Travellin' Shoes

RJ Franklin Mystery #1

by V.M. Burns

A house fire is extinguished to reveal the body of a choir director. The smell of gasoline points to murder.

Thomas Warrendale was employed by First Baptist Church, where Detective RJ Franklin Jr. is a parishioner. Recovering from a car accident, RJ is on leave from the police force in St. Joseph, Indiana, when this puzzling case calls him back. His insider's knowledge makes him the obvious choice to lead the investigation.

The congregation doubled after Warrendale revamped the music to appeal to a more youthful crowd. RJ's godmother, Mama B, gives the detective an earful about the choir director's non-musical activities. Warrendale was also an accountant and a "fancy pants" seducer. His clients believe the man was stealing from them. Warrendale turns out to be an alias; his real name was Tyrone Warren, once a highly paid CPA in Cleveland. Was Warren in hiding? From his stone-faced wife? A disgruntled client? Now someone is breaking in to the dead choir director's office and the homes of his former clients. Believing the vandal to be the killer, RJ is particularly concerned about the safety of one client, the striking owner of two hair salons.

Genres: Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Adult

248 pages, Paperback

First published July 1, 2018

About the author

Valerie (V.M.) Burns was born in Northwestern Indiana and spent many years in
Southwestern Michigan on the Lake Michigan shoreline. She is a lover of dogs,
British historic cozies, and scones with clotted cream. After many years in the
Midwest she went in search of milder winters and currently lives in Northern Georgia with her poodles. Her debut novel, The Plot is Murder was nominated for a 2017 Agatha Award for Best First Novel. Her short story, "The Vermeer Conspiracy" was an Anthony and Edgar Award finalist in 2022. Valerie is a member of Mystery Writers of America, International Thriller Writers, Crime Writers Association, Crime Writers of Color, and Sisters in Crime. Readers can learn more by visiting her website at vmburns.com.

Contact Info: author@vmburns.com

Reviews

[Jerri Cachero · Rating 5 out of 5]

I wish I could give this book more than five stars!

RJ Franklin is my new favorite professional sleuth! Smart, kind, complex, funny, easy on the eyes and a wonderful addition to the world of cozy mysteries!

The mystery is fast-paced and the characters are so well written it's as if they could "step off the page". I enjoyed the witty dialogue between RJ and the lovely Paris - a possible suspect or love interest. I loved RJ's feisty Godmother, Mama B, who raised him and his siblings. Mama B is funny, loving, tough, plain-spoken and is a force of nature! I'd love to sit on the porch, have a glass of lemonade and visit with her!

The mystery had humor, just the right amount of romance, red herrings (love those) and I couldn't put the book down once I started reading! By the way, the recipes, included in the book, sound delicious!

I'm waiting impatiently to see what happens in the next case!

[Jane Meyers · Rating 5 out of 5]

The RJ Franklin series is off to an exciting beginning. The first book in this captivating series, set in St. Joseph, Indiana, opens with a house fire that claims the life of the new choir director at RJ’s church. The mystery escalates quickly around the true identity of the deceased, as well as which of the numerous suspects actually did the deed. Author V. M. Burns presents likeable, well-rounded characters who easily become your friends before the end of the book. RJ, a detective in St. Joseph, is out on medical leave after being involved in a horrific traffic accident. His PD colleagues beg him to return to the department in order to sort out the sordid details of this intricately plotted mystery. My favorite character, however, is the matriarchal Mama B who tames even the most unruly local gang members through her delicious home-cooked food, strong personality, and steadfast religious faith. You’re always welcome at Mama B’s. Sit a spell on the porch. Help yourself to a plate of mouthwatering soul food to enjoy while watching the drama unfold. Can RJ fit the clues together before his beloved godmother, Mama B, ends up in the clutches of a desperate killer? A strong, well written book for what I hope will be a continuing series.

[Ellen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Travellin' Shoes (RJ Franklin Mystery, #1) by V.M. Burns.

