Book Review: THE STINK ON RACOON CREEK A Roy Martin Mystery by John Rose Putnam

Synopsis

In book three of his Roy Martin Mysteries, bestselling author John Rose Putnam takes on a very troubling problem and comes out smelling like a rose.

Summer doldrums and a severe heat wave combine to cause a slump in business for the Laurel County Sheriff, leaving Roy Martin free to investigate the complaint of a terrible odor along the remote and once idyllic Raccoon Creek. What Roy finds there is a sinister conspiracy to force Ernestine Walden, a charming elderly woman, to leave her lifelong home so that they can develop the land along the stream for a handsome profit. The plotters have already shown a ruthless determination to get what they want, including at least one cold-blooded murder.

Review

Sheriff Roy Martin wouldn't usually investigate a complaint about a smelly creek, but there's not much else to do and that's just who he is. Mrs. Walden isn't kidding and he immediately smells more than just bad air. The tension rises as he starts to ask questions about the way sewage is diverted - it's not supposed to end up in the creek. Before long he's asking more questions and is very concerned that Mrs. Walden may be in danger.

I like Roy Martin a lot and Putnam's writing style. The story is well-written, with enough detail to give you a sense of the time and place, with twists and tension to keep the story moving. This is the third in the series, and it can be read as a stand-alone mystery. As with the other two, I highly recommend this book to anyone who likes mystery, small towns, and historic bent. I'm hoping there's a number 4.

AMAZON

Book Review: SHOOTING THE BULL: A Roy Martin Mystery by John Rose Putnam

Synopsis

A western noir classic mystery by bestselling author John Rose Putnam that will leave you teetering on the edge of your seat until the very last word.

When a popular high school senior, the daughter of powerful Laurel big shot, is found dead from a gunshot to the heart on the property of a cantankerous dairyman, suspicion falls heavily on the farmer and his football star son.

Review

This is the second in the Roy Martin Mysteries, with Roy Martin, the Sheriff, having to deal with the murder of the daughter of one of the more powerful families in the county. The body is dumped just over the line and on the property of a cantankerous old farmer who responds to Roy's visit with his shotgun. Roy tells the farmer his bull may have had a run in with someone and is limping and then asks questions regarding the young woman.  Small towns and such, it comes out that Raelynn and the farmer's son, Will, may have been an item, much to the dismay of her parents. The son's not any more receptive to Roy than his father and things get a bit testy. Then there's the   disabled Marine who gets along with the cows and the bull. 

Roy is a no-nonsense Sheriff and somehow manages to thwart the irate father's attempt to take the law into his own hands. How it all turns out is a bit of a surprise and the bull gets even. The pace is good and the characters are well-developed, although most are new to this book. This can easily be read as a stand alone. If you like westerns and mystery, you'll like this one. The third in the series, The Stink on Racoon Creek, released in March and is on my TBR list.

Book Review: MISPLACED MOB by John Rose Putnam

Synopsis

When a young girl is found dead of a botched abortion in the swimming hole of a small, rural amusement park Roy Martin, the new Sheriff of Laurel County, takes it in stride. But the next day, after barely escaping death when someone fires four rounds of buckshot into his oncoming patrol car, Roy realizes this case is not only dangerous, it’s personal.

Review

Roy Martin leaves the big city of New York to be the new Sheriff of small town Laurel Country, the same job his father had years before. The previous Sheriff was supposed to train him, but he died before Roy arrived. An accident, just days after a young girl was found dead in the swimming hole. 

History repeats itself, and Roy can't help but think it is somehow related to his father's death, the mob, and bootlegging. Especially now that he seems to be a target. The hardest part is that he doesn't know his officers or his bosses well enough. He has to trust his instincts and the female dispatcher, one very green patrol officer, and an ex-Chicago Detective, and hope no one gets hurt.

With the 1950s perspective and many twists and turns, following Roy's reasoning and strategies made for a fun read. I liked Roy and his attitude, his perseverance. He pushed the limits and spoke his mind, but not to the point of being reckless. A well-written and well-paced story of the 1950s. It's not clear if this is the beginning of a series or a stand-alone mystery. I'm hoping there's more of Roy to come.

AMAZON

About John Rose Putnam

John came west as a young man and settled in Berkeley where he graduated from the University of California. He still lives and writes there and often gives a talk on the California gold rush to the gang at the Freight and Salvage.