During his career as a journalist and a corporate comms executive, Keith J Lindenburg spent his time crafting stories and narratives for other people. Now that he’s become an indie crime author, he’s discovered the freedom – and the challenges – of telling his own story. It reaches us in the form of Deadly Melody, his debut thriller which is set in Rhode Island in the 1980s.
Now based in South Carolina, Keith is originally from Newport and saw first hand what the nightlife was like in the city back then. Newport was a party town, the nights seemed endless, the cocaine flowed and 80s excess was everywhere. Deadly Melody takes us into this world, where DJ Rob Conley gets the bodies shaking on the dance floor. But one body certainly isn’t shaking, and it’s the corpse of a promising young basketball player which has been found on the shore.
Was it an accident, suicide or murder? These are the questions the other key character in Deadly Melody is asking, Detective Rusty Miller. He happens to be Rob’s best friend but, because Rob is at the heart of the Newport night scene, he might also be pretty close to what’s been going on in the shadows there. Soon, the party-loving DJ is drawn into the investigation.
In his first novel, Keith has drawn together his interests in DJing and music, the town where he grew up, and his lifelong love of American mysteries. We asked him to join us on Crime Fiction Lover to find out more about the inspiration and hard work behind Deadly Melody, which is out now.
What are crime fiction lovers going to love aboutDeadly Melody?
Anyone who loves a fun, page-turning, descriptive read filled with memorable characters, surprises and unexpected twists and turns should loveDeadly Melody. It’s perfect for readers looking to escape into a nostalgic thriller that turns the clock back in time to the 1980s.An added bonus are all the musical references and hidden easter eggs that readers can enjoy on Spotify-curated playlists.
Who is Rob Conley, what inspired him and how have you developed him? Has a little bit of yourself has gone into this character?
The protagonist, Rob Conley, is a magnetic, charismatic and complex DJ who never misses the opportunity to party.While I was a DJ during the book’s timeframe, Conley is a fictional, composite character and a product of my imagination.I wanted to create a reluctant hero that readers will root for embrace. The type of character they root for even when his choices might make them wince.
And what is he up against in Deadly Melody?
DJ Rob Conley is unwittingly drawn into a murder investigation that is led by his best friend, a Newport Police Department detective. There, he finds himself ensnarled in a web of secrets, deceit and betrayal. While the readers of this suspense novel know who the bad guys are, the DJ does not, creating internal conflict over who is trustworthy and who is not, culminating in a didn’t-see-that-coming climax.
His best friend Detective Rusty Miller is investigating the basketball player’s death. What is their relationship like?
Although they come from different worlds – Rob had a privileged life in an affluent town and Rusty was raised in a hard-working, middle-class family from a blue-collar city – they share the strong bond that is friendship. The two epitomise the adage that opposites attract.
You grew up in Rhode Island, so what role does the Newport setting play in the story?
The Newport setting plays a very important role in the story. I set out to provide a highly descriptive and detailed historical perspective. Readers familiar with the area will take a trip down memory lane, while those new to the city will hopefully want to visit and experience it first-hand. One reviewer was so captivated by the setting he plans to visit Newport for the first time next summer.
What made you decide to take us back to the 1980s? Lots of things were different then, culturally and technologically. How have you depicted the period?
Back in the 80s, I spent time both in front of the DJ booth as a nightclub patron and behind the booth as the DJ spinning dance tunes. It was such a memorable time in my life that I wanted to recapture the fun, energy and excitement of that time. I knew I needed to supplement my memory with period research, so I spent considerable time studying everything from technology to the weather to the hit music to fashion to pop culture, all with a goal of depicting the period as accurately as possible.
Music is also a big part of the story, and a big part of your life. Can you tell us more about how you’ve woven it into your thriller?
Music has always moved me, from my parents playing their Nat King Cole records to the first time I heard Bohemian Rhapsody on a friend’s AM car radio to my kids embracing The Beatles. I still maintain a robust collection of vinyl LPs and 45s. I consider music to be one of the main characters in the book.Each chapter name is a song title that sets the stage for the chapter’s content.Scattered throughoutDeadly Melodyare references to songs – some subtle, some direct – that help shape the rhythm and emotional landscape of the novel.
Were there any bigger themes you wanted to explore?
One of the key themes is the import role relationships can play in our lives. Be it family, friends, caregivers, co-workers or a passing acquaintance, relationships can have a strong influence on a person’s character, identity and behaviour.
What are some of the crime books and authors that have inspired you?
As a kid I loved reading Ellery Queen’s and Alfred Hitchcock’s mystery magazines.Today, I find inspiration from Michael Connelly, Gillian Flynn and Harlan Coben.Currently, I’m reading Steven King’sNever Flinch. Connelly’sThe Hollowand Riley Sager’sThe Unknownare next up in my TBR.
What’s next for Rob Conley, Rusty Miller and Keith J Lindenburg?
I’ve started work on my next novel, tentatively titled,Deadly Reckoning.1980s Newport will also be the setting, and this one will have a strong nautical theme, allowing me to tap into my boating experience as a licensed US Coast Guard Captain. Conley and Miller will be main characters in my new book, with appearances from some other familiar faces.
You can grab a copy of Deadly Melody using our links below, or via Keith’s website, here.