoy some aspects of this story more than a non-sports fan like me, but any mystery fan would like the mystery. The bad guys were one-dimensional--all greed and evil. I like even villains to be a little more rounded.
October 1, 2014
Harmless Read. That is how I would sum up my opinion.
October 19, 2014
very good
Displaying 1 - 30 of 35 reviews