A Murder in Music City by Michael Bishop
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| A Murder in Music City by Michael Bishop |
A Murder in Music City
Author Michael Bishop
Length: 330 pages
Release date: September 5, 2017
Content notes: There is a horrible murder, not described too graphically, no foul language, and the author made efforts to make this book appropriate for YA audiences.
Brief Synopsis:
The 1964 murder of eighteen year old Paula Herring in Nashville Tennessee is explored, probed, questioned, and throughly scrutinized in this book. Nashville, in 1964, is a brand new metropolitan government that is riddled with corruption from the top down and exploring this murder exposes how even elite member of society can be quite depraved. How did this bright young woman newly graduated from John Overton High School get entangled in this bog of brutality? The vivid details and answers are in this book.
My thoughts:
When Michael Bishop decides to explore Nashville history and stories, he walks into the Nashville archives building and (surprisingly) is allowed to explore the 1963 records from the office of the former chief of police. When he opens the first box he is greeted by two brown recluse spiders quietly guarding the secrets within. I am not sure if Mr. Bishop intended for these little poisonous spinners to be a metaphoric/foreshadowing literary device for what is to follow in the book. But, by the end of the book I had names for these spiders who did not wish for Bishop to explore the records and files. One file guarded by the little spiders contained the disturbing pictures and notes about the brutal murder of young Paula Herring.
The Paula Herring file starts Bishop on an extensive quest to research and solve the unanswered question about this murder. AND, there are many questions to explore, and the deeper he goes the more interesting this story becomes.
I was very young and have no recollection of these events even though I lived two blocks from the house where this murder occurred. I do, however, personally know every place mentioned in this book. Paula’s little brother and I both went to Norman Binkley Elementary School, and Paula and I graduated from John Overton High School (called “Johnny O”). This detailed story and the mystery within is a compelling and easy read, but anyone growing up in Nashville (like me) will be especially intrigued by this story. If you are not familiar with Nashville, get a map and familiarize yourself with our beautiful city and you will not be able to put this book down until you discover the secrets that have been hidden for decades.
The Paula Herring file starts Bishop on an extensive quest to research and solve the unanswered question about this murder. AND, there are many questions to explore, and the deeper he goes the more interesting this story becomes.
I was very young and have no recollection of these events even though I lived two blocks from the house where this murder occurred. I do, however, personally know every place mentioned in this book. Paula’s little brother and I both went to Norman Binkley Elementary School, and Paula and I graduated from John Overton High School (called “Johnny O”). This detailed story and the mystery within is a compelling and easy read, but anyone growing up in Nashville (like me) will be especially intrigued by this story. If you are not familiar with Nashville, get a map and familiarize yourself with our beautiful city and you will not be able to put this book down until you discover the secrets that have been hidden for decades.
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| The book signing for A Murder in Music City attended by over 350 people interested in this story |
On a side note, I went to a book talk and signing with the author at John Overton High last night, January 25th, 2018. I found Mr. Bishop to be interesting, kind, and humble. I was allowed to ask him two questions: One was if he had recorded the interviews presented in his book (he did). And the other one I can not write about without spoiling the book for new readers. If you want to know my other question, email me at judysbloomingreviews@gmail.com and I will tell you. I also wanted to ask him if he intended for the spiders to be a foreshadowing metaphor in this story, but … other people wanted to ask questions so I left that for my own interpretation.
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| The chair middle front in the Overton theatre for Paula during the book talk on January 24, 2018 |
ALSO, Mr. Bishop has promised his share of future proceeds from this book to the newly formed Paula Herring Scholarship fund for students from John Overton High school.
However, we the Nashville community, need to do our part in this effort. The Overton alumni were all challenged to make a fifty dollar contribution to this fund, and that is not unreasonable! To learn more about the newly formed Paula Herring Scholarship fund for students from John Overton High school, please send an email to: phscholarshipfund@yahoo.
However, we the Nashville community, need to do our part in this effort. The Overton alumni were all challenged to make a fifty dollar contribution to this fund, and that is not unreasonable! To learn more about the newly formed Paula Herring Scholarship fund for students from John Overton High school, please send an email to: phscholarshipfund@yahoo.
It is my understanding that they are only taking pledges right now, but if you have questions you are welcome to email me at judysbloomingreviews@gmail.com. As an educator myself, I love helping young people get to college, and this is a wonderful tribute to a young woman who was not allowed to follow this dream.
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| Mr. Bishop discussing his book at John Overton High School on January 24, 2018 |
Read this book. You will not be able to put it down and you will want to re-read parts. There is a “Where are They Now” section for you to know what happened to the people interviewed and involved with this story. Very helpful!
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| My own autographed copy of the book (so cool...right?) |
I know the names of those spiders.
ReplyDeleteThen you have read the book!
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