Customer Reviews

Pipsqueak (Dell Mystery)

5 star:		(13)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(4)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Garth Carson is an ordinary guy with an unordinary interest in dead animals (he bills himself as a "Renter, Procurer, Broker and Vendor of Taxidermy"). He's minding his own business while hunting an "antiques" shop one day when he spots the Maltese Falcon of stuffed animals: Pipsqueak the Nutty Nut. This puppet made from a real squirrel's skin was a prominent fixture on the young Garth's favorite low-budget local television program: The General Buster Show.

Summarizing the story is no small task, as it is a complicated one, involving zoot suiters, tuning forks, swing dancers, mind control, and a whole host of bizarre miscellanea. If at times a bit over-complicated, the plot doesn't matter that much anyway. The Pipsqueak puppet is only a MacGuffin, a largely meaningless device to further the story, not to matter in and of itself. The real meat of the book is the quirky characters and their interplay, along with the protagonist's wry observations on life.

It's hard to imagine anyone whose work Wiprud's is similar to. His twisted sense of humor and fascination for odd minutiae are fairly unique. Admirers of Donald Westlake and Elmore Leonard, especially, though, will find much here to enjoy. Wiprud is definitely a writer to watch.

Reviewed by David Montgomer, Mystery Ink

Pipsqueak is a fast-paced, humorous and highly entertaining mystery novel. Brian M. Wiprud?s writing is parallel to that of Carl Hiaasen or Gregory McDonald. Quirky and unique, this cleverly plotted story is both engaging and memorable.

Garth Carson is a taxidermist. Driving by a small roadside shop, a window display catches eye. Stopping, he expects to purchase one thing, but winds up locating a personal treasure from his youth, Pipsqueak the puppet. Pipsqueak is a squirrel from a local, once popular, television show. Aside from Garth?s own sentimental attachment, the relic is worthless. However, when he offers to buy the piece, the clerk tells him no. The place is about to be robbed while Garth is using the stores facilities. The thief wants Pipsqueak. The clerk kills the would-be robber and flees the scene with the puppet, leaving Garth in hiding in back.

Surprisingly enough, after fifteen years of never seeing each other, Garth?s brother, Nicholas, shows up in town. Nicholas is working as a Private Investigator. In a roundabout way, he, too, is looking for Pipsqueak. It is almost a race as Nicholas and Mafia-like crooks battle desperately and ruthlessly against each other, one looking for answers ? the others looking to stop him from getting answers.

As people keep turning up dead, Garth finds himself caught up in the middle of it all. Attorneys, police, bad guys, good guys ? questionable people who might or might not be guys ?

Pipsqueak is the story of a marvelously ingenious conspiracy theory and a dangerously action-packed page-turner. Full of whit, real-life dialogue and a new perspective on dangerous cults ? Brian M. Wiprud knows how to churn out a novel that any mystery reader will undoubtedly enjoy!
--Phillip Tomasso III, author of Johnny Blade and Third Ring

Brian M. Wiprud has fast become one of my favorite writers!
This author is hilarious - in much the same way I find books by Donald Westlake and Bill Fitzhugh over-the-top-laugh-out-loud funny. Why the hell aren't more people reading this guy?!

I had wondered how he'd top Sleep with the Fishes (had hoped for a sequel, straightaway, but I 'll have to wait 'til 2003 for Dirt Nap, the next installment in the Sid Bilfulco tales), but I had to be be content with Pipsqueak this zany, smart comic caper.

No way will I listen to Meatloaf's Paradise by the Dashboard Lights without a smile remembering this funny book.

Read this book!

Brian Wiprud owes me a night of sleep. I had so much fun reading it I stayed up till it was done.

Garth and Angie really seem like a typical New York couple, and I love the way New york itself plays a large role in the book. At first glance I thought " a taxidermist??". But I have to say, it works!! The book is clever, funny, and strong on plot and story.

I really loved the scene with the stun guns and hot dog cart. Don't ask!! Read it for yourself!!! I can't do this book justice, all I can do is say that I loved every minute of reading it.

Jon Jordan

If you haven't discovered Wiprud's zany sense of humour yet, then you are in for a real treat.
Wiprud's first book, Sleep With The Fishes, was comic genius and I can safely say that Pipsqueak is just as brilliant.
How he combines a taxidermy collector, nefarious Russians, murder, squirrel puppets and a band of New York city retros defies description, with everything coming together in an hilarious climax.
It's a madcap romp from an author that has to be read.
If you like satire, laugh out load comedy, and a darn good story to boot, then this is the book for you.
Next year's sequel to Sleep With The Fishes, Dirt Nap, is already on my list of must-reads for 2003.

This is my first Wiprud book, and I enjoyed it over a nice relaxing weekend. It features some fairly original characters and an unusual plot (as unusual as conspiracy plots get) and breezes right along.

The real entertainment for me lay in the offbeat and atypical creations with which Wiprud fills each scene.

I did not find this book hilarious, or even remember laughing at any part, but nevertheless, enjoyed it as I followed along as if watching a goofy and upbeat version of an old Bogart crime thriller.

For a fun change of pace from regular thrillers, give Pipsqueak a try.

It is very rare that a book makes me laugh out loud, but Pipsqeak tickled my funny bone. The story is very clever. Who would have thought of a reluctant hero who was a taxidermist? The plot is amusing, but the quirky characters are hysterical. I look forward to reading more by this author.

this is so funny.
Garth angie and otto.. This is a slap stick funny book. Kinda like if Monty Python wrote it

This was an engaging book all the way through. A good detective read but also more than a bit off kilter. I am eager to read BMW's other books. Kids can collect 'em...

I wasn't quite sure what to make of this book at first but I continued to read it (morbid curiosity?)and in the end I really did enjoy it. Very different from what I normally read. I like the author's sense of humor. I'm looking forward to the prequel. Hope I remember! It's not due out until Summer 2005!