Customer Reviews

Money to Burn:: A Casey Jones Mystery (Casey Jones Mysteries)

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Katy Munger is tops in her mastery of the changing Southern atmosphere and the sometimes hapless characters making their way through it. Munger turns a phrase with the best, and her Casey Jones, woman sleuth with grit and grits, comes to life in a twist and turn plot. This time Casey gets involved with big money, and, finally, big love ("Viagra in the air"). Pay attention in this book because you're reading about some big issues of responsibility, family values (heard that one before?), homophobia, racism, elitism, and just some other good Southern stuff. But then, isn't the South simply a damp, heated up version of the rest of the world?

I really wish I could use more than 5 stars for Money to Burn. Casey Jones is back with her smart-mouth, bawdy attitude, and her undeniable charm. I really enjoyed Legwork and Out of Time, but Money to Burn is as darn near perfection as you'll find. I loved the recurring and new characters, the story, the writing, the suspense, and every darn word. This is a must read book!

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and cannot wait to "spread the word" that Katy Munger's heroine is a perfect combination of guts, gams and good humor. It was the most entertained I have been by a book in a long time. The mystery was clever, had a surprise ending and best of all, made me laugh out loud at least a dozen times! I truly hated for the story to end - but when it did end - I was very appreciative of the way Ms Munger "wrapped up all the loose ends" Can't wait to read all the previous adventures of Casey Jones.

Although I certainly enjoyed reading Money to Burn, Katy Munger is not ready to become one of the greats of mystery fiction. On the book's positive side, Munger does deliver a very funny book with a fairly convincing and innovative plot. Since the book deals with the tobacco industry, which is an easy target these days, I was surprised that Munger avoided a cliched industry corruption tale. As always in this series, humor was at the forefront of the narrative.

The disappointing aspect of this book comes with Munger's too frequent use of trite stereotypes. While it may be true that stereotypes become stereotypes because they are so often true, characterizations which are too dependent upon these stereotypes come off flat and underdeveloped. Although Munger does not use stereotypes to criticize, she does use them to avoid finding a character's inner motivations. Too many of her characters act and react because of some societally projected motivation. Munger needs to explore her characters more closely to produce a book with more real people. A great mystery novel delivers insight into the human condition just like any other great book. This cannot be accomplished with such underdeveloped characters. I have also been disappointed that Casey Jones's character has not grown through the series. I know no more about her now that I did after reading the first book in the series. For example, in this book, Casey has a very difficult and potentially life-altering decision to make. Instead of allowing the readers to follow Casey's self-exploration, she just suddenly makes up her mind. We, the readers, do not know why. Munger's sense of place is also somewhat flat. After reading a series, I like to feel that I have "been" wherever the book is set, and even though I live quite near this book's actual setting, the place does not seem at all real. With the exception of the Southern stereotypes, this series could happen anywhere. (North Carolina is important in this particular book because of the tobacco industry's role in the book.)

Overall, however, I found this an enjoyable book to read, and I do recommend it. I don't think a book should be avoided because it isn't what it never tried to be. It is lightweight fun. Munger just shows so much potential that I would like to see her make this an even better series. Its engrossing plot and likable Casey Jones provide good escapist reading. If you can enjoy a book just because its fun, you should like this one. If you're looking for great depths, read elsewhere.

I don't think there is any other tough girl P.I. out there as tough and funny as Casey. It took me a while to warm to her tone of voice, but once I clicked with it,I couldn't put the book down. Great southern atmosphere and characters.

Casey Jones is tough and smart. Astute, even. And genuinely funny. She is a creature of lusty appetites, incredible fashion sense and emergency hair-coloring measures. Her past is shady, her credentials suspect. Lust and mayhem rule. As is true of all pop fiction, this one lays bare its milieu. Take to heart Casey's insight: "When I was done packing it in, I felt like someone had poured cement down my gullet --the true test of a good southern meal."

I loved this one. I ran across it from a friend and got the other two last summer. I had no idea what a Krispy Kreme doughnut was and now I make 2 hour drives to Vegas to get two dozen... If you do this also, just bring home and put in micro for 6 seconds and then, go to heaven...pick up the book and eat.

Casey is sassy, entertaining, and real. I love mysteries and this was one of my favorite. It is an easy read and great for a weekend quick pick me up. Good job, Katy. Keep em coming.

If laughter is the best medicine, doctors should be prescribing Casey Jones novels.

I really enjoyed this book. I think she's just getting better and better. Can't wait for the next Casey!

That one word sums it up - I want to see more. Great writer, great story - had me laughing out loud and staying up late to see how it ends. Can't wait for the next one - I just hope she avoids the recently common trend of killing off the love interest.