Books
The Esmeralda Goodbye
A rookie police officer uncovers murder, meanness and mayhem when he tangles with the rich and famous guests of a 1950s seaside resort, including Raymond Chandler, J. Edgar Hoover and Zsa Zsa Gabor.
“A young cop can trust no one in this superior 1950s California noir.”
Booklife (Editor’s Pick)
Finalist, 2024 Shamus Awards
An obscure rock’n’roll roadie dies under mysterious circumstances. A prized Jimi Hendrix guitar has gone missing. Can guitar-playing private detective Rolly Waters save his new client from the ruthless collectors looking for it? An uptempo page turner for music-lovers and fans of old-fashioned gumshoes, vivid characters, and twisty, layered stories.
“Lovers of a good mystery story and music will enjoy this book which is as musically educational as it is thrilling.
Booklife (Editor’s Pick)
“Music fans and general mystery readers alike will enjoy this story’s irresistible beat.”
Blue Ink Review (Starred Review)
2020 San Diego Book Awards
In this fourth installment of the award-winning series, guitar-playing detective Rolly Waters investigates a friend’s suicide, connecting it to punk bands, dolphin science, Navy SEALS, animal-rights protests, and a harmonica-playing derelict. A music-themed murder mystery for fans of old-fashioned gumshoes, vivid characters, and twisty, layered stories.
“A crisp, fast-paced fourth in series P.I. mystery with contemporary tones readers won’t be able to put down. Highly recommended.”
Chanticleer Reviews
“A pitch perfect murder mystery featuring an eccentric detective.”
Foreword Reviews
2015 Book of the Year
In this third installment of the award-winning series, guitar-playing detective Rolly Waters investigates a secret code hidden in a curious one-string guitar, connecting it to alien artifacts, bohemian desert dwellers, and a hidden cache of gold. Can he solve the musical puzzle and save his newest client from the suicide cult trying to claim her?
Offbeat characters and popular musical lore distinguish this decidedly unusual tale.
Publishers Weekly
Fans of wisecracking California crime solvers will enjoy this working-class PI with a poet’s soul. Booklist
2013 Hollywood Book Festival
Environmentalists, border vigilantes, rock groupies, video gamers, garage bands and one extremely psychotic orderly clash in this mystery set along the San Diego-Tijuana border as a case of vandalism leads detective Rolly Waters into a dark world of sexual abuse, human trafficking and a series of unsolved murders.
“…delivers a potent dose of sex, drugs, and rock ‘n’ roll…”
ForeWord/Clarion Reviews
“A rollicking and fast-paced crime novel…”
San Francisco Book Reviews
A fast-rising Internet startup. A computer programmer found dead in his swimming pool. When guitar-playing detective Rolly Waters investigates a secretive dot.com company, he discovers a deadly secret at the heart of its success. The first novel in the award-winning mystery series from “A powerful new voice on the crime-fiction scene”.
“A terrific start to this series and readers will be looking forward to Rolly’s next mystery.”
Mysterious Reviews
“The story unfolds in a series of swift, compelling chapters that are rife with interesting characters.”
La Jolla Village News