MURDER IN ST. BARTS. “!!!!EXCEPTIONAL” Today’s Books

“Trenet is a well-developed, likable character, and the novel offers an absorbing mystery set in the exotic playground of the rich and famous. An entertaining new series…” Booklist

“It would be hard not to like MURDER IN ST. BARTS. Dialogue, the humor, and the sarcasm give us all something to enjoy.” Tom Mayes, I Love A Mystery.

Glenn Meganck (aka JR Ripley) is the author of the Tony Kozol mystery series and other works. Latest pbk, THE BODY FROM IPANEMA (...Entertaining...Tony and Rock remain an engagingly laid-back sleuthing duo—–Booklist). Other titles in the series include LOST IN AUSTIN ("Mystery fans will enjoy the clever plot, loopy characters, and sardonic humor."Booklist. "...Action packed plot. Recommended." —Library Journal); STIFF IN THE FREEZER and SKULLS OF SEDONA ;, now in massmarket pbk (WORLDWIDE, July 2001). LOST IN AUSTIN massmkt pbk.

Meganck is also a musician/singer/songwriter whose latest CD, Glenn Meganck/Lost In Austin (Hitman/Beachfront), was co-produced by Merel Bregante whose credits include Loggins & Messina, Nitty Gritty Dirt Band, Dan Fogelberg, etc. Also writes the Gendarme Trenet series (MURDER IN ST. BARTS) the Big Deal series of chapter books. Attended Florida Atlantic University on the Faculty Scholar’s Program, going directly from 11th grade high school to Junior level in the College of Anthropology, receiving BA in 2 yrs, co-majoring in Archaeology and Psychobiology. Attended ASU and FAU for grad work in Mesoamerican archaeology and received full scholarship to Tulane for PhD, then (like any good/fool writer) dropped out to devote full time to the arts. Chairman Edgar Committee for Best Paperback Original, 2003. Edgar Judge Best Short Story 2001, IACW Hammett Award Judge 2003.

Praise for LOST IN AUSTIN

LIBRARY JOURNAL - “Action-packed plot. Recommended.”

BOOKLIST- “Mystery fans will enjoy the clever plot, loopy characters, and sardonic humor. Music fans will find themselves tappin' a toe and swiggin' a longneck to the musical atmosphere of the Austin music scene that Ripley - an Austin musician himself - so carefully recreates. Fans of Greg Kihn's recent musical mysteries will find a kindred soul in Ripley.”

MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW “Very highly recommended”

PUBLISHERS WEEKLY “Tony is thrilled to sub for the suspiciously less-than-thrilled injured guitarist of a popular country band in J.R. Ripley's (Skulls of Sedona) Lost in Austin: A Tony Kozol Mystery. The guitarist vehemently wants Tony gone, and when other band members are murdered, series star Tony finds he's risking life and limb in this Country Western romp.”

I LOVE A MYSTERY - “The blurbs that came with J. R. Ripley's ( pen name of musician Glenn Meganck) new book in the Tony Kozol series called the book a light mystery. At times it is almost tongue in cheek. . .The action moves right along, dialogue spurts from the mouths of as eccentric a group as you could wish for. While it is set in the music scene of Austin, the locale doesn't get in the way of the plot. And I admit I didn't even try to figure out who the "bad guy" was, I just drifted along with the tide and the ending was a satisfactory surprise.”

MYSTERY NEWS "Here’s a new author. . .and new series character all rolled up into one pleasant reading experience. . .Ripley’s principal concern is presenting a good mystery, and he succeeds. . .He offers throw-down descriptions of secondary characters that ring true. . .Not a cozy, but not quite medium-boiled, either. I began Lost in Austin wondering what I was getting into, and by the end, was satisfied on all counts. I stand in awe of polymaths. The late Steve Allen— may he rest in peace— was one. J.R. Ripley may be another.”

Praise for BUM RAP IN BRANSON:

“Ripley spins a truly funny yarn that will have readers laughing out loud. An offbeat hit that will appeal especially to country music fans." Booklist

"A delightfully funny mystery novel!" Susan K. Scott President-Bonniebrook Historical Society

"J. R. Ripley's Bum Rap In Branson is an exciting mystery novel... The latest entry in a genuinely thrilling series... A viciously delightful read for mystery/suspense enthusiasts!" Midwest Book Review