Rating: 
Summary: Crunchy on the Outside, Chewy on the Inside
Review: "Armadillos and Old Lace" is Kinky's seventh novel and is his first to be set away from New York. Instead, the action takes place at 'home' - in and around Echo Hill Ranch, Texas. This means, of course, that Kinky must solve this mystery without the help of people like Ratso, Rambam and John McGovern - though he has brought the cat along with him. While the cat doesn't voice her opinion on their new home - a green trailer - it's obvious that she isn't impressed. Kinky has, once again, cast himself as the PI hero and has continued to use family and friends as the book's supporting characters. Echo Hill Ranch was founded by his parents, Tom and Min, in the early 1950s. Min died in 1985, before the book was written - though Tom does appear and is always referred to by his first name. A summer camp is held on the ranch every year, and Kinky's sister, Marcie, appears as one of the camp counsellors. (It was Marcie's idea that Kinky should start writing mystery novels - I will be eternally grateful to her). Frances Kaiser, Kerr County's Sheriff, and Pat Knox, Kerrville's Justice of the Peace, also appear. The green trailer, Kinky's place of residence in this book, is where he wrote several of his early books. It's now (apparently) home to an armadillo, who presumably answers to the name of Dilly. Much use is also made of Dusty, his mother's old talking car. However, further comparisons with David Hasselhoff and KITT just don't stand up. Though Kinky has returned home for a holiday, Pat Knox has other ideas. She contacts regarding hom the deaths of four old ladies who have died over the previous five months. Although the Sheriff, Frances Kaiser, has found nothing suspicious about any of them, Pat remains convinced they were murdered. She asks Kinky to look over her files and form an opinion - though he initially agrees with the Sheriff. However, his opinion starts to change when a fifth victim turns up - with her lips sewn shut. This is the best of Kinky's books I've read to date - though, admittedly, I haven't read then all. He still delivers a fast-moving book, with more one-liners than you reasonably hope for, but it also has the benefit of a strong story. In addition, he writes with a strong sense of affection form the camp and the people who have helped out there over the years. His quips may not be to everyone's taste, but this is a book I thoroughly enjoyed.
Rating:
Summary: Crunchy on the Outside, Chewy on the Inside
Review: "Armadillos and Old Lace" is Kinky's seventh novel and is his first to be set away from New York. Instead, the action takes place at 'home' - in and around Echo Hill Ranch, Texas. This means, of course, that Kinky must solve this mystery without the help of people like Ratso, Rambam and John McGovern - though he has brought the cat along with him. While the cat doesn't voice her opinion on their new home - a green trailer - it's obvious that she isn't impressed.
Kinky has, once again, cast himself as the PI hero and has continued to use family and friends as the book's supporting characters. Echo Hill Ranch was founded by his parents, Tom and Min, in the early 1950s. Min died in 1985, before the book was written - though Tom does appear and is always referred to by his first name. A summer camp is held on the ranch every year, and Kinky's sister, Marcie, appears as one of the camp counsellors. (It was Marcie's idea that Kinky should start writing mystery novels - I will be eternally grateful to her). Frances Kaiser, Kerr County's Sheriff, and Pat Knox, Kerrville's Justice of the Peace, also appear. The green trailer, Kinky's place of residence in this book, is where he wrote several of his early books. It's now (apparently) home to an armadillo, who presumably answers to the name of Dilly. Much use is also made of Dusty, his mother's old talking car. However, further comparisons with David Hasselhoff and KITT just don't stand up.
Though Kinky has returned home for a holiday, Pat Knox has other ideas. She contacts regarding hom the deaths of four old ladies who have died over the previous five months. Although the Sheriff, Frances Kaiser, has found nothing suspicious about any of them, Pat remains convinced they were murdered. She asks Kinky to look over her files and form an opinion - though he initially agrees with the Sheriff. However, his opinion starts to change when a fifth victim turns up - with her lips sewn shut.
This is the best of Kinky's books I've read to date - though, admittedly, I haven't read then all. He still delivers a fast-moving book, with more one-liners than you reasonably hope for, but it also has the benefit of a strong story. In addition, he writes with a strong sense of affection form the camp and the people who have helped out there over the years. His quips may not be to everyone's taste, but this is a book I thoroughly enjoyed.
Rating:
Summary: A delight to read!
Review: A true Texan, Kinky, draws from the well of his surroundings and brings us a delightful and refreshing drink of murder mixed with humor. His similes were so vividly familiar I laughed with each turn of the page. I've been to Kerrville...in person and again in his book. Murders abound and poor Kinky just wants to settle back and enjoy his vacation on the family ranch/kids summer camp. Somewhat unwillingly he is drawn into solving the murders of four old ladies. With cigar smoking and mouth flapping he better watch his step, or he could be the next victim. Please Kinky, tell me, when does the next book come out? I will be first in line!
M. Hauser
Rating: 
Summary: Good Sun Burn Book
Review: Great book to read on the beach... I found it impossible to put down, and ended up burnt. I am a bit of a fan of Kinky, I think his books make a change, they are easy to read, the humor is very dry and the escapades of Kinky himself are just hilarious. It was easy to drift away with this book, the language was simple, it took very little effort to reach the end and the pace of the book kept me interested. I wouldn't go as far to call Kinky a literary genius, but he knows how to churn out a fun story and a few laughs. After a hard days work in the swamp, what could be better?
Rating:
Summary: Good Sun Burn Book
Review: Great book to read on the beach... I found it impossible to put down, and ended up burnt. I am a bit of a fan of Kinky, I think his books make a change, they are easy to read, the humor is very dry and the escapades of Kinky himself are just hilarious. It was easy to drift away with this book, the language was simple, it took very little effort to reach the end and the pace of the book kept me interested. I wouldn't go as far to call Kinky a literary genius, but he knows how to churn out a fun story and a few laughs. After a hard days work in the swamp, what could be better?
Rating:
Summary: The one that got me addicted
Review: I forgot when or where I heard of Kinky Friedman, but this was the first of his mysteries I had ever read. His politically incorrect wit, his love for animals, and his writing style in general got me addicted. After reading this book, I have read almost all of his works and I hope he writes many more.
Rating:
Summary: The one that got me addicted
Review: I forgot when or where I heard of Kinky Friedman, but this was the first of his mysteries I had ever read. His politically incorrect wit, his love for animals, and his writing style in general got me addicted. After reading this book, I have read almost all of his works and I hope he writes many more.
Rating:
Summary: The Kinkstah Rules!
Review: I just discovered Kinky about 2 weeks ago and
have read the 4 books I could find. Apparently, the
other 4 are out of print (alas). As far as I'm
concerned, the plot takes a back seat to his delicious
dialogue. There were many giggles, chortles, and
even guffaws as I read. Here's to the little puppet
head, the usual suspects, and his aloof cat companion.
I'm off to some used book stores to see if I can
quench my Kinky thirst.
Rating:
Summary: The Kinkstah Rules!
Review: I just discovered Kinky about 2 weeks ago andhave read the 4 books I could find. Apparently, theother 4 are out of print (alas). As far as I'm concerned, the plot takes a back seat to his delicious dialogue. There were many giggles, chortles, and even guffaws as I read. Here's to the little puppet head, the usual suspects, and his aloof cat companion. I'm off to some used book stores to see if I can quench my Kinky thirst.
Rating:
Summary: Kinky's back
Review: I liked this one better than "Elvis, Jesus & Coca-Cola" - the wry descriptions of humidors and children are of the 'read this to somebody' variety
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