I've read 5 in this author's Mystery Bookshop series. This is the 1st in the RJ Franklin Mystery series. One of the main reasons I've enjoyed this author's books and this one is no exception is due to her characters being realistic. People and settings I could easily relate to.
RJ Franklin has gone through a rough experience in his life due to an auto accident. A child had been killed and he blamed himself for that death. So RJ was getting back to his old self or at least trying to. Then a call came into his precinct about a suspicious fire and a body found among the ashes.
That body belonged to the choirmaster at the First Baptist Church nearby. Thomas Warrendale had taken the place of the newly retired choirmaster. It appeared there were a few shortcomings in his character. RJ received a request from Pastor Hamilton for a meeting in his church office. It was then that RJ was first made aware of a substantial part of Warrendale's shortcomings.

I thoroughly enjoyed this story and found that as the characters and their relationships evolved a greater depth to the plot line deepened. Highly talented author with a smooth style of writing.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

An excellent mystery. Wonderful three dimensional characters and a complex plot. Burns has a great writing style that flows very well. I highly recommend this book.

[Jill · Rating 5 out of 5]

V.M. Burns has done it again! She has created a series with characters who are easy to root for and to like. I so love how she always keeps me guessing up until the end. I cannot wait to read book 2.

[Kelly · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read and loved all of the other books that V.M. Burns has written so far, and was intrigued by this book that has a male police detective as the main character. I was even more interested when I read that this was her thesis project. I was not disappointed! I loved the characters, especially RJ and Mama B. RJ is a police detective who is currently on leave after a car accident and while he is out running in the middle of the night comes across a house fire. He soon finds out that the victim is the choir director at his church. His captain asks him to come back from medical leave to help work on the case because of his connection to the church and his closeness to the members. I liked how the characters, the city of St. Joseph Indiana, and the church were portrayed in the story. I loved how the author weaved a tight story together and kept me guessing until the end. I can't wait to read more books in this series!

[Gabrielle David · Rating 5 out of 5]

Reversal

As much as I loved V.M. Burns’ bookshop and dog cozy mysteries, I was a bit reluctant to read Travellin’ Shoes. In my old age I have developed a marked preference for cozies and this didn’t sound like one. It’s the first in a series that draws its titles from lines of Negro spirituals and features a male police detective as the main character. It didn’t sound too cozy to me.

But it was, in an offbeat sort of way that is becoming Burns’ hallmark. The perky young woman is a secondary character instead of the heroine. There are gangs, ministers, partners, nubile young women, and a formidable godmother. Add fraud and murder and it all adds up, not to the police procedural I had half expected, but to a rather good cozy with a spin.

V.M. Burns needs to write faster.

[Annette · Rating 5 out of 5]

Traveling Shoes is an excellent first book in the new RJ Franklin Series by V M Burns. The characters are well developed and believable. The main character, RJ Franklin is an experienced cop who is haunted by a tragic accident. There is so much the author can do with this complex man, in future books. The supporting characters add so much to the plot by way of humor, sympathy as well as disgust. The mystery plot has lots of great twists and turns. Like all really great mysteries, the ending is justifiable and satisfying. V. M. Burns is a new author to watch. I have read three of her books so far and all three are well written and extremely enjoyable.

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely one of the best books I've read. The descriptions of the characters and the settings were so detailed, I felt like I was right there along with them. Wonderful characters led by the very smart, sharp RJ Franklin, a male main character. Great mystery kept me guessing till the end. Lots of suspects. Lots of twists. I couldn't put this book down and I can't wait for the next installment. So different from VM Burns' Bookshop series but equally as great!

[Kim G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

V.M. Burnes has written a lot of books this my first time reading one of her books, and I can say this was very entertaining. I loves all of the characters; they are so engaging. I got so wrapped up in the characters that I forgot about the mystery. I loves the church setting and the bible scriptures. I was surprised at how unique the plot was. Now I have to hunt for the second installment of this series.

[Sharon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Intriguing plot, real characters you'd like for your own family, and great dialogue. A fun read with great humor!

