Customer Reviews

Hawk Channel Chase

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Having hung out with Jimmy Buffett and Hunter S. Thompson on the island in the 70's & 80's, Tom knows Cayo Hueso (Key West) like the back of his hand. In turn, Alex Rutledge knows were to find Pecan Lane, Five Brothers (for a Buchi) and where the bowling alley and the Fourth of July Cuban Restaurant use to be.

Tom writes a very good murder mystery too. That is when he is not publishing books of his black & white photos and co writing music. I most like that Tom hasn't lost the funk and grittiness of Key West past. When shrimping and the 'square grouper' were plentiful.

Do yourself a favor and pick up one of Tom's books and drift back in time.

Awesome book as always. I just wish Alex Rutledge would come out more than once a year!

I love Key West and Mr. Corcoran absolutely does the island justice.
All the nooks and crannys are exposed as Alex figures another mystery out.
Hawk Channel Chase is as good as it gets. Breezy adventure done as well as the other Rutledge entries. Thank goodness for Tom Corcoran and Randy Wayne White keeping me knee deep in Florida mystery since the passing of John D. MacDonald and Travis McGee.

Corcoran is a colorful, creative writer but this book is as torpid as the Key West climate. It's one of those books where there's a lot of running around and a lot of description of places and tons of characters, but it all combines to produce a book that is boring, in spite of itself. If you know Key West intimately, you'll probably enjoy this book. The author clutters it up with far too many place names and characters which tend to bury the plot. And, the plot is unexciting. I think Corcoran was more intent on displaying his tabloid style of writing and quick wit than he was in producing a book that the reader would find satisfying. Pity. It could have been a much better book.

This guy is good. It is clear that he takes his time, polishing his prose about a setting he knows and characters who are more than wooden stick figures. Corcoran's cast of Keys characters have the appeal of personal traits that suggect actuality such as friends who are a part of our life. His focus, Alex Rutledge, moving slowly into art photography and on a better financial level than in earlier novels remains an appealing and ethical, if sometimes slightly tipsy personality. As he walks along Fleming or Eton, we see the mimosa and bouganvillia on the mossy library walls. We know about the "attitude adjusters" at Sloppy's. I expect a scrawny chicken in a gumbo limbo tree along an ally. The plot, with a tangle of good and bad guys, shifting lenses and situations makes this a read through novel. No hack work here. No easy set ups. My greatest problem with Corcoran is that he has such a small output. But it is good stuff.

I couldn't hardly put it down. As all the rest of Tom Corcoran's Alex Rutledge Mystery novels, this one was great in my opinion. Definately left me wanting more.

I just today finished Tom Corcoran's latest novel Hawk Channel Chase. Tom has done it again. His witty dialog and interesting characters took me on a thrill-a-minute ride in the Florida Keys. The excellent descriptions of the characters, locations, and situations made me feel as though I were there. Our protagonist Alex Rutledge manages to get in some sticky situations (some fun, and some that made my heart pound). This is a well-plotted adventure you won't want to miss; grab a copy and head for the Keys.

I just finished reading Hawk Channel Chase and my only regret was that it was not another 100 pages longer! I've read all the Alex Rutledge books and they just keep getting better! Corcoran has become a real artist when it comes to writing. I hope he writes his next Rutledge mystery soon!

Another great Tom Corcoran ...Alex Rutledge novel!!!!
Sat on a beach to read this one. Great way to trip back to Key West.
Having lived there, reading all the details of the streets and bars and people is really cool.
Actually my wife and I really enjoyed LaTratoria last time we were there.
I digress... I just wanted to say Tom is not running out of words to get Alex into and out of trouble.
I totally enjoyed it.
Way to go Taco guy...

I bought this book because I had read another book containing a history of Key West when several famous writers and performers lived there. The author of this book is one of those authors. He was hailed in his time as a genius of writing so I thought it would be interesting to see what people were talking about. Book was OK. Entertaining. Nothing special Will not be seeking more books by this author.