Michael A. Black Freeze Me, Tender

Freeze Me, Tender

Michael A. Black

Five Star, Feb 2006, $25.95

ISBN: 1594144710

The tenth anniversary of the death of the king of hillbilly rock and roll, Colton Purcell, is coming soon. In Vegas where Colton frequently performed just before his death, there are several galas planned, including a sound alike contest. As many of his fans plan to attend the events, Colton's manager "Big Daddy" Babcock is murdered with the King's scarf from his farewell show. Regency magazine CEO Bishop sends his reporter Harry Bauer to follow up on the homicide since he interviewed Big Daddy just last week; Harry assumes Bishop wants him out of town when he marries the reporter's ex-wife.

At the same time, Colton's only daughter Melissa is to marry Latino superstar Pablo, while her mother Ladonna, known by all as "Ladzilla" objects. Harry meets Gabriel Freeman in the Vegas airport; he claims to be an offspring of Colton, at the same time rumors fly of a related nursing home abduction in Memphis by Nurse Marjorie Versette, whose home is a shrine to the King. When his journalist pal is murdered, Harry investigates the dark secrets of the King and his retinue ten years after the performer died.

Obviously everyone knows who the King is, but Michael A. Black provides an intriguing refreshing spin filled with twists that take some getting used to (just ask Harry) as the storyline moves forward on several flanks. Harry's inquiries, like the plot, follow several directions, including the deaths of Big Daddy and a reporter friend (that left Harry All Shook Up), as well as Freeman's claim; all converge in Memphis. A delight for the Elvis crowd, fans of a journalist investigative thriller will also appreciate this fine Love Me Tender not homage to the King of Rock and Roll.