Pachyderm

Hugh McGinlay

Threekookaburras

ISBN: 9780995369245

Description:

A night at the Melbourne Zoo drinking champagne seems a fine idea, until an animal’s death throws milliner and sleuth Catherine Kint into another mystery. Before you can say ‘monkey business’ Catherine and her trusted barman Boris are annoying everyone from zoologists to police. The investigation would challenge the best detectives, but this is Catherine and Boris on the case. Secrets, accidents, rivalries, egos and lust all set the dung flying. By the time this is finished, reputations will be tarnished, gin will be drunk and someone’s gonna get fed to the lions … or some other carnivore.

Pachyderm is the second Catherine Kint mystery written by Hugh McGinlay.

My View

I can visualise this book in the show-reel in my mind; such quintessential Australian humour, larger than life charters – Catherine and Boris are fantastic protagonists that you will cheer on as they try and solve this mystery. The settings are pure Australian – from the Melbourne Zoo to the local pubs, taxis and streetscapes.

I loved being privy to the protagonists’ thoughts as they navigate their way through their action packed days. Interestingly each chapter starts with a characters witty observation, eg  p. 165 chapter ten – “I’m cheerful, it’s the most subtle form of rebellion can think of,” Boris  Shakhovskoy. There is a lot to love about this clever, addictive read.

I predict that this series would make great television viewing with its quirky yet loveable characters, with a narrative that has a wonderful sense of fun and adventure and moments of almost slapstick humour.  I did enjoy this quirky read!