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MUSIC CITY MURDERS: The Harry James Denton Series Book #1-3
Music City Murders: Harry James Denton, #1-3
WHETHER YOU CALL IT MUSIC CITY,
THE IT CITY, NASHVEGAS, OR CASHVILLE . . . . . . New York Times Notable Book author and Nashville native Steven Womack brings one of America’s most amazing cities to life in his action-packed, Edgar-award-winning Music City Murders series . Dive into the exciting, seamy, intriguing world of one of America’s most iconic cities and one of mystery’s most endearing series down-on-his-luck, ex-newspaper reporter Harry James Denton. “A deft, atmosphere-rich smart, funny, with a sense of wry heartbreak. Steven Womack’s Nashville stands out—it is a beautifully drawn backdrop”
—James Ellroy. New York Times best-selling author of L.A. Confidential "In the overcrowded field of private eye fiction, Steven Womack stands head and shoulders above most of the herd."
— Val McDermid, best-selling Scottish crime writer of the Inspector Karen Pirie series
“ Womack is right up there with Parker, Jance, and Grafton . He writes a fast-moving, humorous, well-plotted detective story. No psychology like Rendell, no agenda like Cornwell. His Nashville hero, Harry Denton, is colorful and likeable…”
—Joan Benny , Amazon Reviewer
DEAD FOLKS' BLUES (Edgar Allan Poe Award Winner)
Newly licensed P.I. Harry James Denton nearly goes broke before his first case comes in. Unfortunately, it’s the last person he wants to see, his old girlfriend and the first woman to break his heart, Rachel Fletcher. Rachel’s married now, to a rich doctor who’s a compulsive gambler and cheater. When Harry starts investigating the doctor and the doctor winds up dead, Harry’s number one with a bullet on the suspect list.
TORCH TOWN BOOGIE (Shamus Award Nominee)
Harry James Denton is looking for another case—and he gets one when the magnificent mansion across the street from his apartment is consumed in a suspicious fire. The blaze has all the scorch marks of the East Nashville Arsonist, a phantom firebug whose burning desire seems to be driving gentrifiers out of Harry's funky, rundown neighborhood. This time, though, the modus operandi includes murder.
WAY PAST DEAD (Shamus Award Nominee)
When rising country music singer Rebecca Gibson is found beaten to death, a heap of damning evidence points to her ex-husband—and Harry's pal—Slim Gibson. Harry discovers the dark history of a marriage made somewhere south of Heaven, somewhere deep in the cutthroat heart of the country music business, where deceit, betrayal, passion and vengeance are not only sung about... they're lived and died.
THE IT CITY, NASHVEGAS, OR CASHVILLE . . . . . . New York Times Notable Book author and Nashville native Steven Womack brings one of America’s most amazing cities to life in his action-packed, Edgar-award-winning Music City Murders series . Dive into the exciting, seamy, intriguing world of one of America’s most iconic cities and one of mystery’s most endearing series down-on-his-luck, ex-newspaper reporter Harry James Denton. “A deft, atmosphere-rich smart, funny, with a sense of wry heartbreak. Steven Womack’s Nashville stands out—it is a beautifully drawn backdrop”
—James Ellroy. New York Times best-selling author of L.A. Confidential "In the overcrowded field of private eye fiction, Steven Womack stands head and shoulders above most of the herd."
— Val McDermid, best-selling Scottish crime writer of the Inspector Karen Pirie series
“ Womack is right up there with Parker, Jance, and Grafton . He writes a fast-moving, humorous, well-plotted detective story. No psychology like Rendell, no agenda like Cornwell. His Nashville hero, Harry Denton, is colorful and likeable…”
—Joan Benny , Amazon Reviewer
DEAD FOLKS' BLUES (Edgar Allan Poe Award Winner)
Newly licensed P.I. Harry James Denton nearly goes broke before his first case comes in. Unfortunately, it’s the last person he wants to see, his old girlfriend and the first woman to break his heart, Rachel Fletcher. Rachel’s married now, to a rich doctor who’s a compulsive gambler and cheater. When Harry starts investigating the doctor and the doctor winds up dead, Harry’s number one with a bullet on the suspect list.
TORCH TOWN BOOGIE (Shamus Award Nominee)
Harry James Denton is looking for another case—and he gets one when the magnificent mansion across the street from his apartment is consumed in a suspicious fire. The blaze has all the scorch marks of the East Nashville Arsonist, a phantom firebug whose burning desire seems to be driving gentrifiers out of Harry's funky, rundown neighborhood. This time, though, the modus operandi includes murder.
WAY PAST DEAD (Shamus Award Nominee)
When rising country music singer Rebecca Gibson is found beaten to death, a heap of damning evidence points to her ex-husband—and Harry's pal—Slim Gibson. Harry discovers the dark history of a marriage made somewhere south of Heaven, somewhere deep in the cutthroat heart of the country music business, where deceit, betrayal, passion and vengeance are not only sung about... they're lived and died.
962 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 14, 2021
About the author
Steven Womack
33 books43 followersWith 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
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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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 15, 2023
Music City Murders series is Really Good
I'm so glad I found Steven Womack's Music City Murders books! His main character, Harry James Denton, tells each story in first person style and the action doesn't stop. The setting is Nashville, Tennessee and if you know Nashville, you can follow the Harry's movements street by street! Or you could use Google maps in street view and see the actual locations! Do yourself a favor. Read these books!
