Skylar

Rating:
Summary: Nothing Special
Review: As a longtime fan of the "Fletch" and "Flynn" series', I can understand other reviewers' excitement about the appearance of the "Skylar" books; it represents Gregory MacDonalds' departure from "literature" and return to what he does best - writing crime novels starring quirky, likeable characters who view the world through humorous eyes.

However, just because MacDonald is leaning back in that direction, it doesn't necessarily mean he's put his heart into it. "Skylar" is a partially-realized novel full of stereotypes (some offensive), caricatures and cardboard cutouts. Nothing here seems anchored in the real world.

The story: Jonathan Whitfield, stereotypical yuppie relative from the north, appears in quaint, southern (cardboard cutout) Greendowns County, Tennessee, to visit his Uncle and family, including sharp-as-a-tack, hayseed caricature, cousin Skylar, a youthful Matlock-clone.

In terms of mystery, MacDonald had me going to the end, even throwing in a shocker of a twist that both surprised and saddened me. Basically, someone beats Skylar's sweetheart to death and Skylar is the only suspect. Because the local Sheriff & deputies are hayseed caricatures of Southern cops, Skylar knows it will be up to him to solve the murder and clear his name. Cousin Jonathan is along as an observer, someone to represent us, the reader, goggle-eyed and confused by all the southern charm.

As characters go, Sheriff Culpepper was the only fellow I really liked. Everyone else is so damned self-absorbed they may as well be carrying around mirrors to talk to instead of each other.

MacDonald can be a great writer when he wants to be, but with "Skylar", I got the impression that he just needed to toss off another book so no one would forget him. Don't kid yourself for even an instant that this book is written in the "Fletch" mold.

Rating:
Summary: Nothing Special
Review: As a longtime fan of the "Fletch" and "Flynn" series', I can understand other reviewers' excitement about the appearance of the "Skylar" books; it represents Gregory MacDonalds' departure from "literature" and return to what he does best - writing crime novels starring quirky, likeable characters who view the world through humorous eyes.

However, just because MacDonald is leaning back in that direction, it doesn't necessarily mean he's put his heart into it. "Skylar" is a partially-realized novel full of stereotypes (some offensive), caricatures and cardboard cutouts. Nothing here seems anchored in the real world.

The story: Jonathan Whitfield, stereotypical yuppie relative from the north, appears in quaint, southern (cardboard cutout) Greendowns County, Tennessee, to visit his Uncle and family, including sharp-as-a-tack, hayseed caricature, cousin Skylar, a youthful Matlock-clone.

In terms of mystery, MacDonald had me going to the end, even throwing in a shocker of a twist that both surprised and saddened me. Basically, someone beats Skylar's sweetheart to death and Skylar is the only suspect. Because the local Sheriff & deputies are hayseed caricatures of Southern cops, Skylar knows it will be up to him to solve the murder and clear his name. Cousin Jonathan is along as an observer, someone to represent us, the reader, goggle-eyed and confused by all the southern charm.

As characters go, Sheriff Culpepper was the only fellow I really liked. Everyone else is so damned self-absorbed they may as well be carrying around mirrors to talk to instead of each other.

MacDonald can be a great writer when he wants to be, but with "Skylar", I got the impression that he just needed to toss off another book so no one would forget him. Don't kid yourself for even an instant that this book is written in the "Fletch" mold.

Rating:
Summary: It's not Fletch but...
Review: I love the work Gregory McDonald has over the years with "Fletch". Well, Gregory is back bigger than ever with another page turner. Skylar starts a little slow, but within three chapters the night light was going to stay on until this book was finished. Skylar is a great character, in the Fletch mold. This book had me guessing and changing my mind on whodunit on nearly every page. A great finish. Look forward to more Skylar

Rating:
Summary: Fun romp and fabulous mystery
Review: Skylar begins with a fun, sexy younger character. I think he's 19 or 20. Skylar is a southern guy who spends his time making love with his childhood friend Tandy or working on his family farm with his friend Doofus. My descriptions lack the wonderful nature of all these characters they are written exceptionally well and full of life and fun. Skylar's family is being visited by his cousin "JONTHAN" while Jonathan is recovering from Mono. Funny thing is that Jonathan walks in full of upper crust bravado and snobbery into a down home country welcome.
That is not even best to describe the fun in this book when the girl that everyone thinks is Skylar's girlfriend is murdered. The town is turned upside down as all fingers point to Skylar for the murder.
From the beginning this book is full of heat with the chemistry of Skylar and Tandy to the off beat comedy of the local police deputies whose ineptness is hilarious. Add in a jail with a roof that comes off to a serious murder mystery. This story manages to have a little of it all wrapped up in one.

This isn't a serious read it's FUN and meant to be fun! 5 stars for it and now I'm off to read the sequel Skylar in Yankeeland.

Rating:
Summary: A fair effort, but a tad familiar to fans of Fletch
Review: Skylar Whitfield conjures up memories of a younger, less savvy I.M. Fletcher (see "Fletch")as he careens around his redneck hometown trying to clear himself of murder charges. His interplay with his Harvard trained cousin seems forced and phony at times, and the "smarter than the average redneck" attitude has been seen before in "Son of Fletch". If you haven't read the "Fletch" series, "Skylar" can be a fun read, but for "Fletch" and "Flynn" fans, the book is a case of been-there, done-that.

Rating:
Summary: A fair effort, but a tad familiar to fans of Fletch
Review: Skylar Whitfield conjures up memories of a younger,less savvy I.M. Fletcher (see "Fletch")as he careensaround his redneck hometown trying to clear himself of murder charges. His interplay with his Harvard trained cousin seems forced and phony at times, and the "smarter than the average redneck" attitude has been seen before in "Son of Fletch". If you haven't read the "Fletch" series, "Skylar" can be a fun read, but for "Fletch" and "Flynn" fans, the book is a case of been-there, done-that.

Rating:
Summary: "Skylar" scores!
Review: This book was fabulous! Written in the spirit of the "Fletch" series, this book introduces us to the character of Skylar Whitfield, a Southern boy accused of the murder of one of his oldest friends. Throw in his snooty Yankee cousin, Jon than, Skyler's good-ole-boy charm and intelligence that rivals Albert Einstein, and you have a wonderful, easy read with no idea whodunnit. A must read for "Fletch" fans, and a real page turner for new McDonald readers.

Rating:
Summary: "Skylar" scores!
Review: This book was fabulous! Written in the spirit of the "Fletch" series, this book introduces us to the character of Skylar Whitfield, a Southern boy accused of the murder of one of his oldest friends. Throw in his snooty Yankee cousin, Jon than, Skyler's good-ole-boy charm and intelligence that rivals Albert Einstein, and you have a wonderful, easy read with no idea whodunnit. A must read for "Fletch" fans, and a real page turner for new McDonald readers.

Rating:
Summary: "Skylar" scores!
Review: This book was fabulous! Written in the spirit of the "Fletch" series, this book introduces us to the character of Skylar Whitfield, a Southern boy accused of the murder of one of his oldest friends. Throw in his snooty Yankee cousin, Jon than, Skyler's good-ole-boy charm and intelligence that rivals Albert Einstein, and you have a wonderful, easy read with no idea whodunnit. A must read for "Fletch" fans, and a real page turner for new McDonald readers.