Book Review - Officer Elvis - Gary Gusick

Title:  Officer Elvis (Darla Cavannah Mysteries #2)

Author:  Gary Gusick

Review:  When an Elvis Presley impersonator, who happens to be a Hinds County Mississippi Deputy, is blown up in his Caddy Convertible after performing at an old folds retirement home it falls to Lt Darla Cavannah of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, Jackson Office to investigate. Lt Cavannah felt a responsibility to catch the killer because the impersonator was one of their own she and the victim had worked together previously under her current boss when he was the Sheriff of Hinds County. Working under a tight time frame, constrained budget, and with a partner Rita Gibbons) who was previously taken off investigative duty for totaling a department vehicle while chasing a suspect in a bombing case. Described as dressing like a country and western singer and having a little trailer park in her upbringing. But you have to work with what you are given and the chase is on. Lt Cavannah is a believable character and one that you find yourself rooting for. It has all of the crazy character one would expect to find in the deep south which only enhances the enjoyment of the book. Cavannah and Gibbons get their suspect in the end and a good time is had by all.

I received this book as an ARC from Net Galley. I would rate it at 4 stars for enjoyment value.

Synopsis:   In the vein of Harlan Coben and Lisa Gardner, Gary Gusick takes readers on an explosive ride-along with Mississippi detective Darla Cavannah, a Yankee transplant making her name in the Deep South.

 

After performing at a local old-folks home, off-duty police officer and part-time Elvis impersonator Tommy Reylander smoothes out his pompadour, climbs into his pink Caddy, and gets all shook up—fatally so, when a bomb explodes. Whether he was killed for his police work or bad singing is a mystery that detective Darla Cavannah is determined to solve.

 

Though it’s been several years since Darla (reluctantly) partnered up with Tommy, she convinces her boss to let her lead the murder investigation. As the new regional director of the Mississippi Bureau of Investigation, Shelby Mitchell can think of better uses for his star detective’s time, but not even the most hardened good ole boy can resist Darla’s smart, savvy persuasions. She soon embarks on a roller coaster ride through the world of Elvis tribute artists while tracking down one of the most bizarre serial killers in the history of the Magnolia State. Aiding her pursuit of the killer is recently reprimanded officer Rita Gibbons, fresh from the trailer park and described by Shelby as “half a licorice stick short in the manners department.” But Rita’s plenty smart, even when this case takes their suspicious minds in an entirely unexpected direction. 

ebook, 202 pages

Expected publication: April 21st 2015 by Alibi (first published December 9th 2014)

Author Information:  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.