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Davis Way Crime Caper #10
Double Wide
POP QUIZ True or False: Bellissimo Resort and Casino Super Spy Davis Way Cole, her partner, Fantasy Erb, and a trivia queen named Mango Matisse are kidnapped. The answer is true. Stuffed in the storage compartment of a motorhome, the women are abducted from a golf course and abandoned on a ravaged barrier island somewhere in the Gulf. Fill in the blank: Did the kidnapper get it wrong? Did he kidnap Davis thinking she was__________? The correct answer is Bianca Sanders, wife of Bellissimo Casino owner Richard Sanders. Yes or No: Everyone in Biloxi, Mississippi is searching for them. The answer is yes. And no. When the story goes viral, not only is everyone in Biloxi trying to find them, everyone in the Deep South and beyond goes on the lookout for the missing women. Bonus Question: When help finally arrives, will Davis learn he's no help at all? The answer is in Double Wide.
273 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 29, 2021
260 people are currently reading
245 people want to read
About the author
Gretchen Archer
21books822followersGretchen Archer is a Tennessee housewife, mom of three, grocery-list and mystery writer. She's the author of the Davis Way Crime Caper series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 80 reviews
June 30, 2021
Davis is in trouble again and it's never been more fun to watch her save herself and the day! An absolute winner of a book!
July 13, 2021
Another winner!
Gretchen Archer has done it again with this delightful caper written in epistilary style which you don't see every day but which only adds to the normal amount of fun in a Davis Way book. You'll love it.
Gretchen Archer has done it again with this delightful caper written in epistilary style which you don't see every day but which only adds to the normal amount of fun in a Davis Way book. You'll love it.
July 2, 2021
I loved it! This author makes me laugh like no other. Great mystery. This is one of my favorite mystery series.
July 1, 2021
I waited a year to read it and I finished it in one day
Like all of Gretchen Archer’s books, Double Wide is cleverly crafted. There are laughs, and action, descriptive adventure and love.
Like all of Gretchen Archer’s books, Double Wide is cleverly crafted. There are laughs, and action, descriptive adventure and love.
August 4, 2021
Loved it!!!
July 23, 2021
This is one of my favorite series, and it’s always a pleasure to dive into Davis Way’s latest adventure. This is the 10th in the series, but written completely differently from Ms. Archer’s usual style. Plot-wise, I don’t want to give much away � Super-spy Davis Way is kidnapped with two other women while on one of her many outings doubling as Bianca Sanders, the wife of the Bellissimo Casino owner.
The narrative flows through a series of letters, emails, and newspaper articles. Usually the Davis Way mysteries are told just through Davis� perspective � it was fun to get her perspective through letters to her husband Bradley, and also have other character’s voices pick up the tale in their hunt for the three kidnapped women. I think my favorite secondary voice was the emails from Baylor, I loved getting more insight into his character and thought process.
As you read, it really does feel like several people authored this book, the writing style is so different between all the characters. It took me a bit to get used to the unusual format, but once I did it was a fun ride! There is a lot going on, and everything comes together beautifully.
As always, Double Wide is full of humor, a few hijinks, and lots of heart. Can’t wait for book #11!
Originally published at .
The narrative flows through a series of letters, emails, and newspaper articles. Usually the Davis Way mysteries are told just through Davis� perspective � it was fun to get her perspective through letters to her husband Bradley, and also have other character’s voices pick up the tale in their hunt for the three kidnapped women. I think my favorite secondary voice was the emails from Baylor, I loved getting more insight into his character and thought process.
As you read, it really does feel like several people authored this book, the writing style is so different between all the characters. It took me a bit to get used to the unusual format, but once I did it was a fun ride! There is a lot going on, and everything comes together beautifully.
As always, Double Wide is full of humor, a few hijinks, and lots of heart. Can’t wait for book #11!
Originally published at .
July 9, 2021
FYI: Haven’t read a Gretchen Archer book yet that I haven’t LOVED! This one is no different although when I first started I didn’t think I was going to like it let alone love it.
The format of the chapters is very unlike the previous books in the series but it really couldn’t be told in any other way and still make sense!
Did you know? Gretchen is the master of dialogue, making it flow so naturally in a way that most books lack.
