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Garth Carson #2
Stuffed
Leaping fishes. Prowling bobcats. Frosty penguins and mute moose heads...These are the things that fill Garth Carson’s life as he buys, sells, and rents exotic taxidermy from his funky New York City storefront. But now Garth and his gal, Angie, have acquired the most sinister stuffed critter in the world: a certain white crow in a bell jar that Angie swoons over–and that other people are dying to get their hands on.
When the crow is stolen, along with $50,000 worth of their best taxidermy, Garth and Angie are plunged into the spooky heart of old New England and a realm of crazed carnies, bumbling feds, and a couple of freshly snuffed collectors. To save their bird–and their lives–these two reluctant sleuths must penetrate a zany, highly illegal international treasure hunt...and confront a freak who has a thing for murder.
“The funniest tough-guy writer there is.”
–Lee Child
“Audacious and always original. Wiprud twangs funny bones I never knew I had.” –T. Jefferson Parker
When the crow is stolen, along with $50,000 worth of their best taxidermy, Garth and Angie are plunged into the spooky heart of old New England and a realm of crazed carnies, bumbling feds, and a couple of freshly snuffed collectors. To save their bird–and their lives–these two reluctant sleuths must penetrate a zany, highly illegal international treasure hunt...and confront a freak who has a thing for murder.
“The funniest tough-guy writer there is.”
–Lee Child
“Audacious and always original. Wiprud twangs funny bones I never knew I had.” –T. Jefferson Parker
384 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2005
3 people are currently reading
85 people want to read
About the author
Brian M. Wiprud
21 books25 followersA New York City writer, Brian Wiprud is the award-winning and multiply nominated author of fifteen novels. His current series features the adventures of Boone Linsenbigler, dashing and jinxed pitchman for a multinational beverage company.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
February 4, 2018
I thoroughly enjoyed this book ! I don't write reviews well, so I will quote from the book reviews : "Fast-paced, humorous and highly entertaining......Wiprud's writing is parallel to that of Carl Hiaasen or Gregory Mcdonald. Quirky and unique, this cleverly plotted story is both engaging and memorable" -FROM Bookbrowser.com
Half of what made it so fun & funny to me were all the quirky and old-fashioned words and phrases peppered throughout the book - some of which I know my children will recognize because i have used them many times over the years. Things like - Ninconpoop, scared the bejesus out of me, dang it, apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, and DAG NAB IT !
Half of what made it so fun & funny to me were all the quirky and old-fashioned words and phrases peppered throughout the book - some of which I know my children will recognize because i have used them many times over the years. Things like - Ninconpoop, scared the bejesus out of me, dang it, apple doesn't fall too far from the tree, and DAG NAB IT !
May 12, 2019
Even more fun than Pipsqueak, the first of Wiprud’s Garth Carson adventure/mystery books. Garth is a exotic taxidermy rental agent who just can’t avoid falling into trouble. In Stuffed, his world is FULL of trouble! I highly recommend this for people looking for a fun, and a bit silly, escapist crime novel.
June 18, 2019
9.5 out of 10 stars. Audacious---the most imaginative story I think I have ever read! Spent more time looking up words trying to think how someone could use so many words I have never heard of in one book. So many criminals after one really unbelieveably farcical object! I laughed a lot. This is what creative writing is all about.
December 31, 2020
Definitely a fast paced book that is easy to read. Written in the style of old Sam Spade genre, but in a current setting. Just when you think the plot is wrapped up, another twist appears, setting you off on more close calls, nerve-wracking situations, and last minute "what just happened" interventions that save the day.
March 29, 2023
I didn't really enjoy the writing, or the story.
Ended up reading the final chapter then wondering if I would leave it unread. Ended up pushing through because I'm a completionist, but if I wasn't I would have put it away and not picked it up again.
Ended up reading the final chapter then wondering if I would leave it unread. Ended up pushing through because I'm a completionist, but if I wasn't I would have put it away and not picked it up again.
November 10, 2019
From the "warped mind" **I say that totally tongue-in-cheek** of Brian Wiprud, another Garth Carson original. This is a laugh out loud, tough guy mystery. Need this type of read now and then.
May 23, 2021
If you read humor, then you will love this good novel.
November 13, 2023
More about taxidermy.
Who knew this could be so fascinating?!
Who knew this could be so fascinating?!
April 29, 2010
RATING: 4.75
PROTAGONIST: Garth Carson, taxidermist
SETTING: New York; northeastern US
SERIES: #2 of 2
Here are some of the skills that Garth Carson exercises on his job: can size up the value of a dead animal in a blink of an eye, patch an extinct tiger's butt so that he can appear on a display or dress a dead gorilla to appear in a theater revue. Yes, Garth is a taxidermist. The common perception is that a taxidermist stuffs animals, but Garth has also built a collection of animals and skins to sell or rent for various productions. It's not exactly a lucrative profession, but it mostly pays the rent and keeps him on the go.
