I couldnt get into this one and found the characters whiny. ( )

1st Maggody book, kidnapping, escaped cons, blackmail and murder

This isn't Joan Hess' first book, but it's the first in a series set in a little town called Maggody. The residents are all very unique. The main character is Chief ARly Hanks, the Chief (and one of two employees) of the Maggody Police force. She doesn't get any support from Mayor Jim Bob Buchanon and his zany bunch of crazy town council members.

The mystery is who killed a young woman resident of Maggody, Jaylee. A state police Sargent is Arly's 'partner' while trying to find the killer. Add in Arly's mother Ruby Bee Hanks, who seems to have a penchent for getting in trouble.

It was a very busy story, lots of subplots that sort of came together to make the main plot. Sometimes it got a bit choppy here and there, but it was done well overall. The scenes also went between third person and the first person from Arly's point of view. It took a bit to get used to that, but after a bit it flowed smoothly and I barely noticed the change between the point of view.

What was annoying was just how pretty much all the characters were jerks, dismissive, even mean. I can take having a few of those characters in a story, but not all. The 'everyone's against Arly' also started getting on my nerves by the end of the novel.

It was an okay read, an interesting, but slightly weird three stars.

I got this book through Netgalley on behalf of Open Road Integrated Media.

Edited: 02/11/2017 ( )

When an EPA contract specialist happens through Maggody, Arkansas--the tackiest town on earth--the inhabitants devise a hair-brained method of keeping him from his appointed duties. Mayhem and murder ensue and Police Chief Arly Hanks must find a murderer, who may be the person she least expects. Pleasant start to a good series. ( )

very light reading