His introduction to Nevada sparks his career as a detective, not only of vinyl but of the stories behind some of the rarest and sort-after vinyl in existence. For more of my picks of the best UK Audible mystery books releasing in 2022, see my posts listed below. The book series comprises Dead Wax, The Run-Out Groove, followed by Victory Disc, Flip Back, and the latest instalment – Low Action. As usual, the sort is narrated by the Vinyl Detective himself - a man who locates rare records for his clients, but also ends up solving crimes along the way.

The central character, still unnamed, is a record collector but has developed a sideline as an actual detective. I'm not a record collector - but through building and organising my library of physical books, ebooks and audio books over the years I have some sense of the outward nerdiness of the true obsessive collector, I can also appreciate the inner joy that the collector experiences when enjoying or adding to their collections.

While plowing from one plot point to another, he’ll stop to describe how much the VD hates the coffee he’s drinking or how he made dinner. I suppose this is supposed to be a metaphor for, or describe a theme in this investigation, but I felt like this one paced along about the same as the others I've read. I went on to recommend this book to a friend of mine, only to find that she had already read it, and the two sequels and was totally in love with the series as I was. Focussing on RAF pilots and the special way in which they operated during the second world war made this far more interesting for me.

I also revered Robert Heinlein ( Podkayne of Mars), Lester del Rey ( Day of the Giants) and Andre Norton ( Storm Over Warlock). His business card describes him as the “Vinyl Detective” and some people take this more literally than others. The chief delight, I thought, was the introduction of a certain older character known to one of our protagonists, very nicely done.

So it was ready about five years before it was actually published — but that’s just the nature of the business. With a trail of grudges behind her, the list of people who could want Helene dead includes her ex-bandmates, their former producer turned record label mogul, the TV presenter who Helene got fired – even their old roadie could be in on it. Violent deaths, a nameless protagonist, murderous villains who favour creepy matching outfits, millionaire Japanese benefactors, sex, drugs, rare jazz albums, and a pair of cats.

An irresistible blend of murder, mystery and music… our protagonist seeks to find the rarest of records – and incidentally solve a murder, right a great historical injustice and, if he’s very lucky, avoid dying in the process.In this case, it’s a first issue and withdrawn recording of a Brit, all girl punk band from the 70’s. On the one hand, it seems churlish to object to being given another helping of what has made the series so entertaining.