Genre: Mystery
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I read Gusick's first Cavannah book, The Last Clinic, several years ago and became a fan. It was well written, topical and exciting. I read (and reviewed) the third in this series, The Legacy, several months ago and found it equally enjoyable. That led me to Officer Elvis, the second book featuring this transplanted northerner serving as a police detective in the Deep South.
This book did not capture me as the other two had done. Gusick's wonderful descriptions of southern living were still there. Few authors make me feel as much a part of small town southern America, and in this aspect he remained true to his writing. There was definitely a mystery to solve...Who killed Officer Elvis? I just never seemed to care much.
Tommy Reylander was Darla's partner in The Last Clinic, and I found him weak in that book, so when he was killed after a particularly uninspiring Elvis impersonation in this book, I didn't get too upset. Apparently the South is overflowing with grown men in pompadours impersonating different stages of Elvis' career, and Tommy ate, drank and slept all things Elvis. Darla convinces her new boss to let her take lead on this case, and the hunt begins for a killer who doesn't seem to appreciate Elvis.
Gusick brings back some of his memorable characters from his first book, and that was fun. I am a fan of her partner, Rita Gibbons, who is a great southern foil for Yankee Darla. There are a lot of twists and turns, more murders and even explosions. It was definitely peppered with humor and I liked the addition of song titles to keep us on our toes. I am not sure why I wasn't as enamored with book two in this three part (as of now) series, but I do think it is worth reading. Elvis fans should enjoy descriptions of the "wannabe" Elvis Presleys, and mystery lovers will have fun figuring out where those twists and turns lead.
- Beverly
Publisher - Alibi
Date of Publication - April 21, 2015
This book did not capture me as the other two had done. Gusick's wonderful descriptions of southern living were still there. Few authors make me feel as much a part of small town southern America, and in this aspect he remained true to his writing. There was definitely a mystery to solve...Who killed Officer Elvis? I just never seemed to care much.
Tommy Reylander was Darla's partner in The Last Clinic, and I found him weak in that book, so when he was killed after a particularly uninspiring Elvis impersonation in this book, I didn't get too upset. Apparently the South is overflowing with grown men in pompadours impersonating different stages of Elvis' career, and Tommy ate, drank and slept all things Elvis. Darla convinces her new boss to let her take lead on this case, and the hunt begins for a killer who doesn't seem to appreciate Elvis.
Gusick brings back some of his memorable characters from his first book, and that was fun. I am a fan of her partner, Rita Gibbons, who is a great southern foil for Yankee Darla. There are a lot of twists and turns, more murders and even explosions. It was definitely peppered with humor and I liked the addition of song titles to keep us on our toes. I am not sure why I wasn't as enamored with book two in this three part (as of now) series, but I do think it is worth reading. Elvis fans should enjoy descriptions of the "wannabe" Elvis Presleys, and mystery lovers will have fun figuring out where those twists and turns lead.
- Beverly
Publisher - Alibi
Date of Publication - April 21, 2015
