The Songbook of Benny Lament

A Novel

By: Amy Harmon

Narrated by: Rob Shapiro

Length: 14 hrs and 52 mins

Publisher's summary

From the bestselling author of What the Wind Knows and From Sand and Ash comes a powerful love story about a musical duo who put everything on the line to be together.

New York, 1960: For Benny Lament, music is his entire life. With his father’s deep ties to the mob, the Bronx piano man has learned that love and family can get you in trouble. So he keeps to himself, writing songs for other musicians, avoiding the spotlight…until the night his father brings him to see Esther Mine sing.

Esther is a petite powerhouse with a gorgeous voice. And when Benny writes a hit song and performs it with her, their collaboration thrusts the duo onto the national stage…and stirs up old issues and new scrutiny that the mob--and Benny--would rather avoid.

It would be easier to walk away. But the music and the woman are too hard for the piano man to resist. Benny’s songs and Esther’s vocals are an explosive combination, a sound that fans can’t get enough of. But though America might love the music they make together, some people aren’t ready for Benny Lament and Esther Mine on--or off--the stage.

©2021 Amy Harmon (P)2021 Brilliance Publishing, Inc., all rights reserved.

Critic reviews

“The story is enlightening, heart-breaking, and ultimately inspiring as these two beautiful characters find the soul of what it truly means to be human and love. Powerful writing, enthralling reading!” —TJ Mackay, founder and publisher of InD’tale Magazine

“Amy’s stories are always deeply addictive and transporting, but beyond that, her compassion and insight into the human experience raises her work to another level completely. She is in a class of her own.” —Mia Sheridan, New York Times bestselling author

“The Songbook of Benny Lament is typical of Harmon’s style: fluid, elegant, and filled with grace. A must read of 2021 and beyond.” —Emma Scott, USA Today and Wall Street Journal bestselling author

Loved it!

Best book I’ve listened to in a while. Loved the story and the characters. Rob Shapiro was great with the narration. It is a powerful subject that is filled with loves and determination.

Ugly Beautiful

First of all - I LOVED the format the author chose to tell the story. Very clever and very original. Made the story that much better.
Secondly - the narration is superb. Excellent. Take a bow Rob Shapiro - you make an excellent 60's DJ.

The story is well told and winds our way through some pretty ugly people and ugly situations that were very prevalent during the time period.
The love story is sweet, but the story of the racial and family struggles, all the tribulations and obstacles they face is what really brings this story along. The format of the DJ interviewing the MC really pulls this along and makes it feel more personal in a strange way.

Well worth the credit, probably a multiple listen book and well worth the extremely fast 15 hours.

One of the best books I've heard this year.

I became a fan of Amy Harmon through her "Saylock" books, which are great. But this book is amazing. It's a great story featuring great characters.

Rob Shapiro has outdone himself in this book: he doesn't narrate it, he performs it.

wonderful

my first book by Amy harmon so I wasnt sure what to expect. I also took this book as a rec from a friend and went in blind. so perfectly captures the feel of the 60s. great story with suspense as well. amazing narration by Rob Shapiro.

A can't put down

This book has everything, murder, mystery, love, race-hate, history along with a great ending!!! You will want to hear it all over again.

Great Story

This a well written, well read story filled with passion for love and music. I loved the clearly developed characters. The story was both personal and political taking place in a time of racial turmoil that still exists. No matter what your taste is in literature it would be hard not to love this tale. The reader was perfect. Thank you.

Entertaining with Great Narration

Such an entertaining story - from start to finish! I loved this book and the narration makes it even better, which says a lot. But the performance was fantastic!

Best audiobook I have listen to in 2021

I’m stunned with this incredible story. This amazing characters and the wonderful work Amy Harmon has put into this book.

I need to gather my thoughts to write a full review but for now know that you MUST DEFINITELY need to grab The Song Book of Benny Lament. A book you will absolutely adore and get suck into. There’s no story like this.

Thoroughly enjoyed!

Loved listening to this production. And that’s what it felt like. More than a a regular book. You could tell how much effort went into it by both the author and narrator. I felt like I was listening to the radio show in real time and back in the 60s for their story. Enjoyed the back and forth. Excellent details. Love the name dropping from the 60s.

As for the narrator, I’ve enjoyed his previously work but this book has to be his best yet. He hit it out of the park. Everything was perfect… accents, timing. It’s like this book was written for his voice. I could have listened all day.

The story in itself was a great read. Yes we have issues in this broken world, we always will, but look how far we’ve come.

An Absolute Gem!!!!!

I loved every moment of this book. The story was soooooo brilliantly 👏🏽 written and the narration was absolutely incredible and just Perfection. Wow! First time read/listen to this author and narrator. It won't be my last. Highly recommend! 👌 👍🏼 👏🏽