Anacacho (Allie Armington Mysteries) (Hardcover)

by Louise Gaylord (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
..a suspense novel with enough twists and turns in it's plot to satisfy the most demanding mystery reader. -- Leonard Tourney, Author, Forbisher's Savage

An engaging, fast-paced, suspense-filled romp that is destined to delight readers. -- Laura Taylor, Author, Honorbound

An intelligent mystery with a smart, sassy protagonist. -- Guida Jackson, Author, Women Rulers Throughout the Ages

Product Description
Anacacho smiles at you, gently beckons, then draws you in. and it's so subtle you don't even realize you're hooked until you try and put it down.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 288 pages
• Publisher: Little Moose Press; 1 edition (August 27, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972022708
• ISBN-13: 978-0972022705
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 6.3 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.4 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #2,466,976 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Texas to a T, December 4, 2002

By	Mr. Vernon J. Rosen (San Antonio, TX USA) - See all my reviews

Well, its all there-the murder that sounds of mystery down to its Texas drawl. Ms. Gaylord doesn't miss an occasion to keep our attention to the plot's twists and turns, detached as hell, as she spins, spoofs and twangs her way through enough local color to rival any travel book describing the joys of ranch experience, if only for a few days (it would appear that longer would lead any of us to murderous thoughts). A not to miss treat with a cactus sting.

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Lone Star Whodunnit..., November 12, 2002

By	george m smith (Houston, Texas United States) - See all my reviews

more plot twists, backstabbing and hidden agendas than sorority rush at the University of Texas...J.R. Ewing could only manage a "bit part" with this group...colorful characters with black hats and white (some both)...miles and miles of Texas (and Mexico)...the author did her homework about age old Texas traditions (from pidgeon shoots and margeritas to details of the Sunday evening South Texas menu)...the story line really takes off with the outcome of some characters in question until the last couple of pages. Didn't take long to finish this one -

5.0 out of 5 stars Hooked me quickly... a fun read..., September 14, 2008

By	Thomas Duff "Duffbert" (Portland, OR United States) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Anacacho: An Allie Armington Mystery (Allie Armington Mysteries) (Paperback)

The joys of finding a new author that you enjoy! I was contacted by Little Moose Press asking if I'd like to review a book by Louise Gaylord. They also offered to send the first two novels in the series so I could get up to speed. That's how I found myself carting Anacacho: An Allie Armington Mystery down to Orlando on vacation. I wasn't expecting much more than some mild entertainment, but I quickly got hooked on the characters and story. Needless to say, her next two novels moved up on my "next to read" list. Gaylord is a talented writer who has done a very nice job with Anacacho.

Allie Armington is an assistant district attorney in Texas who is getting rather frustrated with her job of working with grand juries. Her upstairs neighbor (and hopeful lover) Duncan encourages her to join a private firm, which works out very well for her. But her peaceful, comfortable existence suffers a setback when she gets a call from an old college roommate by the name of Reena Carpenter. Reena is a beautiful woman who stole Allie's fiancee Paul away from her. She also dumped the guy who is now the husband of their third roommate, Susie Baxter. Allie's not sure what or why Reena wants to get together for lunch, but decides to bury her pain and go through with it. Reena's husband has made a fortune in oil, and also seems to be seeing someone else on the side. Reena is convinced that he's about to divorce her and leave her penniless. She begs and pleads for Allie to come visit her at the Anacacho ranch and help her work things out. Allie's not sure she wants to be in close proximity to her ex-fiancee, and *really* regrets the idea when he starts confessing his true love for her and tries to make a move on her. Allie feels like Reena is setting her up for something, but doesn't get a chance to find out exactly what it is as Reena is found dead at the same hideaway where Paul tried to seduce Allie. The physical clues to the killing are non-existent, but there's no lack of suspects... Paul, Susie and her husband (who work for Paul and have a dispute over the land), or some rather unsavory characters who help manage the ranch (but who have rather murky backgrounds).

When I first started reading Anacacho, I thought it was going to be an OK read. But within about 50 pages, I realized that I was going to end up a bit sleep-deprived the next day. Allie's character is a lot of fun. She's got her flaws like everyone else, but she's willing to take risks to uncover truth and fulfill commitments to her friends. I'm really fortunate that the publisher sent the first two novels in the series, as I now have a solid background as to what makes Allie tick. I'm looking forward to the next two in the series, and I'll be keeping an eye open for any additional installments after that.