Customer Reviews

Gumbo Limbo: An Alex Rutledge Mystery (Alex Rutledge Mysteries)

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

 

 

In all fairness, I need to say at the outset that 1) I am a dedicated Parrot Head; 2) I love Key West, even if I would be considered a black socked tourist; and 3) given the choice, I only read So. Fla. mysteries. With those caveats, I tell you that I loved the book and will buy every future novel that Tom Corcoran writes. He is more realistic than Hiassen and moves a lot faster than Shames. His characters are cut out of true conch shells, although there may have been a few too many of them at times (especially after a couple of Barbancourts). What is best about the book, however, are his little pearls of wisdom, dropping out of the sky like Buffett lyrics, about life and death and past and current loves. He's as close to McDonald as any living author has achieved.

Enoyable, but needlessly complicated with an excess of characters. As I was reading the final two chapters, my attention began to drift, simply because the plot was so convuluted that it defied my ability to keep up with the who's who list.

The "mystery" is not the reason to read this one. The insight and commentary on the Key West scene is the gem here. Maybe the next one will be better.

I found the book fast paced and funny. Corcoran has himself a very interesting cast of characters. Chicken Neck Liska will be every disco danny's hero. I can't wait to see what predicament Rutledge get's himself into next time! A great book.

The title to this review is double edged. It refers to the myriad of characters and escapades that Tom Corcoran has cooked up for his character, crime photographer, Alex Rutledge and the fact that there are so many writers who want to be Carl Hiassan. Corcoran is the Key West version and while I found the story generally entertaining, it also got confusing at times as the plot twisted here and there, sometimes without apparent purpose. He does get into the mood and sprit of the Keys and there is some Buffet-like wisdom dispenced on occaision, but by the time that the reason why people are dying, getting beaten or disappearing becomes evident, you kind of wonder if it had to be that complicated. I liked the effort and should probably read his first book which seems to have general approval. Another writer about Florida who probably helps explain, without intending to, why they have so much trouble voting correctly down there.

Early in the morning in Key West, Chicago financial whiz Zack Cahill calls his old navy crony Alex Rutledge and orders him to meet him for breakfast at Sloppy Joe's. When Alex reaches the bar in less than eight minutes, Zack has already left. Eerily, Zack failed to pay his bar tab and did not take his gold watch with him. Not yet too concerned about his friend's sudden disappearance, Alex still begins to search for Zack to find out what he wanted, why he is on the island, and why didn't he wait.

However, the crime scene photographer quickly revises his original opinion of unconcern as a murder occurs that seems linked to Zack. Alex is also surprised to run into Zack's former girl friend Abby Womack. Before he knows it, Alex's simple inquiries turn into something much more dangerous with perhaps mob or at least drug overtones. In too deep, Alex may solve the mystery at the cost of his newly growing interest in the police public affairs specialist, his friendship with Zack, and even his life.

If GUMBO LIMBO seems to have a weird, meandering plot it does. However, the talented Tom Corcoran manages to take the reader all over the place in a non linear manner yet keep his audience fully absorbed in the interesting story line. The investigation begins even before any hint of a crime exists, in a sort of quantum physics way. The eccentric characters add a feel that leaves readers imagining they are visiting Key West. As with the first Alex novel (MANGO OPERA), GUMBO LIMBO is pure entertainment.

Harriet Klausner

I loved this book, reading about Key West and the settings. Will buy more books by Tom Corcoran.Takes me to the Florida Keys.

The thing I love about this series of books is the location. My husband and I go to Key West all the time and the locations and the streets are real and I can picture them in my mind's eye. Trying to keep the cast of characters straight is like the old Abbott and Costello gag of " who's on first." While it hung together for the most part, the end gets very confusing. It causes one to loose interest as one goes along.

Gumbo Limbo by Tom Corcoran is overall an entertaining romp ofsome wild, almost cliche, detective fiction. Though the setting is in itself like a virtual vacation, Corcoran's first person narrative leaves much to be desired. Even when viewed as told by the main character, forensic photographer Alex Rutledge, I grew horrifically tired of the descriptions of his eating and drinking habits.

Another "Jimmy Buffettism" of Corcoran's is his obsession with almost proving that he's really a true Key Wester. His descriptions of his travels on the island (like "I turned left at Big Bob's eatery at the corner of St. Juicy and Elm") were distracting. Yes, let the reader know you have some expertise, but let's forgo the travelogue and advance the story. Perhaps Tom should just include a map in the next submission.

But yes, overall, I enjoyed it. Even in it's annoying moments it had some charm. Picture this as a literary version of late night listening to a Buffett album: a guilty pleasure that's easy to enjoy, but will probably leave you wanting more meaty substance.

I read this second in series as fast as I read the first book! Another great book that transports my mind to the Keys as I read. LOVED it!!