Hornswoggled

By: Donis Casey

Narrated by: Pam Ward

Length: 8 hrs and 47 mins

Publisher's summary

It's the spring of 1913, and love is in bloom for Alice Tucker. Alice's new beau, Walter Kelley, is handsome and wealthy. Everyone in Boynton, Oklahoma, likes him, except Alice's mother, Alafair. She sees that Walter has a weakness for the ladies - and they for him. Moreover, Walter's late wife, Louise, was murdered, and the murderer has not been caught. Walter had an alibi, so the sheriff has cleared him of the crime, but Alafair is not so sure that he wasn't involved in some way.

Alafair sets out to prove to the headstrong Alice that Walter is no paragon. You can bet Alice will have something to say about that. As she searches for the truth behind the death of Louise Kelley, Alafair uncovers such a tangle of deceit and misdirection that she begins to think that the whole town has been downright hornswoggled.

©2006 Donis A. Casey (P)2007 Blackstone Audio Inc.

Critic reviews

"Readers can almost smell the scent of death on the bloodstained rug and taste the homemade butter and potato patties....The idioms and local color are delightful, and the characters are real enough for readers to fear for their safety." (Library Journal)
"Dialogue rich with Midwestern speech patterns and a consistent, unobtrusive narrative voice lift this small-town historical, which should particularly appeal to Margaret Maron fans." (Publishers Weekly)

Historical Oklahoma cozy mystery

This is the second Alafair Tucker mystery, set in 1913, Oklahoma. Though it sparkles in historical atmosphere, language, and family life, it doesn't quit live up to the first book in this series. That said, I definitely enjoyed Alastair's detecting to protect her large family.

Alice, one of Alastair and Seth Tucker's eldest daughters is bound and determined to marry the widowed barber, Walter. Alafair is just as determined to protect her daughter from someone with a reputation for chasing women, even when he was married. AND, his first wife was murdered just a few months ago. No one has been charged with her murder , and Alafair is not at all convinced that Walter is completely innocent of any wrongdoing.

This is more than an historical mystery. The family, and community life, is quit compelling in and of itself. There are some yummy recipes at the end of each of Casey's books also. Suggest for all cozy, history, and women's fiction readers.

Very entertaining

This is a great story. The murder mystery itself is a bit convoluted but it's no different than some of the stories of things that happen today that have folks shaking there head. The author has done a great job developing characters, relationships, and giving the reader a good slice of life for the time and location. Very enjoyable.

1913 Small Town Oklahoma . . . Murder Part 2

Alafair Tucker can sniff our a murder . . . both literally and figuratively . . . I could listen all day long to the country sayings (as I'm a country gal myself) . . . and when Alice, one of Alafair's older daughter's falls for the young widowed barber, whose wife had just been murdered and thrown into the river . . . well, my mother's instincts were on high alert, just like Alafair's. This is a great story on many levels, a murder mystery, an historical tale of rural Oklahoma in the early 1900s, and a funny, touching story of small town and family. I find myself identifying with Afafair's emotions as a mother more and more as this series continues. Can't wait for the next book.

Alafair Does It Again--or does she?

Let me start out by saying that the narration for this book was terrific. Pam Ward really captured the timing and feel of the story. Up until the last hour of the recording I was wishing I had 6 stars to award for a review--I thought it was that good. Then as the story wound down I became increasingly less enchanted with the whole thing. I have read reviews from people who loved the first book but liked the second book (this book) in the series less so. I thought they were silly. To my mind book 2 was definitely better--then it all changed. I won't elaborate with plot spoilers or where I think it went wrong because that will ruin the story. It's a good book and worth a listen. 1913 rural Oklahoma farm and town life are beautifully described. It just left me wondering and feeling a bit hornswoggled myself!

PS-- there are more recipes at the end of this book too.

Mystery, Family, History;)

loved it. Especially the old home family ways and the Creek Irish heritage.;) Great Mystery!