Simmering resentment in a small coastal town. A missing manuscript. A dark family secret.
Scott Drayco isn’t a typical detective: a former concert pianist with synesthesia, he turned to law enforcement when a violent attack put an end to his music career.
After Drayco inherits a rundown Opera House in a Virginia seaside town following a particularly brutal case, he just wants to arrange a … particularly brutal case, he just wants to arrange a quick sale for the unwanted “gift” while nursing his battered soul in a peaceful setting near the shore.
Those hopes are shattered when a dead body turns up on the Opera House stage, a mysterious “G” carved into the man’s chest. With himself a suspect in the murder, Drayco digs into very old and very dangerous secrets to solve the crime and clear his name.
But first…Drayco must dodge a wary Sheriff, hostility over coastal development, and the seductive wife of a town councilman—before the tensions explode into more violence and he becomes the next victim.
“An engaging lead and atmospheric setting make for an ideal travel read.” – Library Journal
Over 500 five-star reviews on Goodreads! A Shamus Award finalist and Named Best Mystery in the Next Generation Indie Book Awards.
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How many PIs with drinking and marital problems fill the pages of mystery novels? No idea, but Scott Drayco, is definitely atypical: a former brilliant concert pianist, FBI agent, and now crime consultant, he possesses a unique talent–he belongs to the 1% of the human population with synesthesia. (He hears colors). With enough characters to populate a Dickens tome, Played to Death can be difficult to follow at times. Two murders, a lost Chopin manuscript, and a small, seaside setting make for a good read. Drayco, unlike so many of those stereotype PIs is interesting and likeable–someone to root for. I’ll give Book 2 in the series a try soon.
bad
“The sand also had an unpleasant way of propagating itself inside shoes and on the floor of his car. Lies were a lot like that. . .” I love it when a writer tickles my philosophical bone. I marked many quotes to enjoy later. “Don’t ever stand still or life will fossilize you on the spot.”
A wonderful murder mystery which P.I. Scott Drayco gets involved in. I couldn’t stop reading to see the outcome.
Some mysteries are too intense while others are boring.
The Scott Drayco series is a thumbs up for this reader.
It was the right combination of investigation and even some humor.
Can’t wait to continue with more Drayco.
Scott Drayco is a concert pianist. Or he was. He turned to detecting after his career as a pianist was brutally ended.
Now, after a case that still haunts him, he’s hoping for a respite, and the inheriting of a run-down Opera House by the Virginia seaside seems like just the ticket. Until on a routine tour of his new property, he discovers a dead body.
As the “new guy” in town, suspicion falls squarely on his shoulders, with a Sheriff who is in no hurry to look for other possibilities.
Played to Death plays to my love of a good “starting over” story. In Scott Drayco, Lawson has created an amiable, affable sleuth that draws your sympathy, and invests you in his story.
A good plot line with good characters combine here to make Played to Death a page-turner that will keep you reading till its conclusion. Lawson litters the narrative with enough twists that this arm-chair sleuth had no clue till the reveal, but it was a fitting ending.
A solid read I’m sure you’ll enjoy!
Great read! Interesting in-depth characters, very good plot. Highly recommend.
GREAT READ!
Exceptionally well written!
Wonderful. Not your ordinairy plot. Very well written. Interesting characters. Very satisfying experience overall.
Riveting and heart pounding, unable to put in down. A must read for mystery & crime buffs! Enjoy!
A little drawn out
Great setting Cape Unity on the shore. And an old theatre with a reluctant owner who I suspect will bring it back to splendor in coming books! Good twists!
Well worth reading. Unique and entertaining.
Got into character analysis deeper than most. Enjoyed.
Smart, funny, and scenic. I’ve progressed to #2.
Great read
It was okay. Have read better ‘long buried secret’ books.
It was good
Great read!!
What I loved about this book is that I was completely fooled right up to the end of who the killer was- why the victims were killed- it was a total surprise!!
I am sure there were clues along the way- but I didn’t tie them altogether until the end.
I would definitely read more books from this author.
A great read that keep me up way over my bedtime so that I could read “one more” chapter!!
Jackie