Customer Reviews

Mexican Hat

5 star:		(5)
4 star:		(12)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Many readers will make the error, just as I did, in thinking all southwestern mysteries were Hillerman copies, chock full of Native American lore, spirituality, and culture. Author Michael McGarrity has now proven me wrong, twice over, but in a pleasing way that will be having me read future installments of our hero Kevin Kerney.

Similar in style to Tularosa, the reader will find themselves involved in numerous, major plotlines, all seemingly unique from each other, but finally converging in the end into an explosive climax that does not let the reader feel cheated. On the contrary, the multiple story threads are well paced between each other so as one does not get lost in the overall story direction and forget about certain characters or situations like other novels are known to do.

Here we find ex-cop Kerney just months after his role in 'Tularosa' just making ends meet as a temp park ranger for the forest service investigating a recent string of animal poaching. It just so happens that two Mexicans (a grandson and grandfather) find themselves in the wrong place and the wrong time, and one of them gets murdered, Kerney finds himself as part of the investigations.

Enter his new pseudo partner, a young Jim Stiles, all too eager to impress Kerney and his superiors and ends up getting shot at, but by who? Kerney is impressed by this young mans detective skills, but realizes that he himself was the target.

Omar Gatewood, the local sheriff is more a politician than a cop, and proves to be inept at the worst times, or does he have a master plan?

A family feud between ranchers Edgar and Eugene Cox has kept the twin brothers from speaking to each other in over sixty years, but when a note is delivered to Edgar he breaks the silence to confront his oppressive and abusive crippled brother. Why did Eugene's wife disapear all those years ago?

Karen Cox returns to her roots as the new local ADA, and takes notice of the strong and silent Kerney. She likes him, but has to work with him, and how does she deal with her fathers lie, and ensuing family feud. And how does her current case and the assassination attempt on Kerney fit into all this?

The positive aspect of introducing a new female interest for Kerney is that the author really does not push it. In Tularosa, Kerney was smitten by Sara who left at the end, and the author realizes that a new woman can't pick up the pieces immediately, but develops Karen for future novels.

The only problems I had with this novel, keeping it from five stars, was the authors constant, almost unending reminders that Kerney has a bad knee suffered from an injury years back. Okay, I got it...knee hurt. Also Jim Stiles girlfriend Molly's dialogue seemed a bit...fake. I believed in all the characters in this novel except Molly...she seemed to stick out like a displaced soap star...thank God she was only a minor part of the novel and does not detract from any one else.

Other than those two quirks, I believe that Mexican Hat was an excellent adventure that had me guessing for quite a bit on how all these threads would weave together and I was happy with the end result. I will be reading future installments.

I picked up Mexican Hat in the San Juan airport because I had time to kill. It turned out to be a wise choice. It was like reading a good Western movie. McGarrity paints wonderful word pictures, especially for someone like me who has never been out west. The plot twists kept me going and the minimal profanity was a breath of fresh air. Thanks, McGarrity, for a clean book that was fun.

Kevin Kerney is back in McGarrity's second novel in this well-written series. Kerney is now a seasonal forest ranger in New Mexico's Gila Wilderness. A Mexican tourist is murdered, and his senile grandfather wandering around the area; seems, too, like there are some poachers in the area. Add to this a sixty-year old family feud, a lovely ADA, and a great partner (Jim Stiles), and Kerney is off and running in trying to find murderers, poacheers, and the harvesting of rare animals for illegal sales. As in TULAROSA, the plot is thick and juicy, and Kerney once again the penultimate hero. A great read in this wonderfully engaging series.

Kevin Kerney is a former chief of detectives of in a major southwest city. He was seriously wounded and retired with a bad knee. He has taken a summer job as a park ranger in New Mexico's Gila Wilderness. A rancher finds a poached black bear,a Mexican man is killed, and an elderly man found in a cave. Kevin Kerney is pushed aside by his superiors in the investigations. He keeps investigating with the help of other intelligent rangers and a divorced district attorney,Karen Cox. More people are wounded,a couger is killed, and Kevin's home is blown up. Karen Cox's family is part of the mystery, many family secrets abound. The pace is fast,the action believable and the characters engrossing. The scenic descriptions are vivid. The plot plausible. I enjoyed the story and now must read the other books by Mr. Mc Garrity.

I really enjoyed this second book of the Kerney series. To me, it was much better than the 1st (Tularusa). This book was about family secrets, militia organization, pouching in the remote areas of New Mexico. I really like the Kerney character McGarrity has created. The guy is tough and relentless but he also has a good heart. I also like the choice of settting. I am not that familiar with that part of the country. I find myself going to mapquest and locating areas mentioned in the book. Can't wait to read book #3.

I don't want to say more about this book, all I want to say is that when I turned over to the last page and finished this book, I was kinda smiling and happy for Kerney, although his situation in most part of this book was miserable and tough. Mr. McGarrity, please, more and quicker!!! Just hope your Muse won't be drained up or withered away too soon. God bless.

Finally, we have a writer that gives you the flavor of Hillerman with the smoothness of Cussler. A very enjoyable read. From time to time I live in the area and McGarrity is right on with his portrayal of the people and beautiful settings of the New Mexico southwest. McGarrity knows how to bring forth the story in an enjoyable and believable plot. Lets hear more from Kerney

After the blood and gore of McGarrity's first Kerney novel, Tularossa, this is a much improved second effort.

Kerney is now a seasonal ranger who quickly realizes all is not right when a young, well-to-do Mexican is killed in a forest meadow. His inquiring mind leads to poachers, land grabs, militias and family secrets.

McGarrity provides Kerney with some solid, if a bit two-dimensional, supporting characters -- sexy assistant district attorney, want-to-be a cop assistant and lots of crusty ranch types. Still it is the imagery of the Gila mountains and the desert surrounded highways that is lingering days after I finished this book.

Bottom-line: Excellent sense of place, good plot and players.

Kevin Kerney, once a well-regarded police detective, has retired from police after a serious injury. Now, he works a seasonal ranger saving up for his dream-buying and running a small ranch.

However, his investigating days are far from over. A series of big-game poaching put him in conflict with more senior Park Service staff, until a murder of a Mexican tourist take precedence in the investigation.

This is a colorful mystery, full of likable characters and the New Mexican nature; with the taste of conflict between ranching and environmentalism, as well as old greed; and even some unobtrusive romance.

Kerney and his friends are well-described, although the villains are rather shallow. The old mysteries are somewhat predictable, but the investigation holds much suspense and danger.

The resolution is satisfying, and the only (minor) flaw one finds in this enjoyable book is the switching between multiple viewpoints.
--inotherworlds.com

The second entry in this series shows that intimate knowledge of your subject, skillful writing, and a fine sense of place and history, can hook and entertain a reader. A hero, tough and competent, let's us follow the murderous plot to an old fashioned shoot out conclusion. Keep em coming.