[Toni · Rating 5 out of 5]

The author is not new to me as I've read her other series. This 1st book is
a series written by the author that I'd not heard of until recently.
It is different from her other series.It is more Cop driven than cozy mystery, amature sleuth in a small village driven. I really loved this one. The description of StJoe made you feel you knew it. The characters were well developed. I liked the cop RJ Franklin. Mama B was my favorite.
Off to get book # 2. It is a very good mystery with lots of twists. Very enjoyable.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

I thoroughly enjoyed this first novel in a series that takes place in St. Joseph, Indiana. RJ Franklin is a police detective, and his latest case hits close to home. Mama B, the woman who practically raised him after his own mother died, has a murdered choir director, and RJ has to solve the case. Money has been disappearing from the church, too, and trail of changed names, marital affairs, and more make the case even more convoluted. If you love mysteries or crime novels, try this one!

[Mitzi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great reading

Loved the characters I could see all of the church ladies in the church I grew up in. Loved the recipes at the end.

[Jonny R · Rating 3 out of 5]

Fairly short and kept me turning the pages but overall didn't draw me in that much. Would probably give 3.5 stars but I rounded down as it didn't feel quite good enough to be a 4.

I don't read a lot of detective books... The last two I can think of I've read fairly recently are an Iain Banks's Complicity (which is excellent but isn't really a detective story) and then a daft one called cast iron which had all sorts of improbable stuff happening but which was quite entertaining even though it was ridiculous. This book was much more realistic than the latter but perhaps because of that didn't have as much suspense - it felt like we pretty much knew roughly what had happened for a lot of the book. I think it also fell into the trap tacking a romance on for the sake of it. Having said that it was quite refreshing to see the couple bonding (albeit in a slightly dull way) and dating rather than just diving straight into sex or falling for each other without really any obvious reason but then again it seemed slightly passionless. I found Rj's character very neutral and a bit boring and likewise a few of the other characters, some others were more interesting but slightly cliché. I found the writing style a little odd aswell - quite often there would be some dialog and then it'd switch into summary mode and say things like (not a direct quote) "then the officer turned to me and explained about blah, I then asked him to do x and we both left" I found that a little jarring at times, although I suppose it probably moved the plot along quicker.

I thought the setting was interesting - I'm a White atheist man from the UK so it was interesting to read about an African American church and the community around that written by a woman. I also liked Mama B's character - perhaps she was slightly cliché in some regards but she felt warm and real and there were some nice little family moments there.

Overall it was fairly good and I think (IIRC) it was the author's first book which was done as part of her master's thesis so I'd give another one of her books a go.

[Drebbles]

Detective RJ Franklin is on leave from the police force after a car accident and is thinking of quitting the force but when a choir director is killed in a house fire and the reverend of the church asks him to investigate, he agrees. RJ quickly discovers that the choir director was not quite what he seemed and had a secret separate life and lots of people had reasons to kill him. RJ must unravel the choir director’s tangled life to find the killer and soon as the people closest to him may be in very real danger.

“Travellin’ Shoes” is a very nicely done mystery by V.M. Burns, the first – and hopefully not the last - featuring RJ Franklin. I loved everything about this book, especially the characters. RJ is a very good cop, excellent at his job but devastated by a car accident and unsure whether he wants to continue being a cop; his partner Harley is young but willing to learn and already showing signs of being an excellent cop (he and RJ do good cop/bad cop quite well); Paris, a potential love interest for RJ, is a smart business women and brave, even with facing real danger; and Mama B – I wish there was a Mama B in my life! – who feeds everyone and has the respect of all, even gang members – what a wonderful character! These and other characters stayed with me longer after I finished reading this book - they are still with me in fact. The mystery is well done with some twists and turns and some very real suspense and feeling of danger. All nicely done by Burns.

“Travellin’ Shoes” is a nicely done mystery.

[Susan Van Kirk · Rating 4 out of 5]

V.M. Burns' Travellin' Shoes is a funny, intriguing, and terrific read. The choir director of the First Baptist Church, Thomas Warrendale, is a popular fellow, especially with the ladies. But when he dies in an arson fire, all kinds of secrets explode, and people from his past come out of the woodwork.
Detective RJ Franklin is on leave from the police department of St. Joseph, Indiana, but he is sucked back in to help with this case since he knows the community. Often his discussions include his hilarious and sharp-tongued godmother, Mama B, a pivotal character in the plot.
Soon, a series of robberies take place, events that introduce RJ to a lovely owner of two hair salons. He is sure the murders and robberies are connected.
Travellin' Shoes has a humorous and loving African American community that helps TJ along the way. The police procedure is accurate, the characters real and interesting, and the plot structure perfect. And I'm lucky that I now have two more books in this series to read.

