Skylar [Audiobook, Unabridged] [Audio Cassette]

Gregory McDonald (Author), Alexander Adams (Narrator)

Book Description

Publication Date: 1997

Unabridged, 8 - 1 hour cassette tapes

Product Details

• Audio Cassette
• Publisher: Books On Tape, Inc (1997)
• ASIN: B000WJNTEI
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #9,241,394 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Nothing Special, October 11, 2000

By 

Patrick Burnett "penngos" (San Francisco, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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, August 27, 2004

By 

SherryEvelyn "SherryEvelyn" (USA) - See all my reviews

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!, December 30, 1997

By 

Elizabeth Gibson "Steve Holy's Biggest Fan" (Theodore, AL USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

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.