Customer Reviews

Mojo Hand

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

 

 

I just got done reading Greg Kihn's book all in a row, in one long continuous sitting. IMHO, he's at his peak in this one. It has all the elements this blues fan, mystery book fanatic and hobby musician likes: The sinister and dark mysteries of the blues, musicians anecdotes, the "down on the bayou" feel, gris gris, voodoo, moho hands, and the likes.

It's scary, funny, dark, light-hearted, hip, comic book, all at once. Definitely not your average book. I loved it.

Where's the next one. Greg, I know you're out there lurking at Amazon!!! Give me a sign...

Sorry, Greg--this one didn't work for me particularly well. There was quite a bit of dancing about architecture that I don't think worked as well as the filmmaking anecdotes from "Horror Show" or "Big Rock Beat". The 'twist' ending was exceptionally unsatisfying to me, and I just plain didn't enjoy this as much as the first two books in the series.

I will, of course, buy the next one. I like Kihn's writing style enough to give this book a cautious recommendation, and for fans of the blues I recommend this highly. Add a star to the review if you're a John Lee Hooker fan.

As legendary blues players gather to promote the genre, a complex plot weaves around a Louisiana witch woman with a powerful 'mojo hand', an albino who is set on murder, and a lost bluesman Robert Johnson who returns from the seeming dead for his grand finale. Murder and supernatural suspense blend in a plot packed with unexpected twists and turns - hard to put down; highly recommended.

To begin with, I enjoyed this book very much. It kept me on the edge of my seat and eager to come back for more. The characters were engaging and the concert scenes rang true. The storyline was imaginative and creative. However, there were a few minor details that concerned me, especially since the author is a musician.

First off, if it seems like I'm nit-picking I apologize, but being a musician and fledgling author myself, noticing inaccuracies concerning guitars, equipment and plot lines is distressing.

So Vincent Shives plays a 1951 National Steel guitar within the story? Cool, except this is impossible since National ceased production in 1941, resuming again sometime in the eighties. This would be an easy mistake to make if you're not aware of the production dates of these fine instruments, but Greg should have researched it a little more. People do care about this stuff.

I also found it odd that Annie Sweeney didn't know who Oakland Slim was upon meeting him at the interview with B. Bobbie Bostic. If she was such an authority on the subject shouldn't she have known the harpist who supposedly recorded the greatest blues harp solo ever?

I'm not sure why Greg gave Keith and Mick pseudonyms for this story. Perhaps legal reasons?

Why did the Gibson Flying V cause such a stir at the show in New Orleans? Albert King played one for years. The patrons at the club should be used to seeing an unusually shaped instrument by now.

Like I said previously I liked this book. I'd been looking for literature that incorporates blues and rock into the story. There seems to be a shortage of authors who write in this genre. This novel gave me inspiration to move on in my endeavors. Next week I'll probably go to the library and check out "Big Rock Beat," but that shouldn't dissuade you from purchasing your own copy of "Mojo Hand," from the fine folks here at Amazon.com.

In conclusion, if you're looking for a real fun book that has action, romance, voodoo, zombies, and killer blues, and don't mind stumbling over a couple of inaccuracies along the way, by all means read this book. But be forewarned that it's not "Slaughterhouse Five," "One Flew over the Cuckoo's Nest" or even "Tom Sawyer," but hey, they don't write 'em like that any more.

I don't remember who first told me about Greg Kihn's first book "Horror Show," but it was a truly fortunate day since I have enjoyed reading each of his books since then. They are all a bit off-beat, with good plot lines told by a true storyteller. The characters are very human in their idiosyncrasies, having qualities that can be endearing and repulsive at the same time.

"Mojo Hand" has a really fun and interesting mix of mystery, music and voodoo. A bizarre combination that works well and keeps you fascinated until the very end. Entertaining, light, sometimes spooky-and highly recommended.

THIS MAN IS WONDERFUL! HIS BOOKS ARE SO MUCH FUN YOU ALMOST FORGET THEY'RE SCARY! I LOVE YOU GREG! KEEP IT UP!