Strange Brew

Rating:
Summary: Strange Brew Not Quite My Cup Of Tea
Review: Although I enjoyed this sixth additon to the Callihan Garrity series I really missed the House Mouse characters. One of the reasons I read this series is to learn of the further adventures of Baby & Sister and the rest of the gang. Although they do help out towards the end of the book to discover the muderer this story focused on the gentrification of established neighborhoods and less on the Mouse cleaning group which has provided me with many laughs in the past. I found that I really didn't care who killed Wuvvy (someone who hates grown-ups having baby names?) and felt that Trocheck was trying to be more like Sue Grafton than herself. Here's hoping she'll go back to her humerous roots that keep us coming back for more laughs.

Rating:
Summary: A masterful tale that transcend genre
Review: 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

Rating:
Summary: Good, But Not Great
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: I am rather dissapointed in this Kathy Hogan Trocheck book.
Review: I love the character of Callahan Garrity and have found myself eagerly looking forward to each of Kathy Hogan Trocheck's books. As a former resident of Atlanta, I have appreciated the accuracy of her work in capturing the true flavor of the city especially the Little Five Points area and its residents. I reluctantly say that this book was not nearly the quality of material I have come to expect from this author. The story line seemed rather implausible and the character development was nil. I would reccomend this book to die hard Callahan fans but would caution them not to expect too much.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent read
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Excellent read
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Good, But Not Great
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: A Cut Above
Review: 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.