Killer Tune

by Dreda Say Mitchell

A fifteen-year-old boy firebombs a building as he listens to Vivaldi's Winter Concerto splicing behind a red hot R 'n' B track. A veteran musician is found dead in an alley with the pulse of an old time reggae classic playing in his pocket. Rap sensation Lord Tribulation discovers his new found stardom threatened when he finds himself in the middle of both incidents.His music is accused of inciting the firebombing, and the dead musician is his father. With the beat of the media and government blasting down his neck, LT's search for the truth about his father's death takes him back to an old flame, and on a retro trail to 1976. A time when music was politics and politics was music. A time when the heat-drenched streets of Notting Hill burst into open rebellion. A time that, as LT gets closer to the truth, could lead straight to his own murder . . .An exciting, must-read, atmosphere-drenched novel set against the world of rap and East London.

Genres: Fiction

416 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2007

About the author

Her Majesty, The Queen appointed Dreda an MBE in her 2020 New Year’s Honours’ List. Dreda scooped the CWA’s John Creasey Dagger in 2004, the first time a Black British author has received this honour. Dreda and Ryan write across the crime and mystery genre – psychological thrillers, gritty gangland crime and fast-paced action books Spare Room, their first psychological thriller was a #1 UK and US Amazon Bestseller. Dreda is one of twelve acclaimed and bestselling international female writers contributing to a new Miss Marple anthology. Dreda is a passionate campaigner and speaker on social issues and the arts. She has been a frequent guest on television and radio including BBC Breakfast,, Celebrity Pointless and Celebrity Eggheads, The Stephen Nolan Show, Front Row and Woman’s Hour. She has presented Radio 4’s flagship books programme, Open Book. Dreda was named one of Britain’s 50 Remarkable Women by Lady Geek in association with Nokia. She was the 2011 chair of the Theakston Harrogate Crime Fiction Festival. Dreda was born and raised in the East End of London where she continues to live. Dreda’s family are from the beautiful Caribbean island of Grenada and her name is pronounced with a long ‘ee’ sound in the middle.

Reviews

[Karen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I picked up this book in a library sale when I was away from home and in need of another novel to read. Despite the culture being something I was not familiar with (London's black music scene) I was drawn into the story by the author's wonderful characterisation and amazing attention to (musical) detail. I loved her musical metaphors. It is not genre specific - it could be labelled a crime novel but not a police procedural. It also provides a glimpse into police/black relations in 1970s London. Above all, it is a study in human nature and the potential repercussions of youthful misdeeds in later life.

[Ann Tonks · Rating 4 out of 5]

It took me a while to get into this book but once I'd found the rhythm (and yes, that is a sort of accidental pun given the context of the story), I really enjoyed it. I haven't read many books set in London with a man of colour as the lead and that, along with music as a framework and race as an issue, made it an interesting mystery.

[Hannah Gaywood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A rare gem

A wonderful thought provoking read! A captivating tale of prejudices, and personal relationships, richly entwined with a twist of history of and present day! Well worth a binge read!

[Borghild · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn't able to finish this book, but only because I didn't have time, so I can't judge the whole book. But I liked the start of the book. The writing style was entertaining and easy to follow, with some original aspects.

[Helen Turnock · Rating 2 out of 5]

Quite a good idea for a book, and not badly executed, but not really my sort of crime type book. Also the writer is a brexiteer.

[Tvermar · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really good page turner with a classic soundtrack

[Christine Ann · Rating 1 out of 5]

I love dreda say Mitchell but I really could not get into this book all the music references didn’t mean a thing and it baffled me and made me loose interest

[Any Length · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was a bit long, and went extensively into the past and back to the present. I wasn't really that interested in the plight of the blacks in the 70s in the UK, but the book made it interesting enough to follow the story.
What I particularly likes were that all ducks were in a row in the end and the best jacket had been found. We all thought of the wrong type of jacket in the beginning.
Other little things turned out nice, too. A long book, but worth reading.