Gary Gusick
Author of The Last Clinic
About the Author
Series
Works by Gary Gusick
Office Elvis 1 copy
Tagged
Common Knowledge
- Gender
- male
- Places of residence
- Jackson, Mississippi, USA
- Occupations
- advertising executive
copywriter
creative director
author - Short biography
- Gary Gusick is a former advertising executive with more than thirty years experience as a copywriter and creative director. He is a winner of numerous national and international awards for creative excellence in advertising. The Last Clinic is his first novel.
Members
Reviews
After a performance at old folks home, off duty police officer and part-time Elvis impersonator Tommy Reylander climbs into his pink Cadillac and is promptly blown to smithereens. Detective Darla Cavannah, who used to work with Tommy years ago, is determent to find his killer. Now she must go investigate all Tommy's enemies. But when more Elvis impersonators is starting to die must Darla re-valuate the while case, is there someone out there who just do not like the King of Rock and Roll, or have something against Elvis impersonators?
This cozy mystery book was actually a lot of fun to read. I liked Darla Cavannah, she's a tough chick and she made a great team with Rita Gibbons, who is back out in the field after being reprimanded for crashing a department SUV during a chase. Rita is an Elvis fan and that was handy on this case on the case to have. Also, she is a funny character and Darla & Rita work great together.
The case in itself was OK; I wasn't completely taking in by it. Don't take it wrong, I enjoyed reading the book and I would very much read more in this series. But it was a very lighthearted book and I prefer my crime novels to be a mix of light and dark or just dark. This felt a bit too whimsical for my taste. But it is a perfect book to read when you need something lighthearted in your life. But I must admit I was a bit surprised when it came to the killers identity, I don't want to give the story away, but who he was supposed to be was a bit of surprise, especially since I don't know much about the fellow in question he thought he was. Confusing? Yeah, but this is part of the plot and I just don't want to give it away.
So this book gets 3.5 stars. I actually changed the rating writing this review, gave it a half star more because I did enjoy the book!
I received this copy from the publisher through Netgalley and from TLC Book Tours in return for an honest review!
Review also posted on A Bookaholic Swede and It's a Mad Mad World… (more)
This cozy mystery book was actually a lot of fun to read. I liked Darla Cavannah, she's a tough chick and she made a great team with Rita Gibbons, who is back out in the field after being reprimanded for crashing a department SUV during a chase. Rita is an Elvis fan and that was handy on this case on the case to have. Also, she is a funny character and Darla & Rita work great together.
The case in itself was OK; I wasn't completely taking in by it. Don't take it wrong, I enjoyed reading the book and I would very much read more in this series. But it was a very lighthearted book and I prefer my crime novels to be a mix of light and dark or just dark. This felt a bit too whimsical for my taste. But it is a perfect book to read when you need something lighthearted in your life. But I must admit I was a bit surprised when it came to the killers identity, I don't want to give the story away, but who he was supposed to be was a bit of surprise, especially since I don't know much about the fellow in question he thought he was. Confusing? Yeah, but this is part of the plot and I just don't want to give it away.
So this book gets 3.5 stars. I actually changed the rating writing this review, gave it a half star more because I did enjoy the book!
I received this copy from the publisher through Netgalley and from TLC Book Tours in return for an honest review!
Review also posted on A Bookaholic Swede and It's a Mad Mad World… (more)
4.5 stars. Gary Gusick's The Last Clinic is an intriguing mystery that is full of unexpected twists and turns. Pennsylvania transplant Darla Cavannah's murder investigation of a popular minister soon uncovers scandalous secrets and a shocking conspiracy. With time running out and a man's life at stake, will Darla put all of the pieces of this puzzling mystery together before it is too late?
A colorful cast of interesting characters is certainly one of the highlights of this entertaining and clever murder mystery. Darla is a richly developed and multi-faceted protagonist whose investigative skills are unsurpassed. As an outsider, she has a vastly different viewpoint of possible motives and suspects in Reverend Jimmy Aldridge's death and she follows the evidence rather than jumping to quick conclusions. Sheriff Shelby Mitchell is a charming Southern lawman with political aspirations who fully recognizes and appreciates Darla's expertise as an investigator. Unfortunately the good old boy network is firmly in place and Shelby reluctantly saddles, er, partners Darla with Tommy Reylander whose investigative skills are as abysmal as his Elvis impersonations. The other side of the bumbling investigator coin is the sharp as nails computer geek Uther Johnson whose tech savvy skills prove invaluable to Darla's investigation when he discovers a disturbing pattern to a seemingly unrelated series of crimes.
The logical suspect in the reverend's death is Doctor Stephen Nicoletti but Darla is not as convinced of his guilt as Tommy is. Instead, Darla focuses on Jimmy's life and the troubling evidence found at the crime scenes. Darla's intense scrutiny reveals very unsavory aspects of Jimmy's life and an appalling breach of his congregation's trust.
The only area the novel falters is the rushed romance between Darla and chief suspect Stephen Nicoletti. As the story opens, Darla is still deeply mourning of her husband's death, so I was a little taken aback at how quickly she fell in love with Stephen. Their relationship would have been much more believable if there had been a slower build-up and exploration of their growing feelings for one another.
