Saturday, July 18, 2009

Girls Just Wanna Have Guns-Toni McGee Causey

Girls Just Wanna Have Guns
Toni McGee Causey
St. Martin’s, Jul 2009, $6.99
ISBN: 9780312358501

In Lake Charles, Louisiana, Bobbie Faye Sumrall's cousin Francesca Despré orders her to help her find missing diamonds that her eccentric mother, Marie buried before disappearing. Not wanting another “Very (Very, Very, Very) Bad Day”, and knowing her Cajun cousin is a drama queen, Bobbie Faye says no, but Francesca somewhat wins her over when she swears Marie's estranged husband Emile has put a hit out on her mom in the event the diamonds aren't returned.

Reluctantly and slower than a crab, Bobbie Faye steps into the mess only to be abducted before she can go under the ooze that always happens when she does a family reunion. FBI undercover agent Trevor Cormier is also interested in the diamonds and international thieves; he rescues Bobby Faye. Her former boyfriend local Police Detective Cameron Moreau investigates the shooting of a jeweler in which the evidence points towards Bobby Faye.

GIRLS JUST WANNA HAVE GUNS is a zany out of control Cajun crime caper that hooks the audience from the moment Francesca begs in her southern charming way that fails to move her cousin, but quickly switches to the DNA link between them. The story line is fast-paced and filled with alligators, swamps, and eccentrics who make for a fun read. However, it is Bobby Faye’s optimistic fortitude in the face of another Very (Very, Very, Very) Bad Day (make that a week) that has fans wanting more of her Lake Charles thrillers.

Harriet Klausner