I was given Strange Brew as a gift, when it was just published in 1997. Even though it was the sixth book in the mystery series, I decided to go ahead and read it. Sure, I don’t like to read my books out of sequence, but since it was a Halloween mystery and I had received the book during October, why not? (I can be flexible sometimes…)
After I finished Strange Brew, I quickly read Every Crooked Nanny, the first in the series. Hmmm… This Kathy Hogan Trocheck was equally good in her first mystery book. How neat was that? You know how sometimes a new author takes a few books to reach a really good level of writing? Not so with Trocheck, she started out really good, and just kept going!
By the time Trocheck’s seventh mystery came out in 1998, I was all caught up with Callahan, Edna, and the rest of the gang. I couldn’t wait to read about Callahan’s Christmas season in Midnight Clear.
Oh, oh… I had to wait two years for Trocheck’s eighth mystery, Irish Eyes, a St. Patrick’s Day mystery. Well, that’s OK. I can certainly wait two years for one of my favorite authors to release another mystery.
Hmmm… Then two more years passed, three years, doggone it, what’s going on here?
It was at this time that I finally found out what was going on. Kathy Hogan Trocheck was releasing her Weezie & Bebe Mystery Series as Mary Kay Andrews. (Andrews was also publishing non-mystery stand alones.) Trochek was finally back on my radar!
Imagine how happy I was to find that she is now writing more Callahan Garrity mysteries. Andrews/Trocheck has released three stories in the mystery series, and I am hoping she will be writing more book-length Callahan Garrity mysteries.
So I guess it just goes to show that sometimes you have to be a detective just to be able to follow your favorite Cozy Mystery authors!
Tessa~ says
These sound delightful….
Thank you for being your own detective! And ours too!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Tessa, I really, really enjoy Kathy Hogan Trocheck’s mysteries. (Or should I say Mary Kay Andrews writing as Kathy Hogan Trocheck’s mysteries?!?)
Steph says
I am glad that you dug in and found out what was going on. I had not heard of this series, but picked up the first for my Kindle. On sale now, so good timing.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Steph, I hope you enjoy this mystery series as much as I did.
Janet says
Started with Mary Kay Andrews books first. She is my favorite author. After reading all the MK Andrews books, then I went back and read all the Kathy Hogan Trocheck mysteries. Can’t wait till Save the Date comes out in June!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Janet, I read Fatal Fruitcake over the holidays, and just bought Killer Fudge and The Family Jewels, which I plan to read as soon as I finish my current mystery book. I know I said this in the entry, but I really hope Kathy Hogan Trocheck/Mary Kay Andrews is planning on some more Callahan full-length mysteries.
Dawn says
I, like you, loved the Callahan Garrity Mystery Series and was equally bummed when there were no more. While I also like the books she writes as Mary Kay Andrews, I’m beyond thrilled that she’ll be releasing more of the Callahan Garrity Mystery Series. Many thanks for letting us know!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Dawn, so far Kathy Hogan Trocheck has only released Callahan Garrity stories. Here’s hoping she’ll release books.
PamB says
I, too, have enjoyed the Callahan Garrity mysteries (have the paperbacks) and Irish Eyes is in my TBR pile. Thanks for letting us know about the three short stories of which I’ll have to buy. Always so appreciate all you do for us cozy mystery readers.
Danna - cozy mystery list says
PamB, I just kept looking and looking, and was always disappointed not to find a new Callahan Garrity mystery. I hope Andrews/Trocheck starts putting out books. I guess the stories will have to do for all of us fans… hopefully just for now…
Jackie says
I put the first Callahan Garrity on my goodreads list. I love cozies and this one sounds like one I have to read! Thanks!
Danna - cozy mystery list says
Jackie, I hope you like her!