💎 Book Review: The Family Jewels (A Callahan Garrity Short Story) by Mary Kay Andrews / Kathy Hogan Trocheck (Kindle Edition)
A bite-sized Southern mystery with charm, sass, and a dash of intrigue—this short story brings back Atlanta’s favorite cleaning sleuth for one last case.
🧠 Overview
Published in February 2014, The Family Jewels is a 16-page short story in the Callahan Garrity Mysteries series, written by Kathy Hogan Trocheck under her pen name Mary Kay Andrews. The story features Callahan Garrity, a former cop turned private investigator and cleaning business owner, as she investigates the suspicious death of Miss Loudene Jenkins, a 70-year-old woman found dead near an old mill—with her beloved 1920s costume jewelry mysteriously missing.
This story serves as a finale to the Callahan Garrity series, offering fans one last glimpse into Callahan’s world of quirky Southern characters and clever sleuthing.
🔍 Plot Snapshot
- 🕵️♀️ Callahan is called in when Miss Loudene’s death raises eyebrows—especially since her prized jewelry collection has vanished
- 💬 The investigation leads through Atlanta’s less glamorous neighborhoods, uncovering secrets and eccentric suspects
- 💎 The resolution is humorous and unexpected, with the “family jewels” turning up in a rather unconventional hiding spot
💬 Reader Reception
- ⭐ Goodreads rating: 3.81/5 from over 900 readers
- 📖 Fans of the series appreciate the nostalgic return of Callahan and her crew
- 🧾 Some readers felt the story was too short to fully develop the mystery, but enjoyed the tone and character voice
- 💬 “Starts with a bang and ends too soon… but still a fun farewell to Callahan.” — Goodreads reviewer
⚠️ Considerations
- 📄 Very short format: At 16 pages, it’s more of a vignette than a full mystery
- 📚 Best for existing fans: New readers may miss the deeper character connections built over the series
- 🧾 Light on suspense: The story leans more on charm and character than complex plotting
🏁 Final Verdict
The Family Jewels is a quick, cozy mystery that gives longtime fans of Callahan Garrity a final wink and nod. While it may not deliver the depth of a full-length novel, its Southern flair, witty dialogue, and nostalgic tone make it a satisfying curtain call for one of Mary Kay Andrews’ most beloved sleuths.
