Customer Reviews

Murder Boogies with Elvis (Southern Sisters Mystery)

5 star:		(44)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I am a huge fan of Anne Carroll George. I love all of her books. "Murder Boogies with Elvis" is a wonderful continuation of her previous books. Her books are one continuing story of Patricia Anne, Mary Alice, Fred, Woofer - I could name them all but anyone who has read any of her books knows all of the characters by name, too. Unfortunately, the story is ending with this book. I am so sad that this is the last book. I want to "watch" Debbie's twin girls and Brother grow; I want to know about the birth of Joanna, Haley's baby; I want to know if Haley will let Patricia Anne keep Muffin when she and Philip return from Warsaw; I want to know about the next murder that Patricia Anne and Mary Alice will investigate. There are so many quirky characters whose lives make her books so interesting. It is very sad that Ms. George's life was cut short. I miss her, but at least we have the few books she wrote to keep us company.

This book is a must read for all fans of Ms. George. Her writing from one book to the next is so consistent - she never skips anything from one book to the next.

I loved this book. What made reading it poignant is that I knew this would be the last time I spent with these characters. Mouse, Aunt Sister, Fred, Woofer, Bubba on his heating pad ... what a delight this series has been! And this last installment was a joy, too. The mystery itself was okay. To be absolutely fair and honest, we weren't given that many real clues as to the villain's identity -- and usually I consider that something of a cheat. Still, I never read these mysteries simply to see how the crime is solved. I enjoyed these books -- and this one -- for the imagination and care that went into developing the setting, the characters and the dialog. Who but Ms. George could have combined a line of high-kicking Elvises and the missed-but-not-forgotten bare-butted Vulcan statue into the same stew? I was moved as I read the very last pages, for they seemed to be more final and included more closure than her previous efforts. She tied up the loose ends in both Sister's and Mouse's lives. I wonder if she knew this book would be her last. I join the other reviewers on this board who have said how much they will miss this series.

As always, I looked forward to the next installment of the Southern Sisters mysteries. When I discovered that Mrs. George had recently passed away, I broke down and sobbed. I felt it was not only the loss of a great talent, but the loss of a friend as well. After reading her first book, I had written her a fan letter because I, too, had an Aunt Sister. She not only graciously answered my letter, but sent me her home address so it wouldn't take so long for my letters to reach her through the book company and later sent me her e-mail address. We corresponded after each book and when my dog passed away, she wrote me a letter that I will always treasure. All of her books are wonderful and this one doesn't disappoint. Patricia Ann and Mary Alice are up to it again trying to solve the murder of an Elvis impersonator. If you have never read any of her books, start with the first one and read them all. I plan to read them all again. Thank you, Mrs. George. You will be missed.

It's very sad that this latest mystery novel, featuring the detecting skills of sisters Mary Alice and Patricia Anne, is probably going to be the last Southern Sisters mystery, since the authour, Anne George, passed away earlier this year. This series has been one of the few that I enjoyed more for the 'slice-of-life' angle than I did for the mystery at hand. Anne George did a wonderful job of bringing to life the affectionate yet sometimes contentious relationship that the two sisters had; and I truly enjoyed all her vivid descriptions of Birmingham, Alabama, from the blooming forsythias, to the huge iron statue of Vulcan that stands at the crest of Red Mountain, and whose naked derriere has mooned half the citizens of Birmingham from time immemorial. This is a wonderful series that never missed a beat and remained vital and funny till the very end.

"Murder Boogies With Elvis" opens with Mary Alice's announcement that she's about to marry for the fourth time, to Sheriff Virgil Stuckey. Virgil and Mary Alice are going to officially announce their engagement to his children (Mary Alice has already taken care of informing her nearest and dearest) after the benefit that's being held at the Alabama (a restored theatre), to raise funds for the restoration of Vulcan (the iron statue). Virgil's son (Buddy, who happens to be an Elvis impersonator) and his son-in-law (Larry) are going to be performing at this benefit in the final act, along with 28 other Elvis impersonators, and Mary Alice has obtained tickets to the event for Patricia Anne and her husband, Fred. Given the sisters' knack for falling over dead bodies, you'd expect one to turn up right about now, and you'd be right! Right in the middle of the Elvis act, one of the impersonators, who was dancing between Buddy and Larry, plunges to his death right into the orchestra pit, literally at the sisters' feet!

The next day brings intelligence that the dead man was not one of the official impersonators at all, and no one really knew who he was, and his death is being tagged as murder. It is later revealed that the dead man was actually a Russian ballet dancer, here in the US on a cultural exchange program and that he was attached to a New York ballet company. What was a Russian ballet dancer doing in Alabama, pretending to be an Elvis impersonator? But even the revelation that he had made an appointment to see Mary Alice's daughter, Debbie, who happens to be a lawyer, doesn't deflect the sisters form more important and immediate concerns such as Mary Alice's approaching nuptials, and the return of Patricia Anne's daughter, Haley, from Warsaw. And then Patricia Anne finds the murder weapon in her purse, and suddenly the murder and the murderer seems to much closer to the sisters than either would like, esp when the finger of suspicion falls on Mary Alice's son-to-be and son-in-law-to-be...

The mystery in this novel may seem to be a little of an afterthought in "Murder Boogies With Elvis," but this one of the rare instances where this fact did not bother me at all. I was totally caught up in what was happening within Mary Alice's & Patricia Anne's family: would Mary Alice actually find a wedding dress that didn't make her sister shudder, and would Patricia Anne have to wear a magenta matron-of -honour dress? What really makes this entire series work is the entirely humourous yet natural manner in which Anne George relates things -- the dialogue, the manner in which events unfold -- all these seem a little off the wall at times and yet comes across as being totally natural and realistic, because of the masterful manner in which Anne George handles things. I really love this series, and I'm going to miss the fact that this may be the last book in the series that she ever wrote.

Anne George was such a great mystery/humor writer. I first listened to all her books several years ago. I loved the Sisters, I can picture them in my mind...large-boned and tall Mary Alice, and tiny Patricia Ann. Their relationship was always one of love, and hilarity. My friend and I, who listened to all 8 books with me, were so caught up in what would happen to Mary Alice and the latest man she married, and Patricia Ann's daughter and her pregnancy, that we were shocked, dismayed and saddened by the death of the author. I would recommend these books to anyone who enjoys reading a "who-done-it", jazzed with humor. You will want to read all the books...like a potato chip commercial, you can't read just one! Try it...you'll like it.

I stumbled onto Anne George a few months back. I had requested a list of authors who wrote mysteries with a little humor inserted and her name was one of those recommended. After reading her first "Sister's" mystery, I was surprised and saddened to learn Ms. George had passed away. The good news was she had 7 other mysteries I could enjoy. Admittedly, when I began her first book, "Murder On A Girl's Night Out", I wasn't quite sure if I liked the idea of her consistent reference to "Mary Alice" as simply "Sister" throughout the entire story. But I got past that and learned to accept that this was her style and the quality of her writing along with the humor in her work was well worth an ever so minor irritation on my part. Each book was pure entertainment and left the reader looking forward to the next one. I savored the final in her series, "Murder Boogies With Elvis". I will miss Ms. George and her fictional "family". Her real family she leaves behind outside of her literary world can be blessed with knowing she pleased so many people she touched with her excellent wit and ability to keep the reader glued to her stories right from page one to the very back page. Her characters were people that could be associated with people in the reader's world. She not only brought smiles and outright laughter with her words, she showed that it's not old fashioned or out of style to love your husband and cherish your family. I, for one, will always be grateful for being routed in the direction of Anne George. Her mysteries are priceless. She will be sadly missed. Read her stuff - you won't be disappointed.

Mary Alice is about to marry her 4th. husband. The difference is that her intended, Sheriff Virgil Stuckey, is neither old nor rich, unlike his 3 predecessors. This time Mary Alice appears to be marrying for love! To celebrate this august occasion, members of Virgil and Mary Alice's family attend a benefit to help raise money for the refurbishment of Vulcan, the majestic statue which has mooned--er--loomed over Birmingham for many years. Part of the entertainment is a chorus line of 30 Elvis impersonators, some of them Virgil's relatives. One of them is killed during the performance and falls into the orchestra pit. The spotlight of suspicion falls on the Elvises, Virgil's family and even Patricia Anne herself. The Sisters do a little undercover work but are baffled when they discover that their leads are false ones. Finally, in a climactic scene the murderer is uncovered and the Sisters narrowly avoid being victims themselves. Anne George has written a delightful series which is always warm and humorous. Her fans mourn her passing and will certainly miss their annual adventure with Mouse and Sister. Fortunately we have eight wonderful Sister books to read and cherish and to remember her by. (Please forgive the preposition at the end, Mouse.)

If you are looking for an entertaining and fun filled mystery, look no further than Anne George. Her characters are so well developed that you feel as if you know them regardless of which of her mysteries you read. This book is special because it was her last, and because the plot is perhaps a tad more intricate than in her previous books. A fine read anytime, anywhere, Ms. George was truly one of the best female mystery writers.

...and now that I'm done, I'm sadder than ever that Mouse and Mary Alice's adventures are over. I really liked the entire series--it was lighthearted and fun and made me laugh when I needed a laugh, and that is no small thing in this world. Anne George will always have a special place on my bookshelf, and her characters will live on in my mind.

It took me a long time to work up to reading this book. I adore Sister and Mouse, and have loved every word of every one of their stories. But it was hard to read this book knowing it would be the last one. The last time to sit in Patricia Ann's kitchen, to ride with Mary Alice in her fancy cars, to visit with Bonnie Blue and Fred and hear about Haley's pregnancy and all of the characters that have come to be so real to me. I cried for a long time whenI finished this book. I shall miss Anne George, her humor, her warmth and her characters. They added to my life. I enjoyed visiting with her and getting to know Birmingham. I will read these books again and again, and enjoy them each time.