Curing the Blues with a New Pair of Shoes

Author: Dixie Carter
Genre: Contemp Romance?
Grade: C

This is one of those "sort of" books. Its sort of a mystery. Sort of a romance and sort of chick lit. That can work but in this case my end response is that as a result of that the book is only "sort of" good Wink

Judd Hogg's big plan to put Hogg's Drive In back in the black is to exploit their Elvis connection and throw a big celebration for the King's birthday. He has even borrowed a pair of Elvis's blue suede shoes from a museum in Vegas to display at $5.00 per viewing. The only problem? Elvis's shoes go missing before anyone even gets a look.

The Domesitc Equalizers, Debbie Sue Overstreet and Edwina Perkins-Martin, are among the first Judd calls. He knows that Billy Don, the sheriff, won't be worth a dang and wants to get some real help. Debbie Sue, anxious to solve the case herself, convinces Judd they can handle it and encourages him not to get any other police involved. They stick an old pair of gray slippers in the display case, assure everyone they really look like blue suede and head off to their day job at the Styling Station, a gas station Debbie Sue converted into a beauty parlor.

As the town fills up with people ready to celebrate Elvis's big day, Debbie Sue and Ed find themselves helping star crossed lovers, running a beauty parlor and town festival, and looking for a pair of blue suede shoes in a crowd of Elvis fans.

This book was thin on plot and heavy on Texas cliches. In fact, you were reminded you were in Texas just about every ten minutes. I felt the two heroines stumbled across the answer as opposed to actually solving anything but in fairness, they didn't really have time. They also felt "off". I think they were supposed to be late 30's early 40's but they felt older than that by about a decade or so. The book also had a thing for overweight people -- in one scene they were actually kind of mean to a couple of chubby kids.

It's not a bad read, I was able to finish it and it had some cute moments, but unless you love Texas or Elvis (or both) I would give it a miss.

Tea: Iced tea all the way. Go with the real southern experience and add a mint leaf!