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Congressman Robert Shapply is no saint. A former music insider who fleeced his clients for millions, he now leads the crusade against offensive and violent rap lyrics. When he is attacked and murdered in front of his Adams Morgan home , the list of suspects—from former clients to current headliners—is endless.
But the killer might be closer to home: Police arrest Shapply's son and charge him with murder.
For music journalist Mick Sever, covering this case is personal. Mick, a former client of the congressman and best friend of the accused killer, knows the case isn't quite as simple as it appears. He believes his friend's claims of innocence and sets out to prove them. With the help of his ex-wife and an old friend, Mick must penetrate the bizarre Shapply family—the icy matriarch, Alicia, the disturbed daughter, Amber and the minister brother-in-law—to find the truth.
From Washington, D.C. to Sarasota, Florida and Barbados, rock and roll journalist Mick Sever follows the leads, trying to prove the innocence of his former childhood friend. Threatened by unknown assailants and dangers at every turn, Mick becomes the hunted as the killer turns the tables in a stunning climax.
Available on CD, Cassette, and MP3 from Blackstone Audio.
And now available on Kindle for $2.99!
MAKE THE DRINK!
BARBADOS HEAT
1 oz. coconut rum
1 oz. wild apple vodka
1 oz. cranberry juice
dash Goldschlager
shake with ice,
strain into tall glass
 Read the prologue.
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"Hot off the presses, BARBADOS HEAT delivers exactly that...heat.
Whether it be the heat Chilli D feels from the law, the passion of
a man on a mission, or love illicit Bruns's read won't let you down.
It's a good look at another of the voices of rock 'n roll as seen
through the eyes of Sever and the pen of Bruns."
—Jay Waggoner, Deadly Pleasures Mystery Magazine
"When sitting down to a great meal logic would say to eat slowly, savor
every bite, make the enjoyment last. Unfortunately I tend to be more like a
little kid with dessert and eat quickly, and then sit wanting more. I
mention this because this is similar to reading the latest Don Bruns book.
BARBADOS HEAT is wonderful and I wanted to make it last. I wanted to savor
it. But I just couldn't. I read fast, like a reader starved for adventure through words. Bruns writes with an
inviting style that makes you want to come in and stay a while. His
characters are quickly old friends.
This is a wonderful book and full of some very great moments. It reads
smooth and easy, almost like good music playing on a summer afternoon. I
would recommend to any fan of the mystery genre."
—Jon Jordan, MysteryOne
"BARBADOS HEAT is a strong and well-told story. It is full of twists and turns that hold the reader's curiosity level on high. The book flows very smoothly, making it an easy read. There's plenty of action and the pace is quick." Read the full review...
—Dennis Collins, MyShelf.com
"The second Sever novel is an angst-filled journey through politics and the music business, a twin vortex of the rich, the talented, and those who will stop at nothing to realize their dreams of fame and influence."
—Booklist
"BARBADOS HEAT is an incredibly fast-paced tale. Its complex plot would suffer in lesser hands. Bruns, however, is a master at keeping things moving, rendering the difficult easily understandable. This book will put Bruns's name on the 'A' List of many readers, and deservedly so. Highly recommended." Read the full review...
—BookReporter.com
"Strong points are Mr. Bruns' descriptions of location, especially the
Caribbean. Clearly, Mr. Bruns knows rock and roll and a central theme is
the potential for censorship in the music world. There are several possible
suspects in this case. The action is non-stop and the reader keeps pace
with the chase to solve the case."
—Murder on the Beach, Florida (where both BARBADOS HEAT and Jamaica Blue are bestsellers!)
"Page by page BARBADOS HEAT gathers speed. Tick tock. And just when you think you've got the characters and their relationships sorted out, even with the missing bits of action, the train roars around a sharp curve and carries you off in a new direction. Author Bruns is evolving a fresh and breathless style of pell-mell writing... Tick tock. When's the next one due?"
—Carl Brookins, Reviewing the Evidence
"Don Bruns's second Mick Sever novel is as well-written as its predecessor, JAMAICA BLUE. Both novels move to a Caribbean beat. The author is a musician and advertising executive who has spent a lot of time in the Caribbean—and it shows. BARBADOS HEAT is a fast-paced, enjoyable novel, with a fascinating background and colorful characters."
—Meg Chittenden, author of More Than You Know
"This extremely fast-paced story melds music and politics into a lethal mixture. The action is nearly constant, and the story is laid out very well. An interesting twist gives the ending a little extra punch. If you're looking for a page-turner, you've found it."
—Deborah Hern, Romance Reader's Connection
"The who-done-it is a solid puzzler that is filled with numerous viable suspects with motives. Fans of a different rap will enjoy BARBADOS HEAT, a solid detective tale." Read the full review...
—The Best Reviews
"BARBADOS HEAT contains plenty of action, along with a host of suspects.... an absorbing and well-written thriller."
—I Love a Mystery Newsletter
"This book is a fast paced, definite page-turner. Don Bruns does an excellent job of portraying his characters with vivid details. The reader is drawn in from the beginning and kept there throughout the book. Be prepared for a surprise ending. Buy this book. You will be glad you did!" Read the full review...
—Mysteries Galore
"Don Bruns' second book, BARBADOS HEAT, is another winner. Quickly read, it's a page-turner, full of suspense and fast-paced action..." Read the full review...
—Book Loons
"Bruns does a phenomenal job of explaining the music industry and its controversial nature...."
—Reviewing the Evidence
"Don Bruns packs a lot into a 302 page story. It takes several different directions with the plot, suspects, and possibilities; then brings us back to almost a movie type ending.... Overall BARBADOS HEAT is a nice read for mystery and music lovers alike."
—Murder and Mayhem Bookclub
Number seven bestseller on the Independent Booksellers Association (IMBA) list
One of January Magazine's Crime Fiction Report Picks
Nominated for the Ohioana Book Award sponsored by the Ohioana Library Association
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