Praise for Murder In St. Barts by J.R. Ripley

“!!!!EXCEPTIONAL” Today’s Books

“Trenet is a well-developed, likable character, and the novel offers an absorbing mystery set in the exotic playground of the rich and famous. An entertaining new series…” Booklist

“It would be hard not to like MURDER IN ST. BARTS. Dialogue, the humor, and the sarcasm give us all something to enjoy.” I Love A Mystery.

Praise for Lost In Austin by J.R. Ripley

“Action-packed plot. Recommended.” Library Journal

“Mystery fans will enjoy the clever plot, loopy characters, and sardonic humor. Music fans will find themselves tappin’ a toe and swiggin’ a longneck to the musical atmosphere of the Austin music scene that Ripley - an Austin musician himself - so carefully recreates. Fans of Greg Kihn=s recent musical mysteries will find a kindred soul in Ripley.” Booklist

“Very highly recommended” Midwest Book Review

“Tony is thrilled to sub for the suspiciously less-than-thrilled injured guitarist of a popular country band in J.R. Ripley’s (Skulls of Sedona) Lost in Austin: A Tony Kozol Mystery. The guitarist vehemently wants Tony gone, and when other band members are murdered, series star Tony finds he’s risking life and limb in this Country Western romp.” Publishers Weekly

“The blurbs that came with J. R. Ripley's ( pen name of musician Glenn Meganck) new book in the Tony Kozol series called the book a light mystery. At times it is almost tongue in cheek. . .The action moves right along, dialogue spurts from the mouths of as eccentric a group as you could wish for. While it is set in the music scene of Austin, the locale doesn't get in the way of the plot. And I admit I didn't even try to figure out who the "bad guy" was, I just drifted along with the tide and the ending was a satisfactory surprise.” I Love A Mystery

“Here’s a new author. . .and new series character all rolled up into one pleasant reading experience. . .Ripley’s principal concern is presenting a good mystery, and he succeeds. . .He offers throw-down descriptions of secondary characters that ring true. . .Not a cozy, but not quite medium-boiled, either. I began Lost in Austin wondering what I was getting into, and by the end, was satisfied on all counts. I stand in awe of polymaths. The late Steve Allen— may he rest in peace— was one. J.R. Ripley may be another.” Mystery News

Praise for Bum Rap In Branson by J.R. Ripley

“Ripley spins a truly funny yarn that will have readers laughing out loud. An offbeat hit that will appeal especially to country music fans.” Booklist

“A delightfully funny mystery novel!” Susan K. Scott President-Bonniebrook Historical Society

"J. R. Ripley's Bum Rap In Branson is an exciting mystery novel... The latest entry in a genuinely thrilling series... A viciously delightful read for mystery/suspense enthusiasts!” Midwest Book Review

In praise of The Body From Ipanema by J.R. Ripley

“...Entertaining . . .Tony and Rock remain an engagingly laid-back sleuthing duo.” — Booklist

“Set in the festive Brazilian city of Rio de Janeiro, The Body From Ipanema...is an exciting, tangled web of criss-crossing motivations and cold-blooded murder. Protagonist Tony Kozol is back, this time working for a beautiful and sensational Latin pop singer. But the streets of Ipanema have muggers too - and one of them, after mugging Tony, mysteriously turns up with a cut throat. This is only the start of a whirlwind chain of events to lure Tony in ever deeper into a dark and wild urban maze of deadly human motives, in this gripping mystery. Also very highly recommended are the earlier novels in the Tony Kozol mystery series…” Midwest Book Review

"Ripley pens exciting book of sex, murder, local color, by Virginia Sink, Oklahoma Tribune."The Body from Ipanema" by J.R. Ripley is the fourth in the author's mysteries about his hero, Tony Kozol. It is an exciting, modern-day novel filled with sex, murder and plenty of local color. Tony, who is a guitarist, and his friend, Rock Bottom, who plays bass, have gone to Rio de Janeiro with a Brazilian band, supposedly for a 10-week stay. It is Carnival time in Rio, and Tony learns quite soon that something about their supposedly band gig is fishy. What follows is love, mugging, murder and mystery in an exciting story to read that will definitely hold the reader’s attention. These are not exactly my type of stories, but I've enjoyed every one of Ripley's that I've read. His writing is interesting, witty and fast-paced. His hero is likable, easy to relate to. If you don't especially like what you're reading, have patience. In just a few pages the plot will have completely turned. In this book you will be fooled to the last page...."

