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Rating: 
Summary: Only a native can tell
Review: I graduated from high school with Martin, and was surprised to learn that he had authored some mystery novels. The first one I was able to read was The Green-Eyed Hurricane. Only a native (or former native) can tell how beautifully Martin's descriptions of the area and people reflect the reality of the Coast. His descriptions of the sun reflecting on oyster shells in a driveway, or the scent of a freshly mowed lawn where the grass is mixed with wild onions were viscerally evocative to me. How many times did I experience these sensations as I grew up? The small details he included only increased the believability of the picture for me. The characters he has developed are only perfect. I found the plot to be extremely believable, as I know something of the history of Biloxi. It fits.
Rating:
Summary: Only a native can tell
Review: I graduated from high school with Martin, and was surprised to learn that he had authored some mystery novels. The first one I was able to read was The Green-Eyed Hurricane. Only a native (or former native) can tell how beautifully Martin's descriptions of the area and people reflect the reality of the Coast. His descriptions of the sun reflecting on oyster shells in a driveway, or the scent of a freshly mowed lawn where the grass is mixed with wild onions were viscerally evocative to me. How many times did I experience these sensations as I grew up? The small details he included only increased the believability of the picture for me. The characters he has developed are only perfect. I found the plot to be extremely believable, as I know something of the history of Biloxi. It fits.
Rating:
Summary: A Key to the Series
Review: If you are interested in plot, the professional reviews give the essential information, but if you have just discovered Martin Hegwood and enjoy mystery/detective novels consider this book as your key to the character of Jack Delmas. Sometimes, as in this case, the author's first novel (Big Easy Backroad) does not give the full motivation behind a character. To really find out what is going on, one must explore a bit. Frequently I find a series I like, either through a friend or luck, and then start working the back trail. As I do so, I often find a book such as this novel that has it all, plot, motivation, interesting detail. If you are new to Martin Hegwood and Jack Delmas, and you like what you have read, you owe yourself this one.
Rating: 
Summary: Good Mississppi Gulf Coast Mystery
Review: Martin Hegwod has written a good Mississippi Gulf Coast Mystery...he just may write a great one next. I was very impressed with this second novel. He is getting better each book.Mr. Hegwood does a fine job of depicting Mississippi Gulf Coast life and culture. Even his physical descriptions of the water routes are accurate. Only a native would be able to describe this in such detail. An earlier review said the book had a Big Easy ambiance, however, this book is Biloxi through and through. Harriet Klausner (#1 reviewer) obviously has never set foot on the Gulf Coast (probably not New Orleans either) or she would have never compared it to Atlantic City. The very idea is inane.
Rating:
Summary: A well developed plot
Review: Martin Hegwood is another Mississippi attorney turned author. He has set this novel's plot on the modern Mississippi Gulf Coast where private investigator Jack Delmas, a native of the area, finds himself between a declining shrimping industry and a booming tourist industry with luxury hotels and casinos. there are wheelers and dealers, corrupt politicians, shrimp fishermen, and businessmen ranging from a shade-tree mechanic to a successful restaurateur. The novel presents a good picture of an area in transition where most people want a piece of the pie, but some people would rather be beach bums. The novel contains lots of local color about the area. When Jack's longtime friend, the Croatian shrimper Casper Perinovich, dies in an explosion and fire at his home, Jack is drawn into the investigation and stirs up things people would prefer to keep buried. The story has considerable action, and Jack sustains some damage to his person and his pickup (messing with a southern boy's pickup can be as bad as messing with his woman). Along the way, Jack rekindles an old flame. This is a good novel for commuters as the 272 pages are divided into 41 chapters.
Rating:
Summary: A well developed plot
Review: Martin Hegwood is another Mississippi attorney turned author. He has set this novel's plot on the modern Mississippi Gulf Coast where private investigator Jack Delmas, a native of the area, finds himself between a declining shrimping industry and a booming tourist industry with luxury hotels and casinos. there are wheelers and dealers, corrupt politicians, shrimp fishermen, and businessmen ranging from a shade-tree mechanic to a successful restaurateur. The novel presents a good picture of an area in transition where most people want a piece of the pie, but some people would rather be beach bums. The novel contains lots of local color about the area. When Jack's longtime friend, the Croatian shrimper Casper Perinovich, dies in an explosion and fire at his home, Jack is drawn into the investigation and stirs up things people would prefer to keep buried. The story has considerable action, and Jack sustains some damage to his person and his pickup (messing with a southern boy's pickup can be as bad as messing with his woman). Along the way, Jack rekindles an old flame. This is a good novel for commuters as the 272 pages are divided into 41 chapters.
Rating:
Summary: another must read by martin hegwood
Review: Mississippi Gulf Coast towns resembled the old Atlantic City with the boardwalks filled with carnival rides, food kiosks, and souvenir shops. As with Atlantic City, the casinos moved in to replace the old. In Point Cadet, rumors fly that someone wants to build a casino there. A realtor begins to purchase property to resell at a gigantic profit, adding substance to the scuttlebutt. Mr. Casper Perinovich remains one of the last holdouts. His refusal to sell threatens the entire deal. Jack Delmas of Delmas Investigations immensely respects Mr. Cass, treating the elderly man as a second father. They go shrimping together, which allows Jack to observe that many people seem to dislike his companion. The next day, Mr. Cass dies in an explosion. His niece Sheila hires Jack to learn if the fire was an unfortunate accident or whether someone murdered her uncle over the property. Although this tale takes place in Biloxi, there seems to be a Big Easy ambiance to the plot that augments the overall atmosphere. Martin Hegwood has created a likable, but quite befuddled character. Jack manages to complete the job even if he travels on a circuitous, detoured filled route. A GREEN-EYED HURRICANE is a fun reading experience that needs a warning label of not to be read during hurricane season. Genre enthusiasts would welcome further novels starring Jack and his search for a real girlfriend. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Rising
Review: The second Jack Delmas story is more assured and engaging, and a winner. Good characters, drawn well and an interesteing plot hold us to the end. Keep 'em coming.
Rating:
Summary: good Coast mystery
Review: Very interesting murder mystery. Hegwood's portrayal of life on the Mississippi Gulf Coast is true to life. His descriptions of day-to-day events, such as summer rain storms, shrimping in the Gulf, and government corruption, are particularly vivid. Combine that with interesting, unique and genuine characters involved in a mysterious murder, and the book is that much better.
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