The Vinyl Detective goes punk in his fifth hilarious adventure. "Like an old 45rpm record, this book crackles with brilliance." David Quantick on Written in Dead Wax.
Semi-retired god of rock guitar and local poseur Erik Make Loud has got himself a new girlfriend. Helene Hilditch - formerly known as Howlin' Hellbitch - of all-girl punk outfit Blue Tits is a mean guitarist, someone is trying to kill her.
With a rare pressing of their first album to find, the Vinyl Detecive and Nevada are soon called into to help but this time the question is who isn't a suspect. With a trail of grudges behind her, the list of people who could want Helene dead includes her ex-bandmates, their former producer turned record label mogul, the TV presenter that Helene got fired - even their old roadie could be in on it. The only person who isn't a suspect is Delia Lispector, the Blue Tit's bass player who has already been murdered...
“Hilarious and thrilling.” — Ben Aaronovitch, author of the Rivers of London series.
"Cartmel has a gift for bringing you into his characters' world and making you want to stay there which simply makes this a joy to read." — Blue Book Balloon Review
"Cartmel is getting a great tune out of the characters... Will have you chuckling out loud." — SFBook Review
"Character is what Cartmel does well... An entertaining detective story with a slightly different vibe." — The Dreamcage Review
"An enthralling mystery with a wonderful gallery of grotesques.” Ben Aaronovitch
- “One of the most innovative concepts in crime fiction for many years. Once you are hooked into the world of the Vinyl Detective it is very difficult to leave.” Nev Fountain
PRAISE FOR THE VINYL DETECTIVE
"Like an old 45rpm record, this book crackles with brilliance.” David Quantick
“This tale of crime, cats and rock & roll unfolds with an authentic sense of the music scene then and now – and a mystery that will keep you guessing.” Stephen Gallagher
“An irresistible blend of murder, mystery and music... our protagonist seeks to find the rarest of records – and incidentally solve a murder, right a great historical injustice and, if he’s very lucky, avoid dying in the process.” Ben Aaronovitch, bestselling author of Rivers of London
“The Vinyl Detective is one of the sharpest and most original characters I’ve seen for a long time.” David Quantick, Emmy Award-winning producer of VEEP
“Crime fiction as it should be, played loud through a valve amp and Quad speakers. No digital writing here, it’s warm and rich. Every delicate pop and crackle adding character and flavour. Witty, charming and filled with exciting solos. Quite simply: groovy.” Guy Adams, critically acclaimed author of The Clown Service
"marvelously inventive and endlessly fascinating" Publishers Weekly
"This charming mystery feels as companionable as a leisurely afternoon trawling the vintage shops with a good friend." Booklist (starred review)
Andrew Cartmel is a novelist and screenwriter. His work for television includes Midsomer Murders and Torchwood, and a legendary stint as Script Editor on Doctor Who. He has also written plays for the London Fringe, toured as a stand-up comedian, and is currently co-writing with Ben Aaronovitch a series of comics based on the bestselling Rivers of London books. He lives in London.
The Vinyl Detective goes punk in his fifth hilarious adventure. "Like an old 45rpm record, this book crackles with brilliance." David Quantick on Written in Dead Wax.
Semi-retired god of rock guitar and local poseur Erik Make Loud has got himself a new girlfriend. Helene Hilditch - formerly known as Howlin' Hellbitch - of all-girl punk outfit Blue Tits is a mean guitarist, someone is trying to kill her.
With a rare pressing of their first album to find, the Vinyl Detecive and Nevada are soon called into to help but this time the question is who isn't a suspect. With a trail of grudges behind her, the list of people who could want Helene dead includes her ex-bandmates, their former producer turned record label mogul, the TV presenter that Helene got fired - even their old roadie could be in on it. The only person who isn't a suspect is Delia Lispector, the Blue Tit's bass player who has already been murdered...
Reviews
“Hilarious and thrilling.” — Ben Aaronovitch, author of the Rivers of London series.
"Cartmel has a gift for bringing you into his characters' world and making you want to stay there which simply makes this a joy to read." — Blue Book Balloon Review
"Cartmel is getting a great tune out of the characters... Will have you chuckling out loud." — SFBook Review
"Character is what Cartmel does well... An entertaining detective story with a slightly different vibe." — The Dreamcage Review
"An enthralling mystery with a wonderful gallery of grotesques.” Ben Aaronovitch
- “One of the most innovative concepts in crime fiction for many years. Once you are hooked into the world of the Vinyl Detective it is very difficult to leave.” Nev Fountain
PRAISE FOR THE VINYL DETECTIVE
"Like an old 45rpm record, this book crackles with brilliance.” David Quantick
“This tale of crime, cats and rock & roll unfolds with an authentic sense of the music scene then and now – and a mystery that will keep you guessing.” Stephen Gallagher
“An irresistible blend of murder, mystery and music... our protagonist seeks to find the rarest of records – and incidentally solve a murder, right a great historical injustice and, if he’s very lucky, avoid dying in the process.” Ben Aaronovitch, bestselling author of Rivers of London
“The Vinyl Detective is one of the sharpest and most original characters I’ve seen for a long time.” David Quantick, Emmy Award-winning producer of VEEP
“Crime fiction as it should be, played loud through a valve amp and Quad speakers. No digital writing here, it’s warm and rich. Every delicate pop and crackle adding character and flavour. Witty, charming and filled with exciting solos. Quite simply: groovy.” Guy Adams, critically acclaimed author of The Clown Service
"marvelously inventive and endlessly fascinating" Publishers Weekly
"This charming mystery feels as companionable as a leisurely afternoon trawling the vintage shops with a good friend." Booklist (starred review)
Author
Andrew Cartmel is a novelist and screenwriter. His work for television includes Midsomer Murders and Torchwood, and a legendary stint as Script Editor on Doctor Who. He has also written plays for the London Fringe, toured as a stand-up comedian, and is currently co-writing with Ben Aaronovitch a series of comics based on the bestselling Rivers of London books. He lives in London.
