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tracyslawson's review
5.0
Quirky mystery set in quirky neighborhood
You'd think that an agoraphobic would be able to stay out of trouble. But Gino Gibaldi prefers to let everyone think he's a grump, a curmudgeon. He maintains relationships, and even friendships, with the eclectic, quirky neighbors in his Old East Dallas neighborhood without revealing his secret. But when one of those neighbors is murdered, Gino finds himself in hot water.
I live near the real-life quirky neighborhood depicted in this book, and that made me enjoy it all the more. Great characters and laugh out loud funny moments as Gino and his friends try to keep him out of jail.
You'd think that an agoraphobic would be able to stay out of trouble. But Gino Gibaldi prefers to let everyone think he's a grump, a curmudgeon. He maintains relationships, and even friendships, with the eclectic, quirky neighbors in his Old East Dallas neighborhood without revealing his secret. But when one of those neighbors is murdered, Gino finds himself in hot water.
I live near the real-life quirky neighborhood depicted in this book, and that made me enjoy it all the more. Great characters and laugh out loud funny moments as Gino and his friends try to keep him out of jail.
canada_matt's review
4.0
First and foremost, a large thank you to Candace Williams for providing me with a copy of this publication, which allows me to provide you with an unbiased review.
Returning for another Candace WIlliams novel, I came to understand that this piece is much different a a great deal more lighthearted. Williams pushes a loose legal matter through the narrative, surrounding it with some excellent humour and character banter. Gino Gibaldi is a sculptor who enjoys his life in Texas. While he is trying to deal with his variously annoying neighbours, Gino is approached by a lawyer who wishes to make him an offer to turn the area into commercial development, willing to let Gino in on the possibility of investing. Relaying his disinterest, Gino goes about his business, only to learn that the lawyer has turned up murdered in his on garage. The feuds with Gino come to light and soon two homicide detectives are on site for a chat, as well as to mention that one of Gino’s tools was found at the crime scene. When Gino is taken down to the station on an unrelated charge , his agoraphobia kicks in and he’s in a full medical emergency, as his insulin levels plummet. One things leads to another and Gino evades the police, which begins a chase down to the Texas-Mexico border, where Gino finds more trouble for himself. Still spouting that he is innocent, someone is willing to post his bond before the murder trial commences. It is then that the truth slowly seeps out and Gino is able to see why he is fingered as the number one suspect, and how the wheels of justice turn. An interesting tale that is easily read in short order, Williams entertains her reader throughout. Recommended to those who like lighter legal thrillers, as well as the reader looking for something quick to pass the time.
I enjoyed the first novel Candace Williams sent my way and was able to devour this one in short order as well. She has some wonderful ideas and presents things in such a way that the reader cannot help but want to know a little more. Gino Gibaldi is by now means the most glamorous character out there, but the situations in which he finds himself surely prove to be entertaining to those on the outside. Gino could have en tire series dedicated to the oddball situations in which he finds himself, as well as his ill-conceived decisions that are mentioned throughout this book. Other characters prove to be as exciting, while pushing the narrative along. The story was decently put together, thought one should not expect a high level mystery. It was more the humour that pushed things along to the end, as one can surmise this was Williams’ intention. I was able to push through the quick chapters, each of which left me wanting to know a little more. I’d return for more, should Williams have other Gino Gibaldi ideas to share with the general public, as it is a nice contrast to some of the other books I am reading of late.
Kudos, Madam Williams, for this interesting story that I would never have expected from the outset.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons
Returning for another Candace WIlliams novel, I came to understand that this piece is much different a a great deal more lighthearted. Williams pushes a loose legal matter through the narrative, surrounding it with some excellent humour and character banter. Gino Gibaldi is a sculptor who enjoys his life in Texas. While he is trying to deal with his variously annoying neighbours, Gino is approached by a lawyer who wishes to make him an offer to turn the area into commercial development, willing to let Gino in on the possibility of investing. Relaying his disinterest, Gino goes about his business, only to learn that the lawyer has turned up murdered in his on garage. The feuds with Gino come to light and soon two homicide detectives are on site for a chat, as well as to mention that one of Gino’s tools was found at the crime scene. When Gino is taken down to the station on an unrelated charge , his agoraphobia kicks in and he’s in a full medical emergency, as his insulin levels plummet. One things leads to another and Gino evades the police, which begins a chase down to the Texas-Mexico border, where Gino finds more trouble for himself. Still spouting that he is innocent, someone is willing to post his bond before the murder trial commences. It is then that the truth slowly seeps out and Gino is able to see why he is fingered as the number one suspect, and how the wheels of justice turn. An interesting tale that is easily read in short order, Williams entertains her reader throughout. Recommended to those who like lighter legal thrillers, as well as the reader looking for something quick to pass the time.
I enjoyed the first novel Candace Williams sent my way and was able to devour this one in short order as well. She has some wonderful ideas and presents things in such a way that the reader cannot help but want to know a little more. Gino Gibaldi is by now means the most glamorous character out there, but the situations in which he finds himself surely prove to be entertaining to those on the outside. Gino could have en tire series dedicated to the oddball situations in which he finds himself, as well as his ill-conceived decisions that are mentioned throughout this book. Other characters prove to be as exciting, while pushing the narrative along. The story was decently put together, thought one should not expect a high level mystery. It was more the humour that pushed things along to the end, as one can surmise this was Williams’ intention. I was able to push through the quick chapters, each of which left me wanting to know a little more. I’d return for more, should Williams have other Gino Gibaldi ideas to share with the general public, as it is a nice contrast to some of the other books I am reading of late.
Kudos, Madam Williams, for this interesting story that I would never have expected from the outset.
Love/hate the review? An ever-growing collection of others appears at:
http://pecheyponderings.wordpress.com/
A Book for All Seasons, a different sort of Book Challenge: https://www.goodreads.com/group/show/248185-a-book-for-all-seasons
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