What do you think?
Rate this book
A Callie Parrish Mystery #2
Hey Diddle Diddle, the Corpse and the Fiddle
BUBBLES MEETS SIX FEET UNDER IN THE SECOND CALLIE PARRISH MYSTERY. Mortuary cosmetologist Callie Parrish and her friend take off for a bluegrass festival on Surcie Island. But when a fiddler turns up dead, Callie has no choice but to take center stage in the investigation.
ebook
First published March 4, 2008
4 people are currently reading
186 people want to read
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews
January 18, 2013
Callie and the gang are back in the 2nd installment of this series, this time at a blue grass festival. I was excited about the location- a blue grass festival is unique and fun. There is lots to do with something like that and the author does a good job of blending new characters with old. It isn't long before the blue grass festival screeches to a halt as a murder takes place. It also isn't long before Callie is up to her old investigating ways.
I went into this hoping I would find something about Callie to like and found only more reasons to dislike her. She has her dog's ears 'docked' and calls it plastic surgery. For no other reason than to make the dog look better. I know this is nitpicking but I do not like when dogs or any animal for that matter endure pain for the sake of 'looking cuter' for their owners. When Jane, Callie's best friend goes missing, Callie seems frantic but that doesn't stop her from worrying about flirting with Andy, her love interest in this book. Callie comes off anything but genuine- she is selfish and to put it bluntly, a brat. The one thing the author does nail in this book is the southern atmosphere which I felt was overdone in the first book was much better in this one and was charming. Callie's lovable family is back in this one as well as her protective, understanding bosses who treat Callie like family. We are also introduced to Rizzie, a new character and friend to Callie who she rudely thinks she doesn't want any 'new friends to replace Jane' as if she is too good to meet new people. I can't think of any series I've read a book where I disliked the main character quite as much. The mortuary aspect is one of the most interesting I've read in a cozy mystery and the series is full of information on what it's like working in a funeral home.
The mystery itself is weak, the author tells you who did it within the first 35 pages. I don't suggest this for anyone looking for a good mystery. There are a few scenes that will make you smile but nothing that made me laugh out loud at least. It's a fast read for anyone looking to escape for a few hours.
My thoughts on other books in the Callie Parrish series:
1. A Tisket, A Tasket, A Fancy Stolen Casket
2. Hey Diddle Diddle, the Corpse and the Fiddle
3. Casket Case
4. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, There's a Body in the Car
I went into this hoping I would find something about Callie to like and found only more reasons to dislike her. She has her dog's ears 'docked' and calls it plastic surgery. For no other reason than to make the dog look better. I know this is nitpicking but I do not like when dogs or any animal for that matter endure pain for the sake of 'looking cuter' for their owners. When Jane, Callie's best friend goes missing, Callie seems frantic but that doesn't stop her from worrying about flirting with Andy, her love interest in this book. Callie comes off anything but genuine- she is selfish and to put it bluntly, a brat. The one thing the author does nail in this book is the southern atmosphere which I felt was overdone in the first book was much better in this one and was charming. Callie's lovable family is back in this one as well as her protective, understanding bosses who treat Callie like family. We are also introduced to Rizzie, a new character and friend to Callie who she rudely thinks she doesn't want any 'new friends to replace Jane' as if she is too good to meet new people. I can't think of any series I've read a book where I disliked the main character quite as much. The mortuary aspect is one of the most interesting I've read in a cozy mystery and the series is full of information on what it's like working in a funeral home.
The mystery itself is weak, the author tells you who did it within the first 35 pages. I don't suggest this for anyone looking for a good mystery. There are a few scenes that will make you smile but nothing that made me laugh out loud at least. It's a fast read for anyone looking to escape for a few hours.
My thoughts on other books in the Callie Parrish series:
1. A Tisket, A Tasket, A Fancy Stolen Casket
2. Hey Diddle Diddle, the Corpse and the Fiddle
3. Casket Case
4. Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star, There's a Body in the Car
November 22, 2017
Callie and her friend Jane have headed to an inaugural Bluegrass Festival on Surcie Island part of the way through the first day though the body of a fiddle player ends up being found, end then another corpse is discovered (by Jane when she smelt it - Jane being completely blind) and then to add to the Sherriff's woes (and more importantly Callie's woes) Jane goes missing, so they need to track down a missing blind person and a killer and that is just the start of the problems!
April 16, 2008
Hey Diddle Diddle, the Corpse and the Fiddle
Fran Rizer
Berkley Prime Crime, 2008, 275 pps.
