Strange Brew

I have collected all of Kathy Hogan Trocheck's books. I wish she would write some more of this series. Its really fun to read the chatter and banter between the women and her thoughts. Once I picked up the books, I wanted to finish reading all her clever books. Its a Southern house-cleaning service that gets into situations, but keeps in the humor too. Her association with her Mother keeps you laughing. Really enjoyed reading.

I have to give this book only 4 stars for several reasons. The first is that the beginning is rather tedious until Callahan finds the body of one Jordan Poole, the guy who was going to put a senior citizen hippy, Wuvvy, out of business by turning her adult toy store, YoYos, into a microbrewery called Blind Possum. The book starts out with threatening weather that quickly and viciously turns into a tornado. And Callahan, with her annoying habit of finding dead bodies, goes after her boyfriend's, Mac McAuliffe's, dog, Rufus. So there goes Callahan, running with a flashlight, through the driving rain and hellacious thunderstorm on her way to find Rufus. She finds herself at YoYos, which is right beside her pal's, Hap's, bar, The Yacht Club. The door to YoYos is open, so she goes in and finds Jordan Poole's body. And that's all you're gettin'! But I will tell you this: This adventure featuring cleaning whiz Callahan Garrity, ex-cop, sometimes P.I., is a romp that will leave you laughing, possibly crying. But, be forewarned, this does start out a little slow. What the hell am I talking about, it takes about 100 pages to get interesting, but like she always does, Kathy Hogan Trocheck with explain, in the end, why she put us through the boring stuff in the beginning. 'Cause it just might help Callahan save her life.

This series may be considered as cozies, but they have a distinct edge. The characters are fun, but also well developed, and the plots are decent. The characters and their personalities are complex. The books improve as they go along. I was panting for the last one, "Irish Eyes." I even bought the hardback. Am waiting for the next one. Begin at the beginning if you can, but not necessary.

This author can be relied upon to present wonderful characterisations and excellent plotting. She has succeeded again with this installment in the Callaghan Garrity series. The storyline revolves around the inhabitants of the down and out area of Atlanta near where Callaghan and her mother live. The author depicts the struggle and horror of the lives of these people in a poignant sub-plot. The major plot involves a twenty year old murder and its modern-day consequences. This is something that of course has been done before but this author carries it off with her usual high skill and humour.

Ex police officer turned private investigator and owner of a cleaning service, Callahan Garrity, is watching her Atlanta neighborhood dramatically change. Historically, Candler Park has been a working class neighborhood, but recently Yuppies have discovered it, driving prices up and ousting long term residents. One individual feeling the change is local toy store owner Wuvvy, whose shop is being closed to make room for a Yuppie establishment. Wuvvy feels betrayed by a relative. So when that individual is found dead, Wuvvy becomes the prime suspect. Wuvvy asks Callahan to help prove her innocence. However, before the private investigator can begin, Wuvvy's past is announced on the news. She once served ten years for murdering her wealthy spouse. Not long after that, Wuvvy's body is found, an apparent suicide victim. Callahan thinks otherwise and decides to vindicate her client, posthumously even at the cost of her own life. This sixth installment in the Callahan Garrity series is Kathy Hogan Trochek's best work to date because the novel transcends genre stereotyping with its literary appeal, reminiscent of the early works of Sharyn McCrumb. The gentrification of a working class neighborhood and the impact on its long time residents is carefully examined as an overlooked social problem. This adds to the charm of the book. There are no simple solutions in STRANGE BREW. Instead it is a thought provoking piece of entertainment. Harriet Klausner