Review of Elvis and the Dearly Departed by Peggy Webb
Elvis and the Dearly Departed
by Peggy Webb
Kensington, September 30, 2008, $22.00
Elvis and the Dearly Departed is a classic Southern cozy with a decidedly idiosyncratic twist: It intermittently changes first-person narrators, one of whom is a basset hound who thinks he is Elvis Presley. The other narrator is the novel’s heroine, Elvis’ owner, Callie Jones, a highly intelligent hairdresser with an attitude. Like so many Southerners, Callie has a large, endearing extended family, including her uncle, who owns and operates a funeral home. When a body disappears from the funeral home, Callie and her cousin Lovie spring into action to retrieve it, tracking their suspect to Las Vegas, where yet another body appears. Webb provides plenty of action, but her strength as a writer emerges in rollicking and humorous portrayal of Callie and her sidekick, Lovie. Think Stephanie Plum and Lola, and you’ll know what to anticipate when you pick up this hilarious book.
And Elvis? Well, he has opinions about everything, but the world according to Elvis is a bit skewed, albeit entertaining. I’m not certain that the Elvis character, narrative and perspective contribute much, if anything, to the book, but perhaps readers will find otherwise. In the end, he ain’t nothin’ but a hound dog with a vivid imagination—but the remainder of Elvis and the Dearly Departed rocks.—Lynne Maxwell