This is the last book in Anne George's 'Southern Sisters' cozy mystery series, written shortly before the author died. The books feature two sisters in their 60s who live Birmingham, Alabama and occasionally stumble over dead bodies. Each book in the series can be read as a standalone, but it's fun to start at the beginning and see what the women get up to over time.
The older sister, Mary Alice Crane (nicknamed Sister), is a flamboyant force of nature - 6 feet tall, 250 lbs - who's been married three times to rich, much older men. Mary Alice had a child with each husband before he died.....and left her buckets of money.
Mary Alice recently got engaged to Sheriff Virgil Stuckey, and is happily planning her nuptials and honeymoon. To the dismay of her wedding party, Mary Alice has chosen the colors magenta and sunflower for her festivities....and their dresses.
The younger sister, Patricia Anne Holloway (nicknamed Mouse), is a prim, retired English teacher - 5 feet tall and slim - married to her childhood sweetheart, Fred.
The Holloways have three children and recently found out that their daughter Haley - who's currently living in Poland with her husband - is expecting a baby girl. Thus there's much excitement in the family.
In "Murder Boogies With Elvis", the murder victim is an Elvis impersonator.
Early in the story Mary Alice, Virgil, Patricia Anne, and Fred are attending a benefit show at the Alabama Theatre - to raise money for the repair of Birmingham's 'Vulcan' statue. The show's grand finale features a long row of Elvis impersonators frolicking like the Radio City Rockettes. As the impersonators sashay to the front of the stage, one of them stumbles and falls into the orchestra pit. Turns out he was stabbed in the back with a knife.
The victim is identified as Griffin Mooncloth, but nobody seems to know who he is or how he came to be in the Elvis chorus line. As it happens, Virgil's son Buddy and his son-in-law Larry are also Elvis impersonators, and were on either side of Mooncloth when he fell. In fact, Larry says he saw a figure behind Mooncloth, but wasn't wearing his glasses - and can't identify the person. This apparently spooks someone, because Larry is attacked and falls into a coma.
Patricia Anne and Mary Alice don't try to get involved in the murder inquiry until the murder weapon that killed Mooncloth - a switchblade - shows up in Mouse's purse in a restaurant.
Patricia Anne is arrested by her former student, who's now a cop. Of course Patricia Anne is soon released - and the cop begs her not to tell his mother. LOL
After Mouse's arrest the sisters take a real interest in the case - and 'investigate' as they go about their day to day business. The gals go to lunch with friends; look at wedding dress catalogues (Sister and her brother-in-law Fred oddly bond over this task....ha ha ha); visit Larry and his family in the hospital; gossip with friends, neighbors and acquaintances; and so on. The amateur sleuths identify a number of possible suspects, and there are some surprising twists before the killer is identified.
The 'mystery' is the core element of these books, but most of the reading pleasure comes from the characters, their lives, and their colorful cohorts. Patricia Anne and Fred exchange affectionate banter - and have tasty meals purchased at the Piggly Wiggly Supermarket; Mary Alice has an over-the-top glamazon wardrobe (including purple boots) and a boisterous personality to match; the Hollowells dog, Woofer, gets lots of walks and adores his Igloo doghouse; Sister's cat Bubba invariably lies - unmoving - on a heating pad on the kitchen counter (Mouse periodically checks for signs of life); Patricia Anne is babysitting Haley's cat, Muffin, who loves to cuddle with Woofer (much to his chagrin); Mary Alice's daughter plans to have artificial insemination (like her sister in a previous book) - and Mary Alice laments that this 'isn't the usual conduit'; and more. There's always a lot going on with these ladies.
Anne George is missed by her fans, but luckily we still have her written works. If you crave cozy southern mysteries, this series will fit the bill. In case you're interested, the first book in the series is Murder on a Girls' Night Out.
Rating: 3.5 stars
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