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Backstabber: A Hitchcock Sewell Mystery
by Tim Cockey
Product Group: Book
Publisher: Wheeler Publishing (2004-11-12)
ISBN: 1587248360
EAN: 9781587248368
Dewy Decimal #: 813.54
Hardcover: 488 pages
Edition: 1
SKU: H6915
Condition: Very Good
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Editorial Reviews
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Product Description
Nobody turns the turf with more tenacity, wit, and charm than undertaker Hitchcock Sewell. But trouble is on the way when the corpse isn't even cold and Hitch is already on the scene - before the police. It's murder - a kitchen knife in the back - and the apparent killer wants Hitch to scoop up the body and dump it into an unmarked grave. Our boy is not about to get dragged into this mess. But it's too late.
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Customer Reviews
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Accidental private eye
Rating  (4)
Date: 2008-09-07
Cockey brings back Baltimore undertaker Hitchcock Sewell for his fifth (and first without "Hearse" in the title - see my review of The Hearse Case Scenario for a complete list) turn as an accidental private investigator. His listening and observation skills honed in dealing with the recently-dead and recently-bereaved provide him with an ability and aptitude for curiosity that well suits him for his amateur pursuit. Cockey does a good job using his place settings; Maryland natives will instantly recognize the Baltimore checkpoints like the Inner Harbor and Fells Point, while those who are familiar with the western part of the state will appreciate his references to Cumberland, Frostburg, and Sewell's Alma mater Frostburg University (where my wife also graduated many years ago!).
While this story weaves together parallel threads involving a cheating wife, her husband's murder, problems in the extended family, and the death of a nursing home resident whom Sewell remembers from his college days, Cockey's stories are really about the characters. And he doesn't disappoint this time out. Sewell is his likable self, his hot ex-wife Julia helps drive the story, and Aunt Billy (the reliable brains of the operation) keeps the funeral home operating while Sewell is investigating, and gently nudges him toward the truth with subtle hints (and bscuits).
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good afternoon read
Rating (4)
Date: 2006-06-19
2 out of 2 customers found this reveiw helpful
Lots of slapstick humor that in the first half helps the story along and even makes you laugh now and again. I can't decide if I laugh because it just gets so stupid, or if it's really funny--but the mystery was decent and tied together nicely. This isn't deep reading, but it is a fun read. Towards the end, I found myself skipping paragraphs--you're in the middle of action, can't wait to find out what is going to happen and the author goes off on a tangent describing a place or someone's hair. I'm all for tension, but this went overboard. Still, this is an author you can take along during a plane ride--you can count on a good old fashioned fun mystery.
Tim Cockey also writes as Richard Hawke (Speak of the Devil)--and it's a series worth a look. The wit is there rather than slapstick humor. The mystery is a bit darker, the tough guy a bit tougher.
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Backstabbing fun
Rating  (5)
Date: 2005-09-16
2 out of 2 customers found this reveiw helpful
As usual, Tim Cocky was full of fun and mystery in a well-blended story. His novels crack me up and this one was no exception. His stories are fast-paced and his humor is equally quick. I love this book, just as I've loved his others.
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Same ole, same ole
Rating  (1)
Date: 2005-09-07
1 out of 4 customers found this reveiw helpful
The sexual exploits of an alchoholic undertaker are the focus of all of Tim Cockney's Hitchcock Sewell mystery novels. All one has to do if interested in any kind of mystery/murder storyline is to skip to the last 6 or so pages and read the plot synopsis ala Agatha Christe. The rest of the book is fluff.
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A great Who Done It
Rating (5)
Date: 2004-12-14
2 out of 2 customers found this reveiw helpful
After reading the first four pages, I was HOOKED. I thought if the rest of the book was as intriguing as those few pages, I would not be able to put the book down until I discovered "Who Done It". And, I was right. I also thought the plot was going to be a simple one where the reader discovers who killed the victim. Boy! Was I wrong! The plot was a spider's web of intrigue. There was more than one murder to learn about and plenty of characters to keep you guessing on who killed who.
The first victim was found with a knife in his back. Between his wife, daughter, son and mother, the less than normal family was discovered. The man's love letters were found in his library and they were not written to his wife. Ah ha, another possible killer. The story had dead people who are frozen into a sitting position, bright orange burial caskets, a nursing home where the patient are starting to complain about their care, seagulls, a pet dog and a few broken ribs, not to mention an ex-wife who our lead character was still on friendly terms.
The wisecracking which ran throughout the book, reminded me of the 1940's stereotypical private eye. It was wonderfully refreshing and gave the reader a laugh at every turn. The lead character's job was also not one normally associated with someone who "snoops". He was a funeral director in partnership with his Aunt. Right up until the very last pages, I had no idea who created all the mayhem. Oh, I had chosen early on who I thought was responsible but then I changed my mind as I read on and continued changing my mind the farther I read.
I noted that Tim Cockey as written four other books based on the lead character. I was sorry I hadn't read them but they will be on my list of books to read. Grab a copy of Backstabber and you will be in for a wonderful adventure of Who Done It.
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