A Song to Die For

Spur Award–winner Blakely (Comanche Dawn) blends country music, mobsters, and Texas Rangers in this winning crime novel set in 1975. One-hit wonder Creed Mason and retired legend Luster Burnett put together a band for a comeback tour that runs into trouble almost immediately. Meanwhile, mobster Franco Martini begins a chase from Las Vegas, Nev., to Austin, Tex., in an effort to eliminate a wayward relative, Rosa Martini, and a leak that jeopardizes family operations. Texas Ranger Hooley Johnson investigates the carnage left in Franco’s wake. Blakely, who has coauthored books with country singers Willie Nelson and Kenny Rogers, does a good job describing how Creed and Luster assemble the band and its rehearsal process. The future looks rosy after the band gets a deal to play the Castilian in Vegas, but Franco has other ideas. Even those who can’t carry a tune will enjoy the company of Creed and his musical crew. Agent: Joe Vallelly, Swagger Literary Agency. (Nov.)