Garth is located in New York City and scours the northeastern US to find taxidermy. While on a trip to build his collection, Garth runs across the perfect birthday gift for his live-in girlfriend, Angie. It's a white crow mounted in a bell jar. Although not intrinsically exotic, the crow catches the interest of a lot of people. Over the course of the book, Garth is attacked by pygmies with arrows, tangles with the Korean military and multiple law enforcement agencies and engages in combat with Flip the Penguin Boy.
A plot synopsis cannot do justice to this book. On the surface, the things that happen sound totally bizarre. But Wiprud had a stroke of genius by casting his lead character as a taxidermist and including a group of people who at one time worked for the carnival. Therefore, the things that happen actually seem plausible, albeit somewhat absurd. There's a reason for the pygmies with arrows in Vermont. There's a reason for the half naked dead defrosting penguin with a lei around his neck and a cocktail umbrella in his beak sitting at the table of Tiki Bob's Zombie Hut. I didn't say it was reasonable—but there is a reason.
STUFFED is one of the funniest books that I have read in a very long time. At first I thought the writing was self conscious and the author was trying too hard to get a laugh. But as the story moved forward, it gained momentum and I fell into the rhythm of the narrative. What ended up happening was that the humor had a cumulative effect as absurd situations piled up on one another. I started with a chuckle, moved to a giggle, then to laughing out loud, but laughing out loud at a whole new level. By the time I reached page 200, I was into the biggest belly laugh of my life, holding my sides in pain, cackling like a deranged rooster on steroids, tears rolling down my face, and my nose making Snuffleofagus noises. It's now three days since I finished reading the book, and I still haven't seen my 2 cats.
I loved the first book in the series, PIPSQUEAK, but I think STUFFED is even better. Although outrageous and outlandish, it is not nearly as over the top as the first book. The characters of Garth, Angie and their helper, the Russian dwarf Otto, are so likeable that it's pure pleasure to spend time with them (although I do have a hard time understanding Otto).
STUFFED is a winner, and I expect that it will be nominated for funniest book of 2005, and likely win those awards. Being a reader whose book of choice is generally dark and noir, it's rather a surprise that I enjoyed this book so much. I highly recommend it, but you have to be willing to give yourself up to it to have the best reading experience. I also recommend that this book not be read in a public place.
PROTAGONIST: Garth Carson, taxidermist
SETTING: New York; northeastern US
SERIES: #2 of 2
Here are some of the skills that Garth Carson exercises on his job: can size up the value of a dead animal in a blink of an eye, patch an extinct tiger's butt so that he can appear on a display or dress a dead gorilla to appear in a theater revue. Yes, Garth is a taxidermist. The common perception is that a taxidermist stuffs animals, but Garth has also built a collection of animals and skins to sell or rent for various productions. It's not exactly a lucrative profession, but it mostly pays the rent and keeps him on the go.
Garth is located in New York City and scours the northeastern US to find taxidermy. While on a trip to build his collection, Garth runs across the perfect birthday gift for his live-in girlfriend, Angie. It's a white crow mounted in a bell jar. Although not intrinsically exotic, the crow catches the interest of a lot of people. Over the course of the book, Garth is attacked by pygmies with arrows, tangles with the Korean military and multiple law enforcement agencies and engages in combat with Flip the Penguin Boy.
A plot synopsis cannot do justice to this book. On the surface, the things that happen sound totally bizarre. But Wiprud had a stroke of genius by casting his lead character as a taxidermist and including a group of people who at one time worked for the carnival. Therefore, the things that happen actually seem plausible, albeit somewhat absurd. There's a reason for the pygmies with arrows in Vermont. There's a reason for the half naked dead defrosting penguin with a lei around his neck and a cocktail umbrella in his beak sitting at the table of Tiki Bob's Zombie Hut. I didn't say it was reasonable—but there is a reason.
STUFFED is one of the funniest books that I have read in a very long time. At first I thought the writing was self conscious and the author was trying too hard to get a laugh. But as the story moved forward, it gained momentum and I fell into the rhythm of the narrative. What ended up happening was that the humor had a cumulative effect as absurd situations piled up on one another. I started with a chuckle, moved to a giggle, then to laughing out loud, but laughing out loud at a whole new level. By the time I reached page 200, I was into the biggest belly laugh of my life, holding my sides in pain, cackling like a deranged rooster on steroids, tears rolling down my face, and my nose making Snuffleofagus noises. It's now three days since I finished reading the book, and I still haven't seen my 2 cats.
I loved the first book in the series, PIPSQUEAK, but I think STUFFED is even better. Although outrageous and outlandish, it is not nearly as over the top as the first book. The characters of Garth, Angie and their helper, the Russian dwarf Otto, are so likeable that it's pure pleasure to spend time with them (although I do have a hard time understanding Otto).
