The Green-Eyed Hurricane

by Martin Hegwood

Book Overview

Martin Hegwood's first novel was a big southern hit. Critics and fans alike fell for his atmospheric, visual writing and compelling PI, Jack Delmas. Like all Bayou bred men, Jack enjoys a good pint of... This description may be from another edition of this product.

• Format: Hardcover
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0312209193
• ISBN13: 9780312209193
• Release Date: January 2000
• Publisher: St. Martin's Press
• Length: 272 Pages
• Weight: 1.00 lbs.
• Dimensions: 1.1" x 5.8" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

A Key to the Series

If you are interested in plot, the professional reviews give the essential information, but if you have just discovered Martin Hegwood and enjoy mystery/detective novels consider this book as your key to the character of Jack Delmas. Sometimes, as in this case, the author's first novel (Big Easy Backroad) does not give the full motivation behind a character. To really find out what is going on, one must explore a bit. Frequently I find a series I like, either through a friend or luck, and then start working the back trail. As I do so, I often find a book such as this novel that has it all, plot, motivation, interesting detail. If you are new to Martin Hegwood and Jack Delmas, and you like what you have read, you owe yourself this one.

A well developed plot

Martin Hegwood is another Mississippi attorney turned author. He has set this novel's plot on the modern Mississippi Gulf Coast where private investigator Jack Delmas, a native of the area, finds himself between a declining shrimping industry and a booming tourist industry with luxury hotels and casinos. there are wheelers and dealers, corrupt politicians, shrimp fishermen, and businessmen ranging from a shade-tree mechanic to a successful restaurateur. The novel presents a good picture of an area in transition where most people want a piece of the pie, but some people would rather be beach bums. The novel contains lots of local color about the area.When Jack's longtime friend, the Croatian shrimper Casper Perinovich, dies in an explosion and fire at his home, Jack is drawn into the investigation and stirs up things people would prefer to keep buried. The story has considerable action, and Jack sustains some damage to his person and his pickup (messing with a southern boy's pickup can be as bad as messing with his woman). Along the way, Jack rekindles an old flame.This is a good novel for commuters as the 272 pages are divided into 41 chapters.

Only a native can tell

I graduated from high school with Martin, and was surprised to learn that he had authored some mystery novels. The first one I was able to read was The Green-Eyed Hurricane. Only a native (or former native) can tell how beautifully Martin's descriptions of the area and people reflect the reality of the Coast. His descriptions of the sun reflecting on oyster shells in a driveway, or the scent of a freshly mowed lawn where the grass is mixed with wild onions were viscerally evocative to me. How many times did I experience these sensations as I grew up? The small details he included only increased the believability of the picture for me. The characters he has developed are only perfect. I found the plot to be extremely believable, as I know something of the history of Biloxi. It fits.

good Coast mystery

Very interesting murder mystery. Hegwood's portrayal of life on the Mississippi Gulf Coast is true to life. His descriptions of day-to-day events, such as summer rain storms, shrimping in the Gulf, and government corruption, are particularly vivid. Combine that with interesting, unique and genuine characters involved in a mysterious murder, and the book is that much better.

another must read by martin hegwood

Even better than his debut novel, Big Easy Backroad, this latest mystery delves into the colorful and history packed life on the Gulf Coast. Hegwood's description is vivid and his characters come alive.