This book grabbed me and would not let me put it down. I've read a lot of Best Sellers and Jazz On A Broken piano ranks right there with them all.
Dan Yount-Editor-in-chief, Cincinnati Herald

 

"I finished this book. Now, I can't stop thinking about it. What a great read... it held my attention. I feel like I knew Jasmine. The format and layout of the book are so reader-friendly...Great job John.

Susan Kestella- a former employee, Marysville Reformatory

 

“I just finished and I'm crying."  
C. Smith photographer, Cincinnati, Ohio

 

"Everyone needs to read this book."
James Brock, Cincinnati, Ohio

This book was an easy read and great story. I'm crying and mad."
William Clarke, Cincinnati, Ohio

 "I read my husband's copy, now I must have my own."
Linda Lindsey, West Chester, Ohio

 

"John--Finished the book in a few days, but didn't want to put it down at all.  I enjoyed it immensely. It was an extremely difficult book to put down once I began reading it. What starts out as a story of a woman following a “grass on the other side” path, but doesn’t give a clue about the intensity of the story that that follows. Jasmine’s well-told story shows us how easily one with the best intentions can be caught up in circumstances that quickly get out of control. It tells the story of hope, unrealized potential and tragedy. The story was thought provoking and contained a lot of historical and geographical references with which many readers can identify. Of course, I cried at the end when everyone else was crying.
Carmen Cannon Upper Marlboro, Maryland

Kudos, my Brother. I loved it.
Henry Robertson Cincinnati, Ohio

Excellent book. I enjoyed it a lot and it brought back lots of memories
Charlesine Blalark, Cincinnati, Ohio

 

  I read Jazz On A Broken Piano TWICE. I salute you, my brother for your research, especially the trial coverage. It kept me spellbound.

Bill Madison. Cincinnati, Ohio

 

 

Jazz On A Broken Piano carried me through waves of emotions that I didn't foresee. I was taken back to a place and time that I personally did not experience to my regret. The characters are so familiar, the girl or guy next door. Truth and fiction are intertwined making it impossible to differentiate. Jazz kept me up many nights to the wee hours. I enjoyed this book and recommend it. It's an edge of your seat read.

Vionet Jones, Cincinnati, Ohio

 

 

An extremely well-researched book that flows like good jazz! 

The court dialogue was the best ever captured in a book. Cincinnati West End history affectionately, intelligently, and accurately recorded. The book and characters live and love lavishly. As a black Cincinnatian, Jazz on a Broken Piano makes me proud

JMAD Cincinnati, Ohio

 

The title of the book was the first thing that caught my eye and encouraged me to read the book. The title gave no hint as to what would lie between the 395 pages that followed its cover. Jazz On A Broken Piano sounded mysterious and intriguing and that genre is where I allow myself to spend the most of my reading time. The book didn't turn out to be just another pretty face but a darn good read. I was vaguely familiar with the true story that the book was based upon and was thankful to the author for detailing the account of the story and keeping things moving at the same time. 

Following the character of Jasmine Butler, one could not help but ride the up and down roller coaster of emotions, Mr. Harshaw injected into the book. Sometimes I didn't want to turn the page because I was afraid of what I would read and other times I couldn't wait to get the answer to what was going to happen next. The jury trials were fascinating and it was obvious that a lot of research and reading of the transcripts was done to pull off the suspenseful court wrangling. 

Jazz is a must read for those that lived in the West End of Cincinnati at any time, as I had, and just a good book for anyone to spend some time with. I believe this is the author’s first publishing and what a commendable effort it was. 

Skip Harrison Davis, California

 

John Harshaw has written a great book.  It is a book that should be in public libraries and in homes. John's book is thought-provoking and easy to read. He uses words that are understandable and phrases that are easy to comprehend. This is truly a great book. John Harshaw is a very talented writer. Congrats are in order. 

 

Carl Prather, Chicago, ILL

 

I recently took the time to read "Jazz on a Broken Piano," written by Cincinnati author and friend, John Harshaw. Based on a true story, this true crime drama is filled with Cincinnati history and brought my emotional self to tears. Check it out and support your local writers and artists. 

Madison West Louisville, Kentucky

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