A few new characters were introduced in this instalment that I would be surprised if we don’t see pop up in future writings. And there was a character (or two) that I wouldn’t be sad to never see again but I guarantee that even if they show up prominently in every single book from here on out, it wouldn’t stop my enjoyment of Ms. Archer’s talent.
The format of the chapters is very unlike the previous books in the series but it really couldn’t be told in any other way and still make sense!
Did you know? Gretchen is the master of dialogue, making it flow so naturally in a way that most books lack.
A few new characters were introduced in this instalment that I would be surprised if we don’t see pop up in future writings. And there was a character (or two) that I wouldn’t be sad to never see again but I guarantee that even if they show up prominently in every single book from here on out, it wouldn’t stop my enjoyment of Ms. Archer’s talent.
July 2, 2021
Taco and Tuesday ride again
I wasn't sure I would be able to follow, let alone enjoy, the letter/news release type format MS Archer uses for this 10th book in this series. I was wrong! I quickly fell into the style and devoured it! I literally couldn't do anything else until I finished it. I cannot wait for book 11!
I wasn't sure I would be able to follow, let alone enjoy, the letter/news release type format MS Archer uses for this 10th book in this series. I was wrong! I quickly fell into the style and devoured it! I literally couldn't do anything else until I finished it. I cannot wait for book 11!
November 10, 2021
It's been such a delight listening to this audiobook. I enjoyed everything - the characters, the humour, the plot, the tension, even the ending. Looking forward to the next one!
July 3, 2021
On their way to July & Baylor's latest attempt at getting married, bridesmaids Davis & Fantasy find themselves adultnapped when Davis has a Bianca appearance at the Golden Oak Golf Tournament first.
Davis' dogged determination to escape, while waiting for the Bellissimo to come up with the ransom money for 'Bianca', begins with her first attempt for freedom from being locked into the 'basement' of a double wide motor home.
The situations Davis & Fantasy find themselves in ae one wild adventure after another.
Will July & Baylor ever tie the knot?
Davis' dogged determination to escape, while waiting for the Bellissimo to come up with the ransom money for 'Bianca', begins with her first attempt for freedom from being locked into the 'basement' of a double wide motor home.
The situations Davis & Fantasy find themselves in ae one wild adventure after another.
Will July & Baylor ever tie the knot?
July 12, 2021
Never Disappointed with David...Uh, Davis.
These books are always so hard to put down. You start reading while having your morning coffee and all the sudden the kids are asking when dinner will be ready. My only complaint is waiting for the next book. This one was formatted a little differently, but I still dug it. Keep doing your thang Gretch Gretch wordlady.
These books are always so hard to put down. You start reading while having your morning coffee and all the sudden the kids are asking when dinner will be ready. My only complaint is waiting for the next book. This one was formatted a little differently, but I still dug it. Keep doing your thang Gretch Gretch wordlady.
June 5, 2022
I love Davis Way! This series is hilarious. Book 10, , is no exception. Davis & Fantasy are “adultnabbed� and left on an abandoned island. They need to figure out who is behind it and what they want. (Besides the 5 million dollar ransom for “Bianca Sanders�). Davis knows there is more to the abduction than ransom. Everyone from the Bellissimo, Pine Apple, and state and federal law enforcement are looking for them. Most officials don’t know it’s Davis and not Bianca. Bradley is beside himself with worry and trying to get his hands on the $5 mil.
The format uses for this book is one I’ve never seen in a book. It is a series of diary type notes that Davis writes to Bradley, e-mails Baylor sends to Davis even though she has no way of seeing them, news reports, etc. It makes perfect sense so the reader has the entire story from different perspectives when they don’t have contact with each other. Well played Ms. Archer!
The format uses for this book is one I’ve never seen in a book. It is a series of diary type notes that Davis writes to Bradley, e-mails Baylor sends to Davis even though she has no way of seeing them, news reports, etc. It makes perfect sense so the reader has the entire story from different perspectives when they don’t have contact with each other. Well played Ms. Archer!
