Twanged (Regan Reilly Mysteries, No. 4) [Large Print] [Hardcover]

Carol Higgins Clark (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1998

MysteryLarge Print EditionWhen a world-class fiddle is taken from an Irish fiddler and an American country music star becomes a stalkers prey, charming sleuth Regan Reilly puts on the heat to find out whats happening in the music world. From Branson, Missouri, to Ireland and East Hampton, Long Island, Regan weaves together the clues in another spellbinding tale of murder and mayhem.

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

Frivolous and formulaic, Twanged features a cursed Irish fiddle, eccentrics summering at the Hamptons, and an egg-eating wacko stalking a redheaded country-music singer. In her fourth adventure in the series, detective Regan Reilly (armed with a pistol in her fanny pack) must sort out all of these mildly amusing if rarely suspenseful details in her role as protectress of fiddle owner, musician, and stalking victim Brigid O'Neill. A number of subplots and last-minute rescues keep the action moving quickly. As in her other books, whimsical detail is Clark's forte rather than high drama or careful consideration of the issues and themes she raises. In this case Irish traditions, feng shui, and the World Wide Web all provide the backdrop and serve as catalysts for the next dastardly deed or safe deliverance.

Clark aficionados will find familiar names and faces: Regan's urbane and sophisticated parents (not surprisingly noted as being on the A list for exclusive invitations by one of the many social-climbing eccentrics) as well as her best friend, Kit, make their requisite reappearances and play minor roles in keeping the fiddle secure and Brigid safe. Clark novices can sleep soundly, as loyal fans already do, knowing the unpleasant evildoers will be safely caught, although not everyone receives his just reward. Securely in the category of mystery lite, Twanged is an easy and festive read--suitable fodder for a few hours' lolling at the beach or with tray table up and seat-belt sign on. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

From Library Journal

It's summertime, and Regan Reilly is called back home from Los Angeles to the Hamptons on New York's Long Island to protect her friend Brigid O'Neill, an up-and-coming country singer with a knack for fiddling who'll be performing at the local Melting Pot Music Festival. Brigid has been given a legendary old fiddle by Ireland's champion fiddler, Malachy Sheerin, but legend has it that to take this fiddle out of Ireland will bring bad luck to the owner. Multimillionaire Chappy Tinka wants the instrument, which bears the initials C.T., and he's prepared to do anything to claim it for himself. An array of amusing but not necessarily deep supporting characters adds to this light but well-composed mystery. Humorous rather than chiller thriller, this is a nice buy for Clark fans and for those mystery readers who have not read her but who enjoy Joan Hoss and Charlotte McLeod.
-?Alice DiNizo, Raritan P.L., N.J.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an alternate Hardcover edition.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 504 pages
• Publisher: Thorndike Press (May 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0786214171
• ISBN-13: 978-0786214174
• Product Dimensions: 8.5 x 5.6 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 2.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,760,012 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Carol Higgins Clark is the author of nine previous bestselling Regan Reilly mysteries. She is coauthor, along with her mother, Mary Higgins Clark, of a bestselling holiday mystery series. Also an actress, Carol Higgins Clark studied at the Beverly Hills Playhouse and has recorded several of her mother's works as well as her own novels. She received AudioFile's Earphones Award of Excellence for her reading of Jinxed. She lives in New York City.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Clark a fun author, August 16, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Twanged (Regan Reilly Mysteries, No. 4) (Hardcover)

Most of you people didn't even get it! Carol is not trying to be like her mother and shouldn't and doesn't deserve to be compared to her mother. They write totally different. Carol is an entertaining author with a good grasp on mixing humor and mystery. Not all mystery has to be deep, dark and foreboding and Carol is not trying to be. She writes well and Twanged is a great new edition to her Regan Reilly series. I caught myself snickering a lot. It is a thoroughly enjoyable good read and a welcome change from more serious fare and those who think it was bad or juvenile just don't know how to enjoy a funny book. Go back to reading something dark and gory and let the rest of us have fun.

7 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I'd give it zero stars if I could. Read Rumpole instead., November 9, 2000

By A Customer

This review is from: Twanged (Regan Reilly Mysteries, No. 4) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is perhaps the worst mystery book I have ever read. If I was told that it was written for a grade school audience, I would have no trouble believing it. I bought this book because the cover review blurb said something about a cozy full of eccentric characters. But if this is what you want, don't read this book. Instead, for eccentric characters and wonderful writing, read the Rumpole stories by John Mortimer.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars A waste of time and trees!, April 7, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Twanged (Regan Reilly Mysteries, No. 4) (Mass Market Paperback)

This is certainly the most horrible book I have read in a long time. The characters are dumb and not well developed, although who would want to develop such idiotic characters! I finished this book just to see what a moronic ending it would have. I was not disappointed. This is the first and last book by this author that I will read.