Happy Never After : A Callahan Garrity Mystery

Snappy dialog, whiz-bang action sequences, and a lovably flawed heroine: a perfect recipe for a fizzy, frothy concoction of mystery and pop music business primer. The "first tier" characters have plenty of sizzle amongst themselves, but things really shine when the supporting cast shows up for a birthday party or a housecleaning expedition. (You don't want me to say more than that, truly.) Dialog sings, not only as entertainment but also in actually advancing the plot. I learned to pay attention through my giggles and sighs; the plot was moving on. This author writes hilarious vignettes that evoke everything from the slightly soused country club golfers to the fear and loathing of staking out a boyfriend who might be sleeping with his ex-wife. The most far-fetched circumstances are related with such a light touch that it is easy to suspend disbelief. Put differently, you won't believe what you'll believe in this story. For the most part, the various threads are tidied up by the end of the book. I admire and appreciate the fact that the author did not force a happy ending for everything. Altogether this was a satisfying and delightful read.

I love this series and it simply gets better and better. If you're new to this series, take advantage and begin at the beginning.

This is more like Sue Grafton. The dialog has tightened up. My favorite line "Rita, she's alright. You ask me if she did do it the dude probably needed killing." The plot construction is not as tight as Grafton. We are not convinced that the only way to prove Rita innocent is to find the real killer so the page-turning tension doesn't build up. It's a series of interviews which are used to bring in memorable characters and a lot of information about pop music of the sixties. The sub-plot of the two divorced couples and their daughters was more compelling. I was not sure from reading it if this was next in the series after Every Dead Nanny. Did Home-Made Sin and To Live and Die in Dixie come in between? I'll have fun finding out.

I love this author's books and this one in particular. The author has done particularly well in painting a realistic and moving account of the lives of members of a former "girl group". Something about this book made me identify so much with the female characters - a sign of good writing. Please give this book a go, especially if you haven't read this author before.

Calahan Garrity is a delightful detective. It is a pleasure to follow her through the mysteries she solves. The author paints a wonderful picture of the heroine's interactions with the characters in this story. I loved the references to the music and musical groups of the 60's.