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Jimmy O'Brien Mystery #4
Detour to Murder (A Film Noir Mystery)
The semi-nude body of a woman is found in a two-bit Hollywood motel, a telephone cord wrapped around her throat; face frozen in a grimace of horror. Al Roberts confessed and has spent the last 29 years in prison.
Jimmy O'Brien, defense attorney to the dregs of the criminal world digs into the past, igniting a powder-keg that threatens to expose long-held secrets buried and forgotten with Roberts' confession. Secrets that could destroy the underground aristocracy that for years has held power in Los Angeles, city of broken dreams. Jimmy's ordeal takes him from the bleakness of Roberts' prison cell to the seedy streets of Hollywood, frantically searching to find out who took this DETOUR TO MURDER.
Jimmy O'Brien, defense attorney to the dregs of the criminal world digs into the past, igniting a powder-keg that threatens to expose long-held secrets buried and forgotten with Roberts' confession. Secrets that could destroy the underground aristocracy that for years has held power in Los Angeles, city of broken dreams. Jimmy's ordeal takes him from the bleakness of Roberts' prison cell to the seedy streets of Hollywood, frantically searching to find out who took this DETOUR TO MURDER.
- GenresMystery
301 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
20 people are currently reading
65 people want to read
About the author
Jeff Sherratt
10 books12 followersJeff Sherratt is the author of the acclaimed Jimmy O'Brien mystery series. His newest book, DETOUR TO MURDER (2010), is published by ZOVA Books and is the first in the Jimmy O'Brien film noir mystery series.
Jimmy O'Brien's latest exploits are chronicled in EXPECTATION TO MURDER (2010), an exclusive e-book released on July 5, 2010.
Soon after its release, his first novel, THE BRIMSTONE MURDERS (2008) became the bestselling book of all time for Echelon Press. The second, GUILTY OR ELSE (2009) was nominated for the Left Coast Crime Panik Award. Jeff has written nonfiction articles for corporate newsletters and his short stores have been published in H2O Magazine and the anthology, THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT. He is a past board member of Sisters in Crime/LA, and currently a member of Mystery Writers of America.
Jeff has been a speaker at many book events including libraries, various California prisons, and he was the guest speaker at the prestigious Southern California Writers Conference.
He is currently working on his fourth Jimmy O'Brien novel, CYANIDE PERFUME. Jeff lives in Newport Beach, California with his wife, Judy.
Jimmy O'Brien's latest exploits are chronicled in EXPECTATION TO MURDER (2010), an exclusive e-book released on July 5, 2010.
Soon after its release, his first novel, THE BRIMSTONE MURDERS (2008) became the bestselling book of all time for Echelon Press. The second, GUILTY OR ELSE (2009) was nominated for the Left Coast Crime Panik Award. Jeff has written nonfiction articles for corporate newsletters and his short stores have been published in H2O Magazine and the anthology, THE HEAT OF THE MOMENT. He is a past board member of Sisters in Crime/LA, and currently a member of Mystery Writers of America.
Jeff has been a speaker at many book events including libraries, various California prisons, and he was the guest speaker at the prestigious Southern California Writers Conference.
He is currently working on his fourth Jimmy O'Brien novel, CYANIDE PERFUME. Jeff lives in Newport Beach, California with his wife, Judy.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
February 27, 2024
Gosh Almighty
This is one good book. It has everything you need to get excited and it keeps you excited. I truly enjoyed this mixer mystery.
This is one good book. It has everything you need to get excited and it keeps you excited. I truly enjoyed this mixer mystery.
February 4, 2011
If you like noir mystery, or if you don't know if you like noir mystery, you must read Detour to Murder, by Jeff Sherratt. Heck, if you just like mysteries, read this book.
The book picks up where the movie Detour, a film noir classic, leaves off. In the movie, a man named Al Roberts follows the woman he loves to Hollywood after she jilts him to seek a movie career. Two people die along the way, and Roberts is ultimately arrested for murder.
When the novel begins, Roberts has been incarcerated for thirty years and is up for parole. Attorney Jimmy O'Brien is appointed to represent Roberts at his parole hearing. It should be easy, right? The inmate just has to say how sorry he is and the board will consider parole. Of course, they could deny it, but Jimmy's job would be done either way. And how hard can it be to say you're sorry when you confessed to the murder thirty years prior? But now Roberts is denying it all. And O'Brien's job just got a lot more complicated.
The story takes you through the tangled lives of Hollywood stars and politicians, while more bodies pile up and even O'Brien's life is at risk. It would help if Jimmy O'Brien knew when to keep his mouth shut, but then he wouldn't be Jimmy.
