PI Red Farlow dives headfirst into a hornets’ nest of extremists. His new client, Hank Tillman, only wants to get a shot at country music stardom. While playing in a Georgia bar, Hank—known as Cowboy to his fans—stumbles into trouble. The kind that kills. PI Red Farlow steps in to help him.Hank’s song, Redneck Devil, attracts the attention of a violent group called the Blue Magnolia. Its leaders … Its leaders want him to perform at their next hate rally. There’s another, darker reason the Blue Magnolia wants Hank in its fold.
An elderly patient in a Florida insane asylum reveals a decades-long secret that devastates Hank. It’s the worst kind of fake news.
Can Farlow root out the truth? The PI has his own problems as he confronts a hired killer face-to-face.
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Hank wants to a star however he keep getting in trouble so Red is hired to help by Mary Ellen a family friend.
This is a nice little Mysteries series and very well written. Hank has something some trouble makers want. The story flows very nicely and you can imagine yourself watching it unfold.
Blue Magnolia by W.F. Ranew is the second book in the Red Farlow Mysteries series. This book can be read as a stand-alone and does not have to be read in order.
I have to say at first I found the book the be a little slow starting and a bit confusing. It was almost like the author didn’t quite find pace with the book until a little way into it. However once he did the book was definitely and interesting read.
It moved well and the characters all seemed to be developed at the right pace for them.
I wasn’t fully taken with the main characters however I also got the impression you weren’t necessarily meant to be, and that it was his interactions with the other characters that really bolstered him.
Overall I found the book to be enjoyable and I was definitely intrigued as to how it would all play out. This was a good book and I would definitely look to add book one in the future.
This action-packed original book will have you on edge as you get absorbed into Cowboy’s world. This is a multilayered story that will have your head spinning. This book is worth every page being read and discovered as you’re thrown into the book and where it goes. As you get tangled in the story as much as the characters are, you won’t be able to put this one down. Check it out and you’ll see exactly what I mean!
I enjoyed this book. This is not my first book by this author but it is one of my favorites. This is a suspenseful story that has a lot of action for all of the characters. This is an engaging story that I found to be fast paced. I read this book in one sitting as I wanted to see who the killer was at the end. The characters are connectable and made the story easy to read. PI Farlow is back in this story but not only does he find himself in another case but his own personal conflicts strike back at him as well. Hank is a country singer that finds himself in some trouble which is where Farlow comes in. When Hank’s song attracts the wrong group will things become deadly? This is a great story that I highly recommend. It made a great afternoon read and you will want to see what happens to Hank and Farlow for sure.
Blue Magnolia, continues WF Ranew’s series, Red Farlow Mysteries. I have not read the first book in the series, so I believe this one can be read as a stand alone. I thought this was a pretty good read. I like that it was not predictable and I never knew what was going to happen next. I could not put it down until I read the last page.
I am giving Blue Magnolia four stars. I would like to read more from Mr Ranew and this series in the near future.
I received this book from the publisher. This review is 100% my own honest opinion.
—3.5 Stars—
I am a huge fan of country music and mystery books, so I was so excited to read this book!
This book allows the reader to fully immerse in the Southern culture and way of life.
This book follows the story line of Hank “Cowboy,” Tillman and his ups and downs of trying to make it as a big country music star. Hank often finds trouble or trouble finds him sort of say. This leads to Hank getting into many bar fights and ending up in jail. His cousin, Mary Ellen, is supportive of Hank and often bails him out. While on a phone call to her mother, Mary Ellen discusses trying to prevent Hank’s messes instead of cleaning up after them. Her mother suggests hiring PI Red Farrow to attend Hank’s gigs and help keep him away from mischief. But when Hank’s latest song draws the attention of the Blue Magnolia madmen, his level of danger is about to skyrocket, and he will need Red now more than ever. No spoilers here!! But you definitely will want to read this book and find out what happens!!
This book featured an interesting and intriguing story line with many elaborate plots and very detailed scenes.
This book was written with a strong, gritty, rough, and rowdy kind of vibe.
I really liked that the author used real places in his book. For example, many of the bars and clubs featured are actual places in Georgia, Alabama, and Tennessee. I love being able to recognize locations and possibly even visit those landmarks in the future.
I also really liked that the author included actual music lyrics in the book. While Hank was singing and writing songs those lyrics were featured, which made the singer seem more credible and realistic.
Unfortunately, I wasn’t able to connect with any of the characters. This book strongly portrays Hank as a good ol’ Southern boy, but I didn’t find him come across that way. At the beginning of the book it states that Hank has just recently had his THIRD DUI CRASH, which caused him to lose his truck and his driver’s license. Sure, that sounds like a celebrity alright, but this all happened before Hank’s big break. And personally, I don’t think “good people,” drink and drive, get into bar fights, and constantly end up in jail. Sorry to be blunt, but I found Hank to be a selfish, irresponsible, drunk jerk!
I liked Red for the most part and enjoyed reading his case notes that were featured throughout the story. I would be interested in possibly reading one of his other cases going forward as it seems he will be a main character in additional books in this book series.
I also enjoyed and appreciated the author’s depth of research that was thoroughly highlighted in this book. His awareness of the music industry, bar scene, and Southern history and culture – all added insight and authenticity to the story.
However, I have to admit that I found the writing style a bit confusing. There were many times I had to re-read several passages as it either didn’t make sense, felt awkward wording, and/or displayed improper tenses.
For example, the book mentions Hank going to jail for 24hrs. Then his cousin, Mary Ellen, bailed him out and got him a lawyer, who settled the case by paying a fine. Afterward, Cowboy headed back to Georgia. Then the next chapter starts with Hank calling his cousin, Mary Ellen to tell her he’s in jail and needs her help for the exact same situation he already mentioned was solved. I had to go back and start both chapters over because I thought I missed something, but I didn’t. It just made no sense! Then there’s odd wording such as, “Hank smiled his smile…” (Ranew 173). And “The August he was eight…” (Ranew 15). Also, “Before going to meet the Nashville cops, Red peeked into the private dining room and saw everyone, save Hank, was there for the celebration.” (Ranew 170). I don’t know what “save Hank,” means in the middle of that sentence. I felt it should have been the word, “except,” or something along those lines. There is also lots of wording using the name “the man,” which refers to several different characters. One man reference is a drunk bar patron, one man is a man at a bus station, one man is a CEO, etc. It felt weird and confusing to keep reading the same reference to multiple characters.
This book is Book Two in the Red Farlow Mysteries Book Series. This book can be read as a standalone.
All in all, there were just a few hang-ups for me, but overall, I still enjoyed reading this book and would still recommend it. I think all mystery fans and thriller readers will like this book too! So, add it to your TBR List and get to reading – you won’t be disappointed!
**Disclaimer: I received a complimentary copy of this book and have voluntarily provided an honest, and unbiased review in accordance with FTC regulations.**
I had a tough time with the beginning of this story. There was so much history about so many different people that I became confused. As the tale moved on, mostly in a linear fashion, it was interesting how all the people came together. With the help of a couple people, Red Farlow was able to save Hank from a group of bad people. There was plenty of action, some steamy scenes, and a strong sense of friendship.
I received a copy of this story through Goddess Fish Promotions, and this is my unsolicited review.
Another Red Farlowe mystery. A character I really like. Tough yet caring, smart yet streetwise, all the things you look for in this type of tough, gritty mystery.
The composition of this book was different from the other Red Farlowe mystery I read, Rich and Gone. Red’s case notes were interspersed in this one and it took me some time to adjust my reading rhythm. Don’t get me wrong. It was marked. Just something I wasn’t used to. Not bad; just different. Also the writing style was different in places… the sentences shorter, more reporting like. But it achieved the feeling I think Ranew was trying to accomplish. Made this more black noir-like in a few ways. Ranew added a few more characters. Some good guys/girls, some not so good.
This is not really a book filled with descriptive writing. Ranew’s a storyteller and a good one. I think all it really needs is another book in the series as soon as possible 🙂