Harvard preppy Jonathan Whitfield is unimpressed by his charming cousin Skylar's popularity, which greatly declines when Skylar is accused of murdering his beauty queen girlfriend. 20,000 first printing. $15,000 ad/promo.
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Book Description
Editorial Reviews
From Publishers Weekly
Sneaky guile, chronic cuteness and aw-shucks Southern charm meld in this series launch from the creator of the much admired Fletch stories. Skylar Whitfield of Greendowns County, probably in Tennessee, is college-age (but not college-bound), aimless and catnip to the local women. He's also Sheriff Pepp's prime suspect when beauty queen Mary Lou Simes is battered to death. The kills keep a-comin' to the Simes clan, and Skylar can't muster a good alibi, although you have to admire a guy who breaks out of jail to go to church and continue his unstinting commitment to the pleasuring of nubile women. McDonald produces endlessly entertaining dialogue, especially between Skylar and his hidebound Yankee cousin Jonathan, visiting from Boston; "Jon Than" hates Skylar's guts, but he's the one who unearths the true renaissance man beneath Skylar's heart-melting smile and doubtful grammar. McDonald saddles the poor sheriff with the meanest wife on God's earth and nearly ruins his story with a late copycat death that won't fool many. This book has already been optioned for film (by Sandollar).
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1995 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
The author of the colorful, provocative Fletch novels has created a new character, filled with zest and charm. Skylar Whitfield is too learned and talented a young man to stay on the family farm in Greendowns County, but he is not a southern country boy looking for a way to leave home. When his cousin from the North comes for a visit (to recover from mono and convince his cousin of the wonders of collegiate life), Skylar seemingly rejects his inducements in favor of the pleasures of home. At any rate, before he can go anywhere he is clapped into jail for the murder of a childhood friend. Before long, Skylar realizes that he must discover who the real villain is, because the sheriff is far too distracted with his marital problems. A wickedly humorous whodunit with a style all Mcdonald's own. Denise Perry Donavin
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:
3.0 out of 5 stars
Nothing Special,
By
This review is from: Skylar (Audio Cassette)
As a longtime fan of the "Fletch" and "Flynn" series', I can understand other reviewers' excitement about the appearance of the "Skylar" books; it represents Gregory MacDonalds' departure from "literature" and return to what he does best - writing crime novels starring quirky, likeable characters who view the world through humorous eyes. However, just because MacDonald is leaning back in that direction, it doesn't necessarily mean he's put his heart into it. "Skylar" is a partially-realized novel full of stereotypes (some offensive), caricatures and cardboard cutouts. Nothing here seems anchored in the real world. The story: Jonathan Whitfield, stereotypical yuppie relative from the north, appears in quaint, southern (cardboard cutout) Greendowns County, Tennessee, to visit his Uncle and family, including sharp-as-a-tack, hayseed caricature, cousin Skylar, a youthful Matlock-clone. In terms of mystery, MacDonald had me going to the end, even throwing in a shocker of a twist that both surprised and saddened me. Basically, someone beats Skylar's sweetheart to death and Skylar is the only suspect. Because the local Sheriff & deputies are hayseed caricatures of Southern cops, Skylar knows it will be up to him to solve the murder and clear his name. Cousin Jonathan is along as an observer, someone to represent us, the reader, goggle-eyed and confused by all the southern charm. As characters go, Sheriff Culpepper was the only fellow I really liked. Everyone else is so damned self-absorbed they may as well be carrying around mirrors to talk to instead of each other. MacDonald can be a great writer when he wants to be, but with "Skylar", I got the impression that he just needed to toss off another book so no one would forget him. Don't kid yourself for even an instant that this book is written in the "Fletch" mold.
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fun romp and fabulous mystery,
By
This review is from: Skylar (Paperback)
Skylar begins with a fun, sexy younger character. I think he's 19 or 20. Skylar is a southern guy who spends his time making love with his childhood friend Tandy or working on his family farm with his friend Doofus. My descriptions lack the wonderful nature of all these characters they are written exceptionally well and full of life and fun. Skylar's family is being visited by his cousin "JONTHAN" while Jonathan is recovering from Mono. Funny thing is that Jonathan walks in full of upper crust bravado and snobbery into a down home country welcome.
That is not even best to describe the fun in this book when the girl that everyone thinks is Skylar's girlfriend is murdered. The town is turned upside down as all fingers point to Skylar for the murder. From the beginning this book is full of heat with the chemistry of Skylar and Tandy to the off beat comedy of the local police deputies whose ineptness is hilarious. Add in a jail with a roof that comes off to a serious murder mystery. This story manages to have a little of it all wrapped up in one. This isn't a serious read it's FUN and meant to be fun! 5 stars for it and now I'm off to read the sequel Skylar in Yankeeland.
5.0 out of 5 stars
"Skylar" scores!,
By
This review is from: Skylar (Paperback)
This book was fabulous! Written in the spirit of the "Fletch" series, this book introduces us to the character of Skylar Whitfield, a Southern boy accused of the murder of one of his oldest friends. Throw in his snooty Yankee cousin, Jon than, Skyler's good-ole-boy charm and intelligence that rivals Albert Einstein, and you have a wonderful, easy read with no idea whodunnit. A must read for "Fletch" fans, and a real page turner for new McDonald readers.
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