TAILED is the third book to feature Brian M. Wiprud’s character of Garth Carson, but no need to worry if you haven’t read any of the other two. All are stories that stand by themselves, with only a little bit of minor continuity.

Garth works for a insurance company examining taxidermy collections, and he has been asked to examine one belonging to a football player/big-game hunter. When he arrives at the estate, there is no one to great him, so he presses on into the home, only to make a grisly discovery: the owner is dead, and from the looks of it, killed by his own stuffed bear paw.

But what is really weird is that Garth finds a white gecko left on the body. However, he thinks nothing of it until he is questioned by the FBI and the Air Force, for some weird reason. The reasoning behind all the Q&A is another big-game hunter also was killed, also with a gecko left on him, thus making for an instant connection.

The novel is one fun, humor-filled ride. It felt like a fever dream with some of its wacky situations – all for the good, mind you – be it Garth having a heart-to-heart with his naturist-loving mom or the appearance of a luchador-loving ex-con who wants to help. Throw in two bizarre fraternal orders and you have yourself some good ol’ summer reading.

Wiprud is a real whiz with this type of screwball crime novel. It seems so preposterous, but yet so much fun, you can’t help but want to see what happens next. With such comic flair, TAILED marks a nice departure from some of the dour crime novels dominating shelves and bestseller lists. Plus, Wiprud finally demystifies one of the biggest conspiracies out there. Look to the skies, folks, and watch out for super-friendly dogs. –Bruce Grossman

Buy it at Amazon.

OTHER BOOKGASM REVIEWS OF THIS AUTHOR:
• CROOKED by Brian M. Wiprud
• SLEEP WITH THE FISHES by Brian M. Wiprud