Double Blast

Davis Way Crime Caper #12

by Gretchen Archer

SMALL TOWN. BIG BOOM.Davis Way Cole returns to her hometown of Pine Apple, Alabama, to fill in for her police chief father during the bustling Memorial Day Celebration. It’ll be fun. Relaxing. And a no-brainer. After years of leading an elite security team at a billion-dollar casino in Biloxi, Mississippi, Davis has no doubt whatsoever she can run little ole Pine Apple in her sleep.

She should think again.

A blast from her past shows up. (With baggage.) Just before her casino-spy partner from Biloxi blows into town. (As a fugitive.) Then something goes wrong with the weed-control crew. (Terribly wrong.) And that was just Davis’s first day on the job.

Her missteps that follow threaten to blow her life to smithereens. They include pilfering a botanical garden from her Biloxi employer, hiding out in a closed diner with a surprise in the freezer, and choosing a questionable-at-best team to aid and assist when a fireworks problem pops up. But all that pales next to Davis reopening Pine Apple’s oldest and deepest wound. Because, as she soon learns, some small-town secrets are best left buried.

What will she do?

Everything she possibly can.

(And then some.)

Genres: Mystery, Cozy, Cozy Mystery

299 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 21, 2024

About the author

Gretchen Archer is a Tennessee housewife, mom of three, grocery-list and mystery writer. She's the author of the Davis Way Crime Caper series.

Reviews

[Vickie Moore · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don't know where Gretchen finds these characters as they are slapstick funny. I was in the hospital, and I caught myself laughing out loud. Laughter is good medicine for the soul.

Davis, the main character, goes back to her hometown, Pineapple, AL to help her dad out while he is on vacation with her mom. He is the Chief of Police in Pineapple.

She barely gets there before chaos breaks out. From goats eating the grass and the flowers turning the lawns into nothing but dirt, and trying to find fugitives that escaped from prison and much more.

She had so much on her plate that I had no idea how she would bring this together by the end of the book. There are touching moments with her family as well.

I have read all of her books. My favorite series. I highly recommend you read Double Whammy, her first book.

[Penney Letbetter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Favorite series still hitting home runs

I am not good at doing reviews of Books. But if I can just convince you to read the series, it would be a win. It was recommended to me years ago by someone I trust and I just fell in love with the concept. One thing that has also really helped is the audio version of the book is excellent to listen to. It’s a great series that just lifts your spirits, makes you laugh, and throws in the twist and turns of a good mystery.
I like how this series returns to her hometown. And we get to meet more people from the hometown. Unfortunately, her ex mother-in-law is not really in it, yet she still is. Yeah you’ll have to read it to figure out that part.

[MB (What she read) · Rating 4 out of 5]

I absolutely love Davis, her family and friends, their shenanigans, and the trouble they get into. This author is one of the few I've found where I'm laughing out loud while reading. It's a delight to have a new Davis Way book, and I hope there will be many more to come!

[Robin Mattei · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful

Great to be back with Davis, Fantasy and the gang
Now i cant wait for the next

[Lisa G. Hudson · Rating 5 out of 5]

DOUBLE EXCITEMENT!

Whenever you need a fast-paced, humourous book related to crime-solving, look no further than The Davis Way Crime Capers by Gretchen Archer! Archer’s latest release, Double Blast, will remind you why she is a genius storyteller, and her revolving cast of characters never disappoints. This time, Archer has the lead character, Davis (not DAVID) Way Cole, returning to her childhood home in Pine Apple, AL, to fill in as Police Chief for her Daddy while her parents are on vacation. Since Davis is part of a high-tech specialized team tasked with protecting the Bellissimo Resort & Casino in Biloxi, MS, she thinks this will be like a vacation. So many things go so wrong, so quickly, so hilariously, as only Archer can write a plot! Just as quickly, Archer can write Davis a way out of ANYTHING, but it will be by the most far-fetched means possible. This book will leave you gasping for breath from laughing so hard! I highly recommend it!

[Debbi · Rating 4 out of 5]

Just finished reading this newest book in the Davis Way Crime Caper series. This time Davis takes her 3 children with her back to Pine Apple. She’s filling in for her Dad as the Chief of Police while he’s away. She thought it would be a piece of cake. But little did she know what was in store for her, the town and townspeople as they prepare for the Memorial Day weekend celebrations. This story was different since usually her escapades take place at the Bellissimo Resort and Casino. I love to read about Davis, Fantasy, the Bellissimo gang and Davis’ family from Pine Apple, Alabama. They’re always good for a laugh or two. How Davis ends up fixing everything is always amazing. Looking forward to the next problem they get involved in and shaking my head.

[Oleander · Rating 3 out of 5]

This latest entry in the Davis Way series is entertaining but incredibly stupid. Davis makes foolish decisions and is off her game all together. If people are in danger, why wouldn't you call in additional law enforcement instead of taking a do it yourself approach? Of course, it makes for a humorous outcome, but it's silly.
All our favorite characters from the Bellissimo are downplayed and only make slight appearances, if any. Even Fantasy is missing for most of the book. New characters are introduced. If the author plans to continue the series, she is making a drastic change of direction. I love this series and will read on if more are published, with fingers crossed that the new books will be as good as the old.

