Lewis Sinclair and the Gentlemen Cowboys

Lew Sinclair, the protagonist of Fick's winning debut, and his band, the Gentlemen Cowboys, have high hopes for FallsFest, "one of the biggest country-music festivals in the world," some distance from St. Paul, Minn. In particular, Lew is looking forward to adding his handprints to the festival's StarWalk. Then Lew's lady love, Ann-Dee Phillips, dumps him the day before the festival, and he has to bear the pain and carry on. Adding insult to injury, Archie Grant, the band's oily business manager, has weaseled a singing slot at FallsFest for Ann-Dee right after Lew and the band play. The full extent of the betrayal becomes known with Archie's onstage proposal to Ann-Dee in front of thousands. When Archie's body is found face down in the wet cement of StarWalk, Lew is the number one suspect. With the help of the Gentlemen Cowboys and FallsFest's staff, Lew discovers that neither Ann-Dee nor Archie was a paragon of virtue, and past misdeeds may be the motive for multiple murders. This country music mystery hits all the right notes. Readers will hope to hear more from the cowboy crooner and his band. (Apr.)

Fick's rollicking debut follows Lewis Sinclair and the Gentlemen Cowboys, a country music band on their way to becoming country music stars. Right before their most important gig, the FallFest music festival, Lew's girlfriend Ann-Dee breaks up with him. Lew is devastated. Then, Lew's devious and recently fired manager, Archie, proposes to Ann-Dee in front of 40,000 festival fans. Later that night, Archie is found murdered. His body has been wrapped in a sheet, and his head is face-down in hardened cement. Lew is the prime suspect. Intent on proving his innocence, he teams up with the rest of the Gentlemen Cowboys, the festival's founders, and two fans to try to solve the murder. Veteran narrator Jeremy Arthur does an excellent job reading the voices and providing well-rounded and entertaining characterizations; especially pleasing is the lilting brogue of Irish drummer Finbar Mitchell. VERDICT Patrons looking for thrilling mysteries that include love, jealousy, and betrayal set against a music-festival backdrop will enjoy. Suggest to fans of Dolly Parton and James Patterson's Run, Rose, Run and Peggy O'Neal Peden's Your Killin' Heart.--Ilka Gordon