STUFFED is a winner, and I expect that it will be nominated for funniest book of 2005, and likely win those awards. Being a reader whose book of choice is generally dark and noir, it's rather a surprise that I enjoyed this book so much. I highly recommend it, but you have to be willing to give yourself up to it to have the best reading experience. I also recommend that this book not be read in a public place.
June 26, 2010
Like the front cover says: "It wasn't exactly the Maltese falcon. But he's not exactly Sam Spade". This book was brilliant in parts, but overall I didn't find that it made my funny bone ache. Some parts had me laughing out loud in public and I loved the way Garth narrated his story, but the mystery was a little chessy (and not in the good way). Okay, but not great.
Garth Carson is a New York taxidermist. He, his significant other Angie, and Otto (their Russian handyman of sorts) live in a ground level converted cafe, out of which runs both Garth's taxidermy business and Angie's jewelry one. On one of his "Safaris", Garth comes across a white crow that will be perfect for Angie's birthday. He buys it and before he knows it he's in over his head in a strange war to posess the bird. After dragging Otto and Angie into the fray they find themselves up against corrupt Korean business men, "crazed carnies" (who happen to include a band of miniture pygmies), and an onslaught of wildlife conservation officers, detectives, lawyers and regular cops who just don't believe their story.
Garth Carson is a New York taxidermist. He, his significant other Angie, and Otto (their Russian handyman of sorts) live in a ground level converted cafe, out of which runs both Garth's taxidermy business and Angie's jewelry one. On one of his "Safaris", Garth comes across a white crow that will be perfect for Angie's birthday. He buys it and before he knows it he's in over his head in a strange war to posess the bird. After dragging Otto and Angie into the fray they find themselves up against corrupt Korean business men, "crazed carnies" (who happen to include a band of miniture pygmies), and an onslaught of wildlife conservation officers, detectives, lawyers and regular cops who just don't believe their story.
July 16, 2013
For me this book was phenomenally fantastic. It's written in a friendly, slightly conversational manner and includes the occasional rhetorical question asked of the reader. The book was thoroughly engaging and held my attention at every twist and turn. I enjoy books that integrate the mystical and bizarre with true, well-researched facts. And Stuffed did this extremely well; as the main character is a taxidermy dealer there is a lot about which animals can be hunted, stuffed, and sold or what not due to current US law which to me was fascinating without being overwhelming, slowing the story, or boring me. And the odd twists, added characters, and overall story arch were genius if not eerily unsettleing at times.
March 8, 2011
I literally judged a book by it's cover when I spied "Stuffed" a few years back on my library's paperback carousel - a penguin in a birdcage! I picked it up, read the back cover, and was hooked! Later on that night I was laughing so loud that my husband asked "What book are you reading?" I replied "The penguin one." He said "I thought it was a MYSTERY?!?" I answered him, "It is! Just a really funny one."
June 28, 2015
This was a complicated, funny book. It was a mystery but with a good shaker of humor. The characters were sketched out enough for you to know and enjoy them. The plot was so well done you had to keep reading to keep up with it.
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms" "Wesley's Wars" and "To Whom It May Concern"
J. Robert Ewbank author "John Wesley, Natural Man, and the Isms" "Wesley's Wars" and "To Whom It May Concern"
March 27, 2008
Well, I learned more about taxidermy than I knew before. And more about the sale and ownership of preserved specimens of endangered species. Other than it, it didn't really do much for me. It just piled on a few too many "now willingly suspend this" moments to work for me.
October 8, 2007
07/31/05 #131
TITLE/AUTHOR: STUFFED by Brian M. Wiprud
Rating: 5/A
GENRE/PUB DATE/# OF PAGES: Mystery, 2005, 352 pgs
TITLE/AUTHOR: STUFFED by Brian M. Wiprud
Rating: 5/A
GENRE/PUB DATE/# OF PAGES: Mystery, 2005, 352 pgs
January 23, 2008
Pretty funny. Entertaining at least.
July 21, 2009
Better then Pipsqueak. Funny, funny, funny. Only Garth can get himself into the strangest situations and manage to survive.
September 21, 2009
This was a wacky, unexpected novel that I enjoyed thoroughly. A twisted, funny crime caper in the style of Donald Westlake.
November 12, 2010
Another decent comedy/mystery from Wiprud. I found it entertaining on multiple levels. I especially enjoy the character of Otto.
September 24, 2014
A good plot and adequate characterizations. Some funny bits and the bits about the taxidermy trade are interesting
June 22, 2015
Great Wiprud wit and humor, but began to drag after page 250. Felt as though a whole mess of loose ends needed to be quickly tied together. All in all, an enjoyable mystery.
January 18, 2016
Amusing, good story
June 28, 2016
Entertaining and bizarre. Loved it!
June 23, 2012
One word = quaint
February 18, 2013
Quirky and fun!
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews