Heather’s Bookshelf: Murder at Music Hall
Author: AJ Ullman
Released: 01/01/24
Genre: Adult Murder Mystery
“North heard the pain in Relda’s intonation. He understood. Even though Billy was not a nice guy, he still was her son. And the cry in her voice echoed the pain of life’s inequity that the downtrodden and the forgotten of society have endured for millennia.”
“Murder at Music Hall: A True North Murder Mystery” introduces retired homicide detective Trueman “True” North as he takes on an unusual case in 1976. Not only has the case already been closed, but the circumstances surrounding the murder were quite violent.
True was hired by St. John Skidmore, an extremely rich and powerful man who wants to know the truth about what happened to his murdered son. Stoddard was a 28-year-old working as a timpanist for the Cincinnati Symphony Orchestra when he was murdered. True delves into interviewing Stoddard’s family, friends, and coworkers. He even investigates the elder Skidmores and their business partners/rivals.
True soon finds that not everyone in town wants him to re-open the case. People try to buy him off, threaten him, seduce him, and trick him. But True’s committed and determined to find the truth. Besides, if he doesn’t find the real killer, an innocent man will remain in jail. His investigation leads him to uncover some terrible secrets involving the Skidmores. Soon his view of what’s right and wrong changes as the realities around him smack him in the face. Will True be able to find the truth while also finding a solution that will allow him to sleep at night?
Trigger Warning: violence, murder, racist language, sexual situations, adult language, rape, sexual assault with drugging
Overall, I enjoyed this book. Though listed as a murder mystery, it reads a bit more like a police procedural as it follows the main protagonist along his investigation. The story is told through his POV which reveals insights into his personal opinions and dilemmas. Interactions between True and his girlfriend, Gail, provided great insight outside of the role of investigator. True has some tragedy in his background that provides explanation for his instincts. However, it’s the depths of some absolutely terrible people and their actions that set the darker undertones of the tale. The author does a nice job of building up to the eventual solution of who killed Stoddard Skidmore. There’s several theories and possibilities leading up to the revelation but ultimately the reader is reliant on True to divulge the truth and how he figures it out. The ending wraps everything up and answers all mysteries while also leaving open the possibility of True investigating future cases.
I received a copy of this story in exchange of a fair and honest review.
OVERALL REVIEW:
A murder mystery written in the style of a police procedural that reveals some pretty terrible events. A question of what is right and wrong underscores the whole tale.
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