Biggie and the Mangled Mortician

June 2, 1997
The little town of Job's Crossing is abuzz in the return adventure of Texas grandma Biggie and her narrating grandson, 12-year-old J.R. There are plans for the upcoming operetta; a monster is roaming the cemetery; and a new mortician has come to town. When the extremely ugly Monk Carter arrives to take up the funerary business, Miss Itha, local hair stylist, takes one look at him and faints dead away. At Miss Biggie's garden party, with mouthwatering food prepared by Willie Mae and Rosebud, who live in a house on Biggie's property, Monk volunteers to join the cast of HMS Pinafore. When he fails to show up for the first rehearsal, Biggie and J.R. go looking and find him dead on the floor of his living room. Ready to seal off the crime scene with yellow silk ribbon printed with "Go Fighting Turkeys" in gold glitter is Butch, the town florist appointed deputy police chief after the previous chief was sent to prison (in Biggie and the Poisoned Politician). But soon other players draw Biggie's attention: Miss Itha, who has disappeared with her son, DeWayne; and the new preacher, who has been romancing a local girl. J.R. is "busier than jumper cables" as he falls over clues and converses with Rosebud and Willie Mae ("I belongs to the reformed voodoos," Willie Mae informs him. "We believe ever'body can interpret chicken entrails in their own way"). All the while, he renders the town and its people in fresh, spicy language that makes you want to sit back with one of Willie Mae's long cool drinks and enjoy the company.

Jeff Woodman flawlessly narrates this mystery set in Texas. Biggie, also known as Fiona Weatherford, investigates the murder of Job's Crossing's new mortician, Monk Carter. Her 12-year-old grandson, J.R., tells the story, which is full of quirky Southern charm, knee-slapping humor, and engaging, eccentric characters. Woodman portrays these characters with variations in pacing, tone, and accent, dramatizing the suspense as Biggie and J.R. attempt to identify the killer. Woodman keeps a tight rein on the general silliness, the untidy plot, and the endless parade of goodies from Willie Mae's kitchen. Mystery fans will be delighted with Woodman's leisurely paced presentation. S.C.A. (c) AudioFile 2007, Portland, Maine