Customer Reviews

Backstabber: A Hitchcock Sewell Mystery (Hitchcock Sewell Mysteries)

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

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!

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.

Lots of slapstick humor that in the first half helps the story along and even makes you laugh now and again. I can't decide if I laugh because it just gets so stupid, or if it's really funny--but the mystery was decent and tied together nicely. This isn't deep reading, but it is a fun read. Towards the end, I found myself skipping paragraphs--you're in the middle of action, can't wait to find out what is going to happen and the author goes off on a tangent describing a place or someone's hair. I'm all for tension, but this went overboard. Still, this is an author you can take along during a plane ride--you can count on a good old fashioned fun mystery.

Tim Cockey also writes as Richard Hawke (Speak of the Devil)--and it's a series worth a look. The wit is there rather than slapstick humor. The mystery is a bit darker, the tough guy a bit tougher.

As usual, Tim Cocky was full of fun and mystery in a well-blended story. His novels crack me up and this one was no exception. His stories are fast-paced and his humor is equally quick. I love this book, just as I've loved his others.

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.

This latest book by Tim Cockey, "Backstabber" is another great offering, starring Hitchcock Sewell. Some very serious subjects are touched on in the book, in a humorous manner, such as nursing homes. The characters in the nursing home setting make you laugh aloud. The romantic aspects of the book are also touching and humorous. Cockey presents a light way to look at death and the funeral business (and it is a business). Some of Hitchcock's lines could make up a standup comedy routine. Many of the characters in this series are in each book and they have become like old friends. The situations Hitchcock places himself in(like with the police), you want to say "don't do it" but you know all along that he will. Any reader of mysteries and especially with a humorous touch will love this series. I believe this offering, "Backstabber" is the best, by far. However,if you have not read the other four in the "Hearse" series, I strongly recommend them. You will find that you can hardly wait for the next adventure.

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?

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 . . .

This is the final installment in "Tim Cockey's" 5-book "Hearse" series before our author turned his attention to some newer novels under the name Richard Hawke. As with the other four (one of which we have yet to read), mortician Hitchcock Sewell is the protagonist, freed by his aunt Billie, who primarily runs the funeral parlor, to be a man about town - Baltimore, to be specific. In his free time, Hitch mostly turns his attention to solving crimes that seem to appear unsolicited upon his doorstep, sometimes literally! In this one, a high school buddy "Sisco" Fontaine calls Hitch in the wee hours, asking him to come remove the murdered body of his girlfriend's (Polly Weisheit) husband. Hitch does go over, but after meeting the girlfriend and seeing her husband quite dead of a knife to the back, he exits, assuring them they must call the police. Then, in turn, Sisco gets jailed for the deed, then Hitch is a suspect, then Polly, and then a guy that delivered the dead man's eulogy, who apparently was also courting the attractive widow Polly. Meanwhile, Hitch gets involved with some skullduggery at a nursing home, and wonders if somehow the prevalence of dead bodies around town is all related. In the end, of course, we all find out.

These light-hearted mysteries are full of puns and wisecracks, so obviously are not meant to be serious thrillers. This plot was indeed a somewhat more complicated tale than its predecessors, yet Hitch has time to keep a fine eye on the ladies, including new amour Angela, the widow, and even the widow's adult daughter. As usual, while Cockey sets a pretty low bar on intrigue, there is plenty to entertain in this last entry of an amusing set.

I loved this book. So much so I am reading two others by the author. It was funny in a dry way and held my attention from introduction to the last page. Not so much a story about dogs but the dog plays a key role in the story. I would strongly recommend this book for an interesting and humorous read.