I