[Karen Katanick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can Davis manage to get trouble to follow her to her hometown…it’s Davis of course she can. In this installment of the life of Davis Way Cole we find her with her three children in tow, visiting her home town of Pine Apple Alabama. She has come home to sit in her dads seat as Police enforcement for the town just prior to the Memorial Day holiday. What ensues is hilarious and unexpected. A great read filled with laughter and empathy for the characters author Gretchen Archer crafts with great flaws and likability. Enjoy this light hearted spring read.

[Nora · Rating 5 out of 5]

Archer does it again. Someone recently asked me… if I could have dinner with anyone, dead or alive, past, present, or future… who would I choose. And I said, Gretchen Archer. The person who asked did not know who Archer was and I regaled her with Davis Way escapades. I just really want to know if this is how Archer thinks/acts in real life. Does she talk in abbreviated/run on sentences like Davis? Does a simple trip to the grocery store lead to days on end mayhem involving the whole community? And does she laugh and laugh and laugh like her readers do when she is writing these books?

[Ann Gillaspie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Double Blast

Davis Way Cole always seems to find herself in the middle of trouble and this time it’s in her hometown of Pine Apple, Alabama. This book will have you in stitches. The characters and the antics are hilarious. If you haven’t read any books in this series, start at book one. That being said, it isn’t necessary because each book will have laughing and enjoying the storyline.

[Marcia Scott · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love, Love, Love Gretchen Archer and Davis Way Cole! I’ve listened to the series and liked some better than others but this is my favorite. People say “laugh out loud funny” but this one truly is.
Meet Pine Apple, Alabama’s quirky lovable and strange population as they help/hinder Davis when she steps into her father’s Chief of Police shoes for two weeks. What could go wrong? Answer - everything!

[Ann Rouse · Rating 5 out of 5]

Can't Sleep for Reading

I loved this so much,but I say that every time! I've read them all. Wonderful fun, great adventures, hilarious characters, and great doses of touching love and realism . If you are a family member or friend of Gretchen Archer, I believe you are quite blessed! While I wait on the next ride with Davis Way, I may just reread one! Thank you, Gretchen Archer.

[Doreen Bonner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Memorial Day Weekend to Remember

I can’t get enough of Davis and her wacky adventures. Everything that could go wrong with Davis substituting for her father, as sheriff of Pine Apple, Alabama, goes wrong. Lots of hilarious twists and turns.
I have enjoyed every book in the series. Can’t wait to see what trouble Davis gets into the next time.

[Kristi | Hidden Staircase | · Rating 5 out of 5]

One of my favorite series! Double Blast finds Davis Way in her hometown of Pine Apple, where she's filling in as Sheriff so her parents can take a vacation. She's expecting a quiet week in the small town, but of course her week is anything but quiet!

As always, there are a lot of hijinx and fun as Davis works to keep everything under control and solve the mystery!

[And Lutz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Davis is at it Again

I was so happy to see another Davis Way novel. This one was so enjoyable because of the cast of characters. The same, but different than her other stories. Granny is always a treat, & her poor sister. Thanks for another great read.

[Kathy Kennerley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved it! These books are so funny! I enjoy reading them, everything is unexpected and it's so satisfying when it all clicks together. It was a lot of fun being on her old turf and everyone ending up joining her there. Excellent author!

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the book I needed to read. I laughed all the way (pun intended) through it.

Just when I thought Davis couldn't get into any more trouble, more trouble ensued.

This is a great series!

[Vicky · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read

Guaranteed laughs as Davis deals with the trials and tribulations of a small southern town while dealing with the fun and zany characters that inhabit her world.

[Summer · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gretchen Archer writes the best !!!

Davis Way books, Gretchen Archer, is the best writer, author ever. From book 1 to book 12, no one else compares.

[Sharon Stark · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wonderful Davis Way adventure. All of these books are amazing. You will laugh out loud often. I wish for many more installments as soon as possible.

[Cheryl Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Double Blast was a fun book. I listened to the audiobook. It had some laugh out loud parts. I can’t wait for Davis’s next adventure.

[Lindsey · Rating 4 out of 5]

4* - Audio

This was an light and somewhat humorous series. I've enjoyed it between heavier reads.

[Karen · Rating 4 out of 5]

returning home to cover for her police chief father during a Memorial Day celebration and all Hell breaks loose. a robbery from years ago resurfaces and she is in a mess. action packed, fast moving.

[Jenny G · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series. Love the author. Love the laughs. love the hijinks.

[Lynn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Going back home sometime is not what you hope for. Davis and her family/friends never can have a restful time.

[Brenda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Non-stop action - the comedy kind - as Davis returns to Pine Apple, Alabama to fill in for her dad as the temporary sheriff for 2 weeks.

Davis' twin 4 yr olds Bexley & Quinn have a new baby brother named after their dad, Bradley Hudson Cole (NOT JUNIOR) who are staying with their Aunt Meredith while Davis works.

The people & customs of Pine Apple make this the perfect setting to explain Davis' quirky ways.

Another great cozy comedy featuring casino staff from the Bellimmiso Casino & Resort of Biloxi Mississippi.