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MUSIC CITY MURDERS: The Harry James Denton Series Book #2
Torch Town Boogie
WHEN A SHRINK SPILLS SECRETS,SOMEONE SPILLS BLOOD…"In the overcrowded field of private eye fiction, Steven Womack stands head and shoulders above most of the herd." —Val McDermidFormer reporter Harry Denton is a few repo’d cars and one murder case into his fledgling private eye career just as the East Nashville Arsonist sears his way into the headlines.The arsonist’s fiery rampage has targeted nineteen homes, with no injuries until the epic destruction of a magnificent Victorian mansion. This one claims the life of Nashville’s shrink to the stars, possessing an all-star clientele that includes Nashville’s biggest televangelist, country music royalty, and the mayor.He’s also Harry’s ex-wife’s fiancé.With two weeks till the wedding, pre-nups have been signed and wills made, leaving everything to Lanie, Harry’s ex — effectively making Lanie the prime suspect. Quickly realizing there’s nothing to do but woman up, she hires ex-hubby Harry to find the arsonist.But she doesn’t come empty-handed — she has an incendiary clue for a letter she received, mailed to former patients of the dead man, revealing that the doctor’s been dining out on their agony—spinning tales at parties that named names and spilled secrets. Not only that, the letter writer has documented the doctor’s indiscretions and the secrets and mailed them to a confidential list of a dozen of Nashville’s elite.That means twelve VIPs with a motive for murder. Clearly, it’s too juicy a case to turn down. But even so, it has its surprises, revealing Harry’s own criminal side and leading to a bizarre twist — an unguessable secret buried in the doctor’s files. Harry’s new career path—dubious as it seems — reveals a murderer with a secret so big that even when he discovers who the murderer is, he doesn’t know who the murderer is. It’s possible even the murderer doesn’t know who the murderer is.In addition to his other crimes, Harry — and his creator Steven Womack — will steal the hearts of readers who like their sleuths witty, self-effacing, and slightly Colombo-esque. But Harry’s own heart clearly belongs to Nashville, a standout in a cast of entertaining supporting players. A scenic city as corrupt and filled with characters and overblown egos as New York, Chicago, and Los Angeles, Music City provides the perfect modern noir setting for Womack’s award-winning tales.
354 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 1993
106 people are currently reading
116 people want to read
About the author
Steven Womack
32 books43 followersWith the publication of his novel, FADE UP FROM BLACK: THE RETURN OF HARRY JAMES DENTON, Steven Womack brings back his award-winning MUSIC CITY MURDERS series, featuring P.I. Harry James Denton
Womack began his first novel when he was eighteen-years-old. A short eighteen years later, he finally sold one. His first published novel, MURPHY'S FAULT, was the only debut mystery on the 1990 New York Times Notable Book List. Since then, he has published ten more novels, winning both the Edgar and Shamus Awards, as well as receiving multiple nominations for major mystery awards.
His Edgar and Shamus Award-winning Harry James Denton MUSIC CITY MURDERS series--DEAD FOLKS' BLUES, TORCH TOWN BOOGIE, WAY PAST DEAD, NOBODY'S CHAIN LAYS STRAIGHT, A MANUAL OF MURDER and DIRTY MONEY--has been republished by Spearhead Press.
A scriptwriter as well, Womack co-wrote the screenplays for PROUDHEART, which was nominated for the CableAce Award, and VOLCANO: FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN, an ABC television movie that was one of the most-watched television movies of the year.
Womack lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where for twenty-five years he anchored the screenwriting program at the Watkins Film School of Watkins College of Art. He also served five years as Chair of The Film School. When the college closed in May, 2020, he was the longest serving faculty member at the college.
A licensed pilot, Womack loves to fly and scuba dive in his spare time. Unfortunately, there hasn't been any spare time since 2001.
Visit his website at www.stevenwomack.com
Womack began his first novel when he was eighteen-years-old. A short eighteen years later, he finally sold one. His first published novel, MURPHY'S FAULT, was the only debut mystery on the 1990 New York Times Notable Book List. Since then, he has published ten more novels, winning both the Edgar and Shamus Awards, as well as receiving multiple nominations for major mystery awards.
His Edgar and Shamus Award-winning Harry James Denton MUSIC CITY MURDERS series--DEAD FOLKS' BLUES, TORCH TOWN BOOGIE, WAY PAST DEAD, NOBODY'S CHAIN LAYS STRAIGHT, A MANUAL OF MURDER and DIRTY MONEY--has been republished by Spearhead Press.
A scriptwriter as well, Womack co-wrote the screenplays for PROUDHEART, which was nominated for the CableAce Award, and VOLCANO: FIRE ON THE MOUNTAIN, an ABC television movie that was one of the most-watched television movies of the year.
Womack lives in Nashville, Tennessee, where for twenty-five years he anchored the screenwriting program at the Watkins Film School of Watkins College of Art. He also served five years as Chair of The Film School. When the college closed in May, 2020, he was the longest serving faculty member at the college.
A licensed pilot, Womack loves to fly and scuba dive in his spare time. Unfortunately, there hasn't been any spare time since 2001.
Visit his website at www.stevenwomack.com
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January 18, 2023Kindle Unlimited.
Music City Murders: Harry James Denton Series Book #2
Music City Murders: Harry James Denton Series Book #2
February 2, 2025
A couple of weeks ago I was browsing the books at the Redemption Thrift Store in Warrington, Florida. I saw a copy of Steven Womack’s 1993 Torch Town Boogie for $1. Since Womack had been on my reading list for a while, I gave the novel a chance. I enjoyed reading it, but don’t know that I’ll seek out another one.
The plot concerns Harry James Denton, a down-and-nearly-out Nashville private eye. One night he sees a decrepit mansion burn down. Inside was a Nashville shrink with an all-star clientele. It turns out the shrink was murdered and there are plenty of suspects. Denton’s investigation takes some interesting turns and most of the main characters are interesting.
The bottom line on Torch Town Boogie is that it’s a good mystery if you can stand Womack’s politics. The mystery side of the novel is well done, if not particularly inventive. But Womack cannot leave his liberal politics aside. You’ll get all of the typical villains (Republicans, Christians, yuppies, the wealthy, etc.) and heroes (immigrants, gays, dropouts, etc.). Womack isn’t subtle about his biases, though he could have made the same points more indirectly.
So, I’m ambivalent. I’d read another book in the Denton series, but it’s hardly a priority.
The plot concerns Harry James Denton, a down-and-nearly-out Nashville private eye. One night he sees a decrepit mansion burn down. Inside was a Nashville shrink with an all-star clientele. It turns out the shrink was murdered and there are plenty of suspects. Denton’s investigation takes some interesting turns and most of the main characters are interesting.
The bottom line on Torch Town Boogie is that it’s a good mystery if you can stand Womack’s politics. The mystery side of the novel is well done, if not particularly inventive. But Womack cannot leave his liberal politics aside. You’ll get all of the typical villains (Republicans, Christians, yuppies, the wealthy, etc.) and heroes (immigrants, gays, dropouts, etc.). Womack isn’t subtle about his biases, though he could have made the same points more indirectly.
So, I’m ambivalent. I’d read another book in the Denton series, but it’s hardly a priority.
March 28, 2022
Harry's not your ordinary detective.
Steven is a well read writer that knows his craft, characters, and the scenes for his novel. When a character uses the word grok for an intimate knowledge, I knew he grew up reading Robert Heinlein. His stories are believable. His facts are close enough for me.
Steven is a well read writer that knows his craft, characters, and the scenes for his novel. When a character uses the word grok for an intimate knowledge, I knew he grew up reading Robert Heinlein. His stories are believable. His facts are close enough for me.
January 20, 2021
Torch Town Boogie
Great story! I have no fingernails left but Harry really knows how to make ya sweat in more ways than one.
Great story! I have no fingernails left but Harry really knows how to make ya sweat in more ways than one.
September 17, 2021
Second in the Harry James Denton series. This one moves along a little faster. The story is good and the characters stay inline with the first novel. Definitely worth the read.
October 13, 2021
You just gotta love Harry!
I love this author and will continue to read anything he writes!
Keeps me reading past my bedtime with every book!
I love this author and will continue to read anything he writes!
Keeps me reading past my bedtime with every book!
October 20, 2021
Dynamite on fire!
This is a great story! Lots of humor blended with horrifying crime scenes and an interesting ending. Keeps your interest.
This is a great story! Lots of humor blended with horrifying crime scenes and an interesting ending. Keeps your interest.
October 25, 2021
Excellent story that was hard to put down
October 27, 2021
Twisty
The down and out PI who has morals
And messed up past is really good at
His job. Lots of twist and turns.
The down and out PI who has morals
And messed up past is really good at
His job. Lots of twist and turns.
November 3, 2021
Wow!!!
It moves, the characters are well drawn, the plot teisted and the ending is an explosive one of the first order.
It moves, the characters are well drawn, the plot teisted and the ending is an explosive one of the first order.