I'm so glad I found Steven Womack's Music City Murders books! His main character, Harry James Denton, tells each story in first person style and the action doesn't stop. The setting is Nashville, Tennessee and if you know Nashville, you can follow the Harry's movements street by street! Or you could use Google maps in street view and see the actual locations! Do yourself a favor. Read these books!
April 7, 2024
Great series!
Once again this is an excellent series set in my hometown! Steven Womack has written a winner! The awards are well deserved!
Once again this is an excellent series set in my hometown! Steven Womack has written a winner! The awards are well deserved!
November 15, 2022
MCM #1-3: after reading each of the three books I would change course and read something different from another author. This is my standard reading regimen.
Music City is Nashville, TN. Things I like about the series are: Nashville is a town I haven't found covered in many other mystery stories. Harry Denton, like the new crop of book detectives, is not the classic "noir" dick. He's a lovable odd ball. The three stories in this collection are each different. Oddly, the first two don't focus much on the music scene, where as, book three does.
Things I could nitpick: Book three has a web of three main crimes that Denton takes on. The resolve that Harry and his buddy endeavor for the take over of morgue is a bit far fetched and not too believable. That said, the telling is still enjoyable entertainment not that far from the ridiculous screen plays that Hollyweird puts out.
Another nitpick is Womack's continuous accounting of Denton's street driving from point A to B. Not too bad in one book story, but semi boring that it occurs too often in the pages of all three. This has to do with many authors style. Wether it's about clothes and looks of characters, food habits, use of the same vocabulary through each book, etc. It is part of their writing style and format. I get it. Just nitpicking a bit, and found this 3 book series entertaining reading.
One other comment. If you read contemporary mysteries that were written twenty or thirty years ago, things like tech, and timely events pop up that really contrast with current times. This series is from the 90's and for better or worse, it's a throw back.
Music City is Nashville, TN. Things I like about the series are: Nashville is a town I haven't found covered in many other mystery stories. Harry Denton, like the new crop of book detectives, is not the classic "noir" dick. He's a lovable odd ball. The three stories in this collection are each different. Oddly, the first two don't focus much on the music scene, where as, book three does.
Things I could nitpick: Book three has a web of three main crimes that Denton takes on. The resolve that Harry and his buddy endeavor for the take over of morgue is a bit far fetched and not too believable. That said, the telling is still enjoyable entertainment not that far from the ridiculous screen plays that Hollyweird puts out.
Another nitpick is Womack's continuous accounting of Denton's street driving from point A to B. Not too bad in one book story, but semi boring that it occurs too often in the pages of all three. This has to do with many authors style. Wether it's about clothes and looks of characters, food habits, use of the same vocabulary through each book, etc. It is part of their writing style and format. I get it. Just nitpicking a bit, and found this 3 book series entertaining reading.
One other comment. If you read contemporary mysteries that were written twenty or thirty years ago, things like tech, and timely events pop up that really contrast with current times. This series is from the 90's and for better or worse, it's a throw back.
October 30, 2022
This is my second time reading this book. I enjoyed it so much the first time i figured id try it again. This book was just as good, if not better, the second time reading it over. Our Hero is just a regular guy being put into extraordinary situations. This makes him a very loveable MC. In this, the third book of the series, he is working three cases, only one of which is for money. That one, tries to cheat him out of his pay. The other is for a friend who is unjustly jailed and the other is for his GF who is being held hostage. With so much going on, he needs a little help from his friends (to quote the Beatles ! lol) to get the jobs done. It all unfolds in an interesting and often times, in a funny way.
March 14, 2023
another s,a. bam beat ‘em and back and be a hero.
I liked Harry and crew. I was not to crazy about trying to be one of those old 40’s and 50s PIs with the sort of over the top descriptions of EVERYTHING. I was entertained. A crazy Mixed up story. Well done Cheryl W
I liked Harry and crew. I was not to crazy about trying to be one of those old 40’s and 50s PIs with the sort of over the top descriptions of EVERYTHING. I was entertained. A crazy Mixed up story. Well done Cheryl W
January 24, 2022
Great read.
June 23, 2022
Very good
Three novels in one volume. All of them have interesting characters and well written plots. Lots of twists and turns with no cliffhanger endings. A great read.
Three novels in one volume. All of them have interesting characters and well written plots. Lots of twists and turns with no cliffhanger endings. A great read.
October 10, 2022
Excellent
All three books were great, congratulations to the author. Enjoyed them all
😇CT by
Really enjoyed the three books by this author
All three books were great, congratulations to the author. Enjoyed them all
😇CT by
Really enjoyed the three books by this author
January 26, 2024
Harry had his hands full trying to solve the mysteries of who was to blame and the troubles he got into. These books are a must read for anyone who likes mystery books!!!
June 17, 2024
Music City Murders -
These were slightly sappy books but they were entertaining. In the end, while not my favorite books, I enjoyed them.
These were slightly sappy books but they were entertaining. In the end, while not my favorite books, I enjoyed them.
October 4, 2024
Good Reads
These books are cute stories that take place in Nashville Tennessee. It’s interesting to see how the stories process and the changes in Nashville too. Great, easy, reads.
These books are cute stories that take place in Nashville Tennessee. It’s interesting to see how the stories process and the changes in Nashville too. Great, easy, reads.
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews