Murder at the Bad Girl's Bar and Grill

by N.M. Kelby

Take a slasher-movie actress, a Scottish circus clown, an FBI school dropout, a blind heiress, a junk-food-loving millionaire developer, and a Buddha-quoting bluesman, add a couple of murders in a normally sedate retirement community in south Florida, and you get an irresistible tale that’s part Carl Hiaasen and part Gabriel García Márquez. It all goes down as easy as a Key lime pie martini, the signature drink of the Bad Girl’s Bar & Grill.

N. M. Kelby’s last three novels have received glowing reviews in the New York Times, Entertainment Weekly, People, and the Atlantic Monthly. Carl Hiaasen has called her “a natural-born writer,” and Kirkus praised her “black humor that sizzles.” Sit back, put up your feet, and get ready to lose yourself in a rollicking good story.

Genres: Mystery, Humor, Chick Lit, Fiction, Crime

289 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 2008

About the author

Dr. Nicole Mary Kelby is the critically acclaimed international author of seven novels including THE PINK SUIT, WHITE TRUFFLES IN WINTER and the New York Times bestseller IN THE COMPANY OF ANGELS. She is the recipient of numerous grants and awards including a Bush Artist Fellowship in Literature, Florida Book Award, and both the Florida and Minnesota State Arts Board Fellowship. She is toured and translated worldwide. Her forthcoming novel, A SMALL HISTORY OF THE KNOWN WORLD, is based on the lives of Mark Twain and his epileptic daughter Jean. Set the day before Christmas Eve, throughout the course of a meal, these two broken mercurial creatures inch towards love, disaster, and the tragic secret of the angels of Venice. Kelby lives with Irish sculptor Alan Milligan. With their wee dog in tow, they divide their time between their two countries.

Reviews

[Book Concierge · Rating 3 out of 5]

From the book jacket: Take a slasher-movie actress, a Scottish circus clown, an FBI school dropout, a blind heiress, a junk-food-loving millionaire developer, and a Buddha-quoting bluesman, add a couple of murders in a normally sedate retirement community in south Florida … It all goes down as easy as a Key lime pie martini, the signature drink of the Bad Girl’s Bar & Grill.

My reactions
Reminds me of Carl Hiassen, but not quite so well written. Still it’s a fun, ridiculous romp of a tale that kept me entertained and engaged despite its total outlandishness. Frankly, none of these characters made sense to me, and the plot was completely unbelievable. But I did laugh out loud a few times and it was a fast read.

If you’re looking for a cozy mystery… well this is more gristly than that. If you want a hard-boiled crime novel … well this is too quirky for that. It doesn’t fit the bill for a suspense thriller either, because there is little suspense. The biggest mystery, as far as I’m concerned, is how Kelby came up with this crazy story.

Like Hiaasen, Kelby does impart a message about husbanding the natural environment and about the greed of developers.

[GIZMO · Rating 1 out of 5]

not sure why I finished this one...it had promise but the storytelling's is scattered and the ending is unsatisfying

[Theresa · Rating 2 out of 5]

Upon finishing this book my husband asked what I thought and my honest answer, "it was about 300 pages too long". I'm sorry because I was so excited to finally find a copy of another book by an author I had read before and really enjoyed. Now I know why locating this book was difficult ..I'm sure all copies were destroyed to save anyone else from enduring the pain of reading. Ok, ok it was not that bad, but it was painful. It's not that writing was inherently bad. In fact, it's obvious the author is very talented and can turn a story. However, if I had to pinpoint where this one went wrong it would have to be that she was just simply trying too darn hard to make those characters quirky. They were indeed quirky but not the least bit endearing, and so far "out there" that anyone with a fair amount of sanity could not relate. I simply didn't care what happened or was going to happen in the story. I finished the book almost solely on my obsessive need to finish things I've started. I decided to give this book a two star rating because although it was not at all my cup of tea I can imagine the quirkiness that it is will be appealing to some and as far as that goes it is pretty well executed. Did I mention the book was quirky? Ha!!

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

In her fourth novel, N.M. Kelby takes a former B-movie actress, a Barry Manilow impersonator, a winged circus entertainer descended from the real Macbeth, a pet vulture, and fried snack cakes, mixes all them up with a whole bunch of stuff you probably wouldn't believe if I listed it, and throws them together into a Florida community with a mysterious past. If you think this sounds like a big fat mess, you haven't read this book, which will probably be the best summer read ever. It's great fun, sometimes poignant, and often laugh-out-loud funny.

[Jenny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Funny wacky Florida mystery. Vultures, dumpsters, coconut shells, and a dog that looks like Barry Manilow. What's not to love?

[Sara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Funny story of a bar in Florida, owned by a former slasher movie star. She had the best scream in the business. Lots of characters, rich developers, clowns, a blind woman and her watcher, plus the bad guys, an unforgiving brother and a money hungry husband. Suspense kept me interested, and the funny characters kept me smiling.

[Kelly Sachleben · Rating 2 out of 5]

I picked this up as a light read - and that was exactly what it was! Author writes very well - but the characters were all painted as caricatures - which to me was tiresome. I enjoyed the main story line, even with the contrived and overwritten bits.

[Debbie Adreon · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a fun, freaky, floridian frolic into whimsy, wrapped in a murder mystery burrito!
I laughed, i cried, I visualized it all. This was a great romp into the human heart.

[Lisa]

Did not finish, got to page 70 or so. It seemed fun, but something was missing. Maybe I will expand later.

[Kevin · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fun and fairly quick read. Plus, I live in Fla, and this place is full of eccentric and odd people, such as the characters within.

[Janet]

Wacky and enjoyable. Loved this book, reminded me of Carl Hiaasen.

[Brooke Fradd · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 rounded up
It did have Hiassen vibes, but I think the comparison left me wanting more.

[Laura · Rating 2 out of 5]

Mildly amusing. A Carl Hiassen wannabe, but not nearly as good. I'd actually give it 2.5 stars, but this review system doesn't allow for halves.

[Traummachine · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars:

Kelby once again wrote a funny, quirky, endearing murder mystery set in an insane version(?) of Florida. Of course, it reads a little like a Carl Hiaasen novel, but with the endearing and melancholy feeling of a story by Neil Gaiman. You've got a former scream-queen who now runs a bar, a puppeteer/circus owner, Floridian senior citizens and developers -- the land-owning type, not the coding type -- and a Barry Manilow tribute artist.

There's a definite femininity to Kelby's writing (ala Ursula Le Guin), despite the fact that a murderer is on the loose dispatching people in interesting, and sometimes humorous, ways. It feels less like a thriller or crime novel and more like an off-beat mystery...although there's a sadness to some of the characters that keeps it on the border between comedy & tragedy...and that's the problem. Each of the individual elements of the book worked great, but the overall feel was that she should have taken something and ran with it more. It should have either been funnier, and/or grittier, or...something. I enjoyed it, and will definitely read more of Kelby's work, it just needs more of a driving force and less meandering about, sampling different styles and moods.

Kelby's got a great writing style, waxing poetic about topics as she goes, so I guess I liked this and just saw an unrealized potential for me to love it. Her other books sounded a little too sad and romantic to me...but maybe I'll give them a shot anyway. Either way, I look forward to her next mystery.

[KyleeJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have not read any of her other books so I cannot compare this to any of N.M. Kelby's other 3 books. This is one of the most refreshing mysteries that I have read in awhile. This is not one of the niche-cozies that seem to be everywhere (not that I don't enjoy those as well). Not that it doesn't have a food connection. Murder at the Bad Girl's Bar & Grill has it's own BBQ sauce. The characters are well written, the mystery is just that (she lets out just enough to keep you interested; keep you guessing).

Danni Keene slasher queen is an interesting protagonist. I mean that in a good way. I want to be her friend, I want to hang-out in her Tiki bar - drinking Key lime pie martinis (ingredients are listed in the book, but no recipe), even if I do have to wait until 'Wheel of Fortune' is over to have someone to sit next to. The Buddha-quoting bluesman, Jimmy Ray, is someone else I really enjoyed getting to know. Laguna Key itself is a character in this book.

Not only is the story inside terrific, but look at that cover! You can't tell me that those colors don't scream the Florida Keys. I will definitely look for Mrs. Kelby's other books and I'm keeping my fingers crossed for a sequel to Murder at the Bad Girl's Bar & Grill.

