Starting in 2010 with And All That Murder, Joan Merrill has published five novels centered in the world of jazz. Her main character is San Francisco-based PI Casey McKie, a jazz fan whose best friend is club owner and vocalist Dee Jefferson. Casey’s investigations have taken place in San Francisco’s North Beach, a jazz cruise, a jazz festival, New York’s jazz scene, and, in the latest book, a jazz camp.

Jazz musicians and critics have complimented Merrill on her authentic depiction of all things jazz.

Jazz lovers will feel … joy as Ms. Merrill craftily deflects suspicion from suspect to suspect before sounding the final chord in this swinging whodunit.”

- Harvey Siders, Jazz Times

“Writing with flair and imagination, Joan’s pace is crisp, her dialogue snappy and apposite, and her comments on jazz, the music and the people, are insightful.”
Bruce Crowther, Jazz Journal.

“You can almost hear the bebop soundtrack.’
–  Scott Yanow. L.A. Times

“I’m a jazz musician and felt that the author did a great job of keeping things ‘real.’”

– Shanna Carlson, jazz singer, pianist

 

And All That Motive

When jazz festival headliner Sid Satin is fatally shot after his set, local police blame Dee. Casey investigates, uncovering a number of Satin’s enemies with a motive for murder.

"The fictional jazz instrumentalists, singers and those involved in the business of jazz all sound and act realistically.

 - Scott Yanow, LA Times  

And All That Madness

Casey goes to New York to investigate a 50-year-old cold case. Was the drug dose that killed the legendary jazz singer Georgia Valentine self-administered or was someone else involved?

"A tale of intrigue and revenge, all set to the beat of the blues and be-bop. A colorful, exceptionally intelligent thriller."

-  Carol Sloane, jazz singer 

And All That Stalking

When Dee asks Casey to look into the murder of a young jazz singer whose boyfriend is being targeted for the crime by the police, she agrees, delving deep into North Beach nightlife.

"Another exhilarating page-turner from Joan Merrill and her alter ego, Detective Casey McKie."

- Harvey Siders, JazzTimes 

And All That Sea

While on a jazz cruise as Dee’s guest, Casey is asked to locate a missing passenger – the Countess. It turns out she has a number of enemies on board. Did one of them toss her into the Caribbean?

"In investigating the disappearance of a passenger, Casey soon discovers that many of those on board, jazz fans and jazz musicians, have secrets."

- Bruce Crowther, Jazz Journal

And All That Murder 

Casey looks into the supposed suicide of Dee’s friend, an Oakland jazz club owner. As more jazz people are murdered, she realizes she’s dealing with a serial killer.

"The author has great insight into the genre and the world of the jazz player… Her opinions and perspective through her characters were quite authentic."

- Joe Sullivan, musician

sayingitwithjazz.com includes 50 videos and numerous essays on the singers and songwriters of The Golden Age (1920s-1965).

Listen to the Great American Songbook with host JM Jazz (Joan Merrill) on WETF the jazz station in South Bend, Indiana on Saturday at 5 pm. Repeats Sunday at midnight.
Live stream website: jazzradiowetf.org
Listen to 80 archived shows on sayingitwithjazz.com