Time to Say Goodbye

by Pat MacEnulty

“A spare disciplined prose that no one will be able to read without thinking of Hemingway. But MacEnulty has made the style her own.”— Observer “MacEnulty writes with sympathy, wisdom and—an unexpected blessing—humour.”— Guardian “The dirty realistic landscape sometimes steps aside for bittersweet coming-of-age flashbacks, but mostly we’re in swampy hell. Harry Crews would love it.”— Uncut Time to Say Goodbye tells the story of a suburban wife and mother with a deadly past and the detective who is determined to find out the truth. When a motel maid in Gainesville, Florida, is brutally murdered, Detective Bullock believes the crime may be linked to three 25-year-old murders. Later, when another woman disappears, Bullock discovers a connection that his superiors don’t want him to pursue. Working on his own time, Bullock follows a lead to a realtor in North Carolina. Another kidnapping takes him back to Florida and into the eye of a hurricane, where he must battle the elements to save lives. Pat MacEnulty’s first mystery, Time to Say Goodbye is a triumphant invasion of the traditionally male world of noir writing. Pat MacEnulty lives in Charlotte, North Carolina. She is the recipient of an Individual Artist Fellowship from the Florida Arts Council.

256 pages, Paperback

First published March 1, 2006

About the author

Pat MacEnulty is the author of five books as well as numerous short stories, essays, poems and plays. She is also a teacher, workshop leader, writing coach and freelance editor.

Pat has a Ph.D. from the Creative Writing Program at Florida State University. She received her Bachelor’s degree from the University of Florida and also attended the University of Miami. She is the recipient of several awards for screenplays and fiction writing.

Reviews

[Lauren Carter · Rating 2 out of 5]

Didn't finish... I couldn't get into it after 2 chapters

[Maddy · Rating 3 out of 5]

PROTAGONIST: Rodney Ellis, cop
SETTING: North Carolina and Florida
SERIES: Standalone
RATING: 2.5
WHY: Felt like an episode of "Amateur Hour", at least in the author's writing ability. Whenever characters or situations were introduced, you instantly knew where she was going with it. Every character had coincidental connections to every other character; way too contrived and convenient and a bit overwrought.

[Ruth · Rating 3 out of 5]

Florida 'gumshoe detective' style. I easily figured out what was happening, but still found it a compelling read.

[Bonnie Braendlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Everything you want in a mystery: good characterization, fast-paced plot, satisfying resolution. Plus a Florida background.

[FSU Alumni]

Pat MacEnulty (M.A. '86, Ph.D. '95)