July 9, 2021
I absolutely love this series. The Davis Way books are some of the smartest and silliest that I've read and are some of the only books I actually read a second time (I catch details I missed in my initial read and some books I read more than a second time... there are a few favorites I find absolutely delightful that I read when I need to escape and don't have the bandwidth for a new story)!
This addition to the series is different from the other books in that it's written primarily in messages and it's a bit darker than the others. There's a melancholy that's an undercurrent of the letters from Davis and those who love her and, in return, we get more character development than we've had since some of the earlier books.
Archer does an amazing time at capturing voice of very (very) different characters. I wish that e-readers could accommodate different fonts so that she could have even further shown personality. While one character in particular was a LOT to read, that same character did a ton for story development.
BTW - the author has a group on facebook to help promote this series and you can ask her questions! <3
This addition to the series is different from the other books in that it's written primarily in messages and it's a bit darker than the others. There's a melancholy that's an undercurrent of the letters from Davis and those who love her and, in return, we get more character development than we've had since some of the earlier books.
Archer does an amazing time at capturing voice of very (very) different characters. I wish that e-readers could accommodate different fonts so that she could have even further shown personality. While one character in particular was a LOT to read, that same character did a ton for story development.
BTW - the author has a group on facebook to help promote this series and you can ask her questions! <3
July 9, 2021
Davis and Fantasy work in security at the Bellissimo Casino, and this book finds them in for the fight of their lives.
They were kidnapped and taken to a hidden island to find gold treasure. So remote that it will be a miracle if they are found.
This one is written in a different format than the other ones. It is told in the form of emails, letters, and notes. Some of them are very tender and touching, and some are so funny.
She writes a new character (Mango) into this book and how she wrote her is unique. I have never seen this in any other book.
Because of the letters, I found this book to be a little more emotional than the others, but it is still so funny. I was reading on a plane, and I laughed out loud at times. Glad everyone had on their headphones.
This is my favorite series of books.
I highly recommend this book. I will be glad when the next one comes out.
They were kidnapped and taken to a hidden island to find gold treasure. So remote that it will be a miracle if they are found.
This one is written in a different format than the other ones. It is told in the form of emails, letters, and notes. Some of them are very tender and touching, and some are so funny.
She writes a new character (Mango) into this book and how she wrote her is unique. I have never seen this in any other book.
Because of the letters, I found this book to be a little more emotional than the others, but it is still so funny. I was reading on a plane, and I laughed out loud at times. Glad everyone had on their headphones.
This is my favorite series of books.
I highly recommend this book. I will be glad when the next one comes out.
July 6, 2021
Dear Gretchen, July 6, 2021
I’m driving across the USA from NC to OR. My MIL passed away in NC so we flew there to settle her affairs. As we travel home in her 1994 Ford F-150 the letters in the book have kept me intrigued, amazed, and scared.
You knocked this one out of the park. I don’t know how else you could have given everyone’s plans, adventures and successes in any other way. At first I was confused. But soon I couldn’t put it down. Thank you for such a great story. I have no clue where Tiffanee Rad came from but she was my challenge. lol I give this book 5 ⭐️ especially the creativity. High five ✋� Bea for removing the coyote.
I’m driving across the USA from NC to OR. My MIL passed away in NC so we flew there to settle her affairs. As we travel home in her 1994 Ford F-150 the letters in the book have kept me intrigued, amazed, and scared.
You knocked this one out of the park. I don’t know how else you could have given everyone’s plans, adventures and successes in any other way. At first I was confused. But soon I couldn’t put it down. Thank you for such a great story. I have no clue where Tiffanee Rad came from but she was my challenge. lol I give this book 5 ⭐️ especially the creativity. High five ✋� Bea for removing the coyote.
June 5, 2024
At this point, Davis and Fantasy are familiar and well-loved characters. They are in real danger in this book and you can feel their desperation. However, they are overshadowed completely by the reporters. This book is different from the others in that it is told through letters and media publications. I laughed, snickered, and howled. It was great.
Gretchen Archer is brilliant. The job she did writing Tiffanee was phenomenal. That had to have been a difficult task, but she got it just right. I love that she incorporates so many places that those who are familiar with the Mississippi coast will recognize.
