The Vinyl Detective - Written in Dead Wax (Vinyl Detective 1) (Vinyl Detective Mysteries): A Vinyl Detective Mystery 1

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The Vinyl Detective's friends Erik Make Loud and Helene Hilditch are subject to murder attempts, all of which appear innocent until investigated. Since I’ve established my heroes as living in my own neighbourhood, that is generally pretty easy (the low hanging fruit principle again), but they do also go roving further afield. Literary fiction is often (but not always) passive, internalised, low on incident and very long on atmosphere and scene setting and characterisation — and crucially short on plot. The true enthusiast - the one whose obsession brings real and heartfelt happiness - is usually far from being a nerd - they are in fact some of the coolest people on the planet.

A fact which merely adds authenticity to his stories and the subject matter which the series, is based on. A book about a vinyl detective, doesn’t seem exciting, but this book is full of intrigue and action, you will fall in love with the characters within a few sentences of being introduced, and then you will be invested. As I was not only a couple of people away from the front of the queue, I decided to put this feeling to one side and carry on with the signing and I have to say, they were both on great form. I want to check-in and find out how they are getting on, what has changed in their lives, as well as what new vinyl record they are on the hunt for in this installment. You’re obviously driven to produce material that takes a dim view of pedestrian, everyday lives as many of your fictional characters are caught-up in the most extraordinary circumstances, or even leading double lives.

I would highly recommend this book (or audiobook) to anyone who enjoys a good mystery, crime, detective novel. Imagine my surprise as I started to gather my thoughts for this review I found that a 6th book is scheduled for release on 5/17/22 a day shy of my 70th birthday celebration. As with ‘Written in dead Wax’ the story begins simply with the Vinyl Detective finding a disc (well actually, his cat finds it), a rare disc, and the story begins from there.

There were several points in this story at which I thought I’d cracked it, but then there was always a new twist or turn which kept me guessing.

Although I have to say, I read this one almost on the heels of the previous one, and I feel like it was a bit too soon. There are also a set of secondary characters, who were around at the time of Valerian’s suicide, who enter the story and give clues to the whereabouts of the missing child. Popular or genre fiction by its very nature is more active, external and dramatic with a lot of plot and incident. When Tinkler decides he “needs” a copy of the final album of Black Dog (the one with the flip-back cover) to win back his ex-girlfriend, the hunt begins to find this rare and expensive album.

The Vinyl Detective series is so well written, I find myself wanted to read/listen to the next story, not just because I want to find out what the next story is about but also because, early on, I fell for these characters. Andrew has also written a couple of books under the title, The Rupert Hood Spy Thrillers, as well as several Dr Who Novels, Novellas and comic books. The Vinyl Detective makes the same comparison himself, stating that the Flare Path Orchestra was the British version.

It’s a genius move, for the record business is just like horse racing, with characters galore and enough real life craziness to inspire dozens of stories. How I got to know the London Jazz Collector is instructive and very pertinent to the whole Vinyl Detective thing. For more of my picks of the best UK Audible mystery books releasing in 2022, see my posts listed below. When they are in danger, I am worried and anxious for them, when they get a win, I am happy for them.