A Hard Day's Death

Spike Berenger #1

by Raymond Benson

When aging rock star Peter Flame is murdered after his latest concert, Spike Berenger, the owner of Rockin' Security, uses his backstage pass to catch a killer hiding in the wings. Original.

Genres: Mystery

309 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2008

About the author

Raymond Benson is the author of approximately 40 titles. Among his works are the critically-acclaimed and New York Times best-selling serial THE BLACK STILETTO, and he was also the third--and first American--continuation author of the official James Bond 007 novels. His latest novels are HOTEL DESTINY--A GHOST NOIR, BLUES IN THE DARK, IN THE HUSH OF THE NIGHT and THE SECRETS ON CHICORY LANE.

Reviews

[David · Rating 2 out of 5]

He's not the kind of detective I'm used to. Not like Sherlock Holmes or Philip Marlowe or Miss Marple... Aside from the fact he specializes in rock 'n' roll stars, he may be more like a real-life detective. More of a procedural feel. While he acts as a rock star bodyguard when he doesn't have a detective gig, he's about 50. He has a security business with a team of people who are more of specialists than people giving him street / crime-world info (he does have a computer hacker to get info.) In the last 1/4 of the book, there is some use of guns.

It does have a number of people with possible reasons to kill the victim. And some readers may like the depiction of him as more than just a detective, with a secondary story thread about him dealing with his mother who has Alzheimer's.

It's a relatively short book and is included in the omnibus Rock 'N Roll Detective's Greatest Hits. It just didn't grab me.

[Matisse · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book was underwhelming to me. It seemed there were many parts where the author was just trying to me. The book could have more potential, but it just wasn't executed that well to me.

[Doctor Anonymous · Rating 1 out of 5]

Disappointing

Full of cliches. Not believable at all. OK for a few rock enthusiasts, I imagine. I don't recommend this book.

[Pam Masters · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Hard Day's Death is a strong 3.75 in my opinion. The first couple of chapters were slow, but once it started going, I had trouble putting the book down. The characters are almost believeable, of course I know a few were a little exaggerated-it is set in NYC with a rock 'n roll crowd.

I found it funny when I saw that this book was classified as a thriller. To me a thriller is full of blood, guts, and gore. To me this novel is along the same lines as the other books of Benson's that I read-almost James Bond in nature.

[Joe O'Connor · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very Good; Continuing character: Spike Berenger; PI for Rockin' Security, which works in the music business, is called in to help clear a young man accused of killing his famous rock star father who had joined a religious cult

[Carol · Rating 3 out of 5]

The descriptions became a bit much for me at times...but the plot was good as was the finale of the book.

[Matt Kelland · Rating 4 out of 5]

Do you like 70s & 80s rock'n'roll? Do you enjoy a good murder mystery? Then you'll like this. It's fun, pacy, well-written, and full of nods to the music.

[Darinda · Rating 3 out of 5]

The first book in the Spike Berenger series. Enjoyable mystery.

[Micky Parise · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really enjoyed this book. Excellent writing, characters and the flow of the story. Nice old fashion rock and roll references also. Recommend highly.

[Gary M. · Rating 4 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this high concept crime novel as much for the story as all the rock references.