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An Alex Rutledge Mystery #3
Bone Island Mambo
A pleasant Key West Sunday in January turns into a tropical nightmare.
It's early. The tourists are still asleep. Freelance and part-time crime photographer Alex Rutledge bicycles near-vacant streets, taking pictures for his own enjoyment. But he's challenged at a restoration district construction site, accused by a developer of snapping photos for an expose.
An hour later, the city police request Rutledge's forensic photo expertise. A murder victim has been found - at the same work site. Detective Dexter Hayes, Jr., is caustic and inept, and Rutledge is dismissed before he completes his work. An hour later, the county sheriff, Chicken Neck Liska, asks Alex to photograph another murder victim, this time on nearby Stock Island.
Rutledge soon suspects that the murders are linked - illogically, through him. He can't divulge the link to his lover, Teresa Barga, for fear of compromising her police media liaison job. Alex questions the detective's blundering, while the cops begin to link him to the crimes. A powerful real estate broker offers Rutledge an odd, lucrative job. Friends are threatened. He and Teresa dodge gunshots. Yet there is no identifiable antagonist, no motive, no reason for Rutledge to be a hub for evil. To protect himself and his friends, to avoid arrest - unsuccessfully, at first - he must scratch for information on an island where few tell the truth.
At the core of Bone Island Mambo is betrayal, retribution, and revenge. The plot twists in surprising directions, and Corcoran's characters are true characters, never as laid-back as they first appear. Visit Key West, and hang on for dear life.
It's early. The tourists are still asleep. Freelance and part-time crime photographer Alex Rutledge bicycles near-vacant streets, taking pictures for his own enjoyment. But he's challenged at a restoration district construction site, accused by a developer of snapping photos for an expose.
An hour later, the city police request Rutledge's forensic photo expertise. A murder victim has been found - at the same work site. Detective Dexter Hayes, Jr., is caustic and inept, and Rutledge is dismissed before he completes his work. An hour later, the county sheriff, Chicken Neck Liska, asks Alex to photograph another murder victim, this time on nearby Stock Island.
Rutledge soon suspects that the murders are linked - illogically, through him. He can't divulge the link to his lover, Teresa Barga, for fear of compromising her police media liaison job. Alex questions the detective's blundering, while the cops begin to link him to the crimes. A powerful real estate broker offers Rutledge an odd, lucrative job. Friends are threatened. He and Teresa dodge gunshots. Yet there is no identifiable antagonist, no motive, no reason for Rutledge to be a hub for evil. To protect himself and his friends, to avoid arrest - unsuccessfully, at first - he must scratch for information on an island where few tell the truth.
At the core of Bone Island Mambo is betrayal, retribution, and revenge. The plot twists in surprising directions, and Corcoran's characters are true characters, never as laid-back as they first appear. Visit Key West, and hang on for dear life.
288 pages, Hardcover
First published May 1, 2001
70 people are currently reading
208 people want to read
About the author
Tom Corcoran
70 books102 followersThere is more than one author by this name in the Goodreads data base.
Tom Corcoran first moved to Florida in 1970. He has been a disc jockey, bartender, AAA travel counselor, U. S. Navy officer, screenwriter, freelance photographer, automotive magazine editor, computer graphic artist, and journalist.
Tom Corcoran first moved to Florida in 1970. He has been a disc jockey, bartender, AAA travel counselor, U. S. Navy officer, screenwriter, freelance photographer, automotive magazine editor, computer graphic artist, and journalist.
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
July 17, 2018
Bone Island Mambo is the third book in the Alex Rutledge series set in Key West. Like many Florida set crime tales there is a fair amount of mayhem in the plot and colourful characters, but Corcoran shies away from flat-out craziness and crazies, telling the story more as a straight action-packed amateur detective tale. The plotting is complex but excellent, with lots of moving parts, plenty of twists and turns, and several suspects being in the frame coming to the denouement. There’s a lot going on and lots of characters, but the narrative is clear enough that the reader doesn’t get lost. What renders the tale a little flat is the telling, which lacks a bit of verve, and the characterisation, which often felt a little one dimensional, especially Rutledge who I never really connected with. I think this was partly because of the first voice narration, which sometimes seemed a little wooden. Nonetheless, the story carries the reader along for what’s an enjoyable whodunit.
March 27, 2015
I really love the way Corcoran writes about Key West, it's a magical and weird locale that holds a special place in my heart. That said, I just didn't enjoy this mystery the way I loved the first book. It was too convoluted and mechanical. I don't usually have a problem keeping track of characters in a book, but by the time we found out who dunnit I had to go back to remind myself who the heck he was.
Also the dialogue is kind of off in this book, people don't really talk in clever little sound bites. It was ok now and then, creative and all, but I had to re-read a bunch of the lines just to figure out what was really being said. Also not a problem I usually have, before you question my reading level. So...it wasn't bad. Just not great either. I probably won't continue the series from here.
Also the dialogue is kind of off in this book, people don't really talk in clever little sound bites. It was ok now and then, creative and all, but I had to re-read a bunch of the lines just to figure out what was really being said. Also not a problem I usually have, before you question my reading level. So...it wasn't bad. Just not great either. I probably won't continue the series from here.
August 1, 2017
Bone Island Mambo by Tom Corcoran may have held my interest more if I was familiar with Key West Florida.
I did not get a sense of island geography; so many characters, I lost track of who was who and their relationship to each other. Dunwoody & Donovan? Good guys? Bad guys? Cops? A brother? Brother-in-law? Husband of someone?
I did not get a sense of island geography; so many characters, I lost track of who was who and their relationship to each other. Dunwoody & Donovan? Good guys? Bad guys? Cops? A brother? Brother-in-law? Husband of someone?
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July 2, 2019My least favorite so far. There are a lot in this series and I'm not sure I'm going to read further. The protagonist tries to be "hard boiled" and doesn't always hit that mark. He's more acted upon than acting and that can make for a tedious read. In addition, the author can never quite decide how he's going to name a character: "John Smith" can be referred to as John, Johnny, Smith, Captain Smith, or similar. He tries to have a large cast and it seems exponentially large because I can never keep up with the shifting ways he refers to even standard characters.
December 8, 2024
I guess this often happens with whodunnit series like this, but I don’t like how Alex Rutledge has changed from a somewhat innocent photographer who solves the occasional crime into a borderline superhero who knows all and sees all. I also didn’t like how much was jammed into the last 20 pages, especially the last four. It was like Corcoran had reached his deadline and just needed to kill off the bad guys (who we just had found out were bad guys) and sew it all up in a few paragraphs.
That said, the book was very readable and the Key West locations will bring me back to Alex Rutledge #4.
That said, the book was very readable and the Key West locations will bring me back to Alex Rutledge #4.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 28, 2023
I had a difficult time keeping the minor characters straight, and found myself leafing backward to identify them in new scenes. I feel like I would have liked this book more if I had started at the first book - not the author's fault, of course, mea culpa. I still liked his style and Alex, the main character, was very likeable.
May 29, 2018
Yes, this is the third in a series, but it is a very good stand alone book. Its very easy to figure out enough of the backstory to get what is going home. I'm going to try and find the first two books.
December 12, 2024
Great gritty crime novel
Love all the characters with the island of Key West being the character with the most depth. Aside from a desperate need for editing and correction, the book was a page turner.
Love all the characters with the island of Key West being the character with the most depth. Aside from a desperate need for editing and correction, the book was a page turner.
September 10, 2018
It was a fun book. I like his style of writing. Immediately hooked on the characters and story line. Look forward to reading more of his books with these characters.
August 17, 2022
This is the third book I have read in the series…..lots of confusion for me,don’t know what they are talking about ..
