Backstabber

by Tim Cockey

Book Overview

He's suave, he's sexy, he's cool . . . and he's an undertaker. Hitchcock Sewell is back in one of the funniest and most fast-paced novels yet, in Tim Cockey's celebrated award-winning series. A man has been murdered in his kitchen. And the apparent killer wants Hitch to scoop up the body and take it away . . . before the police have arrived. Meanwhile, across town, Hitch smells a rat--maybe two--in the nursing home where an old friend of his has taken...

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0786867132
• ISBN13: 9780786867134
• Release Date: July 2004
• Publisher: Hachette Books
• Length: 355 Pages
• Weight: 1.35 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 6.3" x 9.5"
• Age Range: 18 to 17 years
• Grade Range: Postsecondary to Grade 12

Customer Reviews

"Sometimes in life, things can't be corny enough"

This latest book by Tim Cockey, "Backstabber" is another great offering, starring Hitchcock Sewell. Some very serious subjects are touched on in the book, in a humorous manner, such as nursing homes. The characters in the nursing home setting make you laugh aloud. The romantic aspects of the book are also touching and humorous. Cockey presents a light way to look at death and the funeral business (and it is a business). Some of Hitchcock's lines could make up a standup comedy routine. Many of the characters in this series are in each book and they have become like old friends. The situations Hitchcock places himself in(like with the police), you want to say "don't do it" but you know all along that he will. Any reader of mysteries and especially with a humorous touch will love this series. I believe this offering, "Backstabber" is the best, by far. However,if you have not read the other four in the "Hearse" series, I strongly recommend them. You will find that you can hardly wait for the next adventure.

Hitch gets better and better!

All the elements that have made this an enjoyable series are still here in Tim Cockey's latest book: the memorable, slightly off-beat supporting characters, the down-home Baltimore atmosphere, and particularly the main character, Hitchcock Sewell, Everyman as he would be if he were a mortician (if that is imaginable!). Cockey does everything he has always done,but he does it even better! The plot and denouement are satisfying and the last two pages genuinely moving, a quality that is becoming rare in the thriller/mystery genre. The outstanding feature of the book is the humanity of the characters. As a native "Baltimoron",I could easily envision meeting these people on the street. They breathe, and I can understand them even when I disapprove of the way they act. If Cockey can maintain this level in his writing, I look forward a great deal of reading pleasure in the future!

KILLER STORY

If you haven't been introduced to Hitchcock Sewell, unwitting part-time detective and suave full-time undertaker, choose any of Mr. Cockey's 5 books at random. You won't be disappointed. His characters rock along in tales that are quirky, frisky, and light. And, hey, along the way you'll learn some interesting trivia to share about the secret life of embalmers. How many books give you that?

Definitely a favorite author and series...

One of the nice things about being a regular at the library is that the librarians start to "look out for you". They know my tastes and make sure I know when particular books come out. One of my favorite ladies over there clued me in to the latest Tim Cockey novel, Backstabber. Fun mystery, good story, and excellent writing and dialog... Cockey's main character is Hitchcock Sewell, an undertaker. This series could accurately be called the male amateur detective genre. Hitch is called to the scene of a crime, complete with dead body, by his friend Sisco. The victim is the husband of the wife that Sisco is having an affair with. Hitch wants no part of the plan to cover up the crime, but still becomes a suspect when he's seen leaving the house in the early morning hours before the police have been called. The widow isn't really forthcoming on who might have been involved in the killing, so Hitch has to defend himself as well as Sisco to the police. In the meantime, he gets wrapped up in the death of an elderly lady he knew. She died in what appeared to be suspicious circumstances in a nursing home, and Hitch is unable to accept the fact that something is amiss. Characters from these two plot lines start to intertwine until a final showdown at the end that finally clears up who did what, as well as why they did it. Cockey writes a fast-paced novel with a smart-alecky main character. The dialog is directed at the reader in first person form, almost like a Archie McNally novel. Hitch doesn't get flustered by much, and there's always a good comeback regardless of what happens. This is really one of my favorite series, and I appreciate the fact that it was brought to my attention again.

ANOTHER WINNER

I first read one of his books because the "hearse" pun caught my eye. I immediately got hooked and went out and bought and read the rest. I have been waiting for Backstabber for what seems like forever.Just finished it last week and have to say it was outstanding. His characters, as usual, are so rich and easy to visualize in your mind that they become like close friends. I am usually very quick to figure out mystery novels, but this one had me guessing until the end. I only figured out one small part of the plot ahead of time. The only bad thing is now that I have read it, it's going to be so long before there's another one. I'll miss Hitch, Aunt Billie, Kruk, and Julia until then. Now, if only there were a TV show based on the characters . . .