ISBN No. 978-0-425-22091-7
Calamine L. Parrish has decided to take her friend Jane to a Blue Grass Festival. Callie has borrowed her brother’s motor home and it looks like Callie and Jane are in for a great weekend. That is until Kenny Strickland picked up his instrument case and found a body sticking out. The body was that of Little Fiddlin Freddy who had just joined up with the Second Time Around Group. Freddy was a dwarf so it wasn’t a lot of problem for him to fit into the case.
The Sheriff reminds Callie to butt out of the investigation but she finds that impossible. The body of Kenny Strickland is found in Callie’s motor home and the next thing that happens is that Jane disappears. Jane is blind but is usually pretty self-sufficient but the festival is held on an island and Jane does not know her way around.
The musicians and Callie’s family step up to the plate to help locate Jane. They even organize a vigil that turns out very successful.
Everyone seems willing to pitch in but Callie is not sure who she wants to trust. She is dealing with Little Fiddlin Freddy’s wife who wants an elaborate funeral and Freddy’s brother-in-law who proclaims himself a water witch that can find anything.
Rizzie who runs the Gallah Restaurant turns out to be a big help to Callie but ultimately Callie is on her own in finding Jane.
The owner’s of The Middleton Mortuary where Callie works are twins and a lot of fun to read about. A Tisket, A Tasket, A Fancy Stolen Casket is the first book in the Callie Parrish series and I have enjoyed both of them.
Fran Rizer
Berkley Prime Crime, 2008, 275 pps.
ISBN No. 978-0-425-22091-7
Calamine L. Parrish has decided to take her friend Jane to a Blue Grass Festival. Callie has borrowed her brother’s motor home and it looks like Callie and Jane are in for a great weekend. That is until Kenny Strickland picked up his instrument case and found a body sticking out. The body was that of Little Fiddlin Freddy who had just joined up with the Second Time Around Group. Freddy was a dwarf so it wasn’t a lot of problem for him to fit into the case.
The Sheriff reminds Callie to butt out of the investigation but she finds that impossible. The body of Kenny Strickland is found in Callie’s motor home and the next thing that happens is that Jane disappears. Jane is blind but is usually pretty self-sufficient but the festival is held on an island and Jane does not know her way around.
The musicians and Callie’s family step up to the plate to help locate Jane. They even organize a vigil that turns out very successful.
Everyone seems willing to pitch in but Callie is not sure who she wants to trust. She is dealing with Little Fiddlin Freddy’s wife who wants an elaborate funeral and Freddy’s brother-in-law who proclaims himself a water witch that can find anything.
Rizzie who runs the Gallah Restaurant turns out to be a big help to Callie but ultimately Callie is on her own in finding Jane.
The owner’s of The Middleton Mortuary where Callie works are twins and a lot of fun to read about. A Tisket, A Tasket, A Fancy Stolen Casket is the first book in the Callie Parrish series and I have enjoyed both of them.
October 21, 2015
Do people really talk and act like this in Southern USA? Inflatable bras, well, ok, but padded 'panties'? The author was obviously very taken with these, referring to them frequently. "When I patted my jeans and shirt, they felt dry, but the foam fanny in my panties was still wet against my skin. " Oh dear. Luckily I know that 'fanny' in US means a different bit of female anatomy to what it means in Australia.
The patronizing and sexist attitudes towards women were annoying and endless. I found myself checking the cover, the heroine is female but, I thought, perhaps the author was male - but no, a female author. Good grief. An eye opener for this Aussie reader.
The patronizing and sexist attitudes towards women were annoying and endless. I found myself checking the cover, the heroine is female but, I thought, perhaps the author was male - but no, a female author. Good grief. An eye opener for this Aussie reader.
February 1, 2009
Another adventure with mortuary cosmetologist Calamine Parrish and her best friend, Jane, visiting a bluegrass festival on an island of the coast of SC. Once again Callie discovers a murder and is curious to solve the mystery when Jane ends up disappearing too. Another quick, easy read. Although this is Book 2 in Rizer's series, it is not necessary to read Book 1 first. Contains colorful characters and lots of Southern charm.
March 15, 2012
This book speaks more about the authors limited & naive experiences than what she tried to convey with the story. I attend several festivals every year and the nonchalant way she describes a dead body found at a festival comes across as unbelievable. The story does move and some characters are interesting but nothing surprised me and she over used "Puh-leeze" to the point that I never want to read that word again. Its cute, simple & unmemorable.
