The Songbook of Benny Lament: A Novel

Written by Amy Harmon

Narrated by Rob Shapiro

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Brilliance Audio
• Release date: Mar 16, 2021
• ISBN: 9781713555018

Amy Harmon

Amy Harmon is a New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and USA Today bestselling author of thirteen novels, including From Sand and Ash, and the Whitney Award–winning The Law of Moses. Her historical novels, inspirational romances, and young adult fantasy books are now being published internationally. To find out more about Amy, visit her at www.authoramyharmon.com.

Reviews for The Songbook of Benny Lament

[Kathleen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Perfection! I loved everything about this story and the narration is excellent.

[Heather Gomez · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book has everything. Mob. Music. Civil rights. Superstars. Love and inner struggle. Loved every second. Narration made it impossible to put down.

[bucheh · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

As a colored woman with colored children this was very hard to listen. The struggle people had to go through so that I and my children can attend any school and live with relatively less fear than what these characters had to go thru in the 60s. I appreciate every voice, every man and woman who sacrificed so that we can be where we are today in 2022. Thanks Ms Amy for bringing this story to life.

[Michelle Potter · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Another amazing book by Amy, I could not put this down, her gift is storytelling and weaving a Narrative I didn’t know how the story was going to end but was delighted. Can’t wait for her next book

[Jill Ann · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amy Harmon never disappoints! Her stories always take the reader on an emotional journey with characters you can’t help rooting for and relating to. This story explores love, loyalty, race, family and how it all shapes the person we are and the one we want to become. A story you don’t want to miss!

[sarahjunemurphync · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This is a well written depiction of interracial struggles in the 60’s. Enlightening and entertaining with a plot twist.

[Anna Shuk · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

This book!!! I freaking adored it without even expecting it. Incredible story, wonderful character and music! Loooooved it.

[Karen · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

So incredibly great! This is the 3rd historical novel by Amy Harmon I've read...all were excellent. She masterfully captured the tumult of the early 60s among a beautiful love story! I genuinely feel I have a greater understanding of the era after finishing this book, and I was totally enchanted by the love story. Harmon wove real-life figures and events from the era throughout the story.

The narration in this book is exceptional! I can’t recommend this book enough!

[kathleen shaw · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Best narrator EVER!!!!!...STORY WAS PRETTY GOOD TOO!!! He's the BOMB

[Angie · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Amazing. This is my new favorite. And the narrator was amazing. My words do it no justice. I laughed. I cried. I was angry.
After a 30 minute drive to get home I sat in my driveway for another 10 minutes to finish a chapter.
And… It's giving me some strength to confront some issues in my life. I feel stronger after this. Thank you so much Amy.

[Valerie Holmes · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

Sooooo Good! Just listen to this story set in the backdrop of the 50’s- 60’s

[Melanie Collins · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

What an amazing journey. Fantastic story and Rob Shapiro did a perfect job voicing the characters.

[Daphne Dominique · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I loved this book. The narrator is off the charts amazing and the story came alive from page 1 to the last. What a great story. I did not want it to end. Would be a great premise for a movie.

[Leah Barton Tew · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

I rarely leave a five star rating, so a book has to be really good for me to do so. This one certainly earned all five stars. Amy Harmon is a gifted writer, able to not only draw you in to the story and the setting, but to make you feel engaged with it and to care about the characters.

I find that many - if not most - books have too many eye rolling moments for me to rate them highly; these are usually moments that are too unrealistic for me to have the suspension of disbelief necessary to really get involved in the plot. While this book certainly has its fantastical moments, those are necessary to make the story interesting. A gifted writer is able to create those moments in a way that makes us buy into them, and Amy Harmony certainly achieves that here. Few writers are able to do so.

This review would be incomplete without a shout out to the incredible narration as well, which really brought the characters to life.