Tangled June (Dave Garrett Mystery) [Hardcover]

Neil Albert (Author)

Book Description

Series: Dave Garrett Mystery | Publication Date: June 1997

Dave Garrett's sleuthing skills are put to the ultimate test when he becomes involved in investigating his own mysterious background. By the author of The January Corpse. "

Editorial Reviews

From Booklist

In this sixth Dave Garrett mystery, the disbarred lawyer turned private eye investigates someone he knows intimately: himself. The story (inspired, Albert acknowledges, by his own search for his birth parents) is a real family affair, a trip into the past that makes Garrett question everything he believes about himself--and helps him resolve some nagging problems. Full of quirky characters and written in an unusual style--the chapters are narrated, in roughly alternating order, by Garrett and his transsexual secretary (and former lover), Lisa--Tangled June is a unique mystery (not many detectives investigate themselves) that will appeal not only to Albert's fans but to anyone in the mood for something a little offbeat. David Pitt

From Kirkus Reviews

Philadelphia shamus Dave Garrett gets a chance to exercise his practiced sensitivity on himself when his office assistant, Lisa Wilson, digs far enough into his past to figure out that he's not who he thinks he is; certainly he's not his mother Barbara's son. Dave's so shocked by the news that Lisa, a transsexual with a long-standing crush on him, is almost convinced she's made a terrible mistake in opening this can of worms. But after a few deep breaths, they're ready to head out to California--where Barbara's sister Rachel Potok, who's been in a coma for untold years, is finally dying--and track down Dave's real parents. There seems to be even less plot than usual in Dave's understated, powerfully imagined cases (Appointment in May, 1996, etc.)--Dave and Lisa, speaking in alternating chapters, check birth records, interview likely (and dismayingly unlikely) maternal candidates, and take time out to attend Rachel's funeral and fall into bed together. Yet Albert, as ever, finds the embers that glow under these old coals: Dave confronts Barbara with his suspicions and realizes he can't face down her steadfast denials; Dave gets to meet the engaging psychiatrist who was, as he's now learned, Barbara's first husband; barely observant Dave worries that if his real mother wasn't Jewish, he isn't either. The result is a quietly moving tale likely to be especially welcome to readers who've followed Dave's fortunes ever since The January Corpse (1991). -- Copyright ©1997, Kirkus Associates, LP. All rights reserved.

Product Details

• Hardcover: 246 pages
• Publisher: Walker & Company; F edition (June 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0802733050
• ISBN-13: 978-0802733054
• Product Dimensions: 8.6 x 5.8 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 15.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (3 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,472,868 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars What Ever Happened To Dave Garrett/Neil Albert??, February 23, 2004

By 

MacGeezer (Cleveland, OH USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Tangled June (Dave Garrett Mystery) (Hardcover)

As a fan of the Garrett series I was disappointed to find that "June" was the last of the Garrett books ... I found the Garrett character of continuing interest and the topic of post transexual surgery new to the mystery field ... but what ever happened to Dave Garrett? surely the topic wasn't totally exhausted in six books? and has Neil Albert lost his desire to be an author in just "six months"?

3.0 out of 5 stars A light, uncomplicated mystery, June 16, 2003

By 

Bruce A. Heap "goldenrule3" (Niskayuna, NY United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Tangled June (Dave Garrett Mystery) (Hardcover)

Detective David Garrett and his transsexual assistant and romantic partner, Lisa, make an interesting pair as they attempt to track down Garrett's birth history. At times it is difficult to care about their obtaining the sought information. The story is a light, uncomplicated, mystery, which entertains, but does not fully engage.

4.0 out of 5 stars Authour recreates his own life story., April 2, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Tangled June (Dave Garrett Mystery) (Hardcover)

Neil Albert's "monthly series" continues in its 6th entery. This time Dave Garret is set out to solve a totaly different case. He is looking for his biological parents.

The author states that this is based on his search for his birth parents and that brings a more human emotion to the story itself.

Alberts intertwining chapters of different naratives actually gives two interesting prespectives to the same story.

As the story opens we find Dave in his office with nothing to do, basicly jobless buy with a job. Until he is presued to find his father, his biological father. He sets out to California where his mother stayed during her pregnancy with her family. He hopes he will be able find the truth there but it leads to nowhere. With a twist of fate and a confession Dave is sent on the right track and you are left with a great mystery.