Fiddle Dee Death

By Caroline Cousins

Book Overview

Mystery among the moonlight and the magnolias . . .OK, forget the magnolias. It's the end of December, after all, and frost silvers South Carolina's Low Country. But Pinckney Plantation is still open for visitors who want to see the pride of Indigo Island. The old house claims a long history -- or so says the script the tour guides go by.What the script leaves out are the doors that apparently unlock themselves, the flickering lights, the sound of ghostly footsteps. And the dead body.The corpse is a new addition. Who is he? And what was he doing at Pinckney? And did he fall, or was he pushed?These are among the questions that puzzle the self-appointed detective trio of cousins thrown together for the holidays. Revelations about ruthless developers, secretive landowners, and family scandals are interspersed with hilarious samples of Southern manners before the cousins finally piece together the puzzle.

• Format: Paperback
• Language: English
• ISBN: 0895872757
• ISBN13: 9780895872753
• Release Date: January 2003
• Publisher: John F. Blair, Publisher
• Length: 239 Pages
• Weight: 0.70 lbs.
• Dimensions: 0.6" x 5.3" x 8.6"

Customer Reviews

A mystery with a Southern flair

I've heard that being Southern is all about having a sense of place. That said, there's no question about "Fiddle Dee Death" being well-grounded with deep Southern roots and contemporary Southern energy and flair. The things that really matter -- family and relationships -- give this little mystery its edge. If you're looking for a richly constructed and fun whodunit, "Fiddle Dee Death" is the ticket.

Home again

As a New Jersey resident transplanted from my native South, I found myself home again reading Fiddle Dee Death - with well-drawn characters I could have sworn I knew way back when. As I read, I could hear their voices and was soon joining in their schemes trying to solve the plantation murder. I'm looking forward to the next book by Caroline Cousins. As for this one -- thanks for the fun!

All Southern girls come home!

I love to read books that really immerse you in the local color and this one does. It's a fast read and the dialog is witty andconversational. The cousins share their love for their families, their island, and each other and make me wish I were there with them.I can't wait for the next book to see where Mam's inquistiveness(read busybody) takes them.

Feels like family

Fiddle Dee Death is the type of book that makes you glad that evening has arrived and that you can climb into bed with an extraordinarily good read. FDD's main characters are highly dimensional, the settings suit the imagination to a "T", and the plot moves you along at a pleasant pace. The conversation is witty and fun and reminds me of true-to-life comments made by my very own relatives. I laughed out loud and absolutely loved the perfect transitions between chapters, the references to goodole Southern food, and the absolutely right-on characterizations of all-knowing great aunts, snooty country club gals, and ambitious wanna-bes. Please. Buy this book. Do yourself a favor and cozy up with this wonderful cozy mystery. You deserve it.

Loved it...

Of all the genres I usually read, cozy mysteries rarely come across my nightstand. Fiddle Dee Death was recommended by a friend, since she knows I'm a Southern girl too, and I'm really glad she did. I have an admittedly short attention span with books and if they don't hook me by page 3, I'm finished. FDD certainly had me hooked with the colorful characters and authentic Southern feel, plus an interesting mystery with enough red herrings to keep me guessing as to who the killer was (and it really is a surprise!). The dialogue is snappy with funny, rapid fire banter that you would expect between close friends and family. I had to watch where I read the book, because some passages had me laughing out loud (much to the perterbation of my fellow diners at the local restaurant).I really connected with the cousins. Lindsey reminds me a Southern version of Stephanie Plum, sans big hair and exploding cars, of course. She's a smart, likable narrator and is the perfect match for the outgoing Mam and down-to-earth Bonnie. In reading, I felt like I was one of group.I had a little trouble keeping some of the secondary characters straight, but it didn't hurt the book's charm and appeal. I'm hoping there is a second book coming out ... I'd love to see where the authors take the cousins next!