The Cayo Hueso Maze, an Alex Rutledge Novel

by Tom Corcoran

A 2:00 am call from the Key West Police Department awakens Alex and his friend, Detective Beth Watkins. Beth hurries off to investigate a suspicious death in the New Town area, and thus begins a seven-day maze of threats, more deaths without culprits or clues, and close friends in peril or under suspicion. A professional magazine and ad agency photographer, Rutledge never goes looking for police work. But it finds him by way of his old friend, Monroe County Sheriff, Fred Chicken Neck Liska. Still, with help from The Aristocrats, offbeat private eyes Dubbie Tanner and Wiley Fecko, who provide creative info gathering, Alex has built a reputation for crime solution. Neighbors, strangers, strange witnesses, and a collection of photographs help to unravel puzzles generated by bad actors in Key West and the Lower Keys. When the cops are stymied and alibis are valid, only an off-the-wall approach will succeed. If you can find the right wall...

309 pages, Hardcover

First published November 23, 2020

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

[Fred Forbes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Guess I am one of the few who found this story excessively populated, overly complicated, and reading more like a street gazetteer of Key West. Rutledge can't leave the house without telling you every street he crosses, the names of shops and restaurants and businesses, brands of cars and stories of neighbors. Random plot elements arise, extremely unlikely and repetitive. I enjoy the Rutledge character as a serious photographer and Key West is one of my favorite towns. I just never know when Corcoran is going to deliver a winner or a dud. This one is the latter. Strange to note that none of the lower rating are attached to reviews. Too bad, I was curious as to whether my reasoning had any company.

[Mark J. Klotz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed all the Key West and nearby references. Should I visit there again, I might check out some of the places mentioned. I did go there a few times when I lived in Florida. Very interesting about the way police interact and communicate. Gave me a sense of how complex their workings and detective work evolves. Also interesting is some of the photographic work got intertwined with story. Not sure if I would read another one as some of the references and "known to author" and perhaps others, did not necessary resonate but I frankly didn't understand some of the references but that is probably my ignorance. Overall a good read but I think I still have a couple Elmore Leonard books to finish, although dated, love the dialogue and perspective.

[Bonnie Irwin · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoy these novels quite a bit. Good plotting, solid characters, and a lot of Key West ambience.
The core group of characters interacts well, and Corcoran is good at adding new players without overwhelming the reader. There is a lot of dining and drinking, so much so that I am surprise our protagonist and his law enforcement friends get anything done, but their usual haunts are some of the classic Key West eateries, which makes the reading fun.
Oh, yeah, and the story was good, too. Alexʻs teenage neighbor and her erstwhile boyfriend actually are key to figuring out the plot.

[Marti Wilson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love Tom Corcoran’s writing, and this book did not disappoint. So excited that all of the characters worked together to solve a murder. The Aristocrats came through again. And visiting all of the local restaurants again. Cannot wait for the next book. Five stars. Highly recommend.

[Meg Vanek · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another entertaining Corcoran read. He ties everything together quite nicely at the end. Not my favorite of his books but still good and fun to recognize all the spots he mentions in Key West. The Key West Chamber of Commerce must love Tom Corcoran!

[D. Nehila · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Alex Rutledge tale!

Corcoran spins another can't-put-it-down Alex Rutledge tale that's well written, keeps you guessing and then ties it all together with a bow. Can't wait for another Rutledge adventure in paradise.

[Scott Preece · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can smell the fish frying

I love Corcoran's sense of place - I used to love trips to Key West and his books takes me right back there. And I love that he populated his books with so many nice people.

[Judy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another fun entertaining book by Tom!

[Rob Garretson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love this series!

[Kathi Caber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read as usual

Corcoran transports me to one of my favorite places: Key West. I have probably read Mango Opera ten times and can't get enough of this series.

[Hrn1947 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Very intricate story. Another restaurant guide to Key West. Alex has the mind of a criminal, but the conscious of a cop. Looking forward to the next installment.

[Brian Wessner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Love the Alex Rutledge Series. Great book to get lost in for a summer read.