Rhythm and Clues: The Record Shop Mysteries
Cozy Mystery
3rd in Series
Setting – Texas
Publisher : St. Martin’s Paperbacks (March 26, 2024)
Mass Market Paperback : 304 pages
ISBN-10 : 1250860121
ISBN-13 : 978-1250860125
Kindle ASIN : B0C1X6K51F
The rhythm is gonna get you.
It’s been five whole months since the last murder in Cedar River, Texas, and Juni Jessup and her sisters Tansy and Maggie have been humming along when disaster strikes again.
Their struggling vinyl records shop/coffee nook, Sip & Spin Records, is under pressure from predatory investors, though the Jessup sisters aren’t ready to face the music and admit defeat. But the night after their meeting, the sketchy financier is killed outside their shop during a torrential Texas thunderstorm that washes out all the roads in and out of town. Now the sisters find themselves trapped in Cedar River with a killer, and Juni is determined to solve the case.
When the river spits out an unexpected surprise, Detective Beau Russell asks for Juni’s help, never predicting her investigation will spin her into danger. Up until now, the Jessup sisters have been playing it by ear, but with the whole town watching, can they catch a killer before he strikes again?
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Like many new small businesses Sip & Spin Records is struggling but the Jessup sisters are not ready to give up. An investor has approached them but Juni remembers Zachary Fjord from college. She wasn’t impressed then and isn’t impressed now. Following a “meeting” at a hockey game, Juni is positive she wants nothing to do with his offer.
Then a huge thunderstorm hits the small town of Cedar River knocking out the power. Tansy and Juni go to check on their shop and its resident cat, Daffy. They found the rising water from the sidewalk seeping under the door and a very scared kitty. After finding something to block the water and getting Daffy into his carrier they are about to leave when they hear a crash. A car traveling down Main Street had crashed into Tansy’s car. When they reach the vehicle they find Zach Fjord dead and not from the accident.
Now with all the roads in and out of town washed away by the storm, the sisters realize they are trapped in Cedar River with a murderer. Juni is ready to make the killer face the music on her own but is surprised when Detective Beau Russell asks for her help. Can they apprehend the killer? Or will Juni be their next victim?
I love that the Jessup sisters each bring their own strengths to the business. According to Juni, Tansy is the oldest and “the responsible one”. Maggie is “the organized one” and the “numbers person”. Juni is “the baby” and a “hot mess”. I disagree with Juni about herself. She is a former IT tech and has found her place in the business along with becoming quite the amateur sleuth. She is also in a romantic triangle with her ex Detective Beau Russell and BFF Teddy Garza. I enjoy the way these characters continue to develop. Their interactions feel true to life and genuine.
Ms. Blacke has penned a very entertaining and well-plotted mystery. I enjoyed Juni’s determination and her ability to question her theories and follow each clue and twist. The final twist was a complete surprise to everyone and the reveal was marvelous.
I really like the record store theme and the Jessup history of the building and the business. It was cool that piece of that history has now returned to the Sip & Spin. I love the themed coffee drinks, the karaoke nights, and Juni’s vintage denim and concert t-shirts, like my faves, the Backstreet Boys! The Jessup sisters have a lot of great ideas and I hope their business continues to grow.
Rhythm and Clues features a clever mystery, a cool theme, engaging characters, and a little bit of romance, all set in a small Texas town. I enjoyed my visit to Cedar River and my time with the wonderful Jessup sisters.
Your Escape Into A Good Book Travel Agent
About the Author
Find her on Facebook (AuthorOliviaBlacke), Twitter (@OliviaBlacke), and Instagram (@OliviaBlackeAuthor)
Check out her website: OliviaBlacke.com
Sign up for her Newsletter
Also written by Olivia Blacke
Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”
Love the Sip and Spin Record Shop and the three Sisters who run the shop. So fun.