don't shoot the messenger, but I shot the sheriff
353848
You may consider this album just for Eric's #1 hit, but first try to ignore the catchy opening groove of "Motherless Children." Then there's the easygoing beat on "Willie and the Hand Jive" and "I Can't Hold Out" and the light touch of "Let It Grow."
815272
I enjoyed this short tale. The action started right from the first page, with the sheriff being an interesting, angst ridden character that I instantly liked. I'm not going to give too much away, but a lot happens in this book, in quick-fire time, and that is the only reason it doesn't get 5-stars from me. I wanted a longer book, with more development and I do feel the author missed a great opportunity here to give us readers something we could really get our teeth into. Even so, I recommend this Western outing by Mr Sweet!
1263034
Amazon recommended Craig Johnson's books because I read C J Box.

Quick Set up: Wyoming lawman. Natural Wyoming background. Vic,sassy deputy with a foul mouth. Best friend Henry Standing Bear. Walt is his own man but fair. Shootings involving young men who were part of a prior heinous crime but hadn't paid the full price. Who's killing these boys?

I read The Dark Horse first, which is #5 in the Walt Longmire series, then decided to read the rest starting with The Cold Dish. This first installment gets you acquainted with Sheriff Walt Longmire and others in his world. I thought the story plodded along at first,but then I decided it's the way Walt works so became more accepting of the pace. Although, does seem like a bunch of stuff happened within a couple of days so found myself wondering about the time line often trying to remember where we were,where we'd been.

I gave the title four stars for content and character likability. The character development is what kept me going. I have to say, many times I was confused with who was saying what and the often implied meanings of some of Walt's thoughts. Sometimes I got bogged down with the constant descriptions of every body movement (crossing arms,arched eyebrow), which to me, is what slowed the story. But, every writer has his/her style. Johnson's seems to be methodical. Without being a spoiler, the ending was a tad unsatisfactory for me. I see where Johnson was going with the plausibility of connecting the shootings with the shooter's sad background, but just didn't feel right to me. Oh well. I still intend to continue with the series and look forward to Johnson's next new installment as well. I am a Sheriff Walt Longmire fan!
716188
This is one you can't put down for very long at a time.  Having worked in law enforcement and the judicial system of Wakulla County, as well as being acquainted with the "players" of this writing, I am dumbfounded by my ignorance of the manipulations involved in this murder and trial thereof.  It will rattle long held beliefs concerning the death penalty and our "justice" system.  Only God knows the truth of this one.  May He have mercy on all involved - the good, the bad and the ugly.  I am thankful that this was a few years before my move to Wakulla.
4695411
Sheriff Joanna Brady is another of my favorite crime solvers, but in Paradise Lost she's a prime example of why I would never attempt to write about a crime solver who is married and has a child. In this novel Brady is newly married to Butch Dixon, her second husband, and her daughter Jenny is now 12 years old. Both are struggling a bit with issues that are the result of being married to or the daughter of a county sheriff.

This story begins with Joanna and Butch attending an Arizona Sheriff's Association convention. She is sneaking back into their room at the hotel at 1 am after playing poker with other sheriffs and beating her least favorite one out of about $700. Butch understands but later admits the convention was difficult for him as the only husband of a sheriff. Wives of course have gone through this since the Stone Age but it's different for a guy.

Then Jenny has problems camping with the Girl Scouts and trying to be just one of the kids. Then she and her pup tent mate find a body and the plot is off and running and so is Joanna. It's one of those novels that leaves you breathless because it goes so fast, there's so much danger, and Joanna is also dealing with family issues.

By the way, Joanna's mother, Eleanor, is the most aggravating character ever devised by a novelist. I'd say more but you just have to meet her yourself.

Actually that's the best feature of Jance's novels - the characters. They're unique and they're understandable in their lives and their actions, if a little quirky at times but aren't we all? The characters are really busy in this tale with a short-handed sheriff's department, three murders, and a lot of miles to cover during the investigation. Meanwhile, Butch is in the wedding of one of his former employees, Jenny is upset, Eleanor is very upset, and Joanna needs to be in about three places at once. What a crazy mess, but of course it all tends to work out.

I can't tell you any more without spoiling the book for you, except that a recurring theme is motherhood. I hope you'll read this one. It's a keeper.
1162990
' "I don't want to shoot you, I said. "And I don't want you to beg. I'm not that kind of guy." ' Nobody is whom they seem in this hard-boiled thrill ride that I finished in less than 24 hours. Plenty of twists and turns kept me engaged throughout, tho at the end of the book nobody was exactly wearing the 'white hat.' For an author noted for writing police procedurals this was like looking at an entirely new set of characters whom embraced the dark side and made for an entertaining change of pace. Very good book that I did like and will be looking forward to reading more from Zafiro as a result!
3850728
This book chilled me to the core in a fictional account of David vs. Goliath. The story paints a picture of Federal agencies that operate without constraint or oversight, pitted against a sheriff who takes his oath to his constituents and the Constitution with above all else, riddled with self-doubt at times.  My stomach was in knots at times with the tension of the arrest and trial of one of the main characters, Monte, and the author paints a grim picture of the ordeal he lives through after Feds shoot his wife dead in a botched raid-at the wrong address!  A nerve wracking and suspenseful read this book is.

Though a fictional tale, one would hope that their sheriff would act as Bear does in this story, placing his life and reputation on the line for someone who has been acquitted by jury and pursued without constraint by overzealous federal officers.  Plain and simple, a great read.
1711475
I used to be a law abiding citizen with a respect for authority.  After one serving of this Mobster Marinera I immediately went next door and robbed my neighbors and forced them to pay me monthly for "protection" .  Thank you Sunday Gravy.  Note: I do my cross and confess every time I make a hit.
1585299
In Ace Atkins seventh installment in the Quinn Colson series,  The Fallen, Tibbehah County, Mississippi is once again a hotbed of illegal activity which runs the gamut of bank robberies, missing teenage girls and an underlying corruption that Sheriff Quinn Colson just cannot seem to stay ahead of.

When bank robbers Rick Wilcox, Jonas Cord and their buddy Opie make an ill-fated decision to rob Jericho First National Bank, they are certain they will get away with their crime. However, instead of a clueless small town police force, their crime falls under the jurisdiction of Sheriff Quinn Colson and assistant Sheriff Lillie Virgil who have proven time and again they are a formidable crime fighting duo. Colson correctly deduces the men are former military and with few clues to go on, he turns to federal agent Jon Holliday who does not have any more information about the crew than Quinn and Lillie.

Interspersed with the investigation into the bank robbery are a couple of story arcs set in the local community. Quinns sister Caddy is worried about two missing teenagers that she has been trying to locate under the Sheriffs radar. Strip bar owner Fannie Hathcock is running up against good ole boy Skinner whose Southern Christian values are greatly offended by her establishment.  The search for the missing girls leads straight to Fannies strip joint and ultimately, the latest round of corruption that is attempting to gain a toehold in Tibbehah County.

In between the investigation of the bank robbery and fighting petty crimes in the county, Quinn reunites with childhood friend Maggie Powers who has recently moved to town with her nine year old son Brandon. As they reminisce about their innocent exploits, a simmering passion threatens to explode into full blown passion but since Maggie is in the midst of a messy divorce, they attempt to keep their relationship platonic.

When Quinn begins putting the pieces of the various puzzles together, Lillies concerns about his objectivity lead her to make a surprising decision about her future.  When the multiple  plotlines finally converge into a violent showdown, she concedes Quinns suspicions are, indeed correct, and her expertise is instrumentally in bringing the siege to an end.  In the aftermath, will Lillie change her mind about the events she set into motion during a moment of frustration?

The Fallen is another well-plotted mystery with a storyline that is an accurate reflection of the pervasive political mindset of the deep South today.  Ace Atkins lightens the mood with some laugh out loud funny one-liners as Quinn and Lillie take aim at the corruption and crime that threaten to destroy Tibbehah County. Although this latest release is the seventh installment in the Quinn Colson series, it can easily be read as a standalone.  However, I have to warn readers that the novels tantalizing conclusion will leave them  impatiently awaiting the next book in this fantastic series.

 I received a complimentary copy for review.
254021
The good guy became the Sheriff. Lots of things happen. I am seeing a lot of people becoming a lot more evil than they started out. I also think Wayne has some part in the next book, and Tobias. This book ends in a cliff hanger, but it is certainly interesting getting to it. The reason for only four stars is because of Theresa.
4812397
Jail is no fun place to be. but you have to give respect to those willing to protect us from the bad guy's being a former jail deputy i can say that this book is dead on the money. the author did a excellent job.
1445472
its a good read but the title sort of gives it away to anybody with no prior knowledge of the events. Also and in my view the Sheriff was made responsible for a lot of the mistakes. Seems he did his job as good as he could under the circumstances.
2115414
I use these in my kingman to stop those who want to run and don't want to work with me and then i have to shoot them to stop them
1362784
High school Principal Debra Highsmith was difficult at best for many and flat out hated by some in the local community. First missing and then found dead by Jenny Brady, the daughter of Cochise County Sheriff Joanna Brady, there is a personal angle to the case. Sheriff Brady has her hands full with the case because now a search for a killer in the Bisbee area begins.

Not only will that investigation reveal some unpleasant truths about the victim and some of the students she tried to help every day, Joanna will be again reminded that no one is perfect. Everyone shows a public face to the world. Their private face is often darker and for very good reason.

With things at home rough and work with its own problems the last thing Brady needs is a second murder. She quickly gets one and before is chasing a killer who clearly has a mission in mind. Old scores are being settled and the killer is not through just yet.

Judgment Call: A Brady Novel Of Suspense is another good read featuring plenty about Joanna Brady and her family at home as well as her extended police family at work. Those various personal issues and conflicts add spice to the series while not interfering as the chase intensifies for a killer bent on a powerful sense of payback for secrets long buried. A quick read well worth your time and another very enjoyable installment of the series that also manages to tie up a couple of ongoing loose ties.

Material supplied by the good folks of the Plano Texas Public Library System.

Kevin R. Tipple 2012
2330935
This book was a pleasant surprise that I go to read free on my Kindle through Amazon Prime.  Although the description sounds like it is about a retired sheriff in NM, it is really about the current female undersheriff in a NM county.  I found the plot abosrbing and the characters interesting to the point that I paid money to get the next book in the series.
524989
I'm not the type to put the boom boom on my fellow red light road warriors, however, this bone shaker is my newest piece of arsenal in the never-ending fight against the cellphone yapping, death machine driving, "people" out there. (And I use that term loosely). From the young teeny-boppers just learning to drive to the older-than-dirt grannies who can't remember how. The Rockford Fosgate P300-10 will make their little telephone conversation that is more important than anyone's pathetic life, unpleasant, to say the least.

Once a perpetrator comes to a stop beside me, of course after slamming on the brakes because they were too "involved" with her conversation about little Jen's newest pimple and how her boyfriend bought her a coke with too much ice in it, all I need to do is crank the remote dial gain control to the max position and let my RF P300-10 do the talking....say hello to my little friend. Of course, the immediate response most often is that of pure disgust, which evolves into the "OMG you are such $#@%head" look." Ohhhhh the pleasure I take in the facial lashings they try to dish out. WHAT NOW....

With ever little battle won, I return the remote gain control dial to it proper position and savor my victory with Willie and Toby Keith's "Beer for my Horse's" as I proceed to my intended destination.
4398388
Samuel Keaton has returned to Laramie, this time as the Sheriff.  But things aren't as simple as arresting the occasional drunk.  There's the traveling revivalist in the cell arrested for attempted murder who taunts Samuel whenever he's in the office.  Then there's the double murder in the bank vault set up to look like a robbery gone wrong.  And, to make matters worse, a gang of confederates has wandered into town.  While they aren't causing any trouble, the townsfolk blame them for everything bad happening in town and are mad at Samuel because he's not taking any action.  His hands are tied, however, because of lack of evidence.
Sigmund Brouwer has written another great book.  Samuel Keaton's world is enhanced by the introduction of Doc and Jake.  The mystery is very engaging and the writing style is relaxed, inviting the reader to sit back and enjoy.  I highly recommend this entertaining mystery, originally released as "Moon Basket."