Customer Reviews

Hocus Croakus (Bed-And-Breakfast Mysteries)

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

 

 

This series has been going downhill for awhile now, but this book just may be the end of the road for me.

As the series has progressed, Judith has become irritating and unlikeable, but the supporting cast made the books tolerable. However, not even Renie and Gertrude could save this one.

The "surprise twist" at the end was lame. But worse was the story itself, with Judith continuing to stick her nose into things that don't concern her and get people to yap her ear off just because "she likes people." It's been a lame premise for getting her involved in the mysteries through entire series, but it just came across as completely ridiculous this time.

The dialogue is painful to read, the writing has become amateur. Ms. Daheim should put this series to bed and concentrate on the Alpine series, which is still enjoyable.

I've read all of Mary Daheim's B&B mysteries, and until this one, generally enjoyed them for what they are, entertaining cozies that chart the lives of Judith Flynn and her family as Judith solves various murders. So I was all set to expect more of the same entertainment from this latest in the series. I don't want to spoil the plot, but suffice it to say I felt disappointed with the trick that the author played on this reader. By the end of the book, I also grew to dislike pretty much all the characters. The gambling casino location seemed to bring out the worst traits in most of Judith's family members. I agree with the reviewer who said this is not one of Daheim's better efforts. I hated this book so much that I revealed the surprise ending to the members of my monthly mystery book club so that none of them would be tempted to read the book and suffer the same irritation and disappointment that I experienced.

Judith McMonigle Flynn, her husband Joe, her favorite cousin Renie and husband Bill have all decided to take a vacation. The Flynn's bed-and-breakfast is being redone, and it seems like the perfect time for them to get out of town. Renie is scheduled to attend a conference at the Stillasnowamish Casino, so she invites the others to come along. The Flynns are building another B & B on family property near the casino, so this seems like the perfect solution to all of these situations.
Judith, Renie, and their husbands attend a magic show put on by the Great Madolini and they are amazed by the illusions in the show. Unfortunately, Judith soon discovers the dead body of the magician's assistant. Things go from bad to worse when her contractor at home keeps calling her about things that are going wrong, and the contractors on the new B & B seem to be digging the foundation in the wrong place. Of course, Judith cannot resist a good murder mystery and she and Joe make a wager about whether she can solve it by a deadline that Joe gives her. This is a good addition to the Bed-and-Breakfast Mystery series and it has some twists at the end that add a lot of interest to the story.

I read all the Bed and Breakfast books and I generally LOVE them all - I don't really know what it was but I felt like I was just really getting tired of Judith sticking her nose into things the twist was nice and I cannot wait till the next book - but it was a major downfall to her last book and to all the previous titles in this series. I think maybe there just wasn't enough Rene in it for me -

Judith McMonigle Flynn and her cousin Renie have solved lots of crimes in the past. In this book Judith and her husband Joe have to move out of Hillside Manor, Judith's Seattle B&B, due to post-fire renovations. They join Renie and her husband Bill and head for the Stillasnowamish Resort Casino. Renie has a conference to attend there. Both Renie and Judith had to bring their mothers along. These two women constantly fight but end up sharing a room.

Judith discovers Salome, the resort magician's beautiful assistant, stabbed multiple times after the show. Pancho Green, the casino manager, recruits Joe, an ex-cop, to help investigate. Judith can't help but snoop. Joe allows Judith to question people regarding the murder, but he doesn't make it easy for her. Still, she finds a way to interrogate just about everyone. Renie tries to ignore all of it and gamble. That's tough to do with a cousin like Judith.

Add to this the fact that Judith's contractor for the renovations at the B&B is constantly calling with problems, and Judith ends up driving back into town trying to resolve those problems. Also, Judith is having a B&B built on nearby family land. There appear to be problems with the site and she has to try to resolve them too.

Once again Judith is on the trail of a killer. Renie is assisting, but only when Judith insists. These two are great together. They are very well constructed characters, and I enjoy reading about their many escapades.

I liked the setting of this resort casino. Daheim describes the area so well, I felt as though I'd been there.

The plot in this book is terrific. I wasn't able to figure it out ahead -- a real plus. I never feel Judith is overlooking clues -- I hate books where I am yelling at the protagonist to pay attention. Don't have to do that in this series.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book, and that you read the whole series. I know there are books I've missed and I plan to go back and read them. Mary Daheim, and her Bed and Breakfast series, is terrific!

I have enjoyed the Bed and Breakfast series for the most part up until now. I was begining to feel the character slip in Suture Self when the physical ailments of Judith began to overshadow the mystery. Silver Scream continued to highlight her 'hip' problems. It just makes you wonder if the author is trying to work out her own surgical difficulties and they are taking over the character. Then we come to Hocus Croakus. THIS book's premise becomes so aggravating. The physical ailments begin to go back into the background, but it must have left a gap that the author decided to fill in with a mental defect. That the murders she investigates turn out to be a 'hokes' aided and abetted by her husband is infuriating. Then she goes to a river, thinks for a few minutes and 'forgives' him in an instant. Apparently they used her spine to fix her hip. That she chose 2 husbands who found enjoyment at her expense makes you want to strangle her yourself. I found NO enjoyment in this book of the series. Thank god that This Old Souse makes a mystery comeback. Maybe the fact that Joe plays so little a role helps. Skip this book in the series. Or be prepared to watch Judith try to handle the murders, the renovations at home and the ones at the cabin without the support of her so called loving husband. I have often found Joe patronizing in the books, but could overlook till now when he decided having a laugh at her running around trying to solve a murder that doesn't exist,"fun for her'!

I have ready every one of the B&B series and, without a doubt, this book is the worst and a waste of good reading time. The conclusion to the mystery was ludicrous and unbelievable. I've often found myself thinking, "Judith, get a spine for heaven's sake" as she is stepped on throughout the series. However, this book left me thinking that the character has no backbone and never will. When she should have been furious with the solution, she, once again, allowed her "loved ones" to belittle her. I'm just thankful I didn't pay for the hardback version of this travesty.

Judith, Renie, their mothers and their husbands leave the Bed & Breakfast to the renovating contractors, and head off to the Stillasnowamish Resort Casino for a vacation. Renie becomes so hooked on gambling, she sends her mother to take her place at a graphics-design conference she's supposed to be attending. Judith isn't really interested in gambling, but when she spies some progressive slot machines with the grand prize a beautiful red Corvette, she decides to try to win it for Joe.

Glancing up at the 'Vette suspended above the slots, Judith is horrified to see the body of a magician's blonde assistant stuffed into the car. Joe is asked to assist in the official investigation, and Judith sleuths unofficially and tries to get Renie to quit gambling and help her.

It was interesting to get Judith & Renie out of the B & B where they solve most of their mysteries, and I found the casino setting fun. However, there is a plot twist at the end that I thought was both mean and unfair, to Judith if not necessarily the reader. It spoiled my enjoyment of the story, which I would have given a higher rating otherwise. Hope Ms. Daheim returns to her usual writing style for the next book, "This Old Souse".

Judith McMonigle Flynn and her beloved spouse Joe temporarily move out of their Hillside Manor bed and breakfast while the inn is renovated due to fire damage. Taking their feuding moms with them, the couple joins Judith's cousin and amateur sleuth partner Renie and her husband at the Stillasnowamish Resort Casino where Renie attends a conference.

However where Judith goes homicide seems to also accompany her. This time she discovers the multiple stabbed corpse of magician assistant Salome. Casino manager Pancho Green asks his friend former cop Joe to investigate the homicide, but as usual Judith sticks her nose into the case. Meanwhile Renie desperately tries to stay out of it this time, but Judith knows whom to turn to when she needs help in uncovering the identity of a murderer.

The latest Judith tale is a strong amateur sleuth novel that has a shocker (for this series at least) ending. The story line is often amusing as the support cast from the recurring characters as well as the contractors working the B&B and a second inn exasperate the heroine. The who-done-it is cleverly designed so that readers along with Joe and Judith struggle to uncover the identity of the killer. HOCUS CROAKUS is an entertaining fun bed and breakfast mystery that will please most of Mary Daheim's fans and bring new readers to stay at the Hillside Manor.

Harriet Klausner

Judith McMonigle Flynn and her cousin Renie have solved lots of crimes in the past. In this book Judith and her husband Joe have to move out of Hillside Manor, Judith's Seattle B&B, due to post-fire renovations. They join Renie and her husband Bill and head for the Stillasnowamish Resort Casino. Renie has a conference to attend there. Both Renie and Judith had to bring their mothers along. These two women constantly fight but end up sharing a room.

Judith discovers Salome, the resort magician's beautiful assistant, stabbed multiple times after the show. Pancho Green, the casino manager, recruits Joe, an ex-cop, to help investigate. Judith can't help but snoop. Joe allows Judith to question people regarding the murder, but he doesn't make it easy for her. Still, she finds a way to interrogate just about everyone. Renie tries to ignore all of it and gamble. That's tough to do with a cousin like Judith.

Add to this the fact that Judith's contractor for the renovations at the B&B is constantly calling with problems, and Judith ends up driving back into town trying to resolve those problems. Also, Judith is having a B&B built on nearby family land. There appear to be problems with the site and she has to try to resolve them too.

Once again Judith is on the trail of a killer. Renie is assisting, but only when Judith insists. These two are great together. They are very well constructed characters, and I enjoy reading about their many escapades.

I liked the setting of this resort casino. Daheim describes the area so well, I felt as though I'd been there.

The plot in this book is terrific. I wasn't able to figure it out ahead -- a real plus. I never feel Judith is overlooking clues -- I hate books where I am yelling at the protagonist to pay attention. Don't have to do that in this series.

I HIGHLY RECOMMEND this book, and that you read the whole series. I know there are books I've missed and I plan to go back and read them. Mary Daheim, and her Bed and Breakfast series, is terrific!