A pig escapes from its pen and roots up the garden of Kitty McCloud, a bestselling novelist who “corrects” the classics. What the obstreperous little pig unearths is evidence of a possible transgression that the novel’s three Irish characters—the plagiarizing Kitty, her blood-feud rival Kieran, and a sexy swineherd named Lolly—are convinced the other has probably benefited from. How this hilarious mystery is resolved inspires both comic eloquence and a theatrically colorful canvas depicting the brooding Irish land and seascape.
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"The setting in Ireland is very well drawn (especially the escape tunnel to the sea) and the writing is very good. This book was nonsensical but had a series of laugh out loud moments. The characters are warped and you can't tell where it will end. That is why I look forward to the publication of the next two books in the trilogy!"
— Elizabeth (4 out of 5 stars)
" A funny but somewhat predictable irish farce. "
— Alison, 1/28/2014" The idea of this book was much better than the book itself. I found the beginning of this short novel worthy of a random chuckle here and there, but soon I grew bored with the main character's inflated ego and pretentious inner diaglog. Once I had completed the book, I contemplated the story some more and decided it would make a much better movie than a novel. I picture it as a kind of Irish version of "A Fish Called Wanda." "
— Renee, 1/13/2014" This was certainly a whacky little book kind of funny and without a doubt odd... "
— Carolyn, 1/11/2014" I got a few chapters in but just couldn't keep reading. It seemed as if the author was trying to be funny and sardonic and literary, as if juggling balls, and couldn't quite carry it off. "
— Beth, 12/30/2013" I thought it was a very tedious read. I read other reviews in which readers enjoyed the soliloquies. However, I was wondering "who in the world talks like this??" I also didn't appreciate not finding out who the murderer really was. I won't be reading the other 2 books in this trilogy. "
— Julie, 12/25/2013" I'm still trying to get my mind around why the indies are loving this one. Maybe there's just too much land and sea description for me? I'll let someone more versed in this genre inform me of what I'm missing to really enjoy this novel. "
— Angela, 12/23/2013" Lots of smiles here. And Caldwell may have the best (comic) insight into the workings of the Irish mind. "
— Jackie, 12/16/2013" This delightful "mystery" features Aaron McCloud, a self-absorbed writer who returns to Ireland to brood about his latest tragic love encounter. En route, he's adopted by a pig, who takes it upon itself to take care of Aaron, and possible teach him something about life. This is truly an Irish novel and would be a fun beach read! "
— MK, 12/15/2013" fun---easy to read--laughed out loud. "
— Cindy, 12/4/2013" thin premise, cliche characters, way over-written. "A Washington Post Book World Best Book 2008" - okay, we'll be warned away next time by that blurb. "
— Geoffrey, 11/4/2013" Entertaining and all, but upon completion I couldn't think of a reason to have read it. "
— Marissa, 10/9/2013" I loved this! Great vacation beach read. Its off the beaten track, light and entertaining but still intelligent. I'm going to buy the rest in the series. "
— Carly, 10/3/2013" Whimsical and laugh-out-loud funny in parts -- pure entertainment! It would be a great play. "
— Serri, 9/28/2013" Interesting voice, and it has some funny moments, however you could see the end coming a mile away. Very easy, fast read. I enjoyed it. "
— Karen, 9/26/2013" I started this a while back. "
— Shauna, 8/28/2013" Funny segments (pig) make up for the mopey main character (human). Either it wandered, or there is something bigger that I missed (very possible, I am easily distracted). "
— Sandra, 3/21/2013" A relatively pleasant way to pass the time, no more, no less. "
— The, 3/20/2013" Just okay. Was moving along pretty good then got a bit wacky, drawn out and not especially funny. However, there was one paragraph or two that made me laugh out loud. That in itself is good for a star! "
— Lesley, 12/17/2012" Very funny. I just kind of giggled throughout. At first the main guy bugged but once I realized he's just an idiot I was able to handle him better. "
— Ellen, 10/20/2012" You'll either love it or hate it. I laughed out loud several times and thought the murder is not resolved and the last 7-8 pages are a let down, the rest of the book is hysterical. "
— Stacey, 9/30/2012" A lighthearted crime novel set on rural Irish coastland. I like that a pig (instead of the obligatory cat or dog) is featured. Pigs rule! "
— Mary-Ann, 9/18/2012" The only thing good about the book was the title. I kept hoping it would get better, but it didn't. "
— Susan, 1/6/2012" This book (and the series) sounded so interesting when I ordered it from Bas Bleu catalog....unfortunately, I had to force myself to finish it. Maybe I just didn't get the "Irish lyric novel"?? "
— Janelle, 12/15/2011" A weird little mystery. What the pig did is unbury a skeleton, which led to all kind of mayhem without ever really resolving the mystery of who killed the man. Pleasant enough, but definitely quirky. "
— Dina, 8/21/2011" A bizarre, but fun read. "
— TR, 8/7/2011" This book was delightful, highly recommended. "
— Amy, 7/13/2011" Hilarious! Good dark humor read. "
— Christie, 5/10/2011" I'd give it 3 and 1/2 stars if I could. I liked the style and the very tongue-in-cheek characterizations. Loved the setting and the sort of mythic/fantastical elements. I laughed out loud several times. But I can see how this book wouldn't appeal to everyone. "
— Tiffany, 5/4/2011" If it were not for the descriptive passages about the sea, I would rate this one star. <br/> <br/>This book felt like an interesting Irish film, rather than a novel. Mr. Caldwell, sell this book! I would go to see it. I will not, however, be reading the sequels to this novel. "
— Pamela, 4/8/2011" funny pig, funny characters (kitty who re-writes the classes to better suit her tastes) and funny situations; would make an even better movie. i liked the descriptive paragraphs although the one of the chair was a bit much ;-) "
— Sangeeta, 3/30/2011" I am looking forward to reading the rest of the series. The author does a brilliant job of letting the characters get carried away with their Irish soliloquys. "
— Terry, 3/29/2011" if you like dark humour and good story-telling then this is a book to read. "
— Julie, 3/19/2011" V. funny Irish humor. Good entertainment. "
— Kate, 3/16/2011" This book (and the series) sounded so interesting when I ordered it from Bas Bleu catalog....unfortunately, I had to force myself to finish it. Maybe I just didn't get the "Irish lyric novel"?? "
— Janelle, 2/15/2011" This book was CRAZY!. Right when I thought I knew what was going to happen, it changed. I felt like I was watching this older movie named 'Clue", (the who done it movie). This book kept my interest and I am tempted to read more of the Pig books. "
— Kathy, 2/10/2011" You'll either love it or hate it. I laughed out loud several times and thought the murder is not resolved and the last 7-8 pages are a let down, the rest of the book is hysterical. "
— Stacey, 2/8/2011" Caldwell's writing is a joy, but even so I don't think I'll be searching for the next book in this series. "
— Reese, 1/27/2011" Not much of a mystery. Didn't care for the ending! "
— Don, 1/17/2011Chris Patton has narrated over seventy-five audiobooks. His voice can be heard narrating such titles as Marvel’s Guardians of the Galaxy, the dystopian juggernaut Yesterday’s Gone, Clive Barker’s Books of Blood series, and two titles by Joyce Carol Oates. Chris began his career in theater at age ten, and his voice-over career at twenty-nine. Since then, he has voiced over two hundred anime titles, numerous commercials and e-learning and industrial projects, and several video games. He’s also fronted a synthpop band called Paul Lynde Is Dead, written a teen urban fantasy about an emo vampire called Scene Immortal, and has appeared as a special guest at more than eighty-five pop-culture conventions.