Angel's Cove

Harry Rice #2

by Pedrazas

Harry is enjoying a state of semiretirement and a moment of serenity as the owner of the tropical beachside pub the Sand Bar when a frantic phone call from his regular day bartender, Carla, interrupts his reverie. Carla's father's unexpected death has led her back to the small coastal town of Angel's Cove. There she discovers that the time of his death doesn't correspond with when she last spoke to him. Then a threat in the form of a dead kitten warns her to back off. Enlisting Harry's help, she sets out with him to learn what is behind her father's death, encountering much hostility from the locals, who make it clear that Carla's father was not welcome in Angel's Cove. Like the frosty tropical beverages Harry whips up for his customers, Pedrazas blends the perfect mix of humor and intrigue to take his readers on another memorable and suspenseful adventure.

253 pages, Paperback

First published November 1, 1997

Reviews

[Rob Smith, Jr. · Rating 2 out of 5]

The formula method bleeds through this a bit too obviously. What helps that is the main character who is only sketched out. I left this book not sure who the main character really is. The other characters seemed drawn from a mystery clipart book. There are a few interesting characters, but the author never fleshes out anyone enough to really care about them or what happens to them. One of the better characters is taken out before half way through. I kept hoping that character would be resurrected anytime during the book to give more dimension to the story. The saddest part is the ending that is severely lacking. There is some very good writing. Some asides are very inspired, even though I don't agree with the politics included. It seems the writer is good at putting editorial writing in place but not, in this case, a good story.

[Raymond Triandos · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was nice follow up to the Harry Chronicles. A satiric look at the funeral industry, with most events actually based on fact, which made the read more interesting. The locale and characters populating Angel's Cove are the icing on the cake.