The Last Clinic is a fast-paced and compelling mystery that I found impossible to put down. Gary Gusick deftly handles sensitive topics with ease and his characterization of Southern life is quite accurate. Unexpected plot twists keep readers guessing whodunnit right up until the novel's conclusion. An excellent first installment in what I hope is a new mystery series starring the delightfully engaging Darla Cavannah. Definitely a recommended read for anyone who enjoys mysteries.… (more)
A colorful cast of interesting characters is certainly one of the highlights of this entertaining and clever murder mystery. Darla is a richly developed and multi-faceted protagonist whose investigative skills are unsurpassed. As an outsider, she has a vastly different viewpoint of possible motives and suspects in Reverend Jimmy Aldridge's death and she follows the evidence rather than jumping to quick conclusions. Sheriff Shelby Mitchell is a charming Southern lawman with political aspirations who fully recognizes and appreciates Darla's expertise as an investigator. Unfortunately the good old boy network is firmly in place and Shelby reluctantly saddles, er, partners Darla with Tommy Reylander whose investigative skills are as abysmal as his Elvis impersonations. The other side of the bumbling investigator coin is the sharp as nails computer geek Uther Johnson whose tech savvy skills prove invaluable to Darla's investigation when he discovers a disturbing pattern to a seemingly unrelated series of crimes.
The logical suspect in the reverend's death is Doctor Stephen Nicoletti but Darla is not as convinced of his guilt as Tommy is. Instead, Darla focuses on Jimmy's life and the troubling evidence found at the crime scenes. Darla's intense scrutiny reveals very unsavory aspects of Jimmy's life and an appalling breach of his congregation's trust.
The only area the novel falters is the rushed romance between Darla and chief suspect Stephen Nicoletti. As the story opens, Darla is still deeply mourning of her husband's death, so I was a little taken aback at how quickly she fell in love with Stephen. Their relationship would have been much more believable if there had been a slower build-up and exploration of their growing feelings for one another.
The Last Clinic is a fast-paced and compelling mystery that I found impossible to put down. Gary Gusick deftly handles sensitive topics with ease and his characterization of Southern life is quite accurate. Unexpected plot twists keep readers guessing whodunnit right up until the novel's conclusion. An excellent first installment in what I hope is a new mystery series starring the delightfully engaging Darla Cavannah. Definitely a recommended read for anyone who enjoys mysteries.… (more)
Darla Cavannah is a South Philly girl, a Philadelphia cop, who moved to Jackson Mississippi with her husband, Jackson native and football hero Hugh Cavannah. Injuries ended his career, and, just six months ago, a car accident, fueled by the pain pills demanded by his injuries, ended Hugh's life.
On a leave of absence from the Hinds County sheriff's department while she grieves Hugh's death, Darla is startled to be abruptly called back to work in the wake of the shooting death of Reverend Jimmy Aldridge.
The popular Reverend was killed in the early morning, in front of the women's health clinic he's been rather aggressively picketing. Popular opinion, including Darla's newly assigned partner, Detective Tommy Reylander, has already convicted the doctor who runs the clinic, Dr. Stephen Nicoletti.
Darla is not so sure. And as the investigation continues, the situation grows not more clear, but less clear. The reverend had an interesting set of extracurricular activities as well as an unsuspected source of income.
I'm really impressed with both the character development and the pacing in this book, which is apparently a first novel. I can honestly say it doesn't read like a first novel. Darla and her friends, colleagues, and rivals, including Reylander, who could easily be a clown, are very neatly drawn and none are two-dimensional or boring. The layers of what's really going on are peeled back at exactly the right pace, and this is a truly enjoyable read.
Recommended.
I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
… (more)
On a leave of absence from the Hinds County sheriff's department while she grieves Hugh's death, Darla is startled to be abruptly called back to work in the wake of the shooting death of Reverend Jimmy Aldridge.
The popular Reverend was killed in the early morning, in front of the women's health clinic he's been rather aggressively picketing. Popular opinion, including Darla's newly assigned partner, Detective Tommy Reylander, has already convicted the doctor who runs the clinic, Dr. Stephen Nicoletti.
Darla is not so sure. And as the investigation continues, the situation grows not more clear, but less clear. The reverend had an interesting set of extracurricular activities as well as an unsuspected source of income.
I'm really impressed with both the character development and the pacing in this book, which is apparently a first novel. I can honestly say it doesn't read like a first novel. Darla and her friends, colleagues, and rivals, including Reylander, who could easily be a clown, are very neatly drawn and none are two-dimensional or boring. The layers of what's really going on are peeled back at exactly the right pace, and this is a truly enjoyable read.
Recommended.
I received a free electronic galley of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.
… (more)
Statistics
- Works
- 9
- Members
- 71
- Popularity
- #245,552
- Rating
- 3.8
- Reviews
- 27
- ISBNs
- 5
The novel is well written and kept me in a grip the entire way through.
I think that the cover threw me off from diving in when I first received it.
It is representative of the dynamic 'Yankee' detective Darla Cavannah who is transplanted to Mississippi. Darla carries a gun and knows how to use it. She is smart, can schmooze the politicians and other policing agencies she must deal with.
Married to an OBGYN who performs legal abortions - the only one in MS who does. In most cases that could pose a problem for her career, but she is also a widow of the late and great Old Miss Quarterback "Hugh the Glue Cavannah."
A few things missing from the cover: Darla's partner "Redneck Rita." The Mississippi Blues road houses. Old Blues posters. A carved statue of an African American warrior. Kudzu and a white Governor whose adopted African American daughter is lynched in the middle of the Old Miss campus.
Yes, I love this book, but there is a lot going on that could use more time and development.
Wow, the subplots running through this novel are vast enough to have created three more novels. I will go back and read [b: The Last Clinic: Darla Cavannah #1|18050394|The Last Clinic (Darla Cavannah Mysteries, #1)|Gary Gusick|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1371680041s/18050394.jpg|19229765] and [b: Officer Elvis: Darla Cavannah, #2|22926840|Officer Elvis (Darla Cavannah Mysteries, #2)|Gary Gusick|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1416497126s/22926840.jpg|42495952] and perhaps there I will find what I seek.
Thank you for the opportunity to read this novel. I will recommend [a: Gary Gusick|5825734|Gary Gusick|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1381334945p2/5825734.jpg] books for our library collection.… (more)