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Truman Kicklighter Mystery #1
Lickety-Split
In his prime, spry senior Truman Kicklighter had been a first-rate reporter for the Associated Press. But not even the hottest story from his newshound days can rival the recent goings-on at the sleepy Fountain of Youth Residential Hotel in St. Petersburg, Florida.
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First published January 1, 1995
309 people are currently reading
1137 people want to read
About the author
Kathy Hogan Trocheck
18 books588 followersaka Mary Kay Andrews
Kathy Hogan Trocheck is the author of critically acclaimed mysteries, including the Callahan Garrity mystery series. A former reporter for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, she is also the author of Little Bitty Lies and the Edgar®- and Macavity-nominated Savannah Blues, under the name Mary Kay Andrews.
Kathy Hogan Trocheck is the author of critically acclaimed mysteries, including the Callahan Garrity mystery series. A former reporter for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, she is also the author of Little Bitty Lies and the Edgar®- and Macavity-nominated Savannah Blues, under the name Mary Kay Andrews.
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Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews
November 12, 2019
I'm glad I finally finished this book. It was good. I started it years ago but didn't finish. I love any book by Mary Kay Andrews.
January 15, 2021
In one of Trocheck's earliest books, and the first (of two) in the Truman Kicklighter series, Lickety-Split provides a mystery full of twists and turns.
Kicklighter is a resident of the Fountain of Youth Hotel, a run down retirement community in St. Petersburg, Florida. Kicklighters and other residents get wind that a suspicion mega church pastor has purchased the Fountain of Youth and plans to turn it into posh condos, pricing out all of the current long time residents.
Kicklighter is sure the pastor is up to no good and uses his old AP credentials to work up a full investigation of the scheme. At the same time, one of his friends gets mixed up in a murder at the dog track, a poor "wrong place, wrong time" situation. Kicklighter doesn't trust the police to do their job in finding out who is really responsible for the murder at the track, and again lodges his own investigation. As the investigations go further and further, Kicklighters uncovers that the players are more intertwined than he could have ever expected, and nearly gets himself killed just as he's uncovered the biggest surprise player of them all.
Kicklighter is a resident of the Fountain of Youth Hotel, a run down retirement community in St. Petersburg, Florida. Kicklighters and other residents get wind that a suspicion mega church pastor has purchased the Fountain of Youth and plans to turn it into posh condos, pricing out all of the current long time residents.
Kicklighter is sure the pastor is up to no good and uses his old AP credentials to work up a full investigation of the scheme. At the same time, one of his friends gets mixed up in a murder at the dog track, a poor "wrong place, wrong time" situation. Kicklighter doesn't trust the police to do their job in finding out who is really responsible for the murder at the track, and again lodges his own investigation. As the investigations go further and further, Kicklighters uncovers that the players are more intertwined than he could have ever expected, and nearly gets himself killed just as he's uncovered the biggest surprise player of them all.
February 24, 2025
Truman has a lot going on for a retiree. His apartment building has a new owner and eviction seems like a real possibility, unless he can stop it. Using his press credentials from when he worked at Associated Press helps him get info others could not. Also his friend Mel has Alzheimer's and is accused of murder. Truman knows Mel didn't do it so he has to find who did to free his friend.
Truman, Mel and a waitress friend Jackleen are at the racetrack. Mel wanders off looking for Rosie, a tout who knows the ins and outs of the races and is rumored to have a new system, a computer program that can predict winners. When they catch up to him Mel has blood all over him and is holding a dead Rosie in his arms weeping. Knowing someone killed her for the computer disc which could be worth tons of money Truman begins his search for the real killer.
The "church" that has bought Truman's home and is trying to push the residents out may not be what it claims to be. Uncovering the truth, digging deep into these two matters has Truman calling in favors, recruiting friends to help and tangled up in a real mess that has turned dangerous.
Truman, Mel and a waitress friend Jackleen are at the racetrack. Mel wanders off looking for Rosie, a tout who knows the ins and outs of the races and is rumored to have a new system, a computer program that can predict winners. When they catch up to him Mel has blood all over him and is holding a dead Rosie in his arms weeping. Knowing someone killed her for the computer disc which could be worth tons of money Truman begins his search for the real killer.
The "church" that has bought Truman's home and is trying to push the residents out may not be what it claims to be. Uncovering the truth, digging deep into these two matters has Truman calling in favors, recruiting friends to help and tangled up in a real mess that has turned dangerous.
June 1, 2022
I almost didn't finish this book; it didn't really engage me at first, but I thought, "Well, maybe one more chapter" and that's when it got interesting. One of the things I liked is that the main character is an older gentleman and still sharp and on top of things. So many books portray older people in such an unflattering way like they have nothing worthwhile to contribute any more. Since I am now one of those "older people," I strongly disagree.
This is my first Kathy Trocheck novel, bur I have read several of the ones written under the name Mary Kay Andrews. I prefer the Mary Kay books.
It's very evident that is one of her earlier works, but everybody has to start somewhere!! This was published in 1996, and it was fun to see the references to pay phones and computer diskettes. We forget how much technology has advanced until we read an older book.
If I can locate the second (and last) of this series, I will read it, but I probably will stick with her newer books.
This is my first Kathy Trocheck novel, bur I have read several of the ones written under the name Mary Kay Andrews. I prefer the Mary Kay books.
It's very evident that is one of her earlier works, but everybody has to start somewhere!! This was published in 1996, and it was fun to see the references to pay phones and computer diskettes. We forget how much technology has advanced until we read an older book.
If I can locate the second (and last) of this series, I will read it, but I probably will stick with her newer books.
September 22, 2021
Some interesting stuff about dog racing, although Trocheck does not sound an enthusiast for the sport. Poverty-stricken retired journalist Truman Kicklighter and nineteen year old waitress Jackleen are great characters, and so are some of the others (although a few stereotypes).My problem was with the plot. The central idea of a computer program so certain to produce wins at the dog races that three murders are committed for it was implausible. I was not even sure if this was the central plot. An Alzheimer victim is falsely accused of murder. Kicklighter is afraid of being evicted from his SRO hotel. His daughter is dating a cop. His grandson is kidnapped. A fake evangelist is swindling elderly victims. All these sub-plots are stitched together by coincidences and the action is punctuated by gunplay.
January 24, 2022
This is, again, one of Kathy Hogan Trocheck.s earlier books. This one takes place if Florida and the main character is Truman Kirklighter.
Truman is a widowed, retired newspaper reporter who is living on the edge, with several other people in a hotel that caters to the retired.
Truman becomes involved in a murder when he goes to a dog track in St. Petersburg and finds his favorite handicapped murdered. She, supposedly, with a friend, found a fool proof method of picking winners at the dog track. Obviously the Asia has to become involved as well as Truman’s friends, a waitress and a midget.
Truman becomes totally involved with the murder which includes not only the Mafia but several other villains, including holly rollers, snowbirds, and a super vixen.
A pleasant read that can be enjoyed by any mystery buff and suitable for grandma.
Truman is a widowed, retired newspaper reporter who is living on the edge, with several other people in a hotel that caters to the retired.
Truman becomes involved in a murder when he goes to a dog track in St. Petersburg and finds his favorite handicapped murdered. She, supposedly, with a friend, found a fool proof method of picking winners at the dog track. Obviously the Asia has to become involved as well as Truman’s friends, a waitress and a midget.
Truman becomes totally involved with the murder which includes not only the Mafia but several other villains, including holly rollers, snowbirds, and a super vixen.
A pleasant read that can be enjoyed by any mystery buff and suitable for grandma.
March 3, 2019
Wasn't as impressed as with other books, so I can tell it was an older one from when she first started. Mystery for sure. The length it took me to finish this book is very telling in how hard I had to make myself finish it
August 17, 2018
Interesting read
Entertaining, edgier than her usual works. More dead bodies than usual but good mystery. Bobby was the surprise. Love Andrews.
Entertaining, edgier than her usual works. More dead bodies than usual but good mystery. Bobby was the surprise. Love Andrews.
May 30, 2022
good tale
This is one of if not the first novel Mary Kay Andrews wrote - I’m working my way down her playlist. I enjoyed this story and am starting the 2nd in this series now.
This is one of if not the first novel Mary Kay Andrews wrote - I’m working my way down her playlist. I enjoyed this story and am starting the 2nd in this series now.
Read
May 6, 2023Just ok
August 3, 2024
This felt very sexist and the logic just towards the end felt like a stretch, not my favorite.
January 30, 2014
I am a fan of Mary Kay Andrews (Trocheck) and loved the Callahan Garrity series as read them all.
This series features Truman Kicklighter, (in his golden years), widower and former AP reporter living in the Fountain of youth Residence Hotel in St. Petersburg, FL. He is trying to make ends meet, with the early bird specials and senior discounts. His friend, Mel Wisnewski, just in from Pennsylvania, is found in the track's parking lot, huddled over the corpse of Rosie Figueroa, a tout whose dead-on betting tips have made her the darling of the dog track.
There is a so called evangelist trying to take over the hotel and attempting to evict the retirees who cannot afford to buy their apartments. His best friend Mel (Alzheimer’s) is accused of killing a young woman at the dog track. Truman comes to the rescue to help solve the murder with the assistance of a young waitress- Jackleen Canaday, at the hotel with a soft spot for snowbirds—as they set out to prove Mel's innocence and find Rosie's real killer.
If you are over age 50 (and live in Florida), you will love this old school drama as very humorous (hey, will all be here one day)!
This series features Truman Kicklighter, (in his golden years), widower and former AP reporter living in the Fountain of youth Residence Hotel in St. Petersburg, FL. He is trying to make ends meet, with the early bird specials and senior discounts. His friend, Mel Wisnewski, just in from Pennsylvania, is found in the track's parking lot, huddled over the corpse of Rosie Figueroa, a tout whose dead-on betting tips have made her the darling of the dog track.
There is a so called evangelist trying to take over the hotel and attempting to evict the retirees who cannot afford to buy their apartments. His best friend Mel (Alzheimer’s) is accused of killing a young woman at the dog track. Truman comes to the rescue to help solve the murder with the assistance of a young waitress- Jackleen Canaday, at the hotel with a soft spot for snowbirds—as they set out to prove Mel's innocence and find Rosie's real killer.
If you are over age 50 (and live in Florida), you will love this old school drama as very humorous (hey, will all be here one day)!
January 1, 2016
Truman Kicklighter's bunch of friends in an old-folks hotel are getting forced out when a shonky church group prepare to take over and re-furbish the rooms to charge more money.
There is an alternate story dealing with a stolen computer disk containing a system on how to bet on the dogs.
Truman is inadvertently drawn into both mysteries.
There is an alternate story dealing with a stolen computer disk containing a system on how to bet on the dogs.
Truman is inadvertently drawn into both mysteries.
August 21, 2023
Interesting plot, but lots of pieces are very conveniently placed together. I'll read the second in the series, but you can tell this is one of the author's earlier works. The later books are much better.
August 21, 2013
I loved her Callahan Garrity mysteries, but this one was just so-so. I'll probably still read the second one since I have it.
September 24, 2011
This book had way to many story lines. All of her later books written under Mary Kay Andrews are outstanding.
September 6, 2011
Enjoyed it enough where I hope the second one in the series is easy to find.
January 4, 2013
Couldn't get into this book. Took it back to the library after 20 pages.
August 7, 2013
If you like old school Matlock and haven't progressed to the 21st century, this book is for you...and I do love Matlock.
December 4, 2013
Truman Kicklighter, a senior in Florida, dog racing.
Well done.
This is a new character outside of the Callahan cleaning detective series.
Well done.
This is a new character outside of the Callahan cleaning detective series.
May 29, 2015
The end of the story is rushed.
December 30, 2016
Did not finish this book.
June 26, 2023
I’m giving this one a 3 3/4. Lots of fun to read, but I sure would have liked more closure at the end!
September 1, 2014
I loved the Garritty series, but couldn't get into this one!
Displaying 1 - 24 of 24 reviews