[Sheila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Funny! We have a greedy development corporation (well, one member of the corporation) trying to get rid of Danni, a bar owner whose bar is in the way of future development of the retirement community built around her bar. She also knows a secret about the land that can keep the development of the land if she can find the evidence. The blind daughter of the developer lives in the community next door to the security guard of the development. Wilson, the guard, whose first name is Brian hums Beach Boy tunes when stressed. He finds a body in the dumpster behind the bar (well, actually, the vultures do.) Who is the victim and how did he get there? The victim's kilt-wearing brother comes down with his puppet circus to avenge his murder along with the 60 year old Swedish twins who help him and their only English is TA-DA. They become part of the community. But then another murder happens to a Barry Manilow impersonator hired by the bar to entertain its customers. Who is responsible? Jimmy Ray from WHALE SEASON shows up and helps everyone to learn the way of Bhudda. Will it work? Read and find out. There is a cast of characters (and they are characters!) who make reading this book so much fun, you laugh out loud. Quick beach read.

[Kimberly Ann · Rating 3 out of 5]

Carl Hiaasen, Elmore Leonard, Laurence Shames she's not..but this is a light, funny, and entertaining read. I was able to get through it in less than 8 hours.

It's Florida, a retirement community once known as the Tiki Gardens, with a Tiki Bar in its midst:

*Danni the bar owner is trying to save the mangroves from becoming a golf course.

*Whit & his attorney, Bill are up to no good...they want the land the bar is on & the mangroves.

*Sofia, Whit's blind daughter, is trying to work things out with her husband, who wants her dead and her inheritance much to the consternation of

*Wilson the security guard, her "protector", who has a penchant for singing Beach Boys tunes.

*Solas McKay Kilt wearing, Scots Warrior/puppet master who has come to avenge the death of his homeless brother Peter (remains were found in the dumpster behind the bar)....who is accompanied by

*Karla & Marie the very tall, grey braided Swedish twin crones who love to shout "Ta-Da!"

*Mandy the shi tzu that looks like Barry Manilow

*Poe the Vulture

*The residents of the "community" that like to play act "Mayberry".

It's not deep, but it works.

[Jessica · Rating 4 out of 5]

N.M. Kelby's latest comic mystery is not only charming and funny, but it offers pleasures that are greater than the sum of its (wacky and inventive) parts. Set in a coastal Florida community under development, intrigue among the corporate interests involved smacks up against a Tiki bar run by a former teen scream movie actress, with entertainment by a Barry Manilow impersonator and his dog, Mandy, a blind heiress, her pool-playing bodyguard and friend, a political puppet troupe modelled after Bread and Puppet theater run by a Scot with vestigial wings and his elderly Swedish assistants, and many more singular characters, including a vulture named Poe.

Murder, skullduggery, love, magic, art, and families torn asunder and reconciled make the plot. Though it passes by in a flamingo-colored fizz, Kelby's plotting is very fine, with juicy twists and turns, and the emotional experiences of the characters feel poignant and real. As always, the particularities of the Florida landscape, its history and its people, form the underpinning of the story and lend tremendous atmosphere.

[Jane · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another weirdly wacky tale set in South Florida from the talented Ms. Kelby...(see Whale Season)....great fun & interesting plot twists & turns that keep you guessing until the end.....wonderful to read more about the elegant Jimmy Ray and of his engaging relationship with Whit ....Danni & Solas are beautifully drawn...the crones made me laugh out loud ..."Ta Da!"...the puppets are great fun....Sophie is a riddle in a mystery inside an enigma to me yet very empathetic...there are more characters than I can tell you and situations you wouldn't believe anyway! Pack this book with you for the beach and enjoy!

[Dy_goddess · Rating 5 out of 5]

Yet another great book from NM Kelby. She is so clever and funny, you just get hooked from the first page. You get so interested in her quirky, awesome and one-of-a-kind characters you just can't stop turning the pages!
She's got everybody from a 70's Horror Film actress with the best scream in the business to a handsome, dangerous Scottish man who's the last living descendant of the genuine Macbeth... wow and WOW!
Jimmy Ray is back: smooth and peaceful as ever just rockin' the world one buddhist at a time.
I loved this as much as I enjoyed Whale Season, I highly recommend you get this funny, captivating mystery novel that will make you laugh your dang head off.

