Hog Wild

by Cathy Pickens

Book by Pickens, Cathy

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery, Fiction, Cozy, Mystery Thriller, Contemporary, Southern

429 pages, Hardcover

First published March 6, 2007

About the author

Crime writer Cathy Pickens started her writing life as a mystery novelist. The first of five mysteries in the Southern Fried series won St. Martin’s Award for Best New Traditional Mystery.

Her fascination with the power of real crime stories led to a series for History Press, starting with Charleston Mysteries and Charlotte True Crime Stories.

She is a frequent mystery convention panelist, speaking on topics ranging from Southern mysteries to classic true crime stories to the use of poisons. At various times and under various aliases, she’s been a trial attorney specializing in complex civil litigation; a university provost; a business school professor (at Queens University of Charlotte); a church organist and choir director; and a ballroom and clog dance coach.

She has served as national president of Sisters in Crime, on the national board of Mystery Writers of America, and a founding board member of the regional Forensic Medicine Program.

Based on her book CREATE! Develop Your Creative Process, she offers workshops on developing the creative process. She also coaches and teaches new writers through Charlotte Lit, and works with former inmates and those in rehab on starting their own businesses and writing their own stories.

Reviews

[Judy Hardwick · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great book - quick read for me [two days, max] - and I'm enjoying how Avery's story continues, but not on a day-to-day basis... Still - there's a lot of murders going on whenever she's around - ha. Since she's an attorney, it's filled with a lot of legalese - and I'll admit that I skip some of it - but still enjoy the story lines!

[Gwenette · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was pretty good. I read the next book in this series first, and I really wish I'd read them in order. The angel statue that's mentioned at the beginning of the next book is explained here, and how the main character ended up sharing office space with an investment counselor in a former funeral parlor is explained in the preceding book. (That'll be my next read.) After my last foray into reading murder mysteries, I wasn't sure I wanted to tackle this one, but it was much better, featuring a character who actually had a reason to solve crimes. Plus, it's set in the South, which is near and dear to my heart, so it gets bonus points for location, location, location.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another wild tale of Avery Andrews and this time she is back in Dacus and the bodies are piling up. There is a wild pig on the loose and a beautiful angel who needs a home. A developer is trying to pull a fast one in Dacus and someone is sending poison pen letters. Even Avery gets one. Then the bodies begin to turn up, killed horribly and n0 one knows who...

These are more than cozies... they are tough suspense thrillers in many ways as well. I do wish Ms. Pickens had written more of them.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

Avery is trying to set up her new office in her home town of Dacus, but she keeps getting interrupted by people stopping by. Unfortunately none seem to be paying clients. When Maggy Avinger comes with a letter from her dead husband's lawyer with a terrible request regarding his last wishes Avery tries to help her. When bodies start showing up and Avery starts piecing thoughts together, Avery's life seems to be entangled somehow. Meanwhile the police dept. is trying to catch the potbellied pig that is running through the town.

[MaryAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I'm enjoying this series, republished under different titles. Set in both upstate SC mountains and the low country, familiar locations and small town characters make it even more fun to read. These Blue Ridge Mountain Cozy Mysteries, as the series is now called, are a welcome break from some of the more intense fiction I've been reading.

[Amanda · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great laugh

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed it. Didn't see the end coming until late in the story.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

Comedy. Drama. That pretty much sums up these books so far. The best so far in the series but there is one thing missing... Will Avery ever have a love interest?

[Guylene Milner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun little series!

[Darlene Riggsbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wonderful series

Loved the people. I know so many mountain people and these are true to life folks. Stories are great! More!!

[Sheri Jesse · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ok, Avery is starting to grow on me. View found this book quite enjoyable.

[LilBib’Phile · Rating 4 out of 5]

I’m really enjoying this well-written series that gives a real sense of place. I hate to call it a cozy mystery because it’s so much better than your typical cozy.

[Tomi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting but confusingly intertwined plot.

[Erika · Rating 5 out of 5]

I enjoyed this one WAY more than the second. It was fun to be back in Dacus, the whole feel of the stories there are just different than the one she based in Charleston.

I like how naturally she makes the overlapping and at first unrelated mysteries seem to merge and grow naturally, so far they have never really felt forced. And I love how she includes storylines that have nothing to do with the main mystery as well.

It's also been a real pleasure to have an inside look into a character as she grows, changes and makes realizations about herself, her family and what and who she wants to be.
This also feels so organic and natural, like watching a real person grow and unfold vs. a created character. And I LOVE her family.

My one quibble is one that I find common in most mysteries. When seemingly intelligent people behave in stupid ways.
When faced with a possible personal threat to herself and others, a threat she recognized and knew could be serious....she goes to the realateors office to look for a place to live or on other errands that really didn't have to be done just quite at that time. Putting things off till the end when it was more convenient for the storyline. I hate it when authors do that.

But that is my only quibble about this book, which overall isn't to bad.

This series has been one of my luckiest finds and I am so grateful to the librarian who directed me to them.

[Jennifer Hodges Young · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a nice cozy mystery where Avery is learning how to move from big city, big firm law to the bread and butter of small town law. In this book a sleazy housing developer is trying to buy out property from one of the older residents in town. This leads Avery to a reporter who has more of a history than she knows and his hot button is environmental damage done by large corporations destroying the land to make a profit. A few murders later Avery has to come to terms with the knowledge that first impressions don't always tell the truth and she has to uncover who and why the murders happen.

[Shonda Franks · Rating 3 out of 5]

I am starting this book today and hoping that is goes down more smooth than the last book by this author. Here goes nothing....just took forever to finish it. Just barely made my book challenge. Started the last book in this series last night. Fingers crossed it takes me less than a week to read....

[Debbie Maskus · Rating 3 out of 5]

In this 3rd of the Southern Fried series set in South Carolina, Avery has a full plate with many "would-be" clients. Following the Southern tradition of quirky characters and homespun humor, the story also highlights the plight of nature against humans. Avery and the town of Dacus, reel under the discovery of three murders, and the sighting of Bambi, a pig running amok. Pickens story is a gentle mystery, devoid of graphic corpses and graphic sex. The tale is one that could be read aloud and no one would blush. A refreshing look at life as seen in "Mayberry".

[Ainsley]

Hello twists and turns with small town charm. This book started off with chills but thrills but ended more on a well rounded rather than a spine tingling note. I thought I would find that disappointing but it actually wasn't. It certainly didn't surpass any expectations or leave me stunned and thinking about the ending of the book for days but not all books should do that, this is a meat and veg kinda book, it fills you up, passes the time and is satisfying but isn't anything stand out or gourmet.

[Brena Chan · Rating 3 out of 5]

The writing was an easy read. I would not describe it as a cozy mystery due to the violent and repeated menacing acts throughout, but in general a fairly quick read. The characters were a little too transparent and it is always frustrating when the protagonist doesn't make obvious connections. Unusual as well, the protagonist actually doesn't solve anything. Instead, a written confession explains everything.

Would not recommend and won't be looking for anything else by this author, but it's a good enough read when you don't have anything else on your plate.

[Lois Baron · Rating 2 out of 5]

The pig has nothing to do with anything.

The murders are barely strung together with very little in the way of red herrings. The motivation isn't believable, and there is no climactic confrontation with the killer.

The possible romance is developing waaay to slowly, with no smoldering, let alone sizzle, going with *anyone.* The best relationship Avery has is with a deputy, who can't be the love interest because he has a gut--and might possibly be married.

[Fredrick Danysh · Rating 4 out of 5]

When Harden Avinger dies he leaves a request that the accusation that his wife poisoned her carved on a giant angel for his tombstone. A pot-bellied pig is on the loose in Dacus fustrating the sheriff's department. Soon lawyer Avery Andrews has left her big city practice to return home and is soon involved in a series of murders.

[Madelyn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another Southern Fried Mystery book. Avery Andrews, attorney, has moved back to her hometown of Dacus, South Carolina. She is setting up her law office. Many interesting things are happening. A native plant rescue, a pig on the loose, and a new reporter for her dad's newspaper are some of the activities that are going on. The book keeps one guessing until the end.

[Book Concierge · Rating 2 out of 5]

This misses the mark. Pickens is trying too hard, and has thrown in everything but the kitchen sink. Lots of loose end. No reason at all for several events. I don't think I'll read any more of the series.

[John · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked this one more than the frist book.

[Suzanna · Rating 3 out of 5]

What a fun, easy read! Entertaining from cover to cover. A bit on the predictable side, but very enjoyable.

[Debdanz · Rating 3 out of 5]

light mystery series; small town southern lawyer; quirky

[Pat · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a decent book, but a slow read for me for some reason. Maybe getting burned out. This was the first time I have read this author so hopefully the second book I have will be better.

[Eunira · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good cozy.

[Joanie]

Do not like this author.

[Susan Dickey · Rating 3 out of 5]

I've read one of the first two but maybe not both.