April 19, 2021
Tom Corcoran can weave a complicated yarn! I had a blast reading BONE ISLAND MAMBO for the plot, the scenery, the characters, the fun. As woven together as the numerous clues become, Corcoran expertly leads the reader through this intricately textured story.
Alex Rutledge returns for his third adventure living in his own paradise on Key West. Out for an afternoon of photographing the changes taking place around the island, he is suddenly confronted by thugs who don't want his camera or his Cannondale, they want him. Successfully escaping the attack, he finds himself back at the new development on Caroline Street within hours photographing a grim murder scene for the local police department.
What follows is a wild chase in which another murder takes place, body parts show up later, identities are crossed, a motorcycle is torched, cars are stolen, bullets fly, another murder takes place, knives fly, a bum provides crucial clues, love is found on the pier, and the history of Key West is backdrop to it all. Did I mention the car chase in Alex's Shelby Mustang? Or the ride in the back of the police cruiser? Or the food fight?
I'm not so sure the characters are any more tame than the circumstances with a sheriff named "Chicken Neck" Liska and the detective sergeant of the police department nicknamed Dexito. Wiley Fecko lives in a bum's idea of paradise with his own version of a hot water shower. Alex Rutledge keeps himself one step ahead of them all and manages to keep himself alive. Barely.
As zany as this plot may seem, Corcoran does not rely on hijinks to make his storyline move. While a zillion things go wrong for Alex Rutledge, they are believably so, kind of a Murphy's Law gone horribly awry. No sooner does Alex extricate himself from one nightmare than he is jostled into another extraordinary situation and from there into coincidence. Still Alex knows that it is the bonds of friendship that ultimately save the day.
Key West, Florida is a character and a clue and a place all in one. Corcoran captures its flavor and charm and quirks through his deft storytelling abilities. His writing style is rich with details yet not overdone. He can describe a scene in a few brief sentences or words and conjure up a full-blown picture. Like referring to the overhead wires as a "utility pole forest." Or the way he can use language to depict a scene just so: "Stringy dark hair hung from a Budweiser cap that had faded to pink, then grimed to four dull shades of brown." Perhaps it is his photographer's ability to catch details and depict them with just the right amount of background and flash, focusing in on the subject with full clarity.
After all is said and done, Key West is still Paradise. Don't miss dancing the BONE ISLAND MAMBO.
Alex Rutledge returns for his third adventure living in his own paradise on Key West. Out for an afternoon of photographing the changes taking place around the island, he is suddenly confronted by thugs who don't want his camera or his Cannondale, they want him. Successfully escaping the attack, he finds himself back at the new development on Caroline Street within hours photographing a grim murder scene for the local police department.
What follows is a wild chase in which another murder takes place, body parts show up later, identities are crossed, a motorcycle is torched, cars are stolen, bullets fly, another murder takes place, knives fly, a bum provides crucial clues, love is found on the pier, and the history of Key West is backdrop to it all. Did I mention the car chase in Alex's Shelby Mustang? Or the ride in the back of the police cruiser? Or the food fight?
I'm not so sure the characters are any more tame than the circumstances with a sheriff named "Chicken Neck" Liska and the detective sergeant of the police department nicknamed Dexito. Wiley Fecko lives in a bum's idea of paradise with his own version of a hot water shower. Alex Rutledge keeps himself one step ahead of them all and manages to keep himself alive. Barely.
As zany as this plot may seem, Corcoran does not rely on hijinks to make his storyline move. While a zillion things go wrong for Alex Rutledge, they are believably so, kind of a Murphy's Law gone horribly awry. No sooner does Alex extricate himself from one nightmare than he is jostled into another extraordinary situation and from there into coincidence. Still Alex knows that it is the bonds of friendship that ultimately save the day.
