Revenge of the Cootie Girls: A Robin Hudson Mystery

After reading other reviews, I'm anxious to get my hands on more of Hayter's work. I thought this was great, especially the last 30 pages or so. The granny bit is hilarious. So, if this is everyone's least favorite? I can hardly wait to read what the others rave about. Yes, it's introspective. No, it's not so much about the mystery. But those of us who've recovered from a bout of the cooties (and have a bit of a Julie in their lives) understand.

Very funny, very unusual, very entertaining! The mystery is secondary to the plot but I did not mind one bit. Refreshing wit and lively characters make this a book you should pick up and read.

Crazy hijinks galore. Sparkle really knows how to create some wacky characters. This book wasn't as light as the first two and seemed somewhat dark as you began to see that what had happened with her good friend in the past had a totally different meaning when viewed now. You get to see how she developed her strong personality and have a better understanding of who she is and why. I look forward to the next Robin Hudson mystery.

I found Sparkle's third novel less entertaining than her first two, but "Cootie Girls" certainly generated much more thought provoking introspection. Being of the same generation as Ms. Hayter, I often found myself going back along with Robin Hudson to those earlier days that so strongly forge our adulthood. I particularly enjoyed the word tour of New York on Robin's Halloween excursion, a city the author clearly loves, and the vivid background color she adds through-out. Dust off those Yma Sumac records!

This book was one of the best I've read. The main character, Robin Hudson, is suddenly thrust from her normal routine when an intern turns up missing. Following the trail to find her intern, Robin is forced to recall her past, and one of her oldest girlfriends, who shared her life as a "cootie girl." During her quest she comes across women in green wigs, policeman, strippers, and even gangsters! However, as she remarks, "hindsight isn't 20/20," and she is forced to re-examine her life as a cootie girl, and how her alienation as a child has made her into the strong woman she is today. Sparkle Hayter creates fabulously funny and alive characters. She has also created a book that I couldn't put down. I would recommend it to everyone, especially if you want to have a good laugh, and a good thrill all in one book.