April 1, 2012
I got a bit tired of the repetition of some things, for instance, why she wore black at the funeral while working, why friend Jane acted the way she did...same parts were just repeated..and once was enough. Add to that a sheriff that isolated one group of people on an island, while a festival was scheduled, even while not letting some of the campers into their camper, but not concerned about where they were supposed to stay...too far out there for belief.
March 30, 2019
Puh-leeze! This is the first and last I'll read of this series or by this author. Unrealistic and ridiculous. In no way did I enjoy this trite story. Ugh.
May 18, 2020
Ick!
Awful, obvious plotting.
Can't-relate, 2-dimensional characters.
Overly controlling, sexist family of the main character is particularly obnoxious.
Skip it, and save youself!
Awful, obvious plotting.
Can't-relate, 2-dimensional characters.
Overly controlling, sexist family of the main character is particularly obnoxious.
Skip it, and save youself!
May 30, 2020
Part of why I am doing a geographical challenge for mysteries is to get a feeling for different places. Here’s what this South Carolina author considers important, through the POV of her protagonist:
- respecting christian prayer
- avoiding swearing
- demure behavior
- sufficient boobage/ body modification: the protagonist mentions her “flat chest,” inflatable bra from Victoria’s Secret, and her butt-enhancing underwear REPEATEDLY.
- gun ownership: the protagonist owns a shotgun and a rifle, and keeps a loaded 38 in her bedside table drawer. (The 38 is unloaded and placed in on the closet shelf if kids come over.)
Some other things I noticed: The protagonist’s best friend is blind; I’m conflicted about how she’s treated but her character is independent, and various assistive technology is mentioned matter-of-factly. The protagonist insists on her brother using the correct terminology for little people. Gullah culture is represented fairly positively, given that it’s a white POV.
What is mentioned as an aside but not called out: general sexism and chauvinism, especially by the protagonist’s father and brothers.
Barbecue is mentioned frequently but not appreciated by the protagonist. References to Bluegrass music are included throughout. There are shoutouts for a couple of mystery authors.
- respecting christian prayer
- avoiding swearing
- demure behavior
- sufficient boobage/ body modification: the protagonist mentions her “flat chest,” inflatable bra from Victoria’s Secret, and her butt-enhancing underwear REPEATEDLY.
- gun ownership: the protagonist owns a shotgun and a rifle, and keeps a loaded 38 in her bedside table drawer. (The 38 is unloaded and placed in on the closet shelf if kids come over.)
Some other things I noticed: The protagonist’s best friend is blind; I’m conflicted about how she’s treated but her character is independent, and various assistive technology is mentioned matter-of-factly. The protagonist insists on her brother using the correct terminology for little people. Gullah culture is represented fairly positively, given that it’s a white POV.
What is mentioned as an aside but not called out: general sexism and chauvinism, especially by the protagonist’s father and brothers.
Barbecue is mentioned frequently but not appreciated by the protagonist. References to Bluegrass music are included throughout. There are shoutouts for a couple of mystery authors.
June 30, 2023
This is the second book in this series. Callie & her bestie, Jane, go to a Bluegrass Festival on a barrier island. It's all fun, music, and frivolity until one of the players winds up dead. Everyone is stuck on the island while the police investigate, and Callie can't help doing a little digging of her own. It's not long before there's another murder, then Jane goes missing, and Callie finds herself in thick of things again.
Firstly, as a South Carolinian, this book is a bit of my childhood with the family relationships, the words, and the locales, so that gives it a boost to me, and I find the mortuary aspect of things interesting. That said, the kindergarten language gets a bit old at times. The whodunit aspect of this mystery was a little thin.
Firstly, as a South Carolinian, this book is a bit of my childhood with the family relationships, the words, and the locales, so that gives it a boost to me, and I find the mortuary aspect of things interesting. That said, the kindergarten language gets a bit old at times. The whodunit aspect of this mystery was a little thin.
September 29, 2018
This is a cute little mystery series. In this book, Callie goes to a Bluegrass Festival and 2 people wind up dead and her best friend Jane is kidnapped. Lots of interesting characters and the series reminds me of Stephanie Plum (but not as good). Callie works at a funeral home doing makeup for the deceased. They finally find Jane and save her and solve the mystery.
June 26, 2025
I found the mystery… not mysterious. I didn’t care for ANY of the characters. It just seemed like it was a story and then in the last 5 pages it was revealed whodunnit. No slow spreading out of some clues.
This was my 1st of the series I have read and I will not be reading any others from this series
This was my 1st of the series I have read and I will not be reading any others from this series
October 14, 2023
What can I say? This series by Rizer is so much fun to read. The characters are very unusual, especially the brothers who run the funeral home. I have say to that my favorite characters are Callie and Jane. Those two are a hoot. I am looking to the next book in this series.
May 17, 2020
I figured out the mystery a little too early and the cast of characters are just a tad too much for me.
November 24, 2020
Better than the 1st Callie Parrish. Anytime I had a spare moment I wanted to pick up this book.
August 3, 2009
I picked this up at library while trawling the paperback section - I often pick up new authors this way as I don't have to pay the usual price of admission to try someone new. I was pleasantly surprised at this fun little book.
Callie Parrish is an ex-kindergarten teacher turned mortuary cosmetologist who sometimes solves murders. This book begins at a blue-grass festival where "Little Fiddlin' Fred"'s body falls out of a bass case onstage during the opening prayer - thus the title. High jinks ensue.
Fran Rizer's cast of offbeat characters are enjoyable to read. On the downsides... I didn't care to have a main character inspired so much by Kramer from Seinfeld - it felt a bit clunky and flat. The plot twists were not overly twisty, but I wanted to read to the end.
Overall, a good read and I am interested enough that I would pick up another of Fran Rizer's books in the future.
Callie Parrish is an ex-kindergarten teacher turned mortuary cosmetologist who sometimes solves murders. This book begins at a blue-grass festival where "Little Fiddlin' Fred"'s body falls out of a bass case onstage during the opening prayer - thus the title. High jinks ensue.
Fran Rizer's cast of offbeat characters are enjoyable to read. On the downsides... I didn't care to have a main character inspired so much by Kramer from Seinfeld - it felt a bit clunky and flat. The plot twists were not overly twisty, but I wanted to read to the end.
Overall, a good read and I am interested enough that I would pick up another of Fran Rizer's books in the future.
June 28, 2011
In this second novel of the series, we find the main sleuth, Callie Parrish at a Bluegrass festival with her best friend, Annie. They are enjoying the music when a body appears on the very stage in front of the audience.
Callie feels involved as she often banjo picks with some of the band members in the parking lot. The next turn Callie finds another band member dead in her brother's RV that she and Annie were using. What is going on? Then Annie gets kidnapped.
It is Callie to the rescue surrounded by her bosses, friends, and family. We are led on a laughing out loud search and discovery as this excellent novel brings us on the journey with tight writing and characters that are realistic.
Callie feels involved as she often banjo picks with some of the band members in the parking lot. The next turn Callie finds another band member dead in her brother's RV that she and Annie were using. What is going on? Then Annie gets kidnapped.
It is Callie to the rescue surrounded by her bosses, friends, and family. We are led on a laughing out loud search and discovery as this excellent novel brings us on the journey with tight writing and characters that are realistic.
Read
July 25, 2011This mystery is enjoyable, but edgy. Not only is the main character present at the scene of the first murder, but the second murder occurs in the camper she borrowed from her brother, and her best friend is kidnapped as well. I had figured out the culprit early on, but didn't figure out all the details. Fran Rizer's descriptions of South Carolina's low country seems accurate. The characterization of the protagonists makes Callie Parrish seem like someone you might actually know. I can't wait to read the next book in the series.
August 13, 2013
This was a fun read, though it got a little silly sometimes. I knew who the killer was early on, but the plot twisted and turned and was still a fun ride.The author should edit out all of the repetitious passages. She has a habit of telling her reader the same funny facts and details over and over, and they become more irritating than funny the third time around. Not great literature, but exactly what a genre mystery should be--a pleasant adventure to read on your beach towel on a sunny summer day.
September 27, 2012
I didn't care so much about the Bluegrass Festival and almost quit reading about a third of the way through it. Finally it got off to her Mortuary Mystery and was a good read! I like this series and already have the next one to read. Like how she swears ---Dalmatian for Damn and Shih Tzu for the other bad word! Like how she describes the Southern ways, her family and actually all that she does!
September 26, 2010
Very Enjoyable!
November 2, 2011
Very enjoyable book! Looking forward to getting #3 in the series to see what Callie is up to next.
September 1, 2012
A fun, quick read. Not as good as Ms. Rizer's 1st book, but still enjoyable.
May 3, 2013
mystery, music, and quirky southern charm. i enjoyed the story and adored the language. seeing words i heard growing up in print for the first time made me smile.
January 21, 2014
I'm really loving this series!
June 5, 2014
I love this character! books that I cannot put down!
Displaying 1 - 27 of 27 reviews