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Callahan Garrity Mystery #3
Homemade Sin
Refusing to believe that her suburbanite cousin's mysterious death had been an accident, professional housecleaner Callahan Garrity begins a private investigation into Atlanta's inner city and the shady deals of her cousin's husband. Reissue.
320 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1994
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About the author
Kathy Hogan Trocheck
23Ìýbooks567Ìýfollowersaka Mary Kay Andrews
Kathy Hogan Trocheck is the author of critically acclaimed mysteries, including the Callahan Garrity mystery series. A former reporter for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, she is also the author of Little Bitty Lies and the Edgar®- and Macavity-nominated Savannah Blues, under the name Mary Kay Andrews.
Kathy Hogan Trocheck is the author of critically acclaimed mysteries, including the Callahan Garrity mystery series. A former reporter for the Atlanta Journal Constitution, she is also the author of Little Bitty Lies and the Edgar®- and Macavity-nominated Savannah Blues, under the name Mary Kay Andrews.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 274 reviews
March 6, 2024
2.5â�
Not for me. Written with a cozy mystery vibe but not really with mature language.
Ex-Atlanta PD, Callahan Garrity runs the "House Mouse" cleaning service and becomes involved in solving the death of her cousin. Maybe Stephanie Plum fans want to check it out.
Not for me. Written with a cozy mystery vibe but not really with mature language.
Ex-Atlanta PD, Callahan Garrity runs the "House Mouse" cleaning service and becomes involved in solving the death of her cousin. Maybe Stephanie Plum fans want to check it out.
April 5, 2015
A disappointing entry in a series that started well with Every Crooked Nanny. In fact, it inspired me to add two new shelves: "implausible" and "stereotypes." In this book, heroine-sleuth Callahan Garrity moves from determined and feisty to simply arrogant, pushy, and tactless. People seem to be willing to tell her secrets likely to endanger themselves for no clear reason, and Callahan plows on basically oblivious to all collateral damage. In addition, the number of stereotypes here is substantial, especially negative African-American ones. I did finish it, so I'm giving it two stars rather than one.
April 8, 2021
I liked the first book I read (which was actually the 2nd book in the series) enough to download the 2nd book and it was even better than the other one.
I'm hooked now! I love quirky the cleaning ladies and Callahan somewhat reminds me of Kinsey Milhone.
Now off to listen to the 1st book of the series.
I'm hooked now! I love quirky the cleaning ladies and Callahan somewhat reminds me of Kinsey Milhone.
Now off to listen to the 1st book of the series.
February 22, 2016
The narrator for the audiobook had a great range of accents. This is one of those books that are better as audio than print.
April 14, 2015
Not sure what the title had to do with the story.
November 26, 2016
Book on CD read by Hillary Huber.
From the book jacket - Some people might call Callahan Garrity nosy, but she prefers to think of her tendency toward snooping as a healthy interest in the truth. So when news of her cousin’s murder reaches her, Callahan shakes off her House Mouse cleaning uniform to don her detective’s cap. It’s not that she doesn’t have confidence in the Atlanta police � she used to be among their ranks � it’s just that the crime seems too incongruous with Patti’s suburban life to be an accident.
My Reactions
This is a pretty good series. I like the premise of the House Mouse cleaning service for these cozy mysteries; their work provides them access to a wide variety of venues. Trochek gives the reader a nice cast of colorful supporting characters who work for the heroine. Callahan, herself, is a strong, intelligent, resourceful woman. Her background in the police force results in a certain toughness, though she does seem to take some unreasonable chances. Not to worry, though, she generally manages to get out of any scrapes on her own.
My main complaint with this work, however, was the rather abrupt ending, and then “neat� epilogue to wrap up all the loose ends. Just seemed rushed to me, as if Trochek couldn’t quite figure out how to end it.
Nevertheless, it’s a speedy read, the action is fast-paced, and I like the characters. I’ll read more of the series.
Hillary Huber does a fine job voicing the audio version of the book. She has good pacing, and I was never confused about who was speaking.
From the book jacket - Some people might call Callahan Garrity nosy, but she prefers to think of her tendency toward snooping as a healthy interest in the truth. So when news of her cousin’s murder reaches her, Callahan shakes off her House Mouse cleaning uniform to don her detective’s cap. It’s not that she doesn’t have confidence in the Atlanta police � she used to be among their ranks � it’s just that the crime seems too incongruous with Patti’s suburban life to be an accident.
My Reactions
This is a pretty good series. I like the premise of the House Mouse cleaning service for these cozy mysteries; their work provides them access to a wide variety of venues. Trochek gives the reader a nice cast of colorful supporting characters who work for the heroine. Callahan, herself, is a strong, intelligent, resourceful woman. Her background in the police force results in a certain toughness, though she does seem to take some unreasonable chances. Not to worry, though, she generally manages to get out of any scrapes on her own.
My main complaint with this work, however, was the rather abrupt ending, and then “neat� epilogue to wrap up all the loose ends. Just seemed rushed to me, as if Trochek couldn’t quite figure out how to end it.
Nevertheless, it’s a speedy read, the action is fast-paced, and I like the characters. I’ll read more of the series.
Hillary Huber does a fine job voicing the audio version of the book. She has good pacing, and I was never confused about who was speaking.
July 14, 2021
Another entertaining adventure! I was especially a fan of Miss Sister & Baby in this story. The only thing I'd add to this series is more of Mac & Callahan together.
June 13, 2024
In this outing, private eye and house cleaning mogul Callahan Garrity's cousin is murdered in front of her young son. Callahan is determined to solve the case despite opposing opinions within the family.
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but the tone of this one was off from the start. Callahan describes her cousin as her best friend yet there is zero emotion in the novel. Just another day in the neighbourhood for Callahan.
2.5 stars
I really enjoyed the first book in this series, but the tone of this one was off from the start. Callahan describes her cousin as her best friend yet there is zero emotion in the novel. Just another day in the neighbourhood for Callahan.
2.5 stars
June 15, 2020
Good series!
September 27, 2021
3.5 stars. Good mystery, but I’m having problems figuring who is actually talking, because other than Callahan and her mom, all the voices sound the same.
July 28, 2023
I read this book to a lady in the senior living home I volunteer at. Because of that I had to read it out loud, and I think that that enhanced the experience. I like that bruce did it cause it was dramatic with all the dee dee thing. But I did think it was the priest. If the priest had done it that would’ve been DRAMA. What I’m trying to say is that I liked this book more the I thought I would. Don’t know how I feel about the writing style though.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
July 18, 2013
Predictable storyline with stereotypical white and black characters. No wonder it's out of print.
Ironically, I read this in within a month of Paula Deen's confession to using the "n" word 30 years ago. After reading this book, third in the series of the Callahan Garrity mysteries set in Atlanta, I am assuming that in the early and mid-90's it was still acceptable to use the "n"
word in Georgia. It's used in this book by some of the characters. Two stars because the storyline is just not that well done and almost too over the top for me.I don't know why I keep reading this series.... aI don't know if KHT was attempting to show discrimination or just plain thinks all blacks in Atlanta are drug pushing thugs during the 90's but I noticed books 4 & 5 involve black characters as well. If they are depicted as they were in #3, I'm through. Would love to know her motivation in writing these.
Ironically, I read this in within a month of Paula Deen's confession to using the "n" word 30 years ago. After reading this book, third in the series of the Callahan Garrity mysteries set in Atlanta, I am assuming that in the early and mid-90's it was still acceptable to use the "n"
word in Georgia. It's used in this book by some of the characters. Two stars because the storyline is just not that well done and almost too over the top for me.I don't know why I keep reading this series.... aI don't know if KHT was attempting to show discrimination or just plain thinks all blacks in Atlanta are drug pushing thugs during the 90's but I noticed books 4 & 5 involve black characters as well. If they are depicted as they were in #3, I'm through. Would love to know her motivation in writing these.
July 25, 2019
The mystery itself was interesting enough, but the racist stereotypes that filled the book were incredibly offensive. In addition, the idea that the main character is a heroine when she blatantly disregards the physical and emotional safety of the people she supposedly loves was completely ridiculous.
July 10, 2010
Love the Trocheck/Andrew’s books! Sense of humor and appealing characters keep me turning the pages in her mysteries. Homemade Sin had the familiar characters and twisting murder mystery. I need more of this type reads. Keeps me reading.
August 17, 2022
A few parts were predictable but I really enjoyed this book! I absolutely love Callahan and how she handles these murder investigations!
July 18, 2022
Callahan used to be a police officer and changed careers when she bought House Mouse, a cleaning service that she runs with her mother, Edna ... but she still does private investigating on the side.
Callahan is shocked and sad when her close cousin, Patti, is murdered in a carjacking. Patti's young son was in the backseat when it happened and is a witness but has a mental handicap so isn't able to fully tell what happened. The police are looking into it and suspect that it's gang related. But Callahan is wondering what her cousin was doing on that side of town where it happened because she rarely left her neighbourhood. Callahan starts her own investigation by questioning and then alienating her family members. There is a $1.5 million insurance policy on Patti so Callahan gets some help from the insurance company agent investigating it and friends who are still police officers but who aren't on the case.
The writing style and storyline were okay. It is written in first person perspective in Callahan's voice. Because it was originally written in the early 1990s, they are still using pay phones, CDs, etc. and there are references by Callahan of growing up in the 1970s. As a head's up, there is swearing and violence.
This is the third in the Callahan Garrity Mystery Series ... I read the first one in 2018 and recently picked the series back up again and read the second one last week.
Blog review post:
Callahan is shocked and sad when her close cousin, Patti, is murdered in a carjacking. Patti's young son was in the backseat when it happened and is a witness but has a mental handicap so isn't able to fully tell what happened. The police are looking into it and suspect that it's gang related. But Callahan is wondering what her cousin was doing on that side of town where it happened because she rarely left her neighbourhood. Callahan starts her own investigation by questioning and then alienating her family members. There is a $1.5 million insurance policy on Patti so Callahan gets some help from the insurance company agent investigating it and friends who are still police officers but who aren't on the case.
The writing style and storyline were okay. It is written in first person perspective in Callahan's voice. Because it was originally written in the early 1990s, they are still using pay phones, CDs, etc. and there are references by Callahan of growing up in the 1970s. As a head's up, there is swearing and violence.
This is the third in the Callahan Garrity Mystery Series ... I read the first one in 2018 and recently picked the series back up again and read the second one last week.
Blog review post:
May 10, 2022
Poor Patti gets murdered in a brutal shooting. The only witness is her son who can barely speak. Callahan will not take that sitting down. She is determined to find out what is happening and how Pattis husband could be responsible.
I love her determination and whit in everything she does, she even manages to piss off her own mother in her hunt for the truth. But in the end the killer is brought to justice.
I love her determination and whit in everything she does, she even manages to piss off her own mother in her hunt for the truth. But in the end the killer is brought to justice.
January 1, 2023
Had me hanging on until the end, but I didn’t love how many new characters were introduced towards the end.
October 9, 2024
Good but not my favorite if hers
March 12, 2022
3.5 stars
December 4, 2023
I’m invested in Callahan as a narrator. I love her stubbornness and willingness to go the extra mile to get to the bottom of the story. The plot in this book was a bit extreme but also felt disjointed. I didn’t feel as invested and the supporting characters didn’t really add much.
March 27, 2023
This has been my favorite of the Callahan Garrity mysteries. Maybe I've learned the character, but each book seems to improve. This time Callahan investigates the murder of her cousin. I found it to more engaging than the previous books and the series and really enjoyed it.
June 6, 2017
This was originally published in 1995, which explains a lot of my feelings about it. The mystery itself was okay; I figured out who was behind the murder early on but not the entire scenario. But it is the rest of the story that was annoying at times and infuriating at others. Between the dysfunctional family dynamics and the racial attitudes of 90's Atlanta, I wanted to DNF a couple of times.
November 8, 2018
Callahan's cousin is murdered and she's not letting her family's disapproval get in the way of her trying to solve the crime herself. Of course, she meets plenty of interesting characters and gets herself into plenty of danger along the way.
It was very clear this book was written in 1994 and it hasn't aged very well in its treatment of racialized and marginalized groups. Be warned that there is language in this book that contemporary readers will find offensive.
It was very clear this book was written in 1994 and it hasn't aged very well in its treatment of racialized and marginalized groups. Be warned that there is language in this book that contemporary readers will find offensive.
November 2, 2016
I just do NOT get the cover for this book, it has nothing to do with pie or cake. *shrug* This book was darker and had a more difficult subject matter. Anything with kids is tough for me to read, and the murder victim is a mother and her boy is with her when it happens. So already a tough book for me. But I did enjoy it. So there's that. And onto the next...
February 14, 2017
I tried to listen to this book, in the hopes that all the "big black men" would lead to something substantial, but buy chapter 9, it was still just Mary Kay Andrews painting black people as uneducated, poor criminals. I couldn't finish listening to this, because it seems that she tried to weave this story together on preconceptions and stereotypes.
July 6, 2022
50,000 SHADES OF STEREOTYPING! Trying hard to finish this book. I don't have a desire to read other books by this author. If she didn't CONSTANTLY use every stereotype available, would she be able to write at all? Questionable.
August 24, 2016
I didn't get past the first chapter. I've been borderline on this series anyway and there were some comments that pissed me off in the very beginning and I just stopped there. There are too many other books I can give my attention to.
July 10, 2011
Page turner, easy read. Lots of Atlanta references, which I loved.
February 11, 2013
I love Mary Kay Andrews/ Kathy Hogan Trocheck!! I've read ALL her stuff. So much fun!! Easy quick reads!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 274 reviews
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