Gretchen Archer is brilliant. The job she did writing Tiffanee was phenomenal. That had to have been a difficult task, but she got it just right. I love that she incorporates so many places that those who are familiar with the Mississippi coast will recognize.
July 2, 2021
Double wide double ride.
I have always enjoyed Gretchen Archers books. This WA unique. I laughed and enjoyed every word BUT. How does her mind work. She had every character as we know them writing witty letters, notes and emails. The story lines were perfect. The coyote on the hot fence frying like a fricassee chicken had me laughing out loud. Thank you Beautiful Crawford. But my best line ever was Grammy witch. I know several granny witches.
I have always enjoyed Gretchen Archers books. This WA unique. I laughed and enjoyed every word BUT. How does her mind work. She had every character as we know them writing witty letters, notes and emails. The story lines were perfect. The coyote on the hot fence frying like a fricassee chicken had me laughing out loud. Thank you Beautiful Crawford. But my best line ever was Grammy witch. I know several granny witches.
July 26, 2021
Very funny
In my experience, often times when an author gets to the tenth book in a series, they kind of lose the originality and things become less interesting and satisfying. Not so with Double Wide. Gretchen Archer continued to write this series in new and hysterical ways. She changed up the delivery in this book and it was quite refreshing. I found myself laughing out loud a number of times and then trying to explain what was so funny to my kids (I told them to read the book). Thank you Gretchen Archer, for another fun romp with Davis and the gang.
In my experience, often times when an author gets to the tenth book in a series, they kind of lose the originality and things become less interesting and satisfying. Not so with Double Wide. Gretchen Archer continued to write this series in new and hysterical ways. She changed up the delivery in this book and it was quite refreshing. I found myself laughing out loud a number of times and then trying to explain what was so funny to my kids (I told them to read the book). Thank you Gretchen Archer, for another fun romp with Davis and the gang.
July 20, 2021
Oh my gosh! I loved this book so much! I could not put it down! I laughed, I cried, I was on the edge of my seat! This book has it all! I loved the quirky, complex and interesting characters! The story was fantastic with lots of twists and turns, murder, mayhem, sadness and joy! I recommend this as one of the best reads ever! A real must read!!
January 26, 2023
Yay!
It was such a treat to read a new Davis Way caper! More please. I am totally entirely completely hooked.
It was such a treat to read a new Davis Way caper! More please. I am totally entirely completely hooked.
August 2, 2021
I have read all of the stories in this series. Right from the beginning, I laughed so hard I almost cried. It is one of my very favorites for both the laughs and the great mysteries.
In this book, Davis and Fantasy are kidnapped, along with a crazy lady named Mango. They find themselves stuck on a deserted island, living in what few items are left in the motorhome they were stuffed into (see above, kidnapped.)
The story is told with multiple narrators, who tell the tale via posts, emails, and pencil put to paper. The personality of each of them shines through and were completely different, one from the other. It left me amazed that the author could tell her tale and keep in character throughout.
For humor, my favorite was Tiffanee though Baylor ran a close second. Davis� letters to Bradley were funny while at the same time showing so much pathos and longing as she talks to and about each of her loved ones.
I suggest, as always, that you begin this series with book 1 and read through. That being said, I think that you could read this book and enjoy it but some of the nuances of several characters would be lost.
The only sad thing for me, when a new Davis Way mystery comes out, is that I have to wait so long for the next one. I’m consoling myself by listening to the audio versions (I’m up to book 2.)
In this book, Davis and Fantasy are kidnapped, along with a crazy lady named Mango. They find themselves stuck on a deserted island, living in what few items are left in the motorhome they were stuffed into (see above, kidnapped.)
The story is told with multiple narrators, who tell the tale via posts, emails, and pencil put to paper. The personality of each of them shines through and were completely different, one from the other. It left me amazed that the author could tell her tale and keep in character throughout.
For humor, my favorite was Tiffanee though Baylor ran a close second. Davis� letters to Bradley were funny while at the same time showing so much pathos and longing as she talks to and about each of her loved ones.
I suggest, as always, that you begin this series with book 1 and read through. That being said, I think that you could read this book and enjoy it but some of the nuances of several characters would be lost.