My favorite thing about Detour to Murder is the trip into old Hollywood from the 40's through the 70's. It puts you right in the mix of it all, with all its glamour and deceit. In addition, the characters are interesting, the plot is fun, and the twists keep cropping up. And even if you do figure out "whodunit," I bet you won't know why until the very end.
The book picks up where the movie Detour, a film noir classic, leaves off. In the movie, a man named Al Roberts follows the woman he loves to Hollywood after she jilts him to seek a movie career. Two people die along the way, and Roberts is ultimately arrested for murder.
When the novel begins, Roberts has been incarcerated for thirty years and is up for parole. Attorney Jimmy O'Brien is appointed to represent Roberts at his parole hearing. It should be easy, right? The inmate just has to say how sorry he is and the board will consider parole. Of course, they could deny it, but Jimmy's job would be done either way. And how hard can it be to say you're sorry when you confessed to the murder thirty years prior? But now Roberts is denying it all. And O'Brien's job just got a lot more complicated.
The story takes you through the tangled lives of Hollywood stars and politicians, while more bodies pile up and even O'Brien's life is at risk. It would help if Jimmy O'Brien knew when to keep his mouth shut, but then he wouldn't be Jimmy.
My favorite thing about Detour to Murder is the trip into old Hollywood from the 40's through the 70's. It puts you right in the mix of it all, with all its glamour and deceit. In addition, the characters are interesting, the plot is fun, and the twists keep cropping up. And even if you do figure out "whodunit," I bet you won't know why until the very end.
August 2, 2016
Four Stars
The author had created a great protagonist for this series. Though the third book had a great story but had me screaming in my head from the stupidity, this part of the series really made up for it. A well written story of a long 30 year mystery involving murder, betrayal, love and of course snops in high places of power. Had to keep reminding myself that the setting is 1974, so no GPS, personal computers or even cellphones (how did they survive?!!!!) and that everyone basically had a lot more trust with others than today. Nice surprise ending. Looking forward to the final book of the Jimmy O’Brien series.
The author had created a great protagonist for this series. Though the third book had a great story but had me screaming in my head from the stupidity, this part of the series really made up for it. A well written story of a long 30 year mystery involving murder, betrayal, love and of course snops in high places of power. Had to keep reminding myself that the setting is 1974, so no GPS, personal computers or even cellphones (how did they survive?!!!!) and that everyone basically had a lot more trust with others than today. Nice surprise ending. Looking forward to the final book of the Jimmy O’Brien series.
April 14, 2011
After meeting Jeff Sherratt and discovering that this story takes place in my hometown, I became enthralled with the prospect of not only the story, but if he really captured the city itself. Well.....I have read every one of his books, and I can't wait for another one. I find myself pacing around the city and the outlying ones too) in my mind, as if I was really there.
This is something many writers have forgotten how to do, and that's to get their readers actually involved in the story. My hat's off to Mr. Sherratt.....I really enjoyed these books.
This is something many writers have forgotten how to do, and that's to get their readers actually involved in the story. My hat's off to Mr. Sherratt.....I really enjoyed these books.
March 27, 2012
DETOUR TO MURDER is smoothly written and incredibly intriguing. I'm hooked on the Jimmy O'Brien series, and fell deeper in love with his cast of characters, particularly Rita and Sol. The feel of the time period is authentic, beautifully rooted in time and place. The story has enough twists and turns to keep you up at night, and Sherratt's talent weaving the tangled web is superb. I especially liked the empathy he evoked for the misunderstood accused prisoner, Al. Kudos, Mr. Sherratt! Now, on to the next book in the series!
January 15, 2011
This was a real fun book to work on. Author Jeff Sherratt changes gears with this new "film noir mystery" series. He's managed to take the plot from a very famous noir film from 1945 (Detour) and weave it into his own mystery set 30 later. Basically, watch the film then read the book which can be considered almost a sequel with a new protagonist. A protagonist that Jeff Sherratt readers love!
July 2, 2011
I am about half way through the book and I find myself wishing that I had more time to keep on reading it. I love it so far.
I have finished the book and it was a good one. I like the fact that it takes place here in Los Angeles. It kept me in suspense and I could not put it down.
I have finished the book and it was a good one. I like the fact that it takes place here in Los Angeles. It kept me in suspense and I could not put it down.
December 3, 2011
Kindle edition. It was OK. Not great or memorable, but not insipid either. Murder in the Hollywood movie era, person framed for a crime he didn't commit. I got bored several times, seemed long. But OK.
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December 18, 2012Great!
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews