Customer Reviews

Legwork (Casey Jones Mysteries #1)

5 star:		(19)
4 star:		(15)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Katy Munger's first Casey Jones mystery introduces the sassiest, most memorable female PI since Linda Barnes' Carlotta Carlyle. In this one, Casey's hired to bodyguard an aspiring senator when the body of a property developer is dumped on her client's lawn. Naturally, Casey's soon up to her neck in the investigation, much to the horror of local cop Bill Butler, who can't make up his mind whether he wants her on the case, wants her off the case, or just plain wants her. The plot moves at a somewhat slower pace than the later books in the series, but the intricacies make up for the lack of action -- we actually see Casey *think* her way through this one. The mutual attraction/repulsion between Casey and Bill Butler's a hoot too. (Other characters are less developed than they would be, but on the other hand, what do you expect in a debut novel?) The North Carolina setting is attractive too, although I wish Katy would stop mentioning Krispy Kreme doughnuts every chapter -- she makes me want some! Read one Casey Jones novel and you'll want them all, so you might as well start with the first one.

My hobby is blasting books that have been over-hyped by publishers, but I got to admit it-- this book delivers (not that it seems to be getting any sort of push from Avon, but it deserves one). It is very, very funny with sharp writing, great characters and a fantastic female detective that makes Kinsey, V.I., Stephanie etc. look like wimps. I'm a guy and I loved it. I suspect women will love it even more (my sister's the one who recommended I read it). The writing style is very sarcastic and on the mark about the South, take it from a former Georgia boy. It is definitely more on the hard-boiled side compared to other books with female protagonists these days. Very hip-- I highly recommend it.

I'm honestly surprised to see this book get such high marks, because for the first 2/3 of it, I thought it was the most awful book I'd ever read, and I had to force myself to finish it. During the last 1/3, it picked up enough and made me reconsider my earlier decision not to continue with the series -- though even now I'm not sure if I will.

I found Casey to be one of the most obnoxious, unlikeable characters I've ever read about. I was not amused by her obsession with sex or the constant descriptions of her 350 pound boss' eating habits. I was not interested in reading about her black roots in every chapter (if they need to be dyed that bad, dye 'em already -- stop talking about it), nor the sexy barely-there clothing she squeezed herself into. I think the author went overboard in trying to paint a picture of a character who was a bit too unreal and who it was nearly impossible to relate to.

I also found the mystery thin and predictable. The murderer's idenity, as well as Stoney's "mystery woman" were both obvious as soon as they were brought up. I also thought the ending bit with the dog came out of nowhere and was a bit too "convenient" to its ultimate resolution.

I may or may not read the next installment...but if I do, it'll be courtesy of my public library or local used book shop.

I LOVE the way Munger describes her characters, nailing them in just a sentence or two. She crafts tight plots filled with fascinating suspects -- and the setting is right here where I live, adding to my enjoyment. (Oh -- she turns left there. That would make her just about to go into -- yep, sure enough, there she is.)

Hard-drinking, junk-food-loving Casey is my latest favorite detective. She's 35-40 and 170 pounds of outrageous muscle -- according to Casey. Sorry, Case, but you eat like that and it can't possibly be all muscle. Maybe all that Southern Atmosphere burns it off.

I read three Munger books in a row this weekend. Can't get enough! Is there any way that Casey could switch books and teach Stephanie Plum a thing or two? Never a klutz, Casey is one dangerous woman who lives her life flat-out hard. Watch out for those cops on I-40, Casey!

A northerner and newcomer to the south this book was a hilarious introduction to some class culture in my new home. The heroine is sweaty, saucy, and steely; a bright woman of a certain age and disposition who, after some hard knocks falls into a life for which she is particularly well suited. She is the legs, eyes, and brains for a mountain of slough with a P.I.'s license, (unattinable for her). I often found myself laughing out loud. It unfolds handily, murder, politics, passion. The author takes a nice chunky bite out of the hides of local developers and people for whom appearences are everything. One of my favorite scenes involves the garden club, our heroine, and chicken salad sandwiches. I look forward to the next offering in this series.

Thank God for Casey Jones. Finally a female PI who is both real enough to relate to and fantastic enough to entertain. She sustains my disbelief in the most enjoyable way. She is also surrounded by characters equally entertaining and a plot line with twists and turns in all the right places. I highly recommend this book!

What I want to know is why I had to discover Casey Jones by accident. Think Kinsey Millhone's sassy southern cousin...or Judge Deborah Knott with an attitude...and I can't understand why she isn't as famous. She's hilarious and effective, and I look forward to reading more of her adventures!

I enjoy Casey Jones and wasn't disappointed this time around. As the series has progressed, we've gotten to know more about Casey's friends and extended "family". The characters are deeper and more interesting. Casey is more connected to her friends and her hometown. I enjoy her take on southerners and humorous southern "sayings". I laughed outloud at her description of her dog and her surroundings. I was mildly disappointed that she and her boyfriend broke up and the sudden way it was introduced into the plot. Both she and the reader are kind of blindsided by Burley's falling in love with someone else. But, I guess this frees Casey to pursue her steamy flings with other men and will make for more interesting reading in the future. Great read, you won't be disappointed.

We finally have a female PI with savy and plenty of sass. Casey is a fantastic character to really get to know and so are her friends! It's got wit galore and a great read from beginning to end. Her characters are priceless along with her wonderful way with words. I've read them all and can't wait for number 4 next June! Way to go Katy!

Katy Munger's books are wonderful -- Craftily-plotted mysteries combined with a realistic, feisty heroine. Casey is overweight, impulsive, hilarious, and lovable. She has the ability to see right through a man (stopping to admire whatever she chooses...) and to stir up as much trouble as she solves. MORE PLEASE!