The only sad thing for me, when a new Davis Way mystery comes out, is that I have to wait so long for the next one. I’m consoling myself by listening to the audio versions (I’m up to book 2.)
August 13, 2023
This book is more like a disturbing thriller. It was so horrible to listen as our two heroes Davis and Fantasy go through hell and back, that I didn't even care how they got rescued. I think I must have skipped that part while trying to skip through the part where the coyote fries itself to death on an electric fence. I hated that Bradley Cole suffered so much that he was not like the character we have come to know in these books. And that his mom celebrates as she considers Davis to already be dead. I listened to every one of these books since the first one, Double Whammy. I completely love all of the volumes except this one, and one other one I would just rather have not listened to. It was not an enjoyable book.
Some of the book just sounds like filler. Like the author had to meet a certain word count. The narrator was very good as usual. Except for the airhead valley girl accent was a bit too strong so as to be very annoying.
Some of the book just sounds like filler. Like the author had to meet a certain word count. The narrator was very good as usual. Except for the airhead valley girl accent was a bit too strong so as to be very annoying.
July 21, 2021
Just finished reading this 10th book in the Davis Way Crime Caper series. Davis and Fantasy are ‘adultnapped� along with another gal called Mango who spews out trivia facts. The story of their kidnapping has everyone in the area trying to find them. As much as I love to read about Davis, the gang and The Bellisimo, I had a hard getting through it. I didn’t particularly care for the way the story was presented. But that’s my own opinion. There were parts of the story that I had a hard time getting through, but I persevered. There were still parts of it that had me laughing and shaking my head as usual. It was interesting how Gretchen Archer pulled everything together. If you enjoy reading about Stephanie Plum(Janet Evanovich), you’ll enjoy Davis Way Cole. Looking forward to the next problem they get involved in.
November 22, 2023
Kept me in stitches
Many authors seem to get lax at what makes them so wonderful after they've written a lot of books... the freshness goes, plots seem formulaic, the jokes and revisits to all the info about the characters that series readers already know seems tossed in at will. None of that happened here. Fresh ways at looking at new situating, a completely unique method of delivering the goods that could have died in the vine by was plucked perfectly right. . Small things that did the trick...a Gen Z'er that had me in stitches as well, and wondering how in the heck she managed all that translated text. An amazing, entertaining, and unique ride through the gulf coast that kept me in stitches. Looking forward to the next phase, given how this one ended. What a riot.
Many authors seem to get lax at what makes them so wonderful after they've written a lot of books... the freshness goes, plots seem formulaic, the jokes and revisits to all the info about the characters that series readers already know seems tossed in at will. None of that happened here. Fresh ways at looking at new situating, a completely unique method of delivering the goods that could have died in the vine by was plucked perfectly right. . Small things that did the trick...a Gen Z'er that had me in stitches as well, and wondering how in the heck she managed all that translated text. An amazing, entertaining, and unique ride through the gulf coast that kept me in stitches. Looking forward to the next phase, given how this one ended. What a riot.
July 20, 2021
She’s Done It Again
I thought this one would be really thin in most aspects - character growth, plot twists, settings, and style - but I was incorrect. Davis is forced to confront her own mortality. There are more plot twists than a t-shirt before a tie dye. The antagonist, a shadowy creature, changes settings as pressure around his crimes mount. And Ms. Archer cleverly uses e-mails and letters for the entire book, forcing the readers to feel as though they are helping solve the mystery. Brava! The only teeny problem I had was suspension of disbelief. There was a barrier island off Alabama prior to the 1960s? Some wacko built a casino on it and filled it with gold? It’s fun to think about it, though I think the Dauphin Island Sea Lab is better than gold.
I thought this one would be really thin in most aspects - character growth, plot twists, settings, and style - but I was incorrect. Davis is forced to confront her own mortality. There are more plot twists than a t-shirt before a tie dye. The antagonist, a shadowy creature, changes settings as pressure around his crimes mount. And Ms. Archer cleverly uses e-mails and letters for the entire book, forcing the readers to feel as though they are helping solve the mystery. Brava! The only teeny problem I had was suspension of disbelief. There was a barrier island off Alabama prior to the 1960s? Some wacko built a casino on it and filled it with gold? It’s fun to think about it, though I think the Dauphin Island Sea Lab is better than gold.
February 14, 2022
Davis & Fantasy have been adultnapped on their way to July and Baylor's wedding. Left on a barrier island with another woman and trapped in a "double wide" they scramble to figure out where they are and why they have been taken. A mistaken identity, a long ago crime, & senior citizens on the lam has a statewide search looking for them. This book is written in letter form as Davis writes letters to Bradley in case she dies and her & Fantasy aren't found. Email form as Baylor emails to Davis's account on what's going on, & newspaper article form as a reporter documents the mystery and search. I would've added another star but one of the reporters (Tiffanee) is an idiot and writes in slang that brought the overall story down a notch with stupidity.
September 19, 2021
After purchasing the audio version of every book in this series I only purchased the ebook for Double Wide. This is the only book I have not enjoyed. I found it difficult to follow the story line as it bounced from perspective to perspective. Tiffanee’s (or whatever the character’s name was) writing was so difficult to interpret I started flipping past rather than reading. The ending was actually an anticlimax and felt as if the author was bored to death with the story.
I will say that in the future I will take the time to read the reviews for this series. Normally I purchase and happily dive in to the story. I happily could have missed this.
I will say that in the future I will take the time to read the reviews for this series. Normally I purchase and happily dive in to the story. I happily could have missed this.
November 28, 2022
An Epistolary ?
Not sure if Gretchen meant for this book to be an Epistolary or not. It is a very different type of story since so many letters from various character authors are involved. For me this type of writing was difficult to follow, but I muddled through and did learn more depth on several of the characters. It will be interesting to see how big a part is included in the story line for the new character Cotton. In my mind I had to juggle some of the characters from the good side to the bad side and wonder which side to put some others on. When things get rough it’s always good to know who has your back and what lengths you would go to for your best friend.
Not sure if Gretchen meant for this book to be an Epistolary or not. It is a very different type of story since so many letters from various character authors are involved. For me this type of writing was difficult to follow, but I muddled through and did learn more depth on several of the characters. It will be interesting to see how big a part is included in the story line for the new character Cotton. In my mind I had to juggle some of the characters from the good side to the bad side and wonder which side to put some others on. When things get rough it’s always good to know who has your back and what lengths you would go to for your best friend.
December 11, 2023
story told thru letters, notes, and news releases
I always enjoy the series through its audiobooks. The narrator does the voices so expertly. But this story, because of the communication formats, seemed best as the book form. Tho I must say the voicing of Tiffany needs to be enjoyed thru the audio format. I actually bought both formats, the audio and the electronic book. And have enjoyed this next part of the series as much as any of them. There was some violence that completely caught me off guard. I didn’t see it coming. And I’m not used to having that kind of violence in this series. But I can see how it fit the story.
I always enjoy the series through its audiobooks. The narrator does the voices so expertly. But this story, because of the communication formats, seemed best as the book form. Tho I must say the voicing of Tiffany needs to be enjoyed thru the audio format. I actually bought both formats, the audio and the electronic book. And have enjoyed this next part of the series as much as any of them. There was some violence that completely caught me off guard. I didn’t see it coming. And I’m not used to having that kind of violence in this series. But I can see how it fit the story.
July 2, 2021
Laugh Out Loud Edge of Your Seat Excitement
Gretchen Archer has given us the best Davis Way Cole adventure yet! But is it an adventure when you’re taken hostage in a mobile home? While the situation Davis and Fantasy find themselves in is indeed scary, the quirky characters will have you laughing out loud at their antics and foibles. This entertaining story is uniquely told through letters, e-mails and news articles from a variety of characters. The differing perspectives just keep the reader in stitches of laughter. This one is a must-read for any fan of Ms. Archer.
Gretchen Archer has given us the best Davis Way Cole adventure yet! But is it an adventure when you’re taken hostage in a mobile home? While the situation Davis and Fantasy find themselves in is indeed scary, the quirky characters will have you laughing out loud at their antics and foibles. This entertaining story is uniquely told through letters, e-mails and news articles from a variety of characters. The differing perspectives just keep the reader in stitches of laughter. This one is a must-read for any fan of Ms. Archer.
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