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Summary: A Refreshing Blend of Mystery and Music.
Review: One of the greatest mysteries in the music world is the life and death of Robert Johnson, whose twenty plus single recordings are a major influence of the blues as well rock and roll. How did Johnson learn to play so well? Did he he indeed go to the crossroads and sell his soul to the devil. Why, when he recorded his songs, did he sit facing the wall. Are there more recordings hidden some place? Why did he die? Was he murdered? If so who did it?Into this real mystery Atkins spins a tale with his PI, musician, and Blues History professor, Nick Travers, searching for a lost collegue. Into the mix he brings intriguing charecters who are as real as the Mississippi Delta cotton fields. You can almost feel the mud squishing between your toes and heat rise of the fields. Blended in is the legend of Johnson, and the missing recordings as well as his sudden death. Also you will see the shadow of David "Honeyboy" Edwards, a frequent traveling partner of Robert Johnson. In the real world "Honeyboy" is still alive and making music. Well in to his 80's his abilities on the guitar are still remarkable. This is a well written first novel.
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Summary: Someone Goes On a Trip
Review: Some people say there are only two types of stories: A new kid comes to town and someone goes on a trip. Crossroad Blues belongs in the later class because Nick Travers travels around New Orleans and the delta in search for a missing colleague. It's not as interesting as the chase for an albino whale. But then again what is? Along the way, we readers learn lots about he history of the Blues and the mysterious disappearance of one of the blues greats, Robert Johnson. Hard core to the core, situated in a typical decaying and corrupt urban setting, Crossroad Blues takes us to the other side of the railroad tracks where men and women are rough, nihilistic, and very very tough. The author,like most hard boil authors, does at every opportunity seem to want to rub our noses in the you know what. In Hard Boiled the main character does (predictably) have relationship problems. Nick is no exception. But in his case the relationship appears stylized, artificial, and tacked on. Unfortunately, the book is not balanced in other respects. After it hit us over the head a number of times, it lets us down at the end. And most annoying are the several plot defects that surface, especially the coincidental meetings of important characters at just the right times. Poor editing is another problem: rough edges should have been caught and repaired. All in all, though, for a first novel, it's quite entertaining. In fact, not bad. Ace Atkins, shows promise, and will probably, as he matures become one of our best hard boilers.
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Summary: Atkins writes just like ringin' a bell
Review: The blues frame and color the writing rhythm Atkins falls into so beautifully in Crossroads, words sliding off the page like a drop of condensation on the side of a bottle of Dixie, or a long, low note from a solitary harp. It's a great, well-researched story populated with real characters who are as easy to read about as they are to envy. The thrills and lusts and hangovers and disappointments in Atkins' world will be so real to you that finishing the book will seem like a funeral. I cannot wait for the rebirth promised by the next one. Do yourself a favor and buy this book.
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Summary: It was excellent!!! blues, New Orleans and awesome character
Review: This book was Excellent! This is oviously an awesome writer with a great mind. It is amazing to see the supporters - james hall, Robert parker. I can't wait for the next one. It was great putting blues history with a mystery. Buy it! It is well worth it!
Rating:
Summary: Colorful characters, a different view of New Orleans
Review: Well worth the time and worthy notice in the mystery fiction world. Not your typical mystery. The author's use of language and dialect paints a vivid portrait of the Mississippit Delta and New Orleans. The mix of past and present with blues lore makes a clever plot even more intriquing.
Rating:
Summary: A Blues Mystery
Review: What would happen if there were nine unknown original recordings of Robert Johnson's work. Would there be intrique, murder, back-stabbing and plans by glitzy glossy labels to market this work. Well we know stuff would happen and probably some unsavory stuff to help someone make money. This is Ace Atkins' premise. His hero, Nick Travers follows the trail to the Delta to Greenwood where it all began or ended depending on your perspective. Atkins includes all the elements of blues - the glitzy blues club, The Real Thang in Jojo's, Elvis, a Susan Tedeschi type in Virginia Dare who dares immerse herself in the Delta to develop the real blues feel. Travers' trips to the Delta region does have the blues feel, that kind of eerie, spooky Crossroads mood. All in all a good fast read. It's not perfect. Mystery books aren't classic literature and blues ain't a Shakespeare sonnet. Both good blues and a good mystery should be accessible and entertaining. Crossroad Blues is.
Rating:
Summary: A Blues Mystery
Review: What would happen if there were nine unknown original recordings of Robert Johnson's work. Would there be intrique, murder, back-stabbing and plans by glitzy glossy labels to market this work. Well we know stuff would happen and probably some unsavory stuff to help someone make money. This is Ace Atkins' premise. His hero, Nick Travers follows the trail to the Delta to Greenwood where it all began or ended depending on your perspective. Atkins includes all the elements of blues - the glitzy blues club, The Real Thang in Jojo's, Elvis, a Susan Tedeschi type in Virginia Dare who dares immerse herself in the Delta to develop the real blues feel. Travers' trips to the Delta region does have the blues feel, that kind of eerie, spooky Crossroads mood. All in all a good fast read. It's not perfect. Mystery books aren't classic literature and blues ain't a Shakespeare sonnet. Both good blues and a good mystery should be accessible and entertaining. Crossroad Blues is.
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