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Charlie Mack Motown Mystery #2
Wake Me When It's over: Library Edition
Charlie Mack and her crack team of private investigators must use every trick in the book to find out who’s behind a evil plot to bring death and destruction to the Detroit Auto Show.
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About the author
Cheryl A. Head
9 books268 followersShe/Her. Introvert, solver of puzzles, righter of fictional wrongs. I write the Anthony Award nominated Charlie Mack Motown Mystery series-two-time, Lambda Literary Award Finalist, Goldie Winner. Jeopardy Clue in February 2025,
Time's Undoing, published by Dutton Books and based on a true story, is a finalist for the L.A. Book Prize, Anthony, Agatha, and Strand Critics Award.
Time's Undoing, published by Dutton Books and based on a true story, is a finalist for the L.A. Book Prize, Anthony, Agatha, and Strand Critics Award.
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Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews
November 1, 2019
I really enjoyed this installment, and yes I will be reading everything by Cheryl Head that I can get my hands on!
Where you can find me:
•(♥).•*Monlatable Book Reviews*•.(♥)•
Twitter: @monicaisreading
Instagram: @readermonica
Goodreads Group: The Black Bookcase
Where you can find me:
•(♥).•*Monlatable Book Reviews*•.(♥)•
Twitter: @monicaisreading
Instagram: @readermonica
Goodreads Group: The Black Bookcase
May 27, 2018
‘Charlie had tilted her head, manipulating in her mind imaginary Post-it notes on an imaginary white board – her technique for solving puzzles.'
Washington DC author Cheryl A. Head has stated that her career as a writer, television producer, filmmaker, broadcast executive, and media funder has taken me to every continent except Antarctica and Australia. I'm an ardent observer and listener, always trying to connect the dots, and now is the time to marry my experiences with the craft of writing, and the art of storytelling. Much of what I write focuses on the themes of diversity (in its broadest sense), acculturation and tolerance. Sometimes with a bit of danger and always with a lot of humor, food and music. I've written (the highly awarded) ‘Long Way Home: A World War II Novel’, short stories about families and other relationships and I've completed the first installment of a detective series called The Charlie Mack Mysteries – ‘Bury Me When I’m Dead’ - which brings lesbian private investigator, Charlene Mack to life as she grapples with her sexuality, solves a missing-person case, and cares for her mother with early onset Alzheimer's.’ Now following the success of her first two novels, Cheryl brings us the further adventures of Charlie Mack in WAKE ME WHEN IT’S OVER.
Originally from Detroit, Cheryl has an affinity for the flavor and history of Motown and she uses that very well in this second installment of her Charlie Mack Motown Mystery series. Thee first book - BURY ME WEN IT’S OVER – was a Lambda Literary Award finalist and was included in the 2017 Detroit Public Library’s African American Book List. Bets are on that this second installment will equal if not up the ante for awards. Cheryl writes with great skill and has that ability to relate quality mystery with hefty dollops of humor that make the book ring to the last words.
When Charlie and her team are asked by the Detroit Auto Association (DADA) to take on a seemingly impossible task – to identify and thwart an attack on the largest auto show in the world, Mack, and her team of investigators go into high gear. Much is at stake, including DADA’s reputation, the hundreds of millions of dollars the event infuses in the local economy, and then there’s the Super Bowl XL which Detroit will host the following month. With only nine days before thousands of journalists converge on Cobo it seems a daunting endeavor. But Mack, a smart operative in the city’s stew of political leadership, business influencers, and social power brokers, takes on the job, convinced by the promise of a $100K payoff, and the below-the-radar help of Homeland Security. The Mack team slowly begins to unravel a twisted plot that runs through several countries and even more bank accounts. But finding out who’s behind the deadly plan only solves half the problem, because Charlie is drawn into an intense game of cat-and-mouse to locate dozens of hidden bombs in Cobo Hall before they can be detonated.
That is the plot outline, but the pleasure of Cheryl’s book is immersing yourself in the fever-pitch drama she writes with such finesse. Highly Recommended.
