Picture a San Diego storyteller who strums a guitar as deftly as he spins a mystery—meet Corey Lynn Fayman! This acclaimed author of the Rolly Waters Mystery series has carved a niche in crime fiction with his witty, sun-soaked tales. Blending his love for music, technology, and his hometown’s vibrant culture, Fayman crafts stories that pulse with local flavor and noir charm.
Born in La Jolla, California, in the same hospital where Raymond Chandler took his final bow, Fayman’s life is a tapestry of creative pursuits. His journey from keyboard player to award-winning novelist is as twisty as the plots he pens, making him a unique voice in contemporary crime fiction.
The Making of Corey Lynn Fayman
Fayman’s early years were steeped in creativity. Armed with a B.A. in Creative Writing and Poetry from UCLA and an M.A. in Educational Technology from San Diego State University, he juggled roles as a musician, sound designer for the Old Globe Theatre, and interactive designer. His stint at the infamous MP3.com, a dot-com era music startup, sparked the idea for Rolly Waters, the guitar-slinging detective who anchors his novels. Fayman’s diverse background infuses his writing with authenticity, from gritty blues clubs to high-tech intrigue.
Corey Lynn Fayman’s Unforgettable Stories
Fayman’s Rolly Waters Mystery series kicks off with Black’s Beach Shuffle, a San Diego Book Awards nominee that introduces Rolly, a recovering rock musician and part-time private eye. When Rolly stumbles upon a corpse at a tech mogul’s mansion, he’s thrust into a web of murder and dot-com schemes. The novel’s vivid settings, from Black’s Beach to Torrey Pines, and its sly humor earned praise as a fresh take on the Southern California gumshoe tradition.
The series continues with Border Field Blues, a 2013 Hollywood Book Festival Genre Award winner, set along the San Diego-Tijuana border. Here, Rolly investigates vandalism at a bird sanctuary, uncovering a tangle of politics and crime. Desert City Diva ventures to Slab City, weaving alien cults and a 20-year-old murder into a quirky noir tale. The series’ pinnacle, Ballast Point Breakdown, snagged the 2021 San Diego Book Awards’ Geisel Award, blending punk bands, Navy SEALs, and dolphin scientists in a twist-laden plot.
Fayman’s style melds Raymond Chandler’s hard-boiled grit with Carl Hiaasen’s irreverent humor. His protagonist, Rolly, is no polished hero—he’s a flawed, middle-aged musician living in his mom’s garage, whose guitar is as much a tool as his detective skills. Each novel paints San Diego’s neighborhoods with insider precision, making the city a character in its own right.
Why Corey Lynn Fayman Matters
Fayman’s impact lies in his ability to modernize the private eye genre while staying rooted in San Diego’s soul. His novels capture the city’s laid-back vibe and undercurrents of ambition, resonating with locals and readers alike. Critics, like ForeWord Reviews, hail him as “a powerful new voice on the crime-fiction scene,” and awards for his series affirm his growing influence. For fans of crime fiction, Fayman offers a refreshing blend of music, mystery, and local lore.
- Born: La Jolla, California
- Key Works: Black’s Beach Shuffle, Border Field Blues, Desert City Diva, Ballast Point Breakdown
- Awards: San Diego Book Awards nominee (Black’s Beach Shuffle), Hollywood Book Festival Genre Award (Border Field Blues), San Diego Book Awards Geisel Award (Ballast Point Breakdown)
Ready to dive into a mystery as vibrant as a San Diego sunset? Snag Black’s Beach Shuffle and let Corey Lynn Fayman’s witty, guitar-strumming sleuth take you on a thrilling ride!