Musical Chairs

Kinky Friedman #5

by Kinky Friedman

Never before available in the U.S. in paperback, this is the fifth of Kinky Friedman's internationally acclaimed mystery novels, republished with a new introduction by the author.

Genres: Fiction, Mystery, Humor, Crime, Comedy, Mystery Thriller, Detective

218 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published August 1, 2000

About the author

Richard S. "Kinky" Friedman is an American singer, songwriter, novelist, humorist, politician and former columnist for Texas Monthly who styles himself in the mold of popular American satirists Will Rogers and Mark Twain. He was one of two independent candidates in the 2006 election for the office of Governor of Texas. Receiving 12.6% of the vote, Friedman placed fourth in the six-person race.

Friedman was born in Chicago to Jewish parents, Dr. S. Thomas Friedman and his wife Minnie (Samet) Friedman. The family moved to a ranch in central Texas a few years later. Friedman had an early interest in both music and chess, and was chosen at age 7 as one of 50 local players to challenge U.S. grandmaster Samuel Reshevsky to simultaneous matches in Houston. Reshevsky won all 50 matches, but Friedman was by far the youngest competitor.

Friedman graduated from Austin High School in Austin, Texas in 1962 and earned a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Texas at Austin in 1966, majoring in Psychology. He took part in the Plan II Honors program and was a member of the Tau Delta Phi fraternity. During his freshman year, Chinga Chavin gave Friedman the nickname "Kinky" because of his curly hair.

Friedman served two years in the United States Peace Corps, teaching on Borneo in Malaysia with John Gross. During his service in the Peace Corps, he met future Texas Jewboy road manager Dylan Ferrero, with whom he still works today. Friedman lives at Echo Hill Ranch, his family's summer camp near Kerrville, Texas. He founded Utopia Animal Rescue Ranch, also located near Kerrville, whose mission is to care for stray, abused and aging animals; more than 1,000 dogs have been saved from animal euthanasia.

Series:
* Kinky Friedman Mystery

Reviews

[Tony · Rating 4 out of 5]

I woke, first as a child. Then the reality of the years rushed back like a toxic Love Canal torrent of loneliness in the loft and I felt my heart ache for dreams that become true and truths that become dreams.

This is the second in my Kinky Friedman memorial re-read. The problem with re-reading detective stories is that you know the twists and turns. You might not remember them straight away but the hints that you missed the first time around clang like bells and that clarity hits you like a bucket of ice-cold water. Sometimes it makes for a disappointing re-read. Sometimes because you know the ending you can enjoy the journey a little more.

I enjoyed the journey on this one. It's a longer book that 'Frequent Flyer'. There's more characters. More talk about music and being a musician. More memories. More homespun philosophy carved out from a life on the road.

I love the writing style - hard-boiled noir glittered with comedy.

Very enjoyable. The final book of the three is 'Elvis, Jesus, and Coca-Cola' so I think I'll dust that one off too.

Here's to Kinky Friedman.

[Angus McKeogh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Upon reading another review about this book I somewhat concur with their sentiment that at times it seems as if Kinky is trying to stretch or force a metaphor. But that was only in the beginning. During the last half of the book I found the denouement entertaining and the mystery humorously satisfying. Just another better than average read in this series. We'll see if they keep coming.

[Greg Stillwagon · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kinky is GREAT!!

[Maral Al-Tikriti]

I came across this book in a Roanoke used bookstore and mostly bought and read it as a bit. The cover, the authors name, the fact that it was published in the UK, the blurb, how did this mysterious book end up in the mystery section? I had to find out what Kinky had to offer.

This book was so weird and unlike any other mystery I’ve ever read. The writing is strange. Funny at times, but also has a lot of 1990s shock humor. A book like this wouldn’t fly today 😭 the mystery plot drags on so unbelievably slow, but Kinky and his shenanigans are entertaining enough for me to look past that. I genuinely think he smokes and has a shot every single chapter. I didn’t like the ending though. Also there are so many characters 😵‍💫 the mystery becomes so convoluted and a ridiculous amount of ppl die/get injured. It’s a funny book, would recommend if you want something unique.

