"Hold Me Down" By Clea Simon: Review/Giveaway

Review by Vicki Vass

Details at the end of this post on how to enter to win a copy of the book and a link to purchase it. 

Middle-aged rock star Gal returns to Boston to play a tribute concert to her dead bandmate Aimee. While in Boston, she sees a man’s face that causes her to freeze, and the next day she finds that the man has been murdered and her friend’s husband accused. This leads her down a rabbit hole of memories and discoveries relating to Aimee and their band. With a combination of suspense and procedural investigation, we follow Gal as she searches for the murderer while at the same time recalling her musical past, regrets and memories. Simon’s skills as a former journalist serve her well as we actually feel as if we are at a rock concert from the beat of the drum to the roar of the audience.

---

➡ switch to KingsRiverLife.com for more articles ⬅

---

Image Source ‎ Polis Books

Trapped in her memories and regrets, Gal is a truly sympathetic character especially when she recalls her time with Aimee, her dead drummer, and their rise to fame. She finds herself confronting demons that she had long cast aside, related to the sordid world of rock and roll and touring. And now it seems like the past is coming back to haunt her. This novel really takes you into the grimy world of a traveling band and the melodies behind the music. More than anything this book demonstrates that Gal is a survivor despite her guilt over the past and need to right wrongs. 

While I haven’t read any of the author’s other books, some reviewers claim this is her best work yet. After reading Hold Me Down, I will definitely consider picking up another of Simon’s works. 

To enter to win a copy of Hold Me Down, simply email KRL at krlcontests@gmail[dot]com by replacing the [dot] with a period, and with the subject line "hold,” or comment on this article. A winner will be chosen November 13, 2021. US residents only and you must be 18 or older to enter. If entering via email please include your mailing address in case you win. If entering via comment please include your email address so we can contact you. BE AWARE THAT DUE TO THE CURRENT CRISIS THERE MAY BE A DELAY IN SHIPPING THE WINNING BOOK. You can read our privacy statement here if you like.

Check out other mystery articles, reviews, book giveaways & mystery short stories in our mystery section in Kings River Life and in our mystery category here on KRL News & Reviews. And join our mystery Facebook group to keep up with everything mystery we post, and have a chance at some extra giveaways. And check out our new mystery podcast which features mystery short stories and first chapters read by local actors! A new episode goes up next week.

You can use this link to purchase the book or click here. If you have adblocker on you may not be able to see the Amazon link:

Vicki Vass is the author of the Antique Hunter Mystery series and the Witch Cat mystery series. When not chronicling their adventures, she is putting the finishing touches on a Christmas screenplay, Christmas at the Grey Horse Inn, to be released November 2022.

Disclosure: This post contains links to an affiliate program, for which we receive a few cents if you make purchases. KRL also receives free copies of most of the books that it reviews, that are provided in exchange for an honest review of the book.