I’ll tell you the truth. I actually read Terry Shames’ latest Samuel Craddock mystery last November. At the time I received it to review for a journal, it was scheduled for a January release. Then, release date was changed. This won’t be a typical review because I haven’t reread the book. However, I didn’t want to miss the chance to mention A Risky Undertaking for Loretta Singletary.
It takes Police Chief Samuel Craddock a little while to realize his friend, Loretta Singletary, is missing. He’s used to seeing her every day or two, but he’s been caught up in business. There’s a feud going on between two brothers. A new preacher in Jarrett Creek, Texas is stirring up trouble about the local goat rodeo. Eventually, it dawns on Craddock that Loretta hasn’t brought him baked goods in a few days.
Then, Loretta’s women friends start to worry and mention it to Craddock. When he asks questions, they confess Loretta found an online dating site for seniors. She disappeared after telling others she was meeting a man. When a woman from the nearby town of Bobtail is found dead, and she used the same dating site, Craddock ratchets up his search for his missing friend. But, he’s going to need to work with his younger officers on this one. He doesn’t have the computer skills and familiarity with sites. He’s hoping they can find clues that will lead to the discovery of a living Loretta, rather than her body.
A Risky Undertaking for Loretta Singletary is a suspenseful homespun mystery, but Shames always deals with current issues, such as dating sites. The account of the new preacher in town is a timely story as well, but, without spoiling the mystery, it’s better not to discuss too much. In Shames’ capable hands, a small town mystery has a great deal of relevance.
These books feature authentic characters, especially Samuel Craddock, who narrates the story while he’s candid about his own shortcomings. Fans of the late Bill Crider’s Sheriff Dan Rhodes series, or Steven Havill’s lesser known Posadas County mysteries, will definitely want to pick up Terry Shames’ entire Samuel Craddock series.
Terry Shames’ website is www.terryshames.com
A Risky Undertaking for Loretta Singletary by Terry Shames. Seventh Street Books, 2019. ISBN 9781633884908 (paperback), 272p.
*****
FTC Full Disclosure – I received my copy to review for a journal.
Thanks. I’ve never heard of this series but my library has it so I’ll give it a try.
Oh, I like Samuel Craddock, Sandy. I hope you do, too.
I recently received my copy from Amazon in the mail. I choose to get these in paperback rather than from the library because Terry Shames is a friend and fellow Sisters in Crime member, and I want a full autographed set! I love these books-they are like coming home (even though I'm not from Texas).
I agree, Margie. There are just some series that welcome you, and this is one of them.
Love this series. She is great at dialogue and characterization. And Samuel is very much like Dan Rhodes from Bill Crider's books.
Love this series. Waiting for my library copy.
I haven't read these, but if you are looking for a series like Bill's Sheriff Rhodes series, you cannot get closer than Susan Rogers Cooper's Sheriff Milt Kovak of Oklahoma. Start with The Man in the Green Chevy, and yes, they should be read in order, at least the early ones.
I haven't read this one yet, but I do love this series. It's wonderful to see someone writing about it. Thank you.
Thanks, everyone! Oh, Jeff. Another series? I'll check it out, but you might want to check out Terry Shames' series as well.
I will, for sure.
OK. I was looking for a library book to download to read on our trip to New Orleans and they had the first book in the series (with praise from Bill Crider, no less) so I borrowed it.
It is A KILLING AT COTTON HILL, by the way.
If you finish it, some Thursday you'll have to let us know your opinion.
Another series that I enjoy..Thanks for the reminder.
You're welcome, Gram!