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"Another great one!" The second of the Rennie Stride mysteries, set in the turbulent summer of the Monterey Pop festival, is everything you'd want it to be, and more. Patricia Morrison is in top form in this one, presenting us with more than one murder, and a host of fascinating characters who move through the pages on their own missions (of mercy, or mayhem... who can tell!). Again, the crimes are deftly plotted, and the reveal is done just right. It's clear that Mrs. Morrison knows her stuff, as the Festival sections read like an "at the scene" report, complete with record company sharks and the musical fishies who are their prey.

Do yourself a favor and pick up this, and all the rest of Patricia Morrison's books (both the Rennie Stride, and Keltaid series'). But only if you enjoy reading amazing stories by a deft and talented writer!

"California Screamin'"
Where were you during the "Summer of Love"? Possibly at the Monterey Pop festival? Patricia Morrison's new Rennie Stride mystery takes you there in a story that is evocative of the time period and yet as fresh as today. Rennie and friends are ready to mix with the big guys of music at Monterey, but before that happens there is an "anti-festival" festival to attend and a murder to investigate. Drawing on her knowledge of music and musicians, Patricia Morrison gives the reader a privileged place where we can see what really happens and learn what the makers of the music think and feel. Rennie is a sympathetic and intriguing main character, and her friends become our... More > friends as we move through the music scene together. For anyone who lived in the day, and for all those who appreciate the music of the time, I guarantee you will be singing along to a soundtrack in your head as you read. There is so much in this book to enjoy with places one can visualize and characters that we care about, and the humor, the realistic friendships plus a great story make this a completely satisfying adventure. < Less

Patricia Morrison is an amazing storyteller and knows how to hook you into the world and keep you guessing. I got hooked on this series with the first book, Ungrateful Dead, and I've stayed hooked.

Rennie Stride is caught up in the world of rock again--fast gaining the reputation of "Murder chick." As friend and foe alike start dropping around her, it's up to Rennie to solve the crime and pin the tail on the murderer.

Ms. Morrison has that uncanny ability to weave a great story with excellent plotting and pacing. Her characters are so real--even the fictional ones--and I feel like I know them from the moment I "meet" them. I get so caught up that I can't put it down,... More > and especially with this one, I miss a lot of sleep until I know who dun it.

This is a great series of books, one that Dame Agatha Christie would enjoy reading and they certainly invoke her with the style and the writing. I truly believe Patricia Morrison will be joining her like in the annals of "classical" literature with these books.

A must have for your library!! < Less

"Welcome back, Rennie and friends"
As a college professor, I'm grateful that Patricia Morrison's "California Screamin'" was a summer release. Morrison's mix of intriguing plot and interesting characters would have cost me sleep during the school year. And it would have been worth it.

"Screamin'" brings back Rennie Stride, a woman intent on building her own life at a time when women's choices were not supposed to include Rennie's passion, journalism. But Rennie has become a rock reporter and, as this story opens, an increasingly-respected one. (Her path to that career is part of the story in Morrison's "Ungrateful Dead," which I'd also recommend.)

Rennie's had the... More > good fortune to land in an organization that recognizes her talent, with an editor willing to accept only the best she can give him. And that best is very good -- Rennie is a keen observer of the world around her and willing to dig hard to get the story right and get it first. Trouble is, Rennie is also far too good at finding herself in the middle of murder, even, as here, at the Monterey Pop Festival.

As the story starts, Rennie and friends arrive in the region early to attend Big Magic, created by people who find Monterey too commercial. Rennie's stalker, Murder, arrives about the same time, striking once at Big Magic and three more times at Monterey.

Morrison weaves the music and murder together adeptly. Rennie's rock insider status allows her to observe the collision of idealistic musicians with music business folks, both good and greedy. She sees the changing of the guard from one wave of '60s musicians, people like the Mamas and the Papas, to the harder-edged music of people like Jimi Hendrix and Janis Joplin. And by story's end, she -- and we -- see the truth of who killed each of the four victims and how their stories blend together.

Morrison, a former journalist, gives Rennie reactions that ring true to anyone who's worked in the field. For one example, forced to deal with the death of a long-time friend, Rennie forces herself into "reporter mode ... I must remember how this is, I must see everything, it's my JOB, it's the only way I can help him now..." An honest look at priorities -- get the story right and get it written, then fall apart.

You can start the series with "California Screamin';" Morrison provides enough backstory to keep things clear for you. Just be prepared -- you're likely to like Rennie and her friends very much and find yourself wanting to spend more time with them. < Less

Second installment in the Stride series by Patricia Morrison. Just as well written and engrossing as the others in the series, with more characters added and another good mystery, not dead easy to figure out. The 60s ambience remains solid and the characters are interesting and fun to read about, and of course justice is done. I do recommend this and the other two books highly. Please buy them and help to spread the word about this series. It is a worthy entry into the mystery field.