Praise for Skulls Of Sedona by J.R. Ripley

LIBRARY JOURNAL—”Wacky characters, liquid prose, frequent humor, and a decidedly light plot place this in the fun, breeze-to-read category. Readers who enjoyed Sharon McCrumb’s Bimbos of the Death Sun will also get a kick out of this.”

PUBLISHER’S WEEKLY – “... Readers will enjoy Ripley’s sharp dialogue, which keeps the novel speeding along at a pleasant clip.”

MIDWEST BOOK REVIEW - “Well, folks, Tony Kozol, lightning rod for trouble, is back... J.R. Ripley continues to delight with offbeat and provocative settings for this follow up to the benchmark Stiff in the Freezer. And true to form, Ripley comes up with a mixture of innovation, some wry commentary of the fads of the day, and just plain old amateur sleuthing in a grab bag of fun and excitement.”

THE TRIBUNE (OKLAHOMA) - “J.R. Ripley has out a new Tony Kozol mystery, Skulls of Sedona... and it’s just as much fun to read as the first Tony Kozol mystery, AStiff in the Freezer. As always, with J.R. Ripley’s work, this book is fun to read. Maybe it’s because he always seems to write with a sort of tongue-in-cheek attitude... I like J.R. Ripley=s work. He has that touch of the bizarre, the outré, the silly, yet there seems to be some common sense behind it. It=s always entertaining reading and one can=t help liking his hero, Tony Kozol. He is a sort of Everyman. You know he is going to get in big trouble before the story spins out... You’ll enjoys this book.”

MIAMI HERALD “Musician Tony Kozol is not thrilled about the idea of traveling to Sedona, Ariz., to play guitar at a New Age convention. He'd rather be at home in Ocean Palm, South Florida, where weirdos don't worry about their auras. The Crystal Magic of the Skulls Conference just does not sound like Tony's cup of tea, but an old friend asked, so he's on the way. When his pal ends up crushed by his piano lid, the amateur detective has something more interesting than chakras to keep him busy. You get the idea Ripley has had a few good laughs at Sedona's expense, and he provides more than a few wicked shots here. Skulls of Sedona is quick and light-hearted and likely to give you a pretty good vibe.”

Praise for Stiff In The Freezer by J.R. Ripley

Midwest Book Review - "In the genre of Sam Spade, Columbo, and hosts of other "Pulp" stories, J.R. Ripley is so true to form in Stiff in the Freezer that one can almost hear the Bronx accent narrating the story. Dames, diners, and a stiff. . .a wonderful brew for murder and mayhem. . .Written in a totally off-the-cuff, bare bones fashion. . . Ripley has a cutting sense of humor."

The Tribune - “The story is lighthearted, sexy, funny and entertaining. Well-plotted, it rises to an amazing finale. The characters are well-drawn, interesting and believable."

The Chattooga Press - “"Stiff In The Freezer is a mix of mystery, murder and mayhem."

"Light, quick reading, Stiff In The Freezer, by J.R. Ripley is a thriller laced with a good dose of humor. . .Ripley's dialogue and bumbling characters smack of Damon Runyon's style. . .it's perfect for an afternoon at the beach." Island Reporter

Reviews for the Glenn Meganck LOST IN AUSTIN CD

“I give up; who is J. R. Ripley? Oh yeah, that's the nom de plume de ma tante, no, de Glenn Meganck or is Glenn Meganck the nom de chanson de J. R. Ripley? I don't know, but maybe Kinky do. Austin, Texas is no less than a hotbed of multi-literate types and Meganck is one more in a long line of serio-talented individuals who wind up in the Texas capital. Just like Baton Rouge has blues legends. If his books are as good as his songs, I reckon I need to get my act down to the library.” Nightflying Reviews

“Glenn Meganck is . . .a popular mystery writer who moonlights as an indie country artist. He has a . . .pleasant way with a melody. . his literary skills translate to strong lyric writing. Particular engaging is the story of the title track, in which he searches for the one that got away in all Texan cities before getting lost. "We Only Talk About the Weather" is about lack of communication between lovers. "Love's Cruel Sea". . .offers some interesting philosophies. Other lyrics are deeply poignant "("Is It Everything (That You Dreamed It Would Be?)")" or downright humorous ("The Man Who Would Disappear.").” All Music Guide

“. . .Lost In Austin possesses a Texas folk feel. . .I enjoyed a lot of the songs; they show quite a bit of promise. In fact, “We Only Talk About the Weather” was excellent. Of interest, Glenn is also author JR Ripley, who does a great job with the Tony Kozol amateur sleuth mystery series. Check out some of his books. . .” The Glass Eye