Too Easy

Let's get something straight right now - anyone who calls Flap Tucker a "Zen Private Eye" wasn't paying attention. First, Flap practices Taoism, not Zen. Second,Flap prefers to call himself a "finder of lost items" as opposed to a private investigator. Other than that, the praise is all warranted. As you read, you may think that you are reading a fantasy or magical realist novel. Depoy is the kind of writer who sees the magic in everyday situations and brings it to life. His dialog is witty, snappy and thoughtful. All of characters, save Dalliance Oglethorpe, are interesting and twisted in their own way, but in a way that is consistent with Flap's world. Surprisingly, Dalliance is the weakest character, possibly because Depoy insists that it is she around whom Flap's world revolves, so the author was unable to see her as a person instead of an icon. The suspense builds nicely, coming from a mixture of terrestrial violence and magical supposition (though there is no magic here outside of Flap Tucker's head). The intertwined plots involving a missing woman and the newly-appointed Panchen Llama is interesting and tasty. I bought this book because I recently moved to Atlanta and like to explore my surroundings via books. I was not disappointed here. I was dragged in, entertained, and left begging for more.

I really enjoyed EASY and EASY AS ONE, TWO, THREE, so was anxious to get my hands on the next in the Flap Tucker series. I can't help but compare these mysteries to Lawrence Block's, a favorite of mine in the "detective with a twist" genre. While Bernie Rhodenbarr (Block's protagonist) is a bookselling burglar, DePoy's Flap Tucker is a Zen detective who gets crimesolving visions. Much like Bernie Rhodenbarr, Flap Tucker is smart, funny, likeable, and able to solve murders with one chakra behind his back. The Georgia settings add a lot to the pleasure of these books. I understand TOO EASY was nominated for a Shamus. Should've won...looking forward to DANCING MADE EASY, the next in this great series.

Flap Tucker, Phillip Depoy's alternative and cool private detective has his second romp. Making use of a well-crafted plot, Depoy takes us on another great adventure with Flap and Dalliance. Set in Depoy's home state of Georgia, the novel gives a ramblin' good time with Flap and friends including some delightful insights into the cultural dynamics of the state of Georgia. Highly recommended!

Flap Tuker, Atlanta's only Zen practicing private investigator, prefers doing nothing rather than seek out a case that would pay his bills. However, Flap's best friend, Dalliance Oglethorpe, owner of one of the city's hottest nightspots, will not let him rest in poverty. Instead she finds him a case that will start at home, but end in Savannah. Flap travels to Tifton in the southern part of Georgia to learn what he can about a murdered banker. It appears that either the simple-minded Turner twins (Maytag and Peachy) who are missing, or his fey wife Lydia, killed the man. The local sheriff, who was the victim's cousin and desires his relative's widow, thinks the twins killed the banker. Flap searches for the twins, but also becomes embroiled with family feuds, side journeys that lead to his being injured and even kidnapped, and the realization that there is no escape from the tentacles of the family. Phillip DePoy's detective is a man with a different philosophical attitude than the average fictional sleuth. His metaphysical method of uncovering facts within his mellow mindset makes him unique and likeable, but difficult to comprehend (which is part of the fun). TOO EASY is a winner thanks to Mr. DuPoy's writing talent and his anti-hero, who will be adored by readers who want an interesting story line, starring sixties California mellow in the deep south.Harriet Klausner