You may be wondering why I am reviewing a book that does not have any lesbian content. Some might assume a familial bias - but they would be wrong. The bias is actually due to the subject matter … John Lennon and the musical artists of the 60s and 70s. Music is life and my generation was blessed by bearing witness to the birth, growth and development of rock and roll. John Lennon was one of the most amazing songwriters ever born, and unarguably, responsible for some of the most amazing music ever produced. besides … the author happens to be a well-loved family member …

The John Lennon Affair is third in a series about characters Neil Gulliver and Stevie Marriner. All three novels are based on situations that develop as Neil, a reporter, is investigating his latest story for the newspaper. The characters often become embroiled in mysterious - and deadly - situations that include various entertainment personalities.

Robert S. Levinson has an easy style that quickly pulls the reader into the story, and the book quickly becomes difficult to put down. With the many surprising twists and turns, I found the mystery and action alone well worth the read.

Story Excerpt I cleared a spot on the edge of Hal's desk and listened in a state of aggravated silence, too stunned, too deep into grieving to acknowledge Hal with more than a quiet finger to my lips when he said gently, "I knew you'd want to know, how big a Lennon fan you are." A fan? He was one of my few heroes, Lennon. I hurt from the news. My temples at war. Eyes wet with grief. Belly burning with pain and rage.

But, the action and mystery is not the only reason I believe you should read this book. There is another side to the novel that I find to be an even bigger treat - the reminiscing of real life events and occurrences with Lennon, Nilsson and quite a few others of the time, which is interspersed in and amongst the mystery and current day happenings of Neil and Stevie.

Much of the reminiscing that is included in the book flows between the real, rumored and fiction - so much so that even the author, who was an industry insider at the time - can't or won't parse it out for us. By using his skill as a storyteller (and I can attest that he is as wonderful a storyteller as he is a writer) he relays the warmth and feeling found in past memories - bringing long dead artists back to the world of the living.

Check out the other Neil Gulliver and Stevie Marriner novels at Robert S. Levinson's web site.

Until next time...