First I want to thank whomever it was who first e-mailed me about this fledging mystery series by the author of the Aaron Gunner mysteries. The e-mailer (for the life of me I can't remember her name, sorry) was looking for the author of a hilarious series of books featuring a retired couple who traveled the country with an Airstream trailer and happened upon murders and such. A quick response from the Delphi mystery board told me Gar Haywood, and out of curiosity I picked up Going Nowhere Fast and was introduced to Joe and Dottie Loudermilk. While the mystery -- a dead man is found on the Loudermilks' chemical-flush toilet and their wayward son is found cowering in the closet -- has its moments of twists and intrigue, the true star of this novel is wise-cracking Dottie. Having forsaken the stagnant retired life of puttering around the garden and waiting to die, she and former cop husband Joe hit the road, much to the chagrin of mostly unseen children, affectionately known by their parents as "pains in the ass." Choosing Dottie to narrate this story not only uplifts the action with a quick wit, but it smooths together the rough patches of the story.One might even forget that this is a mystery. Going Nowhere Fast does go somewhere, straight to the funny bone.
This is an older mystery, first in a short series, that I read as part of an online book challenge. (Paperback Swap 2014 Mystery Challenge) The main characters are a retired couple - former police detective Joe Loudermilk and his spouse Dottie Loudermilk. They are on the road, having sold their house and bought a brand-new Airstream trailer. Their intention is to travel continuously, having left their financial affairs in the hands of their most responsible grown child. Having raised their five children, they're essentially running away from home so their kids can learn to be independent! It looks like they're realizing their dream - just the two of them - until they wake up to a corpse in their bathroom one morning. What follows is a slightly madcap "cozy" mystery, with Dottie as the person who just has to figure out what the dead man was doing in their trailer - and whether their least responsible child (who shows up at the same time) had anything to do with it. Cozies aren't usually my favorite mystery genre, and I doubt I'll read the others in this series, but it was adequate entertainment.
What do You think about Going Nowhere Fast (1995)?
Just finished this book and what a delight. Anyone who has ever been around retired people and their Airstreams will know this book is right on. Joe and Dottie Loudermilk have retired bought themselves a siver Airstream and have run away from the children. Unfortunetaly the youngest one Theodore (Bad Dog) has found them and along with him comes lots of trouble, starting with a dead guy on their toilet. I felt the main characters were warm and real. The banter that goes on with in the family is often the way it is in a family that loves each other but wants a little space. This is a good cozy mystery lots of little twist and turns nothing to heavy. It was perfect for a hot summer read. I'd recommend it to my friends with a big glass of Ice Tea.
—Connie Bernhardt
I will get more of his books!!!These books are FUN!!! I will definitely be reading more about the Loudermilks!!! I love that though they are black Mr Haywood does not play any discrimination cards, and he could have very easily. As a white person this is truly something that makes it wonderful to read a black author's books. This is not the first black author I have read and it won't be my last. I love diversity and will read fiction by any author once. It's truly wonderful to see different ideas on living from other races and ethnicities.
—Cathie
