Devil's Red Nickel

C. J. Floyd #2

by Robert Greer

When a beautiful woman hires CJ Floyd to look into the death of her famed DJ father, CJ soon discovers that the death of "Daddy Doo-Wop" is part of a bigger story, one that reaches back to Chicago in the fifties when the Mob called the tune. From payola to paychecks, from the dirtiest of deals to some old tapes that still might be worth gold, CJ stumbles into a world where a great melody can lead to a deadly refrain, and where someone has a murderous hit parade of his own.

Genres: Mystery

368 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 1997

About the author

Robert Greer, author of the CJ Floyd mystery series, lives in Denver, where he is a practicing surgical pathologist, research scientist, and Professor of Pathology and Medicine at the University of Colorado Health Sciences Center. He also edits the High Plains Literary Review, reviews books for National Public Radio, and raises Black Baldy cattle on his ranch near Steamboat Springs, Colorado.

Series:
* C. J. Floyd

Reviews

[Monica **can't read fast enough** · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5

I think that Greer is going to be on my favorite authors list. This was an excellent read and I am so looking forward to making my way through the entire series. If you are a looking for a good story featuring a bail bondsman with a knack for solving crimes, a complicated past, an interesting cast of secondary characters, all wrapped in engaging writing I highly recommend picking up this series.
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[Byron Washington · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wasn't sure I'd enjoy a book about rough hewn black cowboy, bail bondsman, from Colorado, that solved crimes. Pleased to say that I enjoyed the first two books of the series immensely. C.J. Floyd is a character with some heft. I'll definitely return to finish the other books in the series and I highly recommend Robert Greer's works.

[Bill Kelly · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mostly atmosphere. Bail Bondsman C. J. Floyd investigates the murder of a 1950s Rhythm & Blues impresario who managed to make everyone an enemy and therefore left a slew of suspects for Floyd to pursue. He is hired by a woman, presumably to find the killer, but who may have other motives and is a suspect herself. Floyd and a partner drive around Colorado and fly to Chicago to investigate the possibilities. Organized crime low-lifes, music industry figures, crooked politicos and a sex change doctor all come under scrutiny and basically Floyd uncovers nothing that will help him solve the crime. He has repeated attempts made on his life and in the end, the murderer (who has never been a suspect) forces the solution upon him. Interesting at times, but Floyd seems too inept and passive too often and is clearly overmatched as an investigator. Not convincing and the perpetrator comes out of the blue.

[Chris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, a lot more than the first novel. I enjoyed the characters, the importance of culture and race in the mystery, as well as the western/mystery mix. I want to read the rest of the novels, something about them reminds me about my dad.

[Nancy · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second in the series. I read the first one a long time ago, after I heard the author speak. The book takes place in Denver's black neighborhood of Five Points. C.J.Floyd is a bail bondsman but a beautiful woman hires him to find out who killed her father, a famous old R&B disc jockey. She says her friend told her he is good at finding people as part of his real job. That is the basic plot and Goodreads gives a good summary of the story.
CJ checks into the stories of the people who hated her dad, or had something to gain by his death, with the help of an old WY friend. They are shot at, run off the road, and intimidated, but do not give up. I think the ending was a cheat because the reader is not given all the information to be able to guess who the killer is, but I still enjoyed the book.

[Nan · Rating 3 out of 5]

I loved all the local references, the minor hoodlums, the very recognizable mayor, the parades, the transsexuals, the semis hauling cattle and pigs, the R&B DJs, the fight over light rail. BUT would I read it if it weren't all Denver and Colorado? I don't know. The hometown appeal is very strong, but I'm not sure it would translate to another audience. I never did connect with CJ. Too complicated a character, too much unnecessary bakstory? I dunno. I'll have to read more.

[Mike Gowan · Rating 3 out of 5]

An early book in the series, but Greer is showing potential. His books are kind of like comfort food to a mystery addict. A plus is that it is set in Denver, so the location is familiar. And I can even recognize places where he's fictionalized an actual institution. E.g Smalley Jr High for Smiley.