Key West, Florida is a character and a clue and a place all in one. Corcoran captures its flavor and charm and quirks through his deft storytelling abilities. His writing style is rich with details yet not overdone. He can describe a scene in a few brief sentences or words and conjure up a full-blown picture. Like referring to the overhead wires as a "utility pole forest." Or the way he can use language to depict a scene just so: "Stringy dark hair hung from a Budweiser cap that had faded to pink, then grimed to four dull shades of brown." Perhaps it is his photographer's ability to catch details and depict them with just the right amount of background and flash, focusing in on the subject with full clarity.
After all is said and done, Key West is still Paradise. Don't miss dancing the BONE ISLAND MAMBO.
April 1, 2015
Read the E-version with a red pen in hand.
Frankly, I enjoyed the story. It would be easy to dis-believe many of the actions of full-time Key West inhabitants, but their actions ring true to real life. Corcoran suffers the same problem that Carl Hiassen suffers; the raw material for characters is almost TOO good. You can't make this s$@t up!
Now... The e-version of this book is rife with errors! I'd estimate that one sentence in ten lacks a period at the end. This is NOT an e e cummings sort of attention getter. This is either bad editing, or some screw-up in converting the book to a kindle format. Wasn't this in electronic format to start with? Do writers use typewriters any more?
Another editing problem: "Marnie" vs "Mamie!" They're used interchangeably in the text. Is there an extra character I'm missing? Is it just typesetting? Lord knows Corcoran has enough Conch characters in here to fill a bar at lunch hour. We don't need crappy editing adding in a ghost!
Most amusing is the interjection, about 19 times (do a search), of "die." In context (and I'll imitate die book here) die use of diese typo distracts me from die plot of die book. Now... "die" is die German definite article, feminine singular nominative form, meaning "the" in English. What in die hell is it doing here? Do they edit diese things at all?
That's my rant. Pretty good book. Really bad Kindle e-book product. I'll try more Tom Corcoran, but I'll be watching for more crappy product. Makes me feel like being an e-reader makes me a second class citizen! I'll betcha no hard-cover edition hit the shelves looking like something never seen by a copy editor.
Frankly, I enjoyed the story. It would be easy to dis-believe many of the actions of full-time Key West inhabitants, but their actions ring true to real life. Corcoran suffers the same problem that Carl Hiassen suffers; the raw material for characters is almost TOO good. You can't make this s$@t up!
Now... The e-version of this book is rife with errors! I'd estimate that one sentence in ten lacks a period at the end. This is NOT an e e cummings sort of attention getter. This is either bad editing, or some screw-up in converting the book to a kindle format. Wasn't this in electronic format to start with? Do writers use typewriters any more?
Another editing problem: "Marnie" vs "Mamie!" They're used interchangeably in the text. Is there an extra character I'm missing? Is it just typesetting? Lord knows Corcoran has enough Conch characters in here to fill a bar at lunch hour. We don't need crappy editing adding in a ghost!
Most amusing is the interjection, about 19 times (do a search), of "die." In context (and I'll imitate die book here) die use of diese typo distracts me from die plot of die book. Now... "die" is die German definite article, feminine singular nominative form, meaning "the" in English. What in die hell is it doing here? Do they edit diese things at all?
That's my rant. Pretty good book. Really bad Kindle e-book product. I'll try more Tom Corcoran, but I'll be watching for more crappy product. Makes me feel like being an e-reader makes me a second class citizen! I'll betcha no hard-cover edition hit the shelves looking like something never seen by a copy editor.
June 7, 2011
"Bone Island Mambo" is the third in the Alex Rutledge Mystery series by Tom Corcoran. The main character is really the author's alter ego. Tom Corcoran's photographs have appeared on seven Jimmy Buffett album covers and he has co-written a couple of Jimmy Buffett songs. The setting is Key West. Alex Rutledge is a photographer who has lived in the Keys since the 70s. He picks up extra cash by photographing crime scenes for City and County Law Enforcement. In doing so, he manages to get mixed up in a few mysterious occurences. The books include several continuing secondary characters, his girlfriend, neighbors and some friends. The setting of the Keys is almost like another character in the book. The author's description of places and history of the Keys are very well written and make the reader want to travel there. This installment includes several copycat murders and a car theft ring. I enjoyed this book and look forward to the next one.
