Barbados Heat    by Don Bruns Order:  USA  Can Minotaur, 2003 (2003) Hardcover      Reviewed by Mary Ann Smyth Don Bruns' second book, Barbados Heat, is another winner. Quickly read, it's a page-turner, full of suspense and fast-paced action. Though not a big-bang surprise, its ending is nonetheless satisfying. Music journalist Mick Sever works on a story about the savage murder of a United States Senator, who was about to open congressional hearings on the sex and violence in today's music. Several suspects are arrested. Sever's ex-wife agrees to help him with the research for his story. Mick is manhandled, almost firebombed - twice – and comes close to being shot at point blank range. Obviously someone wants to stop him from finishing and publishing his story. Big time. The look at the rapper music scene is intriguing, as is the explanation of why so much of that music is about sex and violence. It's the culture, man. The culture. The characters are well fleshed out. Mick, the only one to whose thoughts we are privy, desperately wants his ex-wife to be with him again. His boyhood friend is the stepson of the murdered senator and one of the suspects. Past transgressions on their friendship create new problems. A lot is packed into Barbados Heat, an exciting new book which flows with nary a flaw. Note that the book is named for a drink (rum and cranberry amongst other ingredients), whose recipe is available at don-bruns.com. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews