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Review of Texas Weather
by Tricia Allen
Top Publications, Ltd. Co., Trade Paper, $14.95, ISBN
1-929976-00-3.
The press could write juicy stories about this slasher. The MO matched those of 17
other murders in Houston during World War II. And now, in 1947, an almost-victim from
"Noo Arleans" says this millionaire Broadman is the killer. He just moved to
Dallas for kicks. The many deeds that invigorate this mystery center on David Weather,
assistant DA in Dallas County. Reporters are on top of him pronto, especially Francy
Cotton, because she believes that the death of Weather’s dad was no accident. While
she’s at it, she reveals the rumor around town that Weather is having an affair with
a colleague’s wife. Then she tries to finagle, access to a murder witness.
Francy’s a real doozey, with legit credentials from Northwestern’s J-School,
part ownership in a paper and half-sister who was a hooker. Francy’s nemesis is
Bradley Murph, a student intern at the other paper. "He was almost twenty and
he’d seen a lot more than people supposed. He knew some secrets, too." The
assistant DA has enough troubles with jurisprudence and journalism, but then the angry
husband starts making threats. Only the prelims. Gun shots usher in a whole new ball game
and defendant Broadman is killed. Weather’s boss fumes. "Now Mr. Weather, tell
me about you and Verna Calloway. Every altercation." Who killed her jealous husband?
And who’s behind related deaths and assaults? The author weaves a magic spell of
suspects and victims that keeps readers guessing to the end. Great period piece
spellbinder. The Book Reader.
TEXAS WEATHER
By Tricia Allen
Top Publications May 2000
Paperback $14.95
Reviewed by Linda Wills of Rockwall, TX
Set in 1947, TEXAS WEATHER depicts Dallas as a city that few people would
recognize today. Highland Park is the center of town and "North Dallas" is
farmland and countryside that hasn't been given a name. Tricia Allen writes a colorful
novel in what we recall as a black-and-white era.
Dallas County Assistant District Attorney David Weather has more on his plate than a
preacher at a church picnic. Weather is working on the prosecution of a rich, well
protected killer, dodging a golf club wielded by his boss (the angry husband of his most
recent mistress), pinned down by his mother and fiancee to "set a date", and
attempting to escape the attention of the local news hounds.
The murders that Broadman committed in Houston escaped detection because most of the
victims were hookers without family connections and without the care of the community. The
newspapers labeled the killer a "Maniac", but did little to pursue the solving
of the crimes. Broadman then decides to abduct two women of questionable career choices.
Although several of the earlier crime scenes suggested an accomplice, it isn't until
Honeydew Thibodeaux, pronounced "Tippytoe", lives through the ordeal that
Weathers has a case to prosecute. Thibodeaux is hiding in a hotel and guarded until the
trial. Broadman is out on bond and proclaiming his innocence, while tracking the people
who are threatening to change his status of freedom.
Francy Cotton, reporter and part owner of the local newspaper, follows Weather with the
diligence of a bloodhound with a rich scent. She has investigated his late father (and his
former mistresses and their children) in an attempt to get Weather to reveal his side of
the story and also the prosecutors' case against Broadman. Weather has a difficult time
trusting his own moral values, yet alone the values of a reporter. He struggles with the
warring factions of his job, the case against Broadman, and his personal choices.
Tricia Allen has given us a difficult puzzle to solve, but the setting and story are
interesting and challenging to the reader. This is Allen's first novel and it is one to
read with the doors and windows locked.
Joe Bob Briggs Book Club
by Tricia Allen
Reviewed by Tracy Vonder Brink
A sensational trial is captivating the citizens of Dallas
in 1947. Wealthy socialite Phillip Broadman is accused of being The Maniac, a
razor-wielding psychopath who murdered 17 women. Prosecuting Broadman is Assistant
District Attorney David Weather. Weather would like to concentrate solely on the
potentially career-making trial, but his personal life keeps interfering. A muckraking
reporter is hounding Weather about his father's death in a plane crash, a crash which the
reporter insists was no accident. Weather is also trying to end an ill-advised affair with
a colleague's wife.The wife won't leave him alone, and the husband is on the verge of
discovering their indiscretions. Weather also has a high society fiancée who will leave
him if she learns of the affair. Straightening out his messy personal life and preparing
for the trial become crucial as Weather finds threatening letters in his home and a murder
occurs in his office.
As Joe Bob hisself would say, there's too much plot gettin' in the way of the story in
this one. In addition to the main plots, there are several more minor subplots, and the
author frequently shifts perspective between characters to have them fill in their back
stories. The result is a tangle of storylines that's hard to keep straight. It's difficult
even to describe the book's atmosphere because it can't decide what it wants to be. It's
not quite a courtroom drama, not quite a serial killer thriller, and not quite a murder
mystery. I also wasn't sure why the story is set in 1947. Apart from a few references to
characters having served in the war and to name brands popular in 1947, it's not
particularly evocative of the period. Of all the various plots and subplots, I most
enjoyed the serial killer's prosecution. There's dramatic tension in the courtroom scenes
as the arrogant, rich killer taunts the prosecution, but those scenes were all too brief.
I would have preferred that all the other subplots be eliminated and the killer's crimes
and trial be expanded. That would have been an exciting read. 2 1/2 stars.
Top Publications, 2001, $14.95
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