January 17, 2022
This is a great series. This book has it all, mystery, murder, romance, humor and it is one heck of a roller coaster ride. I loved it!
March 25, 2022
I have a new favorite PI. Harry Denton.
Steven Womack is a wonderful story teller. He brings Nashville to life. There is never a dull moment. I’m looking forward to reading the entire series
Steven Womack is a wonderful story teller. He brings Nashville to life. There is never a dull moment. I’m looking forward to reading the entire series
April 4, 2022
Like this series…private I with a little humor thrown in the mix.
April 29, 2022
Absolutely excellent. Lots of suspense.
December 21, 2022
Fun and easy
This is a really good quick and easy read. The PI seems like a good guy with required messed up past. Humor and action and twists.
This is a really good quick and easy read. The PI seems like a good guy with required messed up past. Humor and action and twists.
January 4, 2023
Welcome to a New Series
Good story. Plenty of action to keep things rolling along. Lots of potential for new stories to come. Good characters.
Good story. Plenty of action to keep things rolling along. Lots of potential for new stories to come. Good characters.
February 8, 2023
Good series
2nd book in the series. Harry Fenton is no Dev Haskell but he is certainly growing on me. Love a good series!!
2nd book in the series. Harry Fenton is no Dev Haskell but he is certainly growing on me. Love a good series!!
April 29, 2024
This was a decent read. It wasn’t quite as good as the 1st book in the series but it was enjoyable.
November 16, 2023
This is the second novel in a series by author Steven Womack. Taking place in Nashville, it follows the saga of former reporter turned private investigator Harry James Denton. He’s pretty green at this point and is still making some of the same mistakes he made in the first book, Dead Folks’ Blues. In this case, it’s not an old girlfriend that manages to pull the wool over his eyes, but his ex-wife.
Denton is still mostly handling car repossessions in his fledgling career as a private investigator. That changes when an arsonist starts to hit buildings close to him. There have been nineteen homes burned down so far, but no injuries. That all changes when a historic mansion is burned down and a local psychiatrist dies. The psychiatrist happens to be engaged to Denton’s ex-wife Lainie. He had just changed his will to leave everything to Lainie, making her the prime suspect. Not knowing what else to do, she turns to Harry. If he can find out who the serial arsonist is, that will hopefully clear Lainie.
As he digs into the doctor’s background, he learns that confidentiality was not his strong suit. When it came to the many celebrities who visited him, he would breach their confidence to discuss them at parties. Someone knew about it and sent letters to a dozen of Nashville’s elite, threatening to spill all. This means there are at least a dozen others who had the motive to see the doctor dead.
To read my full review, please go to: https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.co...
Denton is still mostly handling car repossessions in his fledgling career as a private investigator. That changes when an arsonist starts to hit buildings close to him. There have been nineteen homes burned down so far, but no injuries. That all changes when a historic mansion is burned down and a local psychiatrist dies. The psychiatrist happens to be engaged to Denton’s ex-wife Lainie. He had just changed his will to leave everything to Lainie, making her the prime suspect. Not knowing what else to do, she turns to Harry. If he can find out who the serial arsonist is, that will hopefully clear Lainie.
As he digs into the doctor’s background, he learns that confidentiality was not his strong suit. When it came to the many celebrities who visited him, he would breach their confidence to discuss them at parties. Someone knew about it and sent letters to a dozen of Nashville’s elite, threatening to spill all. This means there are at least a dozen others who had the motive to see the doctor dead.
To read my full review, please go to: https://thoughtsfromthemountaintop.co...
October 21, 2022
For some odd reason i am reading this series way out of order. To be honest, i am happy that I am. Being that I am reading it out of order, this book, for me, was more of a backstory or origin story. I may not have enjoyed this book as much had i read it first!!!! That being said, it is nice to see how this Author has grown and improved from this book to the last book in this series. The book and the Story is very good, interesting and well written. It is well worth the read
February 9, 2023
When the house across the street from Harry's apartment burns down Harry does not know where that is going to lead him or the danger that lays ahead. It is interesting to see how the relationships of the characters are developing. The city of Nashville becomes another character in the book. Fun to read about what Nashville was like back in the day.
July 7, 2009
Another Steven Womack book, quick read, good story, enjoyable local culture. The whodunit wasn't as satisfying to me as in Dead Folks Blues but this book had more drama and was set in East Nashville (where I live now) so was more interesting to me in those aspects.
January 25, 2009
As is usually the case with these murder mysteries, the writing is lowly. Functional, but predictable. I like the book, though, because it's set in Nashville, so it's fun!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews