Rating: 
Summary: A great Who Done It
Review: After reading the first four pages, I was HOOKED. I thought if the rest of the book was as intriguing as those few pages, I would not be able to put the book down until I discovered "Who Done It". And, I was right. I also thought the plot was going to be a simple one where the reader discovers who killed the victim. Boy! Was I wrong! The plot was a spider's web of intrigue. There was more than one murder to learn about and plenty of characters to keep you guessing on who killed who.
The first victim was found with a knife in his back. Between his wife, daughter, son and mother, the less than normal family was discovered. The man's love letters were found in his library and they were not written to his wife. Ah ha, another possible killer. The story had dead people who are frozen into a sitting position, bright orange burial caskets, a nursing home where the patient are starting to complain about their care, seagulls, a pet dog and a few broken ribs, not to mention an ex-wife who our lead character was still on friendly terms.
The wisecracking which ran throughout the book, reminded me of the 1940's stereotypical private eye. It was wonderfully refreshing and gave the reader a laugh at every turn. The lead character's job was also not one normally associated with someone who "snoops". He was a funeral director in partnership with his Aunt. Right up until the very last pages, I had no idea who created all the mayhem. Oh, I had chosen early on who I thought was responsible but then I changed my mind as I read on and continued changing my mind the farther I read.
I noted that Tim Cockey as written four other books based on the lead character. I was sorry I hadn't read them but they will be on my list of books to read. Grab a copy of Backstabber and you will be in for a wonderful adventure of Who Done It.
Rating:
Summary: Hitch gets better and better!
Review: All the elements that have made this an enjoyable series are still here in Tim Cockey's latest book: the memorable, slightly off-beat supporting characters, the down-home Baltimore atmosphere, and particularly the main character, Hitchcock Sewell, Everyman as he would be if he were a mortician (if that is imaginable!). Cockey does everything he has always done,but he does it even better! The plot and denouement are satisfying and the last two pages genuinely moving, a quality that is becoming rare in the thriller/mystery genre.
The outstanding feature of the book is the humanity of the characters. As a native "Baltimoron",I could easily envision meeting these people on the street. They breathe, and I can understand them even when I disapprove of the way they act.
If Cockey can maintain this level in his writing, I look forward a great deal of reading pleasure in the future!
Rating:
Summary: ANOTHER WINNER
Review: I first read one of his books because the "hearse" pun caught my eye. I immediately got hooked and went out and bought and read the rest. I have been waiting for Backstabber for what seems like forever.Just finished it last week and have to say it was outstanding. His characters, as usual, are so rich and easy to visualize in your mind that they become like close friends. I am usually very quick to figure out mystery novels, but this one had me guessing until the end. I only figured out one small part of the plot ahead of time. The only bad thing is now that I have read it, it's going to be so long before there's another one. I'll miss Hitch, Aunt Billie, Kruk, and Julia until then. Now, if only there were a TV show based on the characters . . .
Rating:
Summary: ANOTHER WINNER
Review: I first read one of his books because the "hearse" pun caught my eye. I immediately got hooked and went out and bought and read the rest. I have been waiting for Backstabber for what seems like forever. Just finished it last week and have to say it was outstanding. His characters, as usual, are so rich and easy to visualize in your mind that they become like close friends. I am usually very quick to figure out mystery novels, but this one had me guessing until the end. I only figured out one small part of the plot ahead of time. The only bad thing is now that I have read it, it's going to be so long before there's another one. I'll miss Hitch, Aunt Billie, Kruk, and Julia until then. Now, if only there were a TV show based on the characters . . .
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: I just finished this book. Think this is the best one yet! Makes you laugh a lot, which we need right now. His plots are always good, this one especially. Well written, will be waiting for the next book from him!
Rating:
Summary: KILLER STORY
Review: If you haven't been introduced to Hitchcock Sewell, unwitting part-time detective and suave full-time undertaker, choose any of Mr. Cockey's 5 books at random. You won't be disappointed. His characters rock along in tales that are quirky, frisky, and light. And, hey, along the way you'll learn some interesting trivia to share about the secret life of embalmers. How many books give you that?
Rating: 
Summary: fine Hitchcock amateur sleuth investigation
Review: In the Baltimore area, Sisco Fontaine has a slight problem. Lying on the kitchen floor is the murdered corpse of Jake Weisheit with a knife protruding from his back. Sisco has been sleeping with Jake's spouse Polly and recently in a public display of ire he threatened to kill Jake. Obviously the cops can back up with evidence that Sisco had motive, means, and apparently opportunity making him the prime suspect in what appears to be a murder of passion. A bit upset, Sisco knows only one person who works with the dead, former classmate mortician Hitchcock Sewell. He calls Hitch, but all he wants from his newly rediscovered buddy is to dispose of the body as he knows what will happen to him if the police investigate the murder. Hitch refuses, but puts aside the other bodies, a horde of females wanting to share a coffin, and the formaldehyde high to determine whether Sisco is a BACKSTABBER. The fifth Hitchcock amateur sleuth investigation is a solid entry in a series a bit off the norm, but always fun to read. As usual, once the audience accepts Hitch as an expert crime investigator, which takes a bit of acceptance, fans will have the usual good time. Hitch is the center of the tale as he keeps it glued together whether he prepares a corpse for a funeral service or making inquiries that lead to the local police wanting to bury him for his interference. Tim Cockey provides an amusing look at the art of dying from the two perspective approaches that one of Baltimore's finest protagonists brings to those who dearly departed. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: fine Hitchcock amateur sleuth investigation
Review: In the Baltimore area, Sisco Fontaine has a slight problem. Lying on the kitchen floor is the murdered corpse of Jake Weisheit with a knife protruding from his back. Sisco has been sleeping with Jake's spouse Polly and recently in a public display of ire he threatened to kill Jake. Obviously the cops can back up with evidence that Sisco had motive, means, and apparently opportunity making him the prime suspect in what appears to be a murder of passion. A bit upset, Sisco knows only one person who works with the dead, former classmate mortician Hitchcock Sewell. He calls Hitch, but all he wants from his newly rediscovered buddy is to dispose of the body as he knows what will happen to him if the police investigate the murder. Hitch refuses, but puts aside the other bodies, a horde of females wanting to share a coffin, and the formaldehyde high to determine whether Sisco is a BACKSTABBER. The fifth Hitchcock amateur sleuth investigation is a solid entry in a series a bit off the norm, but always fun to read. As usual, once the audience accepts Hitch as an expert crime investigator, which takes a bit of acceptance, fans will have the usual good time. Hitch is the center of the tale as he keeps it glued together whether he prepares a corpse for a funeral service or making inquiries that lead to the local police wanting to bury him for his interference. Tim Cockey provides an amusing look at the art of dying from the two perspective approaches that one of Baltimore's finest protagonists brings to those who dearly departed. Harriet Klausner
Rating:
Summary: Great Book
Review: Okay, I have not yet read this book. But just wanted to say that I have absolutely LOVED all of the Hitch books in the past and am anxious to read Backstabber as well, as I know it will not let me down. Will follow up this message with a review as soon as I finish Backstabber - but, to reiterate, I have read all the previous "hearse" novels and they are AWESOME. Funny, intricately-woven stories, that you are unable to put down. And I am certain that Backstabber will be no exception. Everyone read it!!!!
Rating:
Summary: Definitely a favorite author and series...
Review: One of the nice things about being a regular at the library is that the librarians start to "look out for you". They know my tastes and make sure I know when particular books come out. One of my favorite ladies over there clued me in to the latest Tim Cockey novel, Backstabber. Fun mystery, good story, and excellent writing and dialog...
Cockey's main character is Hitchcock Sewell, an undertaker. This series could accurately be called the male amateur detective genre. Hitch is called to the scene of a crime, complete with dead body, by his friend Sisco. The victim is the husband of the wife that Sisco is having an affair with. Hitch wants no part of the plan to cover up the crime, but still becomes a suspect when he's seen leaving the house in the early morning hours before the police have been called. The widow isn't really forthcoming on who might have been involved in the killing, so Hitch has to defend himself as well as Sisco to the police. In the meantime, he gets wrapped up in the death of an elderly lady he knew. She died in what appeared to be suspicious circumstances in a nursing home, and Hitch is unable to accept the fact that something is amiss. Characters from these two plot lines start to intertwine until a final showdown at the end that finally clears up who did what, as well as why they did it.
Cockey writes a fast-paced novel with a smart-alecky main character. The dialog is directed at the reader in first person form, almost like a Archie McNally novel. Hitch doesn't get flustered by much, and there's always a good comeback regardless of what happens. This is really one of my favorite series, and I appreciate the fact that it was brought to my attention again.
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