The Troubling Death of Maddy Benson

It's always time for rejoicing when Terry Shames writes a new book in the Samuel Craddock mystery series--in this case, book #11, The Troubling Death of Maddy Benson. What makes this series unique and exciting for me is the fact that it is narrated in the first person, present tense by Samuel Craddock himself, the seasoned Chief of Police of Jarrett Creek, Texas, a fictional small town based on the hometown of the author's grandparents. That means we see everything through Samuel's lens(es), including: his impressive step-by-step process to investigate and solve a mysterious death, his personal feelings and concerns about the case and about the state of the world in general; and his perspectives on the important people in his life--loved ones, friends, and coworkers. His point of view lends authenticity and depth to the story, and he becomes, over the life of the series, someone the reader trusts and enjoys, although the book can certainly be read by anyone with no previous experience with the series.

In this book, a woman who feels strongly about women's rights and tries to assist those who are denied those rights, is found dead by gunshot outdoors in a remote area. She had recently moved to Jarrett Creek with her son and daughter-in-law, both writers, hoping that a change of venue would improve the couple's problematic relationship, but no one had expected that tragedy would ensue.

Samuel has to navigate through a miasma of persons of interest, suspects, politics, danger, and emotion to get to the truth. We read a bit about his relationship with his girlfriend, Wendy, but she is not a major character in this story. I particularly enjoyed reading about two of Samuel's deputies--one a woman who exceeds all expectations and the other a man who is starting to question whether he really wants to be a police officer. Highly recommended for those who are looking for an intelligent, masterfully written police procedural without graphic violence.

My sincere thanks to Severn House and NetGalley for the opportunity to read and provide an honest review of this book.

The Troubling Death of Maddy Benson is the 11th book in this terrific police mystery series by Terry Shames. Often, by the time I get this far into a series, I am tired of the characters, but this series is so strong, the small town scenarios so believable, the writing so good that I can not wait for the latest installment. If you are new to the series it takes place in a small, rural town in Texas. In this book Ms Shames tackles the often decisive real life situation of women's reproductive health care in Texas. Samuel Craddock, chief of police in Jarrett Creek, is called out to investigate the shooting death of a woman. Unusual for Chief Craddock he has never met this woman and has a hard time getting a feel for her and why someone wanted to kill her. This book can be read as a stand alone but I highly recommend starting with the first book in the series, A Killing at Cotton Hill, and reading them all.
This series will appeal to readers of the Walt Longmire books by Craig Johnson.

4* Modern-day, small town USA at its worse, makes for an excellent tale.

This is my first book by this author, which is told from the POV of the local police chief, Samuel. It's an excellent story with excellent detective work that brings the explanations alive and makes you believe that this very well could happen in small-town USA with the way US laws on abortion have changed. Tbh, some characters, including the family of a so-called (Baptist) minister, show the country at its worst, believably so, and at the same time, certain parishioners who're true Christians, show it at its best. I think I take so much for granted with the life and employment freedoms in the UK that it's always a shocker to read how little freedom and protections there are in the supposed land of the free. And I liked that the author spoke up about SCOTUS and how, sadly, it's gotten to where it is today, the awful effects of MAGA infiltrating the uneducated masses, and the hypocrisy of the so-called religious arm.

Anyway, that aside, whilst the lead character lacks charisma and modern-day tech skills, his old-school training helps him solve the case, which is actually a sad one. I didn't need to like him or see him in my mind's eye to appreciate and get into the tale.

There were some family dynamics that created the crime scenario but some were just filler that didn't get a proper explanation. Still, the latter didn't spoil the tale and make me want to read more of this guy's cases. And to see the US under a new female president.

ARC courtesy of NetGalley and Severn House, for my reading pleasure.

I loved this small town murder mystery! It kept me guessing the entire read. I love the small town Sheriff and Terry Shames set up the town exactly as I would see a small, southern town.

It was fast paced and the story just kept moving along. I read this in one sitting!

5 star read for me! I will be reading more of this series for sure!

Thank you Severn House and NetGalley for allowing me to read this ARC!

#TheTroublingDeathofMaddyBenson #NetGalley #SevernHouse

It's time for another visit to Jarrett Creek and to the world of Samuel Craddock. The Troubling Death of Maddy Benson is the latest masterpiece by Terry Shames. I just love the world she has created and the marvellous characters that inhabit said world. This time it's the death of a newcomer in the county and it soon leads to a complicated case involving a hot topic in US society. The story is as always well written and I like the way that the author place various problems in a small town community. I have been a big fan of this series since the beginning and I hope there will be many more mysteries to solve in the future. I recommend this book and thank Severn House and Netgalley for letting me read this advance copy.

Earlier this year, when Terry Shames launched her Jessie Madison series set in the Bahamas, I worried that she was leaving Samuel Craddock behind. Not to worry. She recently signed a contract to continue both series. And, with The Troubling Death of Maddy Benson, she brings Samuel Craddock back in a mystery that's stronger and more relevant than ever. Perhaps she needed a break from the Jarrett Creek, Texas lawman.

Police Chief Samuel Craddock was surprised when he received a phone call from Eileen Currey in San Antonio, saying she was worried about her sister, Maddy Benson. Craddock hadn't heard of Maddy, and he knew of most of the people in the area. But, Maddy and her son and daughter-in-law had only recently moved to a new development there. When Eileen talked to her sister, Maddy sounded worried and out of breath.

Unfortunately, when Craddock and his Deputy Maria Trevino went to the area where Maddy disappeared, they found her body. She had been shot, probably from a distance by a rifle. Craddock and Trevino have support from the Texas Department of Public Safety, but most of the investigation is up to them. And, they're starting from scratch with a woman neither of them know.

The pair find an unlikely couple in Maddy's son and daughter-in-law, two writers who don't seem to get along well. But, as they dig deeper, they discover Maddy had secrets, and was very involved in political activism. Was it her family life or her activism that got her killed?

Samuel Craddock is a direct descendant of Bill Crider's Sheriff Dan Rhodes, a lawman determined to solve crimes in an old fashioned way, talking to people as he gets to know them. He feels responsible for the community, but also examines his own reasons for wanting to solve The Troubling Death of Maddy Benson. Shames' books lack Crider's sense of humor, but the excellent storytelling and Texas atmosphere is similar.

Shames does a masterful job in handling hot subjects related to the political climate in Texas and other states. But, what impresses me the most is her ability to examine the effect of Texas' rigorous new laws on communities and law enforcement.