October 10, 2018
I am a HUGE fan of Tom Corcoran AND his Alex Rutledge character. Mr. Corcoran is a true "conch" expert and his novels show that knowledge in many varying ways in this episode of Alex Rutledge's life.
As always, the plot line is intricate enough to maintain the readers interest without being confusing or overwhelming. The character portraits are well developed yet concise and easy to grasp.
As always I found the novel to be extremely entertaining. A wonderfully compelling mystery once again from Mr. Corcoran. I can only hope he continues to give use new adventures in this series.
As always, the plot line is intricate enough to maintain the readers interest without being confusing or overwhelming. The character portraits are well developed yet concise and easy to grasp.
As always I found the novel to be extremely entertaining. A wonderfully compelling mystery once again from Mr. Corcoran. I can only hope he continues to give use new adventures in this series.
June 10, 2012
I can see why this one wasn't in the library - it wasn't as good of a book on its own as the other Rutledge mysteries have been. It felt too disconnected, with too many different plot pieces going along for me to have any chance of figuring anything out... and although action is good, I feel like he went overboard with the action sequences in this one - perhaps the editors wanted some more action and then he went too far. A good book to take to the beach.
September 30, 2010
i picked this up from our employee book swap, primarily because i was in between books and not sure what genre i was into. the cover drew my attention because Janet Evanovitch recommended it and she is one of my favorite authors, however, the story didn't hold my attention quite like her's do. i was expecting something similar to "skinny dip" (not even close). it was ok, took me quite awhile to finish. too many characters and scattered plot.
October 14, 2012
Loved reading about Key West and my favorite haunts. But the story was way too complicated, the characters too numerous and too similar. The writing was confusing. I think it just isn't my cup of tea. I have a similar reaction to Hiaasen. I love Florida, and love that it is wacky, but I don't enjoy these books.
September 18, 2021
Complex story line, but good read
First, the text appears to have been written by a computer translation program having been translated from German. Die for the, in about eight places. Marine spelled Married, U used in odd places and non English syntax. These errors substantially reduced the pleasure of reading this book.
First, the text appears to have been written by a computer translation program having been translated from German. Die for the, in about eight places. Marine spelled Married, U used in odd places and non English syntax. These errors substantially reduced the pleasure of reading this book.
September 17, 2007
key west themed, lots of key west and buffet references. main character is a photographer that ends up working with the police. the reason i like this series is the character development and the story telling quality.... not so much for the crime solving ability.
March 13, 2016
Some good parts but generally too many characters to keep track of and a too confusing plot to follow. I had to abandon it two thirds of the way in because I just got hopelessly lost. This is the third, and last, book of his I will try.
March 15, 2016
http://www.bookcrossing.com/journal/7...
Another fun read in the Alex Rutledge mystery series. The setting is Key West, Florida. Eccentric characters and mystery set to a background of paradise is so much fun
Another fun read in the Alex Rutledge mystery series. The setting is Key West, Florida. Eccentric characters and mystery set to a background of paradise is so much fun
October 17, 2008
Reading Tom Corcoran is like taking a trip to the Keys!
April 16, 2009
Key West photo journalist Alex works as a crime scene photographer for city and county on a free lance basis. Murder is based on real estate deals, greed and revenge. Disappointing read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 1, 2009
Fun in my home town of Key West. Corcoran is always enjoyable.
April 18, 2010
This was my first alex rutledge book and I really liked it. The characters where a little hard to follow sometimes but other than that, great book!
June 7, 2011
Another one that is fun fun fun Key West. This one, and Gumbo Limbo, are fantastic summer reads.
October 20, 2012
Love Alex!
April 9, 2014
So much fun!
June 17, 2012
A good read that has a great Key West flavor.
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews