Guava Moon Revenge: An Alex Rutledge Novel

An Alex Rutledge Mystery

by Tom Corcoran

Alex is back… He did not want to be. A long-awaited vacation in Grand Cayman ends too soon for Rutledge and Detective Beth Watkins when Beth learns that someone has killed her houseguest, Elaine Ogilvy. They return quickly to Key West and, from the moment of their arrival, events suggest they might be in danger as well.

A photographer who prefers ad agency and magazine jobs, Alex has no training in police work. Still, he often gets drawn into Florida Keys investigations. Monroe County Sheriff, Fred Chicken Neck Liska, has Alex’s back (usually), and The Aristocrats—off-kilter private eyes Dubbie Tanner and Wiley Fecko—provide off-the-books surveillance, background checks and info gathering. Everyone knows that success is not guaranteed.

The victim’s father, Parke Ogilvy, whom Watkins knew long ago, comes to the island and offers the names of the ex-lovers of his daughter, one of whom could be in the Florida Keys. DNA crime evidence, a second murder, threats against friends and, for Alex, a solid link to events in the past boost the peril. Even with law enforcement at full force, Rutledge senses that only his actions will lead to a crime solution.

Genres: Mystery

265 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 16, 2018

About the author

There is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.

Tom Corcoran first moved to Florida in 1970. He has been a disc jockey, bartender, AAA travel counselor, U. S. Navy officer, screenwriter, freelance photographer, automotive magazine editor, computer graphic artist, and journalist.

Reviews

[Lance Carney · Rating 4 out of 5]

Alex Rutledge is back for another Florida Keys mystery! His long-awaited vacation in Grand Cayman with his girlfriend (who happens to be Detective Beth Watkins) is interrupted by murder back in Key West. But it’s not just any death—it is Beth’s houseguest and it happened in her house. Alex, photographer by trade, and Beth, since it is not her case, end up assisting the police department and doing a little side investigating on their own. But strange things begin happening to Beth, Alex and even Alex’s neighbors. Are they being targeted?

Author (and photographer) Tom Corcoran delivers again in this eighth Alex Rutledge mystery. And of course, the Key West Bumsnoops (two former street persons turned private eyes) are featured, aiding Alex in unraveling the mystery. Join them for some Key West fun! I highly recommend all the Alex Rutledge mysteries.

[Fred Forbes · Rating 3 out of 5]

I hate to give a Tom Corcoran novel a "meh" rating. I've met him at signings and he is a nice guy and interesting to talk to. As a photography nut and Key West fan, you know that the Alex Rutledge series will have some appeal. Unfortunately, this one just has too many people, a plot that is convoluted, a text that reads like a Key West guidebook with every street they walk, bike or drive on as well as the names of all the bars and restaurants visited and what they ate an drank. Almost like finding a teenager's Facebook page and having to plow through all the the selfies. As much as I usually enjoy this series, the particular book felt a bit forced.

[Bonnie Irwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

This latest installment of the Alex Rutledge series features him working with both Sheriff Liska and the Bum Snoops. Someone is targeting him with a series of nasty pranks, including on his beloved Mustang Shelby. The action takes us all across the island as well as up to Miami and points north, as Beth and Alex try to figure out who the murder is and who is making their lives miserable. A page-turning mystery with Key West flavor.

[Peter Sidell · Rating 5 out of 5]

A funky murder mystery set in Key West Florida. A lot of local color. It's been for our five years since I've been in Key West - always a fun place to visit. Although murders happen in the story it never seemed frightening. Most of the characters were lovable odd balls. Cameras and Ford mustangs both play roles in the story. As photography had become a major hobby for me that made the story even more fun. Makes me want to go back to key West - Cayo Oeso.

[Richard B · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Guava Moon is indeed full

Full moons bring out some extra and this book is no exception. Full of fast pace drama, laced with mystery and intrigue, the storyline ebbs and peaks with the lunar high tides with the climax satisfying as a blood moon slipping into the horizon.

[Chip Hines · Rating 3 out of 5]

Missing the magic

Not sure what it was, but this book didn't have the magic I felt when reading most of the Rutledge books. I'm not particularly fondmof the Bumsnoops, and felt this pushed the work out of my fav zone.

[Michael Feeny · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tom Corcoran always tells a good story. Guava Moon Revenge is no exception. My biggest complaint is that when the book ends, I am still wanting more. I really enjoyed this book. It was not the best of the series, but it was very good. I look forward to the next book.

[Meg Vanek · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a fun read if you know Key West. I recognized most of the places referenced in the book and even knew some of the people (Corcoran sometimes uses their real names!). Clever detective story. I liked it enough that I am going to read another Tom Corcoran.

[Edwin K. Williams Jr. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another Fine Experience

Although the story convolutions weren't grasped before the final chapters this story is enough of new and thrilling descriptions of a world not seen yet to be a fun ride. I have to have more.

[Jon Miner · Rating 2 out of 5]

A good story, albeit convoluted with our friend Alex and Beth and his other friends on our favorite island. Unfortunately stilted dialog and grammar and spelling errors distracted from my ability to enjoy it more.

[Efranken · Rating 2 out of 5]

key west cop and boyfriend - hacked dialogue, plot

[Hrn1947 · Rating 3 out of 5]

After all this time I expected more. I felt there should have been an explanation for the time span. It seems like it starts where the last one left off. The 2 bum private eyes are a nice touch.

[Garth · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Alex Rutledge mystery, seemed a little short.

[Paul McBride · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the weakest book so far in this series but it was still a good escape to Key West with familiar characters.

[Scott Preece · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read all the Alex Rutledge books and this one didn't disappoint. To be fair, we visited Key West a lot when my parents lived there, so every time they go to eat or drink somewhere, I know the place and can imagine the food. Though this time I learned about some changes - it's probably time to go again.

I like the fact that the police are his friends and let Alex in, partly based on experience and partly because his partner is a KWPD detective.

Corcoran writes appealingly and with a great sense of place. I would, however, recommend starting at the beginning of the series, as this one has connections to an earlier case.

[Carol Davison · Rating 5 out of 5]

So happy that Alex (and his circle) was brought back. I've been waiting (impatiently) to hear from him again. What a great time visiting with the characters on Key West. Love the combination of imagination mixed with the reality of familiar streets, restaurants, and places of Key West.
This was a story full of characters, and plots brought back to close a circle. Could not put it down, and still want more.

[Marti Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I have read all of the Alex Rutledge novels as well as the bumsnoops novel. I love Corcoran’s writing style as well as his descriptions of Key West, the locals and the food. Great reads. Can’t wait for the next one.

[Rick Cass · Rating 4 out of 5]

Classic Rutledge, a kind of latter day McDonald character

Despite some repetitious passages and sloppy structure, this was an enjoyable read with good characters. Almost made me want to go back to Key West for a bit.