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The Concert Killer

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Do you like mysteries? How about rock music? If you said yes to both, you’ll love today’s guest. RJ McDonnell has a new book out called The Concert Killer, which is the third in his Rock & Roll Mystery Series. This one is his most intricate plot and will keep you on edge until the very end. RJ has written a little something to share with us today. But, first, a proper introduction is in order:

RJ McDonnell earned a Bachelor’s Degree at Penn State University and a Masters at Marywood University. During his college years RJ was a rhythm guitarist and vocalist in two bands. Shortly thereafter, he moved to San Diego where he went to work for a professional writing service. In addition, he wrote a monthly column for the Military Press, and another for a San Diego publication, providing advice to job seekers.

In the ’90s, RJ discovered he had a knack for comedy writing. He wrote for a local San Diego cable television show that had a Saturday Night Live-type format. Over its two seasons on the air, 34 of his skits were produced.

Rock & Roll Homicide is the first novel in his Rock & Roll Mystery series featuring private investigator, Jason Duffy. Rock & Roll Rip-Off is the second and the newly released The Concert Killer is the third. You can learn more about RJ and his writing on his website: www.rjmcdonnell.com

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Here’s RJ with an glimpse inside his new novel:

Justifications Can Be Deadly

How far would a serial killer go if his justifications led him to believe he had God’s permission to commit murder? This is indeed the case in my recently released novel, The Concert Killer. It opens with the killer (CK) announcing that he was responsible for three prior murders at concert venues by posting a note at the scene of his fourth kill. The headline says, ‘Concerts Are Evil’, and is followed by news clippings from his previous kills, along with the typed signature – The Concert Killer.

It takes the reader very little time to conclude that CK truly believes his mission to shut down the rock concert industry is ordained from on high. But the police are not so sure. Prior to posting the note it appeared that CK had done everything possible to keep the authorities from concluding that the murders were connected. He always changed cities and methods for each kill. The profile of the victims varied radically as well. So the police were not willing to readily accept anything about a clue that was taped to the door of the women’s room stall where victim #4 was found face down in a toilet.

A central theme to The Concert Killer is: Justification after the fact. Almost all of us do it in our everyday lives, whether it be that extra large slice of cake, the $20 over budget at the casino, or calling in sick on the spur of the moment and declaring it a mental health day. We don’t intend to do it beforehand, and don’t want to overburden ourselves with guilt afterwards, so we justify. For CK, the stakes are obviously much greater. Not only is he making life and death decisions, but he is also jeopardizing his chance of going to heaven with each compromise. For a religious zealot this constitutes the ultimate gamble.

As the story unfolds, and the obstacles in CK’s path grow larger and larger, he is forced to engage in behaviors that conflict with his spiritual beliefs. His justifications lead him to a place where he has no alternative but to go ‘all in’ on his twisted notion of how to serve God. Just what does ‘all in’ mean to a serial killer who sees himself as God’s avenging angel? The Spoiler Alert Police won’t let me tell you, but believe me, it’s like nothing you’ve ever read before.

Does this mean that if I talk myself out of mowing the lawn in favor of watching a football game I could be climbing a tower with a rifle soon? Of course not. Like other vices, justifications can be healthy if they aren’t pushed to excess. Now if you’ll excuse me, there’s a piece of chocolate cake waiting for me in the kitchen.
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RJ has written a catchy song that introduces The Concert Killer and follows the early murders that occur before the book begins. He also performs this song. Yeah, he’s one of those creative types with all sorts of talents. He’s nice, too. Go figure. :roll: You can watch the trailer below and you can also find it on YouTube: http://youtu.be/29b2fWiM_kw

You can find all three of RJ’s books, in both print and Kindle format, on Amazon:

I hope you’ll step into RJ’s mysterious world of rock & roll. We’d love to hear from you. Please share your thoughts and questions with us here.

Thanks for reading. :)






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