Lost in Austin — J.R. Ripley

Murder Strikes a Deadly Chord.

When a broken arm sidelines the bad-boy rhythm guitarist for the popular country band Clint Cash and the Cowhands, ex-lawyer, ex-restauranteur, now struggling musician Tony Kozol gets a gig as the temporary replacement. But when the band arrives in Austin for a week at the Southwest Music Conference -- murder takes a center stage.

The victim was a roadie with the group, and Tony soon spots an unsettling connection to the band -- especially when the body of a pretty young groupie is found next. But now, Clint Cash is ready to fire Tony, the guitarist he replaced has gone psycho and a sexy young singer is plucking his heartstrings. Sounds like a song in the making to Tony: a tale full of heartbreak and woe, longing and desire. It could be a hit. That is, if he lives long enough to write it.