[M. Sprouse · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the fifth book in the series and it's certainly a "hoot". It starts slow, but the Kinkster does not disappoint. It's witty and highly amusing, maybe not as much as the first three books, but still good. The mystery is a bit weak, but we are not reading this just as a whodnunit.

We are reading Kinky because he's brash, bold, and entertaining. The supporting characters are always hilarious and in this one he brings together the "Texas Jewboys" for a reunion tour. This book was written 30 years ago and is still iconic though not very PC.

[Terry Chodosh · Rating 3 out of 5]

Typical Friedman, quirky entertaining ,

[Richard · Rating 4 out of 5]

Ages very well, still hilarious. Nostalgic for those of us who lived through the 90's

[Jack · Rating 3 out of 5]

I generally like Kinky’s books. Many of them are witty, with commentary about the state of the world. This book was originally written in 1975 (with the current copy updated in 1991) and maybe it’s showing its age. Either way, it is to me the least satisfying of his books. Much of the material seems… not dated, but strained. It’s as if he was trying too hard to put double-entendre’s and “witty” quips into each paragraph.
As always, the story is a fictionalized tale of himself as an amateur sleuth. Someone is killing off all the original members of the Texas Jewboys, with the first one shot to death in Kinky’s bathtub when he goes out to buy some tequila. Two more of the band die mysteriously and the local police think that Kinky’s brains have been fried by too many drugs and too much drinking (he does a LOT of it in this book).
Add to that his “lesbian” neighbor upstairs bringing home a sweet young thing who also happens to be from Texas and you have the sex/romance setup… except that her ex boyfriend is trying to kill her.
It all comes together in the end with the killer exposed, but… well, everything in this book seems forced, as if he were writing to fulfill a contract. Maybe this was one of his earliest works that didn’t get published right away. Whatever the reason, it’s not as good as his other books I’ve read. I give this three stars, but begrudgingly.

[Rog Harrison · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the second time I have read this. I probably read it for the first time about twenty years ago (not quite it was in 1997). I did not remember much of the story but oddly I did remember the identity of the murderer so the ending did not come as a surprise. It did not stop me enjoying the book though as Kinky Friedman is an engaging writer with a great sense of humour. I think the fact that I am now familiar with much of Kinky's music made the book more interesting than first time around when I had not heard any of his songs.

[Paul Brazill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kinky Friedman is his own number one fan. The country/ protest singer is also the hero of Friedman’s novels and the cast of these novels is Friedman’s cronies, The Greenwich Village Irregulars. But what could have been an elaborate in – joke is actually a series of very funny and entertaining mystery romps. In Musical Chairs Kinky riffs on Agatha Christie as the members of his old band, The Texas Jewboys, get bumped off one by one. Cracking live act, too.

[Thomas · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the 3rd Kinky Friedman novel I've read and have enjoyed them all. I can visualize his buddies, Ratso, Rambam, McGovern and I enjoy their unique characteristics. This novel is full of Kinky's usual humor. The bumper sticker vandalism was a laugh out loud moment for me.

[Denise Stephenson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of my favorite Kinky Friedman books! I've read it so much, I've actually memorized the first 2 opening paragraphs of the book. (Why yes, I am a geek XD).

[Sherri K · Rating 3 out of 5]

a little strange in th way he writes. i'll read another of his though. it was just sometimes disconcserting to try and understand. not so much that it wasnt a quick-ish read.

[Henry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Own First Edition signed copy

[Debra McKenna · Rating 4 out of 5]

He's a very funny, talented but obscure writer.

[John Jorgensen · Rating 2 out of 5]

The least favorite Kinky book I've read so far. Slow.