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The bestselling toast of Tennessee, author Robert Jefferson Reed has made big bucks with his little book of folksy homilies like "Never Go To Bed Angry" and "Eat Your Vegetables." He should have added "Don't Commit Murder." For when Reed's wife hires P.I. Harry James Denton to catch her hubby in a tryst with a sexy secretary, Harry find the author of "Life's Little Maintenance Manual" strangled and drowned in his own hot tub... And before Harry even realizes it, he's #1 with a bullet on the list of suspects.

457 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 6, 1998

87 people are currently reading
137 people want to read

About the author

Steven Womack

32 books43 followers
With the publication of his novel, FADE UP FROM BLACK: THE RETURN OF HARRY JAMES DENTON, Steven Womack brings back his award-winning MUSIC CITY MURDERS series, featuring P.I. Harry James Denton

Womack began his first novel when he was eighteen-years-old. A short eighteen years later, he finally sold one. His first published novel, MURPHY'S FAULT, was the only debut mystery on the 1990 New York Times Notable Book List. Since then, he has published ten more novels, winning both the Edgar and Shamus Awards, as well as receiving multiple nominations for major mystery awards.

His Edgar and Shamus Award-winning Harry James Denton MUSIC CITY MURDERS series--DEAD FOLKS' BLUES, TORCH TOWN BOOGIE, WAY PAST DEAD, NOBODY'S CHAIN LAYS STRAIGHT, A MANUAL OF MURDER and DIRTY MONEY--has been republished by Spearhead Press.

A scriptwriter as well, Womack co-wrote the screenplays for PROUDHEART, which was nominated for the CableAce Award, and VOLCANO: FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN, an ABC television movie that was one of the most-watched television movies of the year.

Womack lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where for twenty-five years he anchored the screenwriting program at the Watkins Film School of Watkins College of Art. He also served five years as Chair of The Film School. When the college closed in May, 2020, he was the longest serving faculty member at the college.

A licensed pilot, Womack loves to fly and scuba dive in his spare time. Unfortunately, there hasn't been any spare time since 2001.

Visit his website at www.stevenwomack.com

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5 stars
108 (43%)
4 stars
94 (38%)
3 stars
39 (15%)
2 stars
5 (2%)
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1 (<1%)
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
276 reviews
December 21, 2022
Another amazing hit

First thing that strikes me is that for one reason or another I am reading this series out of order. To my great surprise and joy it is so well written it is easy to follow no matter the order you read it in.

Our hero is in it deep this time. Accused of killing a clients husband, and in a separate situation murdering his landlady, his pregnant girlfriend leaves him and moves across the country. How ever dose he get him self into these messes and will he be able to get out of this one?
37 reviews
October 29, 2016
I enjoyed this murder mystery book. It's a light read and I liked the main character's sarcastic sense of humor. He's a dispirited investigative reporter who stumbles onto one dead body after another. Add to that he decides to investigate the murder and gets into more trouble and bad luck. All in all a good read.
549 reviews7 followers
April 15, 2019
A Manual Of Murder

Another nail biter! Good story but Harry worries me to death! When I read I'm always thinking Oh carp Harry don't do that! But he always survives. Sure glad he has Lonnie watching his back.
333 reviews
November 18, 2021
Oh Harry, Not Again

This story leads you on a story of bad circumstances. Poor Harry, is in the wrong place, for the right reason. How he gets out of this tangle leads the reader on a merry trip.
Profile Image for AngelaGay Kinkead.
477 reviews2 followers
December 21, 2020
Predictable, but fun. Written by a Nashville local and set in the city, in the 90's. I was living in Nashville throughout that decade and I know the places and current affairs well. Just fun.
911 reviews15 followers
January 30, 2022
I just love this series. It is a roller coaster of a ride that includes murder, romance, laughs and a great cast of characters.
1,599 reviews
August 11, 2022
Another good story in the Harry Denton series. Man, that guy sure knows how to find trouble!
386 reviews4 followers
September 20, 2022
Very entertaining murder mystery. I enjoyed all the characters in this one!
69 reviews
February 26, 2024
I love this book because of the great story and because I live in Nashville! It’s cool to see the names of streets that I know as well as certain areas of town.
11 reviews1 follower
August 18, 2024
Music city murders

Always a surprise just when I think I know where its going Harry makes a wide left turn. So fun to see justice served. Keep the series going.
911 reviews15 followers
January 27, 2022
I just love this series. It is a roller coaster of a ride that includes murder, romance, laughs and a great cast of characters.
16 reviews
September 16, 2009
Womack gives Harry Denton the perfect PI voice. The book is quick paced, humorous and a light read.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews

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