Midnight Clear: A Callahan Garrity Mystery

It's a few days before Christmas, and sometimes disorganized Callahan Garrity, actually has things under control for a change. That is, until her deadbeat brother, Brian, shows up after 10 long years, with a toddler, Maura, who he says is his daughter. Callahan is always used to trouble following Brian, so when she finds out that he's actually kidnapped Maura from his estranged wife, she's not surprised. But, when Brian's ex-wife is found dead, the lead suspect is Brian. And though Callahan knows that he's many things, she knows that he's no murderer. So now it's time for her, her hilarious mother, Edna, and the employees of the House Mouse Cleaning Service to do some serious detective work around Atlanta, before Christmas is ruined for everyone.This was my first Callahan Garrity mystery, and I was not one bit disappointed. Callahan, and her mother Edna are two hilarious characters, and the mother/daughter relationship between the two of them is absolutely fantastic. Whether you're a mystery lover, or a fan of family drama's, this is a must-have this holiday season.Erika Sorocco

I deliberately waited over a year to purchase and read Midnight Clear by my favorite mystery author, Kathy Hogan Trocheck. I've always paced myself with her books because there aren't that many to begin with plus it's been over 3 years since KHT last wrote one. I hope that she is working on something new, because all of us Callahan Garrity fans are anxiously awaiting the next mystery featuring Callahan, Edna & the rest of the House Mouse cleaning crew! As for Midnight Clear-it just doesn't get any better than this. Kid brother Brian, who had been in absentia for 10 years suddenly shows up at Edna's doorstep with a surprise in his truck-a 3 year old girl named Maura. There is a major murder mystery for Callahan to solve, but it looks like Brian is the prime suspect-his ex-wife is found murdered in her bed. You'll find yourself rapidly turning the pages until you reach the surprise ending, KHT pulls out all the stops with this one. Once you reach the very end, however, you realize you want more books to come out featuring Callahan Garrity & co. As the previous reviewer mentioned, if only Ms. Trocheck would write as often as Sue Grafton does! Very highly recommended-along with all of her other books. Enjoy!

I've become somewhat of a Callahan Garrity junkie, and only wish that Kathy Hogan Trocheck would write more, more, more, and much faster. Come on, Grafton is up to her her sixteenth in her series, and I'd much prefer Trocheck to have written that many. This installment in enjoyable House Mouse land is the best yet, funny, suspenseful and well-rounded. It's Christmas time in Candler Park, and Callahan and her goofy mother Edna are gearing up for the holidays. Out of the blue, Callahan's long lost brother Brian shows up, with an unexpected holiday package: his 3 year old daughter Maura. Edna is overjoyed with her new found granddaughter, but when Brian confesses that he has practically stolen her from his unreliable, trashy ex-wife, then vanishes for days leaving little Maura with Edna and the not-so-motherly Callahan, things start getting messy very fast. When the ex-wife is found murdered in her apartment, Brian is the main suspect, and Callahan is up to her ears in a new case, more personal than ever this time.Trocheck never fails to mix in humor and suspense, and it abounds in Midnight Clear. Adding in more Atlanta history and new settings in the southern suburbs and the abandoned, long-ago Funtown, Callahan fights to clear her brother's name and to keep Maura safe. A delightful read, with twists and turns, and an unlikable new character in Brian, Midnight Clear is Trocheck's best to date.

Callahan, Edna, and crew are still at it. Trochek's descriptive language puts you right in the kitchen - the hub of all House Mouse activity. I know people just like this. This story is a heartwarming look at the complexities of family relationships. You'll stay up till midnight to finish this read.

In Atlanta, Callahan Garrity is looking forward to Christmas, which is only a few days away when disaster strikes. Her brother Brian, who she has not seen in over a decade, arrives, accompanied by his two-year old daughter. However, there are universal truths including that the life of Brian means trouble for Callahan. Her sibling kidnapped his child from his former spouse, who will use the law to get her daughter back and her ex-husband in jail.However, instead of a kidnapping rap, the police arrive to arrest Brian for killing his ex-wife. Brian has vanished, leaving his child and his hopes for freedom with Callahan, who he expects to clear his name.MIDNIGHT CLEAR, the seventh Callahan Garrity mystery, is the best novel in a very well written series. The who-done-it is a true puzzler filled with intriguing twists and the characters remain fun to read about, especially the hilarious Edna (Callahan's mom) and her cohorts. However, the insight into the star's brother adds depth to the interesting, but strange brew. Kathy Hogan Trocheck has become one of the leading authors of amateur sleuths, living in Dixie.Harriet Klausner