Book Review: California Screamin’: Murder at Monterey Pop

Books Reviews

By June L. Jul 3, 2009, 11:34 GMT

Summers and outdoor music are a natural combination. Most likely this pairing was first practiced in celebration of plentiful food and weather that wouldn’t kill you, and later became an entertainment. It doesn’t matter how it began, but that in rather the same ancient spirit of freedom the 1960’s rock and roll concerts moved to outside venues that have since become legendary. One of these events the Monterey Pop Festival, is the backdrop for Patricia Morrison’s new Rennie Stride mystery, California Screamin’: Murder at Monterey Pop. It is the summer of 1967, the “Summer of Love” and seems as if the whole world is gearing up for Monterey focusing attention on what it will mean to music and the changing culture. Rennie Stride, twenty-something music critic and reporter is already slated to cover the scene, where her good friend Prax and band Evenor among other Bay Area bands will play in the company of the big guys, Jefferson Airplane, the Mamas and the Papas, the Byrds, to name a few. But before Monterey can take place, there is an anti-event organized, a music festival called “Big Magic” with its own group of performers and problems. These two musical happenings mean the possibility of big money and fame to some, and sell-out and discredit to others. There are those who are serious artists, who hope to be discovered for the value of their performance and there are those who simply hope to get rich. And there is murder. To reveal too much of the plot here is to spoil discovery for the reader!Patricia Morrison a retired rock critic and editor, uses her unique perspective and knowledge of music and musicians to bring to life a vibrant cast of characters and tell a very good story. We believe that Rennie and her friends have lives outside the pages of the book, and we are just dropping in to share their current adventure. California Screamin’ is slightly darker in tone than the first book in the series Ungrateful Dead: Murder at the Fillmore, but it feels like a natural progression. Rennie is maturing in both professional capacity and as a young adult increasingly aware of the false personas and public masks of some performers and businessmen. Though the action is in the 1960’s it feels as fresh as today, and without the stereotypes one might expect from a book set in that time period. California Screamin’ can be read independently of the first book, as a stand alone story, but why deny yourself the pleasure of meeting these characters and becoming a part of their world from the beginning. This is the second volume in the Rock and Roll Murders series and will have fans enthralled. If you don’t know this series, you certainly can read this independent of the first book, but why deny yourself the pleasure of meeting Rennie and her friends and of learning what is behind her move to San Francisco and her exciting job as a music reporter.

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Journey Home by Paul BurkeJul 7th, 2009 - 14:46:23

If this is the type of book that intrigues you - I suggest you take a look at 'Journey Home' by Paul Burke - not only is it a great story but there is action a plenty and a few twists to boot - Google 'Journey Home Burke' - the author maintains several web sites and posts a weekly blog on music, book reviews and advocacy for the environment.

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Book Review: California Screamin’: Murder at Monterey Pop

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