Drown

by Albie Cullen

Book by Cullen, Albie

Genres: Mystery

240 pages, Paperback

First published October 10, 2010

About the author

I believe in the freedom of speech making any and all speech politically correct, so speak. I believe that the eyes are the windows to the soul but one song can change your life forever.

I believe to hurt is to steal and that the greed of a few will be paid for by the many for years to come. I believe that a false fear was manipulated to distract peoples’ attention away from the theft of America’s future.

I believe that the middle class is breaking under the burden of having to sustain the rich and the poor. I believe the revolution is almost at hand.

I believe that to touch is to heal and that the courage of one individual to be different is more powerful and more important than the opinion of the cowardly, following masses.

I believe that the institutions of banking and insurance are inherently corrupt, self seeking, self serving and dishonest. I believe that by definition all art is true.

I believe in surfing, motorcycles, sunrises and sunsets. I believe in sleeping in, saying what you mean, higher powers and staying up late.

I believe in James McMurtry, Eric Lindell, and Ryan Adams and the Cardinals.

I believe I’ll keep writing until I run out of things to say.

Reviews

[Marc Leroux · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received this book through the GoodReads giveaway program
This is a mystery, that really isn't a mystery. The mystery is there to provide a way to glue the individual characters together, and as a character study, this was a first rate novel. Obviously, the author has a lot of experience in the music industry, and this shines through when he is describing those scenes. The concert scenes feel real, as do the depictions of the agents. I found the ending a bit weak, but the story, for the most part, was great, and kept me interested in reading.

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

I won this book through Goodreads as a First Reads winner. "Drown" by Albie Cullen is a murder mystery that takes place in the music industry.Billy Sunday, is a 35 year old,lead singer of the band "Drown" touring in support of the record he recorded two years ago and just recently signed up to a major record company.

Billy Sunday, having spent ten years on the verge of rock superstardom, is starting to mentally and physically feel the negative effects of his nowhere life. He is at a personal crossroads: continue to pursue his dream regardless the cost or retire.

His mental dilemma is postponed when he suddenly becomes a prime murder suspect. He is the last known person seen with the victim who also happens to be the wife of his high profile record company president.

With a New York gossip columnist leading the media frenzy and the district attorney looking to take on a sensational trial into a U.S. Senate seat it appears Billy will be found guilty of murder long before he finds peace and happiness that he so desperately seeks and seemingly needs.
I liked this novel, and feel it was a very good attempt for a first novel.

[Brett Tompkins · Rating 5 out of 5]

With new authors and first books, it is usually hit or miss. This book was a hit! I thought it was fantastic. I couldn't put it down. It had everything I could ask for in a novel; cop drama, murder mystery, and even a court trial. I particularly enjoyed the music industry theme of this book, which is original as far as anything I've read. I enjoyed the description of the rock star life as well as the details about the inside of the tour bus. I also enjoyed the behind the scenes look at a show from the sound check to the encore; I felt like I was onstage with Billy Sunday. Assuming the background on how the music industry works is based on fact, I found that part very interesting as well.
I've read first books from popular authors like James Patterson and Nelson DeMille, that were horrible. They didn't entertain me nearly as much as Drown did. Keep up the good work Mr. Cullen. I could easily see you releasing books in the future where your name is bigger than the title! Thanks again for sending me the book. I look forward to reading your next book.

[Claire · Rating 2 out of 5]

Received this book from the author through Goodreads.
In my opinion it was ok but not a book I enjoyed reading. That's not to say however that there will not be an audience for this book who will enjoy it - it just wasn't for me.
For me there wasn't enough description in the book and the end trial scenes felt forced. I also didn't feel any tension in the book throughout.
The book focuses on a murder but to me the book felt like I was reading a book about the music industry which was conveniently set around a murder. So while the details of the music industry were detailed and lovingly crafted the details of the murder investigation were like watching an episode of Law & Order.
Not for me but if the above sounds interesting then may be for you?

[Kara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drown is a decent who-dun-it murder mystery with an added touch for music lovers out there. The body of a woman is found early on in the story, and the investigation unfolds through the perspectives of the detectives on the case and the handful of suspects. While the mystery itself is nothing groundbreaking, most of the suspects (and the victim herself) are involved in the music industry as artists, promoters and industry guys, which adds for a unique and interesting insight into the business. The behind-the-scenes access into the music business gave this book a little something extra to push it beyond what would have otherwise been just a typical mystery.

[Jaime · Rating 3 out of 5]

Drown follows rocker Billy Sunday. There is a murder in the music industry community, and Billy is accused. This story is really about the characters, not a murder mystery. The character development of Billy, and the two detectives investigating the murder are what make this book good. Mr. Cullen does a great job giving these characters life. However, the story itself is only okay. An editor would of had a field day with this book. I think some things could have been expanded on, like the ending. It was a little anti-climactic. And some details (like what everyone is wearing ALL THE TIME) are extraneous. Good for a first novel, though.

[Carmen · Rating 3 out of 5]

I thought this book was well written and went along at a fairly good pace. The story was good and engrossing, and the characters were believable (mostly, not sure about Phil). There is something compelling about drugs, sex, and rock-and-roll, isn't there? It was easy to see that the author had some life experience in the biz. There were a few spelling/word errors, but nothing too glaring throughout the novel. The only quibble I have is that the ending seems slapped on in a bit of a rush, and is subsequently short and doesn't flow like the rest of the book. Other than that, I thoroughly enjoyed the read. 7/10 stars.

* I received this book for free from Goodreads First Reads.

[Melissa · Rating 3 out of 5]

I was a little skeptical at first, reading a first time author. I did feel some of the information about different characters was a little too detailed, and I wasn't sure where the information was leading. I was also a little disappointed in the ending. I would really have liked to know who the killer was. But overall I did enjoy reading the book. And if murder mysteries are your thing then this book is for you.

*I received this book through the GoodReads Giveaway

[Christine Wheeler · Rating 2 out of 5]

Drown was a decent book with a good story but it suffered terribly from lack of editing. The grammar mistakes were one thing but the strange way of using the word "bullshit" in place of angry or fuming or raging made no sense to me and left me irritated. Again the story was enjoyable and the characters were fleshed out but an editor who knew what he or she was doing would have made this book much much better.

[Domonique Howlett]

This is an amazing book with a simply captivating storyline. It is an exciting murder mystery that shows some ingenious character development across the board. I enjoyed the extent of details form beginning to end and in depth descriptions, but perhaps they would have been better as treats every so often instead of every page :)
A marvellous first novel, sir :)

[Amber Moore · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was really good. It kept my interest through the whole thing!! A definite recommend. Billy Sunday becomes your friend!

[Laima]

**I won this book from Goodreads as a First Reads free giveaway**

Review to follow upon completion.

[Kristina Franken · Rating 5 out of 5]

I highly recommend this book for anyone

FTC: I received a free copy of this book and was not reimbursed in any other way.

[Dori · Rating 2 out of 5]

I think this was a good idea; I like the story and the characters but I believe it could've been written better.

[Narelle Agnew · Rating 1 out of 5]

The most boring and hard to read book
I'm sorry to all those who found it interesting but really talk about drag out a short story to 34 chapters
Would not recommend at all