Gillespie Field Groove

Rolly Waters is listening to a story from his newest client, a nurse named Lucinda Rhodes. Rolly previously made Lucinda’s acquaintance when a previous case of Rolly’s nearly killed him. Lucinda recently lost her father, Gerry. Her father had left her a photograph of an unidentified man holding a guitar. Rolly’s knowledge of guitars is extensive, and he believes the guitar might be valuable. When Lucinda informs him that her father served as a roadie for Jimi Hendrix, Rolly is convinced that this guitar was meant as an inheritance for Lucinda.

Rolly knows he must tread lightly with respect to his inquiries about the guitar, as greed tends to affect people’s actions when questioned. Rolly’s questioning uncovers a deadly shooting of the man in the picture, Otis Sparks, allegedly committed by Lucinda’s father. Rolly learns that Lucinda’s father had substance abuse problems that overtook his life and the shooting may have been a consequence.

The common thread that connects Gerry Rhodes and the shooting victim is an unscrupulous record producer named Roger Sledge. Rolly had previously taught guitar to a rising rock star who had signed with Sledge. Sledge was an eyewitness to the shooting of Otis Sparks. Rolly quizzes Sledge about the guitar, and Sledge acknowledges that Rhodes gave it to him as collateral payment for a loan. Rolly mulls over this information, but certain aspects of his investigation don’t sit right. Sledge has an unsavory reputation, professionally and personally, and the shooting seemed out of character for Gerry Rhodes. The further Rolly digs into his investigation, the pall cast by organized crime elements becomes readily apparent. A lost guitar is the least of Rolly’s worries if the wrong elements learn where he’s sticking his nose.

Gillespie Field Groove: A Rolly Waters Mystery is the latest case to find Rolly Waters ensnared in a net of murder, greed, and corruption. Rolly remains a likable protagonist, a fallen star seeking redemption with every case he takes, despite carrying past guilt as an albatross. His past addictions never leave his waking thoughts, a relapse equating to the death of his soul. The mysteries he works to unravel are as vital to his existence as is his music. Author Corey Lynn Fayman has written an identifiable protagonist/hero in Rolly; his imperfections are identifiable, but his work is righteous. His quest for atonement is admirable. The plot never loses steam as Rolly deftly attempts to solve the latest enigma. An excellent novel that highlights Fayman’s continued excellence.