Thursday, May 29, 2008

Books: Bobbie Faye's (kinda, sorta, not exactly) Family Jewels

I got another Library Thing ARC - Bobbie Faye's (kinda, sorta, not exactly) Family Jewels by Toni McGee Causey.
It took me a while to catch the rhythm of this story, but it was well worth it. I tend to enjoy madcap adventures and yet be annoyed by those that either require a larger than normal suspension of disbelief or the intervention of too many crazy and annoying relatives to make it work (which in some ways is the same thing). And while I have a bit of a nitpick about part of the mystery, overall this worked and was a great ride and I'm looking forward to the next.
Bobbie Faye, and I imagine many others, appeared in a prior book, which I have not read. I think this book picks up pretty clearly without prior knowledge, but if you want to ba a stickler for order you may wish to start with the prequel. This particular episode has Bobbie Faye, who is fortunately beloved by her town because these adventures have a lot of collateral damage, being tasked by her cousin to assist in locating some diamonds that were apparently wanted by her aunt (the cousin's mom), and are desparately wanted by her uncle (who is also in the mob), some rival terrorist groups, Homeland Security, the FBI and an increasing number of other folks. Adding to the cast, we also have Bobbie Faye's recent ex - a local cop, her current possible love interest who is posing as a mobster, Bobbie Faye's boss who's voodoo spells seem to have interesting results, and various estranged family members. (There's actualy quite a few more characters, you may want to make a list.) So there's searching, voodeo casting, explosions, shootings, a Bible beating and a little lust too. I think this story qualifies as a great pool (or beach or picnic) read. I read it over quite a number of sittings and was able to jump back in easily and enjoyably. And I may have to hunt down the previous one now too.