The Dead Play On

From Amazon:

Play a song for me… Musicians are being murdered in New Orleans. But Arnie Watson apparently died by his own hand. When Tyler Anderson plays the saxophone he inherited from Arnie, a soldier and musician who died soon after his return, he believes he sees visions of his friend's life—and death. He becomes convinced Arnie was murdered and that the instrument had something to do with whatever happened, and with whatever's happening all over the city. Tyler knows his theory sounds crazy to the police, so he approaches Danni Cafferty, hoping she and Michael Quinn will find out what the cops couldn't. Or wouldn't. After all, Cafferty and Quinn have become famous for solving unusual crimes. They're partners in their personal show more lives, too. Quinn's a private investigator and Danni works with him. When they look into the case, they discover a secret lover of Arnie's and a history of jealousies and old hatreds that leads them back to the band Arnie once played with—and Tyler plays with now.

My Thoughts:

It starts off with a supernatural bent and it strings the main murder mystery together but it’s ultimately very thin, to the point where I certainly wouldn't consider this story supernatural. Several times it’s mentioned that Cafferty’s dad collected weird objects and it’s mentioned repeatedly that the store she owns houses objects in the basement that could be cursed or possessed but ultimately it's beside the point. A serial killer is attacking people because of a special saxophone but the story's ending is disappointing because none of that really matters. This is the third book in the this series and I will have to say the first two were excellent...hope this is not the future for Cafferety and Quinn. show less

In The Dead Play On, a maniac is going around killing musicians in New Orleans in search of a magical saxophone. Whether the saxophone is actually magical or whether the killer is just a lunatic is up for debate. Danni Cafferty and Michael Quinn, who have a history of taking on paranormal cases and investigating paranormal objects, are on the case, as many of their friends are musicians.

This novel is a bit of a mixed bag. On the plus side, I thought most of the characters were well crafted. The novel wasn’t too long and moved at a good pace. I didn’t find many plot holes or flaws in the logic. On the downside, despite the fact that the novel wasn’t very long, I found that it got repetitive at times. There was a lot of repeating of show more information or recapping a scene that just happened in dialogue between the characters. Much of that was unnecessary and could have been cut from the novel. The other negative for me is that as far as mysteries go, this novel left a bit to be desired. Until the end, there was very little focusing in on characters who could be the killers and creating a more dramatic narrative by emphasizing who might be doing the killing. As a novel, this was a solid read. As a mystery, it left a bit to be desired.

Carl Alves - author of Battle of the Soul show less

I enjoy reading Heather Graham and have recently been to New Orleans so this book intrigued me. At first it seems that the saxophone that belonged to now dead Arnie has some sort of mystical powers because when his friend Tyler plays it he envisions what really happened to Arnie (everyone assumed it was suicide). There is someone out there killing musicians to gain possession of this special sax. Cafferty and Quinn investigate (this is the third in the series involving these characters). I liked the story and there were twists and turns and mystery no doubt, but I didn’t connect with the characters.

In Graham’s paranormal mystery novel, musicians are being murdered in New Orleans. Arnie Watson however, appears to have taken his own life. When his best friend Tyler Anderson inherits Arnie’s “magical saxophone,” there’s nothing Tyler can’t play or “see.” In no time at all, Tyler begins to experience visions of the last moments of his friend’s life and he believes someone killed Arnie for his saxophone.

Thinking no one else will believe in his visions, Tyler approaches Danni Cafferty, hoping both she and Michael Quinn will find out what the cops aren’t looking for—a murderer.

Quinn’s a private investigator and Danni works with him and together they take on the “unusual” cases the police can’t solve. When show more they look into this case, they discover that Arnie was involved with someone no one knew about and the rest of the leads take them back to the band Arnie played in.

Teaming together, they discover the truth behind the murders and come to understand that there is a fine line between passion and obsession.

No one knows New Orleans better than Graham and once again she has written a dark, dangerous, and deadly story that no reader can simply put down. show less

This is a great Heather Graham mystery. The team that lives at Danni Cafferty's shop of 'unusual items'. Quinn and Cafferty have a good reputation as investigators. Each part of the team have their own unique characteristics and backgrounds which add to the team's effectiveness.

Musicians are being murdered in New Orleans. They are terrible, gruesome crimes. Tyler is a saxophone player whose best friend Arnie Watson was found with a needle in his arm. It was declared an overdose - a vet, finally broke and overdosed. Tyler knows better. He is given Arnie's saxophone - Arnie is reported to have had a magic saxophone and that is why he played so well. When Tyler uses Arnie's sax he has visions of Arnie's death.

He knew the police wouldn't show more understand so he went to Quinn and Cafferty to get help. Thus begins a trail of trying to weed through the possible suspects. Is the killer after the magic sax? or is there another reason dating back years.

The reader gets some insight into the killer's feelings and his reasons for doing what he is doing. show less

4 stars



This is the third Cafferty and Quinn book. It is good suspense book. I was not sure of who the killer was until the reveal. Someone is killing musicians in New Orleans. This has a lot of the same characters plus a whole bunch of new ones.



Danni Cafferty is a artist and owns a antique store. Her boyfriend is Quinn. They work with weird cases that might have evil or power items. She sleep paints clues in the middle of the night.



Michael Quinn is a P.I. He has a lot of history. He was a athlete who caught up in drugs and died and they saved him he changed his life. He became a cop. His girl friend is Danni. He worked first with Danni's father. Taking care of weird mystical items.



Tyler is in a band. He is playing a saxophone that show more his deceased friend owned. While he is playing his best he sees his friend's last few moments and realizes he was murdered. He goes to Danni to tell his story.



Danni and Quinn become part of the music scene to figure out who and why someone is killing musicians.



There was a few love scenes in the book. Lots of murders. I do like reading about Danni & Quinn and their friends.



I was given this ebook to read by Net Galley and Harlequin. In return I agreed to give a honest review of The Dead Play On. show less

New Orleans Is being plagued by a killer intent on stealing a magic saxophone. Danni and Michael are convinced the culprit is right under their nose . . . and someone they know.