[Priscilla Paton · Rating 4 out of 5]

Spirituals, soul food, church circle gossip, a little romance and a murder—what more could you want in a cozy? A handsome African American detective to solve the case of course. That would be “RJ” and TRAVELLIN' SHOES is the first in Burns’s RJ Franklin series. The heart of the book is the relationships among characters, and characters like Mama B, Reverend Hamilton, Sister Ella, and the lovely Paris remain grounded in their values throughout trauma. Other characters give in to sin’s temptation, and RJ, haunted by his own troubles must track down their secrets to protect the community that means so much to him.
This is a strong beginning. In future installments, I’d like to see to RJ subjected to more tension and action. He can handle it.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

When the new choir director at the First Baptist Church is found dead in the ashes of his house, investigator RJ Franklin reluctantly comes back from medical leave to help his department and his church by finding a killer. Fortunately, he has the help of his godmother, Mama B., who knows the church and its people inside out, but who is reluctant to gossip. (She'd rather matchmake for RJ and the attractive salon owner who sings in the choir.) RJ and his partner find that the dead man moved to St. Joseph, Indiana, from Cleveland, changing his name en route. It's almost as though he were being chased, but by whom? And why? Numerous break-ins and another murder follow before RJ finds the missing pieces and solves the mystery.

[Melissa Castor · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was very interesting. RJ Franklin is a detective with the St. Joe, Indiana police department. He has been on leave following an accident, but he returns to help solve the murder of the choir director at his church. Money laundering/embezzlement, secrets, affairs, and more make this an interesting read. I enjoyed seeing a book set in an urban setting and thoroughly enjoyed this first book. I look forward to seeing what's next for RJ. I hope he can forgive himself and learn to find love with Paris.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Detective RJ Franklin is recovering from an accident and is currently on leave from the police department. When a fire at the home of the choir director from a local church is put out and a mans body is found inside Detective Franklin is asked to investigate especially as it is revealed that money is missing from the church. Who wanted the choir director dead? Was he involved with the missing money? A great cast of characters, numerous suspects, and a very well written mystery will have you turning the pages! I can't wait to read more! Definitely recommend!

[Kye Campbell-fox]

I don't feel like I should rate this one because I didn't read a ton of it, but this is the first book by V.M. Burns that I haven't really liked. Her other books are all firmly cozy mysteries, but this one is a police procedural and a bit more noir. I can still feel the elements of her cozier books peeking through, but it seems like this one is trying too hard to be dark and twisty, instead of an interesting puzzle. I just couldn't get into it.

[Joanne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hope Burns writes many more mysteries featuring Detective Franklin and his highly opinionated, matchmaking "Mama B." I especially liked the integration of church and the huge network of extended family and friends that Franklin and Mama B have, as well as the setting in St. Joe, Indiana.

Kind of predictable plot, but the plot wasn't the point anyway. The characters are wonderful.

[Ed · Rating 3 out of 5]

#1 in the RJ Franklin Mystery series. 2018 series debut written by V.M. Burns about detective RJ Franklin called back from injury leave to work on the case of the murder of a flamboyant choir director.

[Donna Russell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Murder Mystery!

I loved reading Travelling' Shoes! The setting, characters, and storyline were believable and interesting. The mystery is escaped me until the end. I thoroughly enjoyed the read and will anxiously await for Book 2.

[Leah · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ms. Burns has a knack for writing likeable characters. This book was fun to read and I love that she included recipes at the end!

[Harlequin Books]

Categories
Mystery & Detective
Miniseries
An RJ Franklin Mystery

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very likeable characters in this little Baptist church. Some unlikeable gossip, though normal in small communities. Easy to follow mystery that I found very entertaining.

[Tita · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5. Rushed ending and poor editing. The story had depth and was intriguing. The characters felt real. Kept me guessing.

[Ellen Jukes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Very well written. The characters are interesting and believable. Not a very long book but I finished it in two days! It is a well crafted mystery.