Murder On A Girls' Night Out (2001) - Plot & Excerpts
This mystery revolves around sisters, Patricia Ann and Mary Alice, who are complete opposites. One is skinny, skinny, while the other is heavy set. One has been married for years to the same man, one has been married three times (all husbands have passed away). Yet, they seem to be friends in addition to being sisters. Out dancing one night with her boyfriend, Mary Alice decides to buy the country western bar they are dancing at, the Boot ‘N Skoot. She takes Patricia Anne with her the next to meet the current owner, Ed, and look the place over. When they go back the following day, they discover Ed has been killed. The mystery ensues from here. There are several things I liked about this book. The sisters are older - in their sixties. Yet, they are still going strong (think Mary Alice, the oldest sister, line dancing). They both have grown children and grandchildren, but they still have lives. There is humor as well as the mystery -- the sheriff is almost always looking for aspirin after talking to the two sisters. I liked Patricia Anne’s husband, Fred as well as many of the other characters: Mary Alice’s daughter, Patricia Anne’s daughter, a former student of Patricia Anne’s, and Bonnie Blue, the African American equivalent of Mary Alice, who works at the Boot ‘N Skoot. Bonnie Blue was one of my favorite characters. The mystery was well done. I found it hard to keep track of one of the families in the book, a prominent political family that played into the mystery in several ways, but it didn’t really detract from my enjoyment of the book. In the end, there were a few twist and turns in what is a well done little mystery. I’d recommend this title to anyone who enjoys a good cozy mystery and a little bit of the south (it’s set in Alabama). I’ll probably read other books in this series.
So there were some things I really liked about this and some things that drove me slightly crazy.I liked the fact that the main characters were older ladies (in their sixties.) I haven't read many books with POVs like that and it was fun. They were very funny and very sweet, it lent a lot to the relationship between the sisters and also Patricia Anne and her husband. I also enjoyed the fact that, unlike a lot of cozy mysteries, the main character here doesn't try to play detective. She doesn't try to solve the crime and suddenly, miraculously have all the answers despite not having any experience with police work at all. Bad things happen that the characters by coincidence are involved in and the story sort of unfolds around them. I much, MUCH prefer this style.A couple things I didn't like. First, Patricia Anne is a retired English teacher who constantly corrects other people's grammar. Okay, I can deal with that. But not in a book that has so many typos. Literally at one point the author misnames one of her own characters (twins named Fay and May, except at one point they become Kay and May). If you want to have a hoity toity grammar police in your book, perhaps get a decent editor.The other thing I didn't like is that Mary Alice's daughter Debbie has a Mexican nanny for her children and the way the author paints this nanny (who is a character we see a handful of times so this isn't just once) is really just...gross and racist, to be totally honest. Apparently she's shot a man, is the first to ask if she needs to bring out a weapon during a potential fight, is basically borderline incompetent at everything else. Like. All completely unnecessary. I'll keep going with the series though. Hopefully those issues are resolved within the next book.
What do You think about Murder On A Girls' Night Out (2001)?
I was pleased when I came across this book, found at a second hand book store. This one is the first in the series. Though I've read them out of order, it doesn't seem to matter. You can pick up and read any in the series. I'm glad to report that Anne George's writing got better as the ending in this book seemed to have been wrapped up too quickly for my liking. I found this one kinda confusing at time as there are quite a lot of characters and trying to keep them straight were a bit too much for such a light and fun book. This book was funny and entertaining as all the others are. I lived outside Birmingham, Alabama for 8 years from 2000 - 2008 (I am Canadian) so I totally get the southern charm. It's always fun knowing sights that the author is referring too.This book was written in 1996 and I remember woman getting permanent tattooed makeup done on their faces. I forgot all about the rage. I wonder where all these same woman are today? I guess no one thought what would happen when that type of make up style would be out of date? Yikes!
—Shelley
One review will have to do for all of these books, mainly because I really cannot recommend one any more highly than I do any other. They are all funny, they are all interesting, and they are all touching portraits of Patricia Anne's (the narrator) life, not because of soppy sentimentality, but because they record a real woman, her real joys, contentments, and fears, the quiet triumph that her life both has been and is, and the ups and downs of her everyday existence--or what passes for an everyday existence for anyone whose sister is the eccentric Mary Alice.I mourned when Anne George passed away as if I'd lost a good friend. Worse, I'd only just gotten to know her. I'd quickly devoured all her Southern Sisters series (save the last one) and was eager for more. Alas, we only got one more, Murder Boogies with Elvis. At the same time, I'm glad indeed she gave us eight wonderful novels. I suppose longing for a ninth is greedy.Read this—read all of them—and enjoy.
—Rob
When Anne George died after undergoing heart surgery, I felt badly for her family and I hated that I would never have another Sister and Patricia Anne book to read!! If you are a Southerner, you will love these two sisters who still squabble at ages 60 and 65! But they are devoted to one another and to solving crimes that occur in their hometown of Birmingham, Al. Whenever I am feeling down, I can count on the Southern Sisters to make me smile or laugh out loud. This is probably my favorite mystery series.
—Arlene
