"Benson is a top-class thriller craftsman who knows showbiz and music like the back of his hand. An unbeatable combination."
(Lee Child)
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"Spike Berenger is so real that I even tried looking him up in my address book in order to give him a call! Best rock read you will ever find!."
(Rick Wakeman)
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"Book two in the Spike Berenger series is a riot. This time out Spike is
involved in a series of murders in which the victims are all progressive
rock musicians (or as the new term goes “Math Rock”). Spike’s security
firm are called in and the people who could be next on the list are
scared to death, of a dead woman. Benson’s writing here is full of insider music knowledge, which judging from the Rick Wakeman (keyboard player for Yes) blurb is authentic. Benson is a musician himself and he knows what he’s talking about. He also is a hell of a writer and this book moves faster than a Red Hot Chili Peppers concert. He keeps the suspense going right to the end and while keeping the action tight he still manages to toss in some humor
and loads of fun. Raymond Benson is someone who should be on everyone’s
must read list."
(Jon Jordan, CRIMESPREE MAGAZINE)
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"DARK SIDE OF THE MORGUE is a terrific page-turner by one of the best thriller writers in the business!"
(David Morrell, author of FIRST BLOOD)
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"DARK SIDE OF THE MORGUE is a fun, rocking mystery sure to engage private detective fans as well as rock music lovers. Happily, Benson is delivering on the promise of his earlier A HARD DAY'S DEATH. A third Rock ‘n’ Roll thriller featuring Spike and his team is certainly welcome. DARK SIDE OF THE MORGUE is highly recommended."
(Neal Alhadeff, THE STRAND MAGAZINE)
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"DARK SIDE OF THE MORGUE" is funny, disturbing, and filled with deep knowledge of the music industry and abnormal psychology, all combined to make a really terrific read that I wanted to pick up whenever I had a free moment. It is assembled from P.I./thriller tropes we've seen many times before, but Benson has put them together in a way that feels fresh and original, and results in the reader responding to them as if they were brand new... an intelligent mystery with a twist as layer after layer of the story is slowly revealed to the reader's joyous satisfaction... an engrossing read that is as much for rock fans as it is for fans of conventional P.I. novels. Honestly, DARK SIDE OF THE MORGUE is so good that if it's not nominated for both the Edgar and the Shamus awards, somebody's just not paying attention."
(Craig Clarke, SOMEBODY DIES BLOGSPOT)
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"DARK SIDE OF THE MORGUE assures Benson's place among the masters of the genre. A classic!"
(J. A. Konrath, author of FUZZY NAVEL)
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"Filled with musical references, tongue-in-cheek humor and fast-paced action, DARK SIDE OF THE MORGUE is a must for fans of rock-n-roll and mystery investigations alike. Benson artfully encourages the reader to predict various possible outcomes with his expert prose and springs surprises around every corner."
(Vicky Gilpin, FRESHFICTION.COM)
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"DARK SIDE OF THE MORGUE is a fast-paced thriller that will consistently tease and keep you hanging on at the end of each chapter. This is one that I couldn’t put down."
(Jacqueline Jung, NIGHTSANDWEEKENDS.COM)
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"This is crackerjack writing, especially pleasing because Benson takes pains to paint Berenger in a detailed and realistic manner. After an EL chase, the out-of-shape private investigator is a wreck and feels the effects for days. A far cry from Bond! Cut to the chase: DARK SIDE OF THE MORGUE is a must..."
(Jim Cirile, PROGRESSION MAGAZINE)
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"DARK SIDE OF THE MORGUE is a great choice for your reading pleasure. You’ll visit the sometimes seamy, sometimes glitzy world of progressive rock, waltz down memory lane with the continual music references that are included, but not limited to, chapter titles (along with preferred performers noted), and get to solve the case with Berenger and his sexy partner, Suzanne Prescott, all while enjoying a well-written, fast-paced mystery. Get ready for well-developed characters and moving plot-lines, with all the twists and revelations of any good mystery novel. Four out of five reading glasses!"
(Benjamin Potter, BENJ-O BOOKS BLOGSPOT)
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"Benson's book is a wonderfully written thriller that will keep the reader turning the pages quickly and furiously. I found myself drawn into the book right away and couldn't put it down...Raymond Benson writes clearly in a series of short, striking episodes. His characters are familiar and likable...This is a novel which should appeal to any reader who likes quick-paced action, set in the world of music, which is explored in some detail. While the novel starts at a steady pace, as the background information is presented, it explodes into frenetic action and mystery which kept me guessing right to the end. The novel is structured in an interesting and unusual manner as well. It consists of a series of thirty chapters, each one named after a rock 'n roll hit, with a Track Listing at the beginning, an unusual and clever conceit. I think that Benson's book will be read by individuals who love rock 'n' roll and
who have a knowledge of some of the rock bands during this period. The book is intriguing and wonderfully crafted...I read it in one sitting. I recommend Benson's book to anyone who loves to read a good thriller! And I think that covers most of us from time to time!"
(Irene S. Roth, THE MUSE BOOK REVIEWS)
