Local History and culture. Politics. And, of course, murder. Branson, Missouri’s Sheriff Hank Worth faces it all in Claire Booth’s Another Man’s Ground. It’s an outstanding police procedural with touches of humor throughout.

When Vern Miles reports the theft of bark from his trees, Sheriff Worth doesn’t realize it will snowball into a murder investigation, solve a cold case, and, either help him win an election. Or, the case may go all wrong, and the voters might see him as a bumbling fool who doesn’t understand the local politics. Miles harvests bark to sell for the growing herbal medicinal trade, but someone stripped and killed his trees. But, when Worth returns to the scene of the crime, he and a deputy startle workers, illegal immigrants who flee. One, though, falls into an old grave, uncovering a body. It’s only going to get worse as Worth tangles with one of the most powerful men in the county.

And, of course, he’s standing for election while dealing with the investigation. A second body brings claims of incompetence from Worth’s opponent and his supporters. And, Worth is the first one to blame himself. He can’t stand the thought of campaigning and working with a political consultant, but if he’s to clean up some of the cronyism in the department, and stay in the area, he has to put up a fight. But, Sheriff Hank Worth would rather be on the ground fighting crime instead of at a luncheon making a speech.

Booth’s second book in the series is an outstanding follow-up to The Branson Beauty. Worth is a dedicated lawman whose family life adds traces of humor to the book. However, it’s Booth’s outstanding writing of police work and investigation that shines in this fascinating story. Crime, politics, and racism in southern Missouri, along with the good old boy network add up to Another Man’s Ground.

Claire Booth’s website is http://www.clairebooth.com/. She’s also on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/claireboothauthor

Another Man’s Ground by Claire Booth. Minotaur Books. 2017. ISBN 9781250084415 (hardcover), 320p.

*****
FTC Full Disclosure – I received the book to participate in a TLC Blog Tour.