Hog Insane

Denton and Alex Davies Mystery #1

by Carole Brown

This book has been republished with the new title of Death Visits The CampgroundAward winning fiction author, Carole Brown, offers a new suspense driven cozy series featuring Denton and Alex Davis. With writing full of turns and twists, Her ability to build suspense has been likened to the early works of James Patterson. The Davis couple load up their RV and eagerly head for the Smokey Mountains, with the Mountain Mist Campground at Pigeon Forge as their final destination. Newly retired, Denton hopes to use this trip to rekindle the dwindling flame of his marriage. In spite of her protests, he is sure his wife looks forward to the rest and relaxation as much as he does. They barely arrive at their destination when a risk-taking motorcyclist speeds past them, followed by a careening sports car. Denton remembers the fatal tangle of his nephew ten years earlier ... with the bike Denton taught him to ride. Things continue to go south the rest of the evening, culminating in Denton finding a body sprawled in the brush beside the path to their cabin, the man's booted feet toe down, as if they had dug into the ground. The biker gloves on his hands indicate Denton may have seen him earlier in the day. Denton squats and presses two fingers alongside the neck of the victim. No pulse. Just as he expects. The bullet hole in the victim’s head says it all. Denton has a job to do and a mystery to solve.

279 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 10, 2013

Reviews

[Sherry Carter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hog insane is a fun read! Carole Brown is such a versatile writer. Her first book, The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman was a honest, sensitive look at the hearts of abused women, with faith and forgiveness woven through.

By contrast, Hog insane is lighthearted and fun to read. Denton, his wife, Alex, and the other characters made me smile. The mystery and intrigue kept me reading and the ending reminded me of Hercule Poirot: all the suspects gathered to listen as Denton revealed the murderer.

I was able to figure out who the bad guy was but that didn't detract at all from my enjoyment. It's a great book and I'm eagerly waiting for the next in the series.

I encourage everyone to read Hog Insane. It's a very enjoyable book.

[Jennifer Cagle · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a clean entertaining mystery I thoroughly enjoyed! I really love the main character, he is smart, inquisitive and really loves his wife! Very good book and series! I hope the author writes more!

[Mary Hosmar · Rating 2 out of 5]

I began reading this book full of anticipation of a good mystery. There were lots of twists and turns in the plot and clues throughout as there should be in a good mystery. However, although I did enjoy parts of the book, much of it my logical brain refused to accept as plausible. The story did not resonate with me as I had hoped it would.
Alex and Denton Davies are newly retired and off to fulfill Denton’s life-long dream of travelling the country. No sooner do they park their RV than they become embroiled in a murder. Since neither of them have any more knowledge about crime-solving than what they had learned reading murder mysteries, I wondered how they were able to come to conclusions more quickly than the local sheriff, a New York city ex-cop. All the clues they found were, in my opinion, just a little too convenient. They just seemed to fall into their laps, or ears.
I must admit that I have not read a lot of murder mysteries so perhaps my take on the story is way off base. Read the book and make up your own mind. It does have its moments and is an easy read.
I received a free copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.

[Tamera Lynn Kraft · Rating 4 out of 5]

Denton and Alex Davies are a middle-aged couple that have decided to retire early and go traveling from place to place. They also love reading murder mysteries. This couple is a lot of fun with their banter back and forth and their amateur sleuthing.

The Davies don't plan to solve murder mysteries, but when a man is murdered in their campground and they find the body, they can't help but to try to put all the pieces together, especially when clues keep coming their way. I really enjoyed this couple. It reminded me of Miss Maple in Agatha Christie novels except the fact that this was a married couple made it even more enjoyable.

This is a cozy mystery that is fun to try to solve. If you like light-hearted cozy mysteries, I would highly recommend it. Although if you like grittier mysteries that are very challenging to solve, you might not enjoy this as much. I solved it half way through, but I like challenging suspense mysteries. That's the only reason I gave it 4 out of 5 hearts. Overall a great story.

[Renee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Carole Brown weaves an intricate mystery as to lead the reader down different trails and wonder… who committed such a heinous crime and why?

After almost being ran over by a young motorcyclist, Denton Davies finds him dead in the bushes with a bullet to the head. Fearing he may be a friend’s nephew, he takes it upon himself to investigate with his wife refusing to wait idly by in the camper. She joins in, if nothing else but to occupy her time, only to prove she’s better at sleuthing than he could’ve imagined. Their combined efforts uncover clue after clue and soon, they’re in the midst of a conglomerate of suspects.

Hog Insane’s a well-written novel which captures the reader from beginning to end. Sprinkled through the pages, one finds lessons of love, forgiveness, and patience— many ways God can and does work in lives today. Carole’s writing style’s relaxed and fluid, making the book a quick and easy to read.

Good job, Carole. I give Hog Insane five stars.

[Teresa Kander · Rating 4 out of 5]

**I received a copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review.**

Although this book is very different from Carole Brown's first novel, The Redemption of Caralynne Hayman,it is equally well written. It is a light,easy read, and once I got into it, it was impossible to put down. The ending was like one of the mystery shows I used to watch on television, with all the suspects gathered in one place while Denton revealed the facts of the case, and the culprit.

The main characters, a pair of retirees, are very well written and believable. The supporting characters are all interesting people that you can care about. The plot kept me guessing--and my only complaint was that, even with the reveal, it wasn't totally clear who the actual murderer had been. It was only one rather throw away sentence which provided that information.

All in all, not a bad first attempt at a cozy mystery, and I look forward to more adventures for Denton and Alex.

[Britney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hog Insane is the first book in Carole Brown’s cozy mystery series, featuring Denton and Alex Davies. These retirees have arrived at the Mountain Mist Campground in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, with plans to enjoy their new life of leisure. However, a startling discovery quickly turns their vacation into an investigation.

Carole Brown has written a story full of unique characters and mysterious happenings. Hog Insane will keep you guessing, so sit back and enjoy the ride. I can only imagine where this sleuthing duo will end up next!

I received a complimentary copy of this book from the author in exchange for an honest review, which I have given.

[Barbara Derksen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Hog Insane introduces readers to Alex and Denton Davies, a couple at odds over how to spend their retirement years until ... they come across a murder and a motorcycle. Asked to keep their eyes open for the nephew of their pastor's wife, the Davies camp in Tennessee for the beginning of a life on the road. He wants to spend more time with his wife while she misses the shopping malls and friends. Their goals are put on hold when a biker intersects their path and someone is shooting at him. Could he be the nephew? Read along and enjoy the ride as Alex's interest is peaked and Denton protective instincts are tested. This, I hope, will be the first adventure for these two.

[Terri Nighswonger · Rating 4 out of 5]

Denton and Alex Davies are beginning a lengthy RV trip and trying to find their relationship and purpose in retirement when a dead body is discovered in their campground. As the story unfolds they are drawn into the mystery and danger.

You will find many characters in Hog Insane. From the newly minted detectives Denton and Alex to a strange crew of suspects, you won’t know who “done” it until all is reveled at the end. I loved the way the murderer is revealed in the final pages.

If you love a good mystery, check this one out. You won’t be disappointed.

[Diana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Denton talks his wife, Alex into retiring and RVing across the country. Their first stop and they become murder suspects, As they search for clues, the tensions in their marriage start coming to the surface, As they weave through the clues, everyone in the RV park become suspects. This is a fun, hard to put down book. I wasn't able to narrow down the real murderer until the very end when it was handed to me. Complete surprise at the end!

[Kayla A Bird]

Loved the book!

Hog Insane is a fast-paced, mystery that keeps you reading and guessing. I just could not put it down, but when I had to I was still thinking about it and couldn't wait to get back to reading. It's a light, witty and fascinating suspense novel. I can't wait for the next one in this series to come out!

[Ann · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a really fun read. I loved the characters and it was an intriguing mystery that kept me guessing until the final pages. I certainly look forward to the next book in the series.