[Danielle · Rating 3 out of 5]

I have to admit I picked this book up because the title jumped out at me, and then I was sold by the cover. I go against conventional wisdom and do, in fact, judge a book by its cover. At first this book was a little too kooky for me, I mean a guy with small wings on the base of his spine, really? It took me a while to actually get into the book, but once I did I got swept up in the story and actually starting caring about the main characters and what would become of them. I also couldn't help thinking this would make for a great movie, let's see if the Hollywood executives agree with me. All in all, a fun read, and definitely unlike anything you've ever read before.

[Carole · Rating 4 out of 5]

A whimsical murder mystery? A sorrowful tale of missed connections? A screwball story full of bizarre characters and events? (a washed-up horror movie actress who specializes in screams, a vulture named Poe, a dog who looks like Barry Manilow, a security guard named Brian Wilson who loves to hum classic surfer rock: I mean really!) It's impossible to characterize this novel and I don't really want to.

This was just a really fun read which avoids being shallow with its poetic descriptions and insightful characterizations.

[Jackie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another romp through the craziness of Florida courtesy of N. M. Kelby. This is the story of a South Florida retirement community whose quiet existence is rocked by two murders and the arrival of a wacky travelling puppet troupe. Throw in a winged Scottish puppeteer, a mysterious blues-singing hermit, a pool-playing security guard,a shih tzu that bears a striking resemblance to Barry Manilow,and a vulture named Poe, and you have the makings of an unforgettable read.

[Patty · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a funny book filled with wonderful and quacky characters! Characters such as the B slasher movie queen, Danni, who now is the owner of the Bad Girl's Bar and Grill and the circus owner Solas who was born with little wings on his back, and the ex-FBI agent Wilson, who has trouble solving the book's murder, and many more delightful characters makes this book a truly funny and interesting read.

[Amy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Laguna Key is supposed to be a quiet retirement spot, but the dead bodies, vultures, Tasers and Barry Manilow impersonator make things complicated. And that's before the circus arrives. This novel is part mystery, part comedy, part family tragedy, and all good. Floridians who want people to think that their state is *not* full of endearing lunatics may not like it--everyone else will be captivated.

[Patty · Rating 1 out of 5]

Another "DNF" or Did Not Finish. Too many weird characters with no one in the entire book who was in any way sane or normal. I don't need a lot, but my logical soul does need at least one "normal" character, one who reacts to death as awful, not interesting, one who doesn't wander off on the beach, in the rain, when she's blind. Wasn't my style, which I might have known since it is compared to Carl Hiaasen, another author too weird for me.

[Rita · Rating 2 out of 5]

This was a no brainer kind of read. Although, I really didn't know who did it at the end, I found I didn't care. It wasn't so bad that I put it down. But it really didn't grab me. Part of it was touted as a "FL" book and had a quote from Carl Hiaasen so I had some high hopes as I really enjoy his writing.

This was disappointing and I was glad when I finished it. Having said that there were a couple of cute parts in it. Not enough character development.

[Michelle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book was a little on the bizarre side, but a much better read than I expected when I picked it out at the library. I was looking for something fun and easy, and the title made it sound like a typical chick-lit type mystery. It most definitely was not that! What it was is still a little hard for me to pinpoint... a surreal yet well-written fun murder mystery, maybe? Just doesn't sound right, does it?!

[Sandy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was an amazing book. It was full of puppets, murder, mayhem, bread, circuses, wild animals of Florida, senior citizens dressed as puppet animals. a small dog that looks amazingly like Barry Manilow, a pet vulture named Poe, dubious quotes from the Buddha, an amazing Baptist turned Buddhist, blues player, and so much more. It was so quirky and frivolous while at the same time being a story of connection and redemption! I totally loved it!

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Scottish clown Solas arrives in Laguna Key, FL, when he learns his brother has died in the planned community . Naturally, he lands at the titular bar, owned by former horror movie star Danni, the only local business not under the control of Mr. Whit, whose daughter Sophie has been blinded after an accident in which her husband disappeared. There's a mystery--more than one, actually--and a lot of love, and not as much evil as one might suspect, in this entirely delightful gallimaufry.