Mrs. Entwhistle Takes a Road Trip

by Doris Reidy

Oh, the places they go! Mrs. Entwhistle and Maxine hit the road on fabled Route 66, encountering a blue whale, motorcycle gang, very pregnant teenager, inept but still dangerous bad guy, little person in a pink tutu, and so much more. Ride along as America’s favorite granny and her best friend meet the challenges of their golden-age road trip with verve and nerve. You’ll get your kicks on Route 66.

287 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 25, 2020

Reviews

[Sarah Messenger · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a crazy and funny read. Some parts were a bit over the top but that was why it was so crazy. I live in NM so was familiar with many of the locations and cities they went through.

[Merry Greenleaf · Rating 1 out of 5]

I've always wanted to take the Mother Road across country in a vintage, red Mustang convertible so this book grabbed my attention, and I am always willing to give an author I've never read before a chance.
I couldn't wait for this book to end it was so boring! All the characters were flat and uninspiring. I didn't like anyone in the book except maybe the kitten. The author just didn't put enough into her characters to make them believable or even likable.

This could have been a funny, cute adventure story for 2 Vintage Ladies road tripping across America.
But the author didn't do much research on Rt. 66, it has not existed for decades!! Interstate 40 became Rt 66 and sometimes they are the same road, and sometimes Rt. 66 parallels 40 for miles, and sometimes it veers off either southwesterly or northwesterly curving away on its own course. Parts of the Mother Road are gone forever, some of it is a potholed, lumpy back road.
The Reader never knows this and just thinks these 2 ladies are stopping here and there along Rt 66 looking at old landmarks and tourist attractions. In reality, they'd have to get off the Interstate and onto Old 66 to find those hidden gems along the way and then find their way back to 40. Sheesh.
She never much describes the area or the museums the ladies go to. She glosses over so much that my eyes went glassy!
I don't know why she had to make the trip so violent either. Why have a sweet elderly lady get punched in the face? Why have the other lady get forced to walk barefoot down a gravel road to a remote cabin with 2 superfluous characters?
The only good thing from that encounter was the character Aunt Jean who has a huge, old vintage house beautifully maintained, in the middle of a Texas desert without one mention of how she has running water? I guess since she is a wealthy character, the reader can assume she has had a massively deep well dug.
I don't think that a reader should be the one assuming what the author should be telling us all along.
I am a big fan of Fannie Flagg and I like to give other authors a chance but Reidy is a very long way from Fannie Flagg stories. I thought the premis for the book was fascinating and was longing to have a quirky, funny, Senior Adventure with these 2 ladies. Instead I was beat up, thrown from a car, and taught that the road is not a safe place for anyone. Hell, they didn't even make it to California so the entire book was a waste. No more Reidy for me.

[DeAnna Whisenant-Arnold · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book did not disappoint! Loved it even more! I am hopeful Mrs. Entwistle is ready to be caught up in another adventure soon. Mrs. Entwistle and her sidekick Maxine are 2 women that we in the South could easily relate to or know. And the fixes they get in are hilarious! I had been searching for a book series to follow up with my beloved Miss Julia! This series was just the fit!

[Marty · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun read…. This is the 3rd book in a 4 book series, but you don’t need to have read any of the others to enjoy it. Mrs. Entwhistle and her friend Maxine are in their 70s, but still enjoying life and ready for an adventure – and what an adventure they have. Maxine wants to go help her grand-niece who is expecting a baby, but instead of flying to California, the two ladies decide to drive Maxine’s big car – following Route 66 across the continent! … They want to see all the funky little sights as they go (the Blue Whale, the field of cars, etc.) but they get much more than they bargained for when they meet up with a motorcycle gang, a young man who turns out to be a not only a robber but a possible murderer, and a lot of nice folks. A Great trip along our National Road!

[JulieAnn · Rating 3 out of 5]

I had to get past the artificial virtual reader for the Audible book, and use my own imagination to add voice inflection where appropriate. Well maybe I didn’t get past it as I rated the book a 3. The author relied on fear factor to move her story plot along.
I somewhat liked the main characters she created (though most characters were flat) and did keep reading, so her strategy worked. I wondered that the author wasn’t a fan of Route 66 and I hope reading this won’t create a false impression of Route 66 or cloud someone’s enjoyment of the road and what it has to offer with the trauma drama (driving off a cliff/ kidnapping) she chose to include in the plot.

[Suzanne Pixley · Rating 4 out of 5]

Route 66 here we come!!!

The old Route 66 has an allure all f is own to many seniors who missed its excitement and draw before it was replaced by bits and pieces of several Interstate highways. The author is skilled in placing many of the former attractions in the hands of Mrs E. And Maxine as they follow their dreams to explore the route west. Those same travel dreams also include unforseen problems that can happen along the way covered so well in the book. you have to love this series that truly captures the lives of seniors.

[paula sumner · Rating 5 out of 5]

A wonderful story of spicy grandmother types

The three books in this series are wonderful. The first has short chapters that introduce the characters. Mrs Ethwhistle is a caring 79 yo mother, grandmother who cares for her friend, Max, deeply. Volume 2-3 turned into novels. I enjoyed their exploits especially in VOL 3 when they went on the trip of a lifetime on Route 66. I highly recommend this series.

[Gay · Rating 5 out of 5]

a fun adventure for us older readers

This is a fun, quick read about two older women who are close friends. The two of them are following Route 66 to California. The adventures they have go to show youngsters that a few years of living don’t strip one of their wit, intelligence, or spunk. A delightful tale to prod you to finish the book and then get up and do something no matter what your age.

[Traci · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book of stories with the main character Mrs. Cora Entwhistle, that I've read, and I loved this road trip adventure ! Mrs. Entwhistle plans on sitting back and enjoying her journey, but the excitement isn't always the fun she's looking for. Along the way, she makes new friends, appreciates the old friends and learns that there's always better times ahead.

[Rhonda · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW What a ride!

This book kept you going oh my gosh it was awesome!I loved every bit of it all the tassels and turns and accidents and oh my goodness this was the best book so far!Pull up surprises at every single page seems like it got better and better I just love this book I love this author she keeps me going I can't wait to read another book !

[Twila Givney · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another very enjoyable story, I am beginning to feel like Mrs. Entwhistle and her friend Max are friends of mine that like to share their adventures with me, and boy do I enjoy them. The two of them have made a lot of friends and had a lot of excitement along the way, there is never a dull moment in their travels. Can't wait to start the next book!

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fun loving quick read

I love Mrs E. I'm hoping there will be a 4th book in the series. This was a cute and relaxing story .

[Sue · Rating 3 out of 5]

Simple and cute. Not necessarily memorable

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

easy reading story

[Kari · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun

Taking Route 66 with Cora and Max is way better than by yourself! These ladies are fun but also strong and capable.

[Angie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was so funny! I just love Mrs. Entwhistle and her BFF, Max!

[Beth Sessoms · Rating 4 out of 5]

A delightful tale!

I thoroughly enjoyed her characters and their escapades. Ms. Reidy keeps us all laughing at their antics. A fun read!

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mrs. Entwhistle and her friend, Maxine, are up to their shenanigans on their Route 66 road trip.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

I want to road trip with Mrs E.

[Janet Hedges · Rating 4 out of 5]

Cute

Cute and sweet. Light reading. Perfect for when my brain is tired and a pleasant read is relaxing. Just the ticket.

[Barbara Watson · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars. These two senior women had some adventures I know I could never live through. Thelma and Louise as seniors, these two.

[Paulette Sheward · Rating 5 out of 5]

Like the old ladies.

Being one myself, I appreciate the way the are enjoying their life. Life should be fun at all ages. Keep going strong Mrs. Entwhistle.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Mrs. Entwhistle and her friend, Maxine. The books are easy and entertaining. No heavy lifting, just fun.

[Nancy K. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Cute story, but nothing earthshaking. Good for a relaxed afternoon of reading. Maybe a few too many happy coincidences along the trail.

[J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read on KU while listening on Audible (Included). Virtual voice narration.

[Abby · Rating 5 out of 5]

Maxine and Mrs. Entwhistle's Route 66 road trip was so delightful. There were adventures galore, but the characters they met. Mr. and Mrs. Patel, Jean, Delilah, and baby J.J. were wonderful. The not-so-great were Downy Drake (who got what he deserved) and Sanjay (maybe he would be less pompous when he actually begins his internship). Each book makes me love Cora and Maxine more and the situations that they get into.

I'm on my second round, reading the series. It's still just as wonderful as when I read it earlier in the month. Whenever I need a feel-good moment, I will revisit Mrs. Entwhistle.