Misery Loves Maggody

January 4, 1999
Fans of the Maggody (Arkansas) series (Malice in Maggody), and there are many, will revel in this entry, which boasts the usual cast of rednecks, salacious preachers and inbred miscreants who keep Ariel "Arly" Hanks, the town's female chief of police, ever alert. Arly's mother, Ruby Bee, is taking a four-day Elvis Presley Pilgrimage with her best friend, Estelle Oppers. Their five fellow travelers prove to be a smarmy and acrimonious group, and it quickly becomes apparent that they are not quite who they say they are. When Ruby Bee is hospitalized with some disturbing symptoms, Arly becomes involved in an investigation that soon encompasses the mysterious death of one group member and the disappearance of another. Total mayhem ensues as Estelle, whose egregiously unlawful behavior can be classified as an art form, tries to solve the mystery on her own, leaving Arly to clean up the mess--which grows to ensnare the mayor of Maggody, his shrewish wife and a preacher with his own agenda. Hess does again here what she has done so expertly before: keep a firm hand on outrageous characters whose peccadilloes are worthy of a French farce. Agent, Dominick Abel. Mystery Guild main selection.

Much of the charm of the Maggody series lies in its quirky characters and local color. C.J. Critt dives right into this story of a pilgrimage to Graceland, which results in a surprising number of assorted residents of Maggody getting them-selves in a mess for Sheriff Arley Hanks to sort out. Critt adopts a narrative tone that is just right for Arley's wisecracks. The distinct personalities of the characters are well developed, which is essential in a comedy of manners with a motley crew. J.E.M. (c) AudioFile 2002, Portland, Maine