Cyndi J. (cyndij) reviewed on 4/20/2018 + 1031 more book reviews

I always like this series for its excellent sense of place and time. I wasn't in Oklahoma around the turn of the 20th century, but it sure feels real to me in these books. This is the tenth Alafair Tucker mystery; a reader new to the series really should start at the beginning. Alafair's son "Gee Dub" has returned from the trenches of WWI, outwardly fine but Alafair can tell he's not the same. The awful things he's seen have left their mark - now we call it PTSD. When he encounters a young woman trudging along the road, obviously in some distress but unwilling to take his help, he gets Alafair to offer her shelter. She's come all the way from Maine trying to find the husband who seemingly deserted her. Gee Dub forms a quick attachment to Holly; he and Alafair try to help out. Not only is the wayward husband alive but there are further complications...and when he's found shot dead, Gee Dub turns out to have motive and opportunity. Alafair will do anything for her kids, and now she's going to keep Gee Dub free. I thought this book showed Alafair in an even more human light than the rest: when Gee Dub is arrested, she's angry that the sheriff would arrest one of his relatives. And her second thought is not about justice for the murdered man, but to hide any evidence that might implicate Gee Dub. But of course we know a main character won't be the guilty party, so we can enjoy as Alafair and Holly figure it out. I thought the plot could have shown more outward signs of Gee Dub's PTSD, mostly what the reader sees is his internal conflict. Looking forward to the next already.

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