Dead in Hog Heaven: A Thea Barlow Mystery

Thea Barlow #3

by Carol Caverly

Thea Barlow is back in Wyoming in this third adventure from Carol Caverly. Thea begins snooping in the small tourist town of New Sedona when one woman after another turns up dead -- and her fiance Max is suddenly accused of the murders. Knowing that couldn't be true, Thea's investigation finally turns up a little known fact about Wyoming: it's an excellent state for diamond fields, and equally excellent for harboring murderers who wish to keep the secret of the glittering rocks, no matter what.

Genres: Fiction

287 pages, Hardcover

First published December 1, 2000

About the author

Carol is the author of the Thea Barlow Wyoming Mystery series, All the Old Lions, Frogskin and Muttonfat, and Dead In Hog Heaven. Her books were also selections of the Detective Book Club.
Though raised in a suburb of Chicago, Il, Carol married into an old pioneer Wyoming ranch family outside of Gillette, Wyoming where she and her husband raised a large family.
Her books reflect her love of Wyoming and the Western way of life.

Reviews

[Robin Tobin (On the back porch reading) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Absolutely enjoyed this series.

[Michelle · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series and this book have good and bad points. They are extremely well written mysteries. They definitely keep you guessing about the villain of the piece. Each small town has its own uniqueness. While the only two characters so far to appear in all three books are Thea and Max there is the tenuous connection of Thea’s investigation of Old West houses of ill repute. The stories are for the most part fun to read.
One of the things I find confusing is the time jumps. The time between book one and two is two years, between the second and third books three years. While I don’t necessarily think books in a series need the time to be day after day, if there are big jumps like this I would expect a little backstory somewhere to explain what’s gone on in their lives. Thea and Max’s relationship for example they meet, are they a couple, are they not, they move in together, Thea quits her job to move to be with him. If they are the sole link between the stories to make it a series I personally need to know and see more about them. While the bits of history are fascinating stories are character driven. In the third book I feel as if I don’t know the main two at all. Thea mentions a brother and a nephew completely out of the blue. I enjoy these stories I think there is great potential but there needs to be more character development.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily review this book. This is my honest review.

[Dianne Bahn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thea Barlow, former editor of WEstern Times Adventures, moves to Garnet Pass Wyoming, from Chicago, to live with boyfriend, Max Holman. She plans to be a free lance writer and her current project is writing about old west bordellos.
She and Max attend a town meeting where two different groups are vying for the opportunity to bring new interest, new jobs and more tourist dollars into the community. During the meeting, a citizen, Ronnie Mae Lorenzo drops dead. It is assumed she died of health issues as she was a diabetic. This death later proves to be murder.
Thea goes to interview and tour one of the old bordello sites owned by Opal Brodie. She finds Opal dead in the old bordello and is attacked by an unknown person who flees. Grabbing the knife which has killed Opal, she is found with the bloody knife in her hand by Dan Lorenzo who accuses her of killing Opal. She is then considered the #1 suspect in Opal's murder and when it is determined Ronnie Mae was also murdered, she is considerd her murderer as well because she and Max were standing by Ronnie Mae when she collapsed.
Thea then spends her time trying to prove her innocence, despite her car and house being ransacked. Max suspects illegal mining is going on at property near his own property and he is shot at and has his tires slashed. Trash which Thea has picked up at Opal's house turns out to be a clue in this mystery. The plot starts out slow but picks up about half way through the book. Good read.

[Linda McKay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dead in Hog Heaven rocks Wyoming with harmonic influence, diamond-mine scandals and murders!
Delightful in all ways, this cozy mystery includes the wild and wooly charm of the West with screwball characters beset by redneck murders. Amateur sleuth Thea, new to Wyoming, tries to follow the clues to solve the crimes, along with her boyfriend Max.
The cast of characters in this book are originals — and there’s even a chicken wrapped in a receiving blanket that’s a real life saver. It’s a quirky, quick read, witty and full of humor, and keeps you guessing who the killer really is till the story literally ends with a bang. I truly enjoyed it!
I received this book free from ebook Discovery. This is my voluntary and honest review.

[Irene S · Rating 4 out of 5]

Thea has moved to Wyoming to be near Max and start her freelance career. Matt has already intrigued her with the idea of an article of the old Hog Heaven. Before Thea can start her life, she becomes the prime suspect in a murder. I received a free copy of this book from eBook Discovery. This is my honest and voluntarily given review. There is plenty of clues and suspense in this well written mystery. Even though this book is part of a series, it can be enjoyed by itself. I have enjoyed reading this book as well as the previous two books.

[Kerry Smith · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another great story in the series. Thea arrives in town to catch up with Max who is working nearby, write up a story or two on local sites and have a relaxing time. Well if you've read any of the others you know that was wishful thinking.

I have really enjoyed this series as the characters are well written, a lot with their own quirks and the landscape descriptions are wonderful.

I recieved a copy of this book from ebook discovery and this is my honest freely given review.

[Evonne Hutton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Talk about a warm welcome to town!
Thea goes to join Max in a small town and immediately gets involved in murder!
A good storyline well written
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. This is my honest review.

[T Olsen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great plot and a well written story, including mysteries, action and a little fun with the added Sugar. The setting is, like the characters, very good as well.
I received this book for free from eBook Discovery. I voluntarily post this review. This is my honest review.

[Wayne · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is wonderful. The Wyoming setting adds a lot. I understand there will be a fourth volume. I'm really looking forward to reading it. Highly recommend these books.

[Shirley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Lots of action in this fun mystery set in Wyoming. The numerous cast of characters leave the reader with plenty of suspects after Thea becomes the lead suspect in a murder.

[Captain Curmudgeon · Rating 1 out of 5]

Mystery set in Wyoming, which I know and love, but real problems. New-age magic realism mixed with detective fiction and they don't mix.

[Jean · Rating 5 out of 5]

Awesome!