Elvis and the Grateful Dead

July 13, 2009
Webb's slap-happy second Southern Cousins mystery featuring Elvis Presley reincarnated as a basset hound (after 2008's Elvis and the Dearly Departed
) is as corny as all get-out, but Elvis fans are in for a treat. Hair-stylist Callie Valentine Jones and Lovie, her best friend and caterer, are each doing their bit for the annual Elvis Festival in the king's hometown of Tupelo, Miss. A highlight of the festival is the rockin' Elvis impersonator competition. Alas, when the impersonators start dropping dead, all poisoned by peach tea, Lovie becomes the prime suspect. Elvis the hound dog sniffs for clues as Callie and Lovie slip into detective mode. Meanwhile, Jack Jones, Callie's husband from whom she's almost divorced, and amorous vet Luke Champion vie for Callie's heart—and Elvis, who shares narrative duty with Callie in this comic crime caper, worries which dog “parent” will win custody of him if their divorce ever becomes final.

September 15, 2009
Elvis is nothin but a hound dog. In fact, he is a basset hound who thinks he is the reincarnation of Elvis Presley. He is just one of the delightful, wacky characters who populate Webbs decidedly cozy series centered at the Eternal Rest Funeral Home near Tupelo, Mississippi. Elvis the basset hound is owned by Callie Valentine Jones, who does the hair and makeup for Eternal Rest. Her cousin, Lovie, is the caterer for the Funeral Home, owned by Lovies father, Charlie Valentine. Callies widowed mama, Ruby Nell, provides the music for Eternal Rest and also carves cemetery monuments. Callies almost ex-husband, Jack Jones, who is fighting her for custody of Elvis, also appears. The action revolves around Elvis impersonators at the annual Elvis Festival. They seem to be dying at an alarming rate. Murder is suspected, but its not clear if the suspect could be another impersonator or one of the members of the geriatric Elvis fan club. Narrators Callie and Elvis the basset tell another crazy, fast-paced mystery sure to leave cozy fans chuckling and waiting for the next adventure.(Reprinted with permission of Booklist, copyright 2009, American Library Association.)