Kinky Friedman is a bit of an acquired taste when it comes to mystery novels. Like his other books, Armadillos and Old Lace is more a humorous novel than a mystery. Yes, there is a whodunit but is is secondary to Kinky’s musings and turns of phrase. This is the seventh book in the series.

Someone is killing little old ladies in Kerrville. Kinky Friedman is spending the summer there on the old homestead. The local Justice of the Peace contacts Kinky because unlike the local Sheriff she believes that the recent deaths of old ladies are related and not natural.

It takes about half of Armadillos and Old Lace for Kinky Friedman to get investigating. When he does, he, as author and character, follows the usual tropes of the mystery novel to unmask the killer.

It takes a special state of mind to really enjoy a mystery novel like Kinky Friedman’s and his comic turns of phrase “It was Gary Cooper time”. If you want a relaxing and somewhat comic read, Armadillos and Old Lace satisfies.

Armadillos and Old Lace
Kinky Friedman
Bantam 1995

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