Washington DC author Cheryl A. Head has stated that her career as a writer, television producer, filmmaker, broadcast executive, and media funder has taken me to every continent except Antarctica and Australia. I'm an ardent observer and listener, always trying to connect the dots, and now is the time to marry my experiences with the craft of writing, and the art of storytelling. Much of what I write focuses on the themes of diversity (in its broadest sense), acculturation and tolerance. Sometimes with a bit of danger and always with a lot of humor, food and music. I've written (the highly awarded) ‘Long Way Home: A World War II Novel’, short stories about families and other relationships and I've completed the first installment of a detective series called The Charlie Mack Mysteries – ‘Bury Me When I’m Dead’ - which brings lesbian private investigator, Charlene Mack to life as she grapples with her sexuality, solves a missing-person case, and cares for her mother with early onset Alzheimer's.’ Now following the success of her first two novels, Cheryl brings us the further adventures of Charlie Mack in WAKE ME WHEN IT’S OVER.
Originally from Detroit, Cheryl has an affinity for the flavor and history of Motown and she uses that very well in this second installment of her Charlie Mack Motown Mystery series. Thee first book - BURY ME WEN IT’S OVER – was a Lambda Literary Award finalist and was included in the 2017 Detroit Public Library’s African American Book List. Bets are on that this second installment will equal if not up the ante for awards. Cheryl writes with great skill and has that ability to relate quality mystery with hefty dollops of humor that make the book ring to the last words.
When Charlie and her team are asked by the Detroit Auto Association (DADA) to take on a seemingly impossible task – to identify and thwart an attack on the largest auto show in the world, Mack, and her team of investigators go into high gear. Much is at stake, including DADA’s reputation, the hundreds of millions of dollars the event infuses in the local economy, and then there’s the Super Bowl XL which Detroit will host the following month. With only nine days before thousands of journalists converge on Cobo it seems a daunting endeavor. But Mack, a smart operative in the city’s stew of political leadership, business influencers, and social power brokers, takes on the job, convinced by the promise of a $100K payoff, and the below-the-radar help of Homeland Security. The Mack team slowly begins to unravel a twisted plot that runs through several countries and even more bank accounts. But finding out who’s behind the deadly plan only solves half the problem, because Charlie is drawn into an intense game of cat-and-mouse to locate dozens of hidden bombs in Cobo Hall before they can be detonated.
That is the plot outline, but the pleasure of Cheryl’s book is immersing yourself in the fever-pitch drama she writes with such finesse. Highly Recommended.
June 16, 2018
4.5 stars
Charlie Mack and the gang are back in a second whodunnit. This time set in Detroit at the international car show, the team have a week to find a murderer and foil a terrorist plot. Full of multiple layers of intrigue from pipe bombs to industrial spying, Chinese plots and twisted European madmen, this starts with a bang and never lets go.
Fast paced, complex and intriguing it will literally keep you glued to your seat as the layers and leaves unfold. Just who are the baddies? Will another twist uncover more traitors inside? Will Charlie and the gang put all the post it notes together in time?
Cheryl Head’s “Charlie Mack Motown Mystery” series is an excellent read. Extremely well written, the story flows along at a reckless pace without ever feeling forced. The characters are well drawn with foibles and flaws, friendships and mock enmities that make them a real team. The plot is complex; the detail and threads convoluted and elaborate, and while they weave together, fading in and out, at no point do you feel that they wont resolve into a comprehensive whole.
Very well done and highly recommended.
Charlie Mack and the gang are back in a second whodunnit. This time set in Detroit at the international car show, the team have a week to find a murderer and foil a terrorist plot. Full of multiple layers of intrigue from pipe bombs to industrial spying, Chinese plots and twisted European madmen, this starts with a bang and never lets go.
Fast paced, complex and intriguing it will literally keep you glued to your seat as the layers and leaves unfold. Just who are the baddies? Will another twist uncover more traitors inside? Will Charlie and the gang put all the post it notes together in time?
Cheryl Head’s “Charlie Mack Motown Mystery” series is an excellent read. Extremely well written, the story flows along at a reckless pace without ever feeling forced. The characters are well drawn with foibles and flaws, friendships and mock enmities that make them a real team. The plot is complex; the detail and threads convoluted and elaborate, and while they weave together, fading in and out, at no point do you feel that they wont resolve into a comprehensive whole.
Very well done and highly recommended.
March 14, 2019
A great read.
It’s 2006, Charlene Mack and her partners are called upon to prevent anything untoward from happening at the International Car Show held in Detroit. The word terrorism is being thrown around. Follow all the players as the good guys track down the bad guys and the plot unfolds. I recommend this Motown Mystery series, at the end of March, 2019, there will be three books. This book is a finalist for the Ann Bannon Award and well deserved.
It’s 2006, Charlene Mack and her partners are called upon to prevent anything untoward from happening at the International Car Show held in Detroit. The word terrorism is being thrown around. Follow all the players as the good guys track down the bad guys and the plot unfolds. I recommend this Motown Mystery series, at the end of March, 2019, there will be three books. This book is a finalist for the Ann Bannon Award and well deserved.
May 20, 2022
Good book and I learned a lot about Detroit and the auto industry. Exciting ending
March 17, 2024
Starting with her standalone novel Time's Undoing, I've found Cheryl A. Head an engaging author. She devises intricate plots, fleshes out realistic characters, and places both in interesting locales.
The Charlie Mack Motown Mystery series takes readers to Detroit early in the 21st Century. For the most part, Wake Me When It's Over is set in the city's cavernous convention center then known as Cobo Hall during the nine days preceding the 2006 Detroit Auto Show. The auto dealers association that hosts the show needs to learn more about the death of a member of a Chinese delegation and Charlie Mack's investigations team is tapped to help. The Super Bowl is scheduled for Detroit a month later in 2006, so a fume of foul play is going to draw attention from anti-terrorist forces. The Mack team is small and the implications are mammoth, but a bit of nepotism draws in Head's team of PIs.
Readers will encounter suspense, violent action and sexy scenes. The villains and possible villains are numerous. The good guys are perceptive and witty. The welfare of both major and minor characters hangs like the leaden winter clouds. The body count rises and caring readers will worry about the minor characters. So cute, so tied to Detroit and its major industry, so expendable?
The PI firm bears the main character's name, but it is quite egalitarian. Tackling the potential terrorism are three detectives (Charlie, Don Rutkowski and Gil Acosta) plus Judy Novak, an office manager with gifts for sleuthing and baking. The last may give Head an excuse for not getting take out pastries from Greektown during the Cobo gig. The food was better in earlier Head novels.
I'm ready to read Catch Me When I'm Falling, the next book in the series and hoping Charlie's mom Ernestine has more pages. While in the early stages of dementia, Ernestine is delightful and just as smart as her daughter. With almost two decades left before the series catches up to our times, Head has lots of time to make changes. Charlie will always be in Motown, but I do wish Head could bring her to D.C. occasionally. It has diversity, cool neighborhoods and crimes to be solved, too.
If you are reading this just as Tamron Hall is launching her second Jordan Manning novel, please note that there are many sleuths of color. In addition to Charlie Mack, Avery Keene, Perveen Mistry and Isaiah “IQ” Quintabe came to mind as soon as interviewer Joy Reid said something about Jordan being alone. There's a whole organization of mystery writers of color. People on television who are blessed with research staffs should not miss that.
The Charlie Mack Motown Mystery series takes readers to Detroit early in the 21st Century. For the most part, Wake Me When It's Over is set in the city's cavernous convention center then known as Cobo Hall during the nine days preceding the 2006 Detroit Auto Show. The auto dealers association that hosts the show needs to learn more about the death of a member of a Chinese delegation and Charlie Mack's investigations team is tapped to help. The Super Bowl is scheduled for Detroit a month later in 2006, so a fume of foul play is going to draw attention from anti-terrorist forces. The Mack team is small and the implications are mammoth, but a bit of nepotism draws in Head's team of PIs.
Readers will encounter suspense, violent action and sexy scenes. The villains and possible villains are numerous. The good guys are perceptive and witty. The welfare of both major and minor characters hangs like the leaden winter clouds. The body count rises and caring readers will worry about the minor characters. So cute, so tied to Detroit and its major industry, so expendable?
The PI firm bears the main character's name, but it is quite egalitarian. Tackling the potential terrorism are three detectives (Charlie, Don Rutkowski and Gil Acosta) plus Judy Novak, an office manager with gifts for sleuthing and baking. The last may give Head an excuse for not getting take out pastries from Greektown during the Cobo gig. The food was better in earlier Head novels.
I'm ready to read Catch Me When I'm Falling, the next book in the series and hoping Charlie's mom Ernestine has more pages. While in the early stages of dementia, Ernestine is delightful and just as smart as her daughter. With almost two decades left before the series catches up to our times, Head has lots of time to make changes. Charlie will always be in Motown, but I do wish Head could bring her to D.C. occasionally. It has diversity, cool neighborhoods and crimes to be solved, too.
If you are reading this just as Tamron Hall is launching her second Jordan Manning novel, please note that there are many sleuths of color. In addition to Charlie Mack, Avery Keene, Perveen Mistry and Isaiah “IQ” Quintabe came to mind as soon as interviewer Joy Reid said something about Jordan being alone. There's a whole organization of mystery writers of color. People on television who are blessed with research staffs should not miss that.
September 5, 2023
Fascinating and detailed novel that certainly seems to know what would go into keeping people, events, and venues safe, told through the urgent lens of a suspected terror plot endangering thousands of people at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit.
The feel of Detroit in the cold winter days leading to the annual Auto Show of the mid-20teens is woven into this tense and thrilling story.
Cheryl Head’s research and explanations into the workings and coordination of everything from the mechanical and security systems at the former-Cobo Hall to the inner processes of law enforcement and investigative agencies are stunning. However, after a while, it becomes overly detailed in step-by-step, day-by-day accounts over the 9 days leading to the show’s start.
Keeping straight all the characters (the good and the questionable) from different agencies and companies is also a challenge.
And not having much of a clue to at least a couple of possible motives till one is finally revealed at almost the very end kept me from feeling or caring much about how this could all be “real.”
The relationships of the members of the Mack Agency, however, are well drawn, complementary, and enjoyable to read.
Mixed bag but worth the read.
The feel of Detroit in the cold winter days leading to the annual Auto Show of the mid-20teens is woven into this tense and thrilling story.
Cheryl Head’s research and explanations into the workings and coordination of everything from the mechanical and security systems at the former-Cobo Hall to the inner processes of law enforcement and investigative agencies are stunning. However, after a while, it becomes overly detailed in step-by-step, day-by-day accounts over the 9 days leading to the show’s start.
Keeping straight all the characters (the good and the questionable) from different agencies and companies is also a challenge.
And not having much of a clue to at least a couple of possible motives till one is finally revealed at almost the very end kept me from feeling or caring much about how this could all be “real.”
The relationships of the members of the Mack Agency, however, are well drawn, complementary, and enjoyable to read.
Mixed bag but worth the read.
April 11, 2018
Cheryl Head’s Wake Me When It’s Over is the second installment in her Charlie Mack series. The story follows the adventures of the Mack detective agency as they fight a possible terrorism plot at the Detroit Auto Show. Once again, Head weaves a tapestry full of the sights and sounds of Detroit, her beloved hometown. The book is home to a complex network of personalities, plots, do-gooders and evil-doers; the turn of each page sends you down a new hallway of mystery and intrigue. No one will need to “wake you when it’s over” because you’ll want to stay up all night to see what happens to Charlie, Mandy, Gil, Don and Judy.
From an advance readers copy.
From an advance readers copy.
November 23, 2018
This is another wonderful addition to the Charlie Mack Motown Mystery Series! Charlie has come a long way and she has definitely grown a lot since the first book and I didn't think that I could have loved her any more than I did before but I do, with all of my heart! I have a huge soft spot for private investigators, especially gorgeous butch ones. I got so caught up in Charlie's world of searching for the corrupt members of staff at the Spectrum and Cobo offices and I felt as though I was right beside her as she tried to stop any threat to the auto show. I'm really looking forward to reading the next book in this captivating series!
August 16, 2018
Well constructed
Nice architecture, well constructed plot and story arc. I wouldn’t have minded having more of the characterization details earlier. It was kind of odd to build compassion for the villain right at the end, and to portray him as a two dimensional character through the rest of the book. It was also … uncomfortable … to use personal medical issues as a foil to make him unliked and unlikeable.
Nice architecture, well constructed plot and story arc. I wouldn’t have minded having more of the characterization details earlier. It was kind of odd to build compassion for the villain right at the end, and to portray him as a two dimensional character through the rest of the book. It was also … uncomfortable … to use personal medical issues as a foil to make him unliked and unlikeable.
November 25, 2025
Love getting to know Charlie Mack and her crew. This book is suspenseful- of course. Great writing. I’m worried for Mack and company’s health though. Too many burgers and fries. 😂Although in the last scenes Mandy and Charlie are eating scrambled eggs and fruit. I’m so glad to have discovered Cheryl Head! Looking forward to next in the series. Also grateful the audio is available on Hoopla through my library.
June 10, 2019
Content warnings:
Weird, one-off paragraph that describes a “man dressed as a woman” who is later described as a “transgender woman” with a “prominent Adam’s apple”
Some weird race comments: “I didn’t know black people could turn that red,” sassy black woman, “You’re my very own brown beauty”
Racist villain is one of the points of view (uses slurs, “Jew-run media,” etc)
Weird, one-off paragraph that describes a “man dressed as a woman” who is later described as a “transgender woman” with a “prominent Adam’s apple”
Some weird race comments: “I didn’t know black people could turn that red,” sassy black woman, “You’re my very own brown beauty”
Racist villain is one of the points of view (uses slurs, “Jew-run media,” etc)
November 19, 2018
The summary on the back cover gives away that the stadium is full of bombs, but that isn't revealed in the book until the book is almost over! So, this doesn't exactly keep you guessing - I just felt frustrated that the characters didn't figure it out sooner.
April 10, 2021
This started promisingly, but then veered into detail and verbosity that made me yearn for the end. There’s a lot of detail, and a lot of characters, some of which seemed pretty superfluous.
No real tension was built and there was no sense of jeopardy. Needed better editing in my humble opinion.
No real tension was built and there was no sense of jeopardy. Needed better editing in my humble opinion.
January 13, 2020
Great!
I loved Wake Me When It’s Over. The sub title should be “Oh, What a tangled web we weave”. Lots of excitement and intrigue.
I loved Wake Me When It’s Over. The sub title should be “Oh, What a tangled web we weave”. Lots of excitement and intrigue.
April 30, 2021
I’m enjoying this series. A lot of characters to track but done well.
June 29, 2018
#37 - Wake Me When It's Over by Cheryl Head.Cheryl Head is a fresh voice whose mysteries include references to diversity and tolerance, in addition to humor and good plot twists. This is all on display in her new book, Wake Me When It’s Over, the second in her Charlie Mack Motown Mystery series.
The new book is set in Detroit as Charlie Mack’s team of investigators is hired to try to head off any attempts at terrorism during the annual Detroit Auto Show. The book is full of rich characters, a good plot and surprises.
I interviewed Cheryl and said more about her here:
https://mysterypeople.wordpress.com/2...
The new book is set in Detroit as Charlie Mack’s team of investigators is hired to try to head off any attempts at terrorism during the annual Detroit Auto Show. The book is full of rich characters, a good plot and surprises.
I interviewed Cheryl and said more about her here:
https://mysterypeople.wordpress.com/2...
November 1, 2024
Cheryl A. Head gives as a quick read mystery to escape a dreary day. It’s the characters that make the book for me. Can’t wait to read the next one.
I got this book from my library. I love my local library and you should check out yours too. Request LGBTQ+ books and they will stock them! #freethebooks
I got this book from my library. I love my local library and you should check out yours too. Request LGBTQ+ books and they will stock them! #freethebooks
December 21, 2021
Terrorists go up against the PI Team & friends
An action-packed, entertaining story with interesting characters & riveting plot lines. It was a very enjoyable read. I recommend this book.
An action-packed, entertaining story with interesting characters & riveting plot lines. It was a very enjoyable read. I recommend this book.
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews