Customer Reviews

Elvis and The Dearly Departed (Southern Cousins Mysteries)

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(8)
2 star:		(7)
1 star:		(3)

 

 

Peggy Webb is a master story teller and the preeminent comedy writer in American today. It was with great anticipation and high expectations that I waited for the first book of her new comedic Southern Cousins Mystery Series, since I devour everything she writes. I was not disappointed; instead I was mesmerized, entertained and joyously laughing through the final chapter."Elvis and the Dearly Departed" is without a doubt the funniest book I've ever read! Peggy Webb delivered a bravura performance from start to finish. Not only did Webb create a dog who thinks he's Elvis, but she made me believe it! I can't wait for the other books in the freshest, most exciting new series in the mystery genre.

What a fun read. I found myself smiling and giggling throughout the book. I'm a huge Elvis fan. The story was fast paced and fun. I found myself jealous of Callie's shoes and her Jack. Can't wait to learn more about Champ...sounds interesting. The peanut butter and banana sandwiches are good but the book is waaaayyy better. A great introducion to a cast of characters that I can't wait to read more about in the second book of the series. Pegggy Webb can write comedy with a southern flair like nobody's business. Enjoy the read.

Great book that has everything.I laughed out loud from start to finish.I can't wait for the second book in this series. Peggy Webb writes southern life with flair and really great shoes!

This was on my wish list for months until I got the eReaderIQ notification today that the price was lowered. Grabbed the book and read it right away. What a letdown! It sounded like it was going to be a fun, light hearted southern mystery with a great dog character but it falls flat. The characters aren't likeable or believable. The main character Callie only seems to occasionally work in her small town beauty salon and complains about money but still manages to buy and give away multiple pairs of designer shoes, and has a seriously overweight friend who succeeds in seducing every sexy man that shows up and gets a job as a Vegas showgirl. Don't mean to discriminate-there are other novels where big, beautiful women are believable (the Sue Ann Jaffarian novels come to mind) but this one wasn't. And the way it was written, it became downright creepy and disturbing when Callie's estranged husband continued to coerce her into having sex with him. The plot was about a body stolen from a funeral home and a subsequent murder but seemed incidental to the "antics" of the characters.

The whole thing was just trying too hard. Trying for madcap but ending up as insipid... Even the dog didn't work and I love dog characters. He was there making commentary and thinking about how well he sang (as Elvis) but it seemed forced and he didn't come across as a real dog and so just didn't work for me.

I enjoyed reading "Elvis and the Dearly Departed" a great deal. The characters are warm and likeable, the rural Missisippi locale is lovingly depicted and the action is pretty hilarious. However, there were some weaknesses. I just didn't find the motivation for a lot of the things that happened to be enough to be entirely believable both for the Callie, the main character's behaviors (she's divorcing her husband because he bought a mororcycle?), and for the plotline in general. As much as it was all fun to read a lot of the extreme things that happened needed to have a better motive supplied. Of course that is typical of this genre of "madcap mystery" fiction, but for some reason I found it noticeable enough in "Elvis and the Dearly Departed" to wish it was better. I also felt as though the writing quality went up and down, sometimes there was a wealth of detail that gave a great picture of the scene, and sometimes, there was a single sentence that left me wondering "what the...?"

But really, the fun and the charm (and Elvis Presley reincarnated as Callie's pet Basset Hound's commentary) make this a nice read. It's sweet and gentle but funny and modern as well. I intend to read the next in the series.

This kept me guessing the whole time. I liked it some may not but it was a good mystery without blood and gore.

Then this book is for you. It won't change your life or impart great knowledge, but it gave me what I needed this week - a light read and some laughs along the way. I'm looking forward to the next adventures of Elvis and his human family.

I bought this book because I enjoy Southern Belle style mysteries. The two main characters, Callie and Lovey, are a southern vesion of Ethel and Lucy rolled with Laverne and Shirley. Their family and love interests are equally memorable. You'll laugh out loud with their antics as you try to solve the mystery which is captivating and does keep you guessing. Can't wait to read the rest in this series.

Loved IT! Great story, mystery, humor! Peggy did a great job writing this story and I will be buying more of these... I am unashamed to say I have fallen in LOVE with Elvis :)

OMG!! One of the funniest books ever!! I was laughing so hard from the very
first page. This author was recommended to me and boy does she deliver.
And, yes I do plan to read each and every book in this series.

By the way, "Elvis" is a basset hound who believes he is a reincarnation
of the real King...Elvis Presley. And, he does dialogue to the reader.
This may tickle your funny bone as it did me. The title of my book for
this review was "Elvis and the Dearly Departed." My next adventure to
read by this author is "Elvis and the Grateful Dead." I am laughing as
I write this review...memories are lovely!!