Book Review: Tie Die by Max Tomlinson

Tie Die
Author: Max Tomlinson
Series: A Colleen Hayes Mystery Book 2
Publication: Oceanview Publishing (June 16, 2020)

Description: When the music stopped, it was murder

Back in London’s swinging '60s, Steve Cook was teen idol number one. But that changed when a sixteen-year-old fan was found dead in his hotel room bed. Steve’s career came to a crashing halt after he was dumped by his record company and arrested. Now, in 1978 San Francisco, Steve works construction, still dreaming of a comeback.

Until his eleven-year-old daughter is kidnapped.

Steve turns to one person for help: Colleen Hayes. She was quite a fan herself, back in the day. And she knows what it’s like to be on the wrong side of the law and live in judgement for the rest of your life.

It doesn’t take Colleen long to realize something fishy is going on with the kidnapping of Melanie Cook. What transpires is a harrowing journey through a music industry rife with corruption and crime. Colleen’s search takes her through San Francisco’s underbelly and all the way to '70s London, where she discovers a thread leading back to the death of a forgotten fan in Steve’s hotel room.

My Thoughts: The second Colleen Hayes mystery has Colleen trying to solve the kidnapping of a former rock star's eleven-year-old daughter. She's still working on getting her PI license which isn't easy for an ex-con who is still on parole when she gets a call from Steve Cook. Steve was the lead singer and songwriter for The Lost Chords. 

Colleen was once a fan of Steve and The Lost Chords but complications in her own life kept her from hearing the story when they dropped off the charts. She is surprised to find Steve in San Francisco, doing construction, and fighting with his ex. She is immediately sympathetic when she learns that his daughter has been kidnapped. After all, she is struggling to rebuild her relationship with her own daughter who has become a Moonie. 

It doesn't take long for Colleen to realize that something strange is going on. The plot twists back to those days when The Lost Chords had their troubles. The only thing Steve has of any particular value is his music catalog but it has been tied up in lawsuits with the band's former agent for years. But now, someone wants the right to one of those songs and there are people who will do anything to get those rights. 

I liked the story. I really liked the 1960s San Francisco setting with all the fashions, cars, and music I remember. I also really like Colleen who has a soft spot for kids in trouble and a firm sense of justice. 

Favorite Quote:

"I was married with a kid when The Lost Chords fell out of the top forty. Too busy watching Sesame Street." And going to prison for killing her ex.

"Then it's not my place to tell you," Deena said with a smirk. "I have to respect Steve's privacy."

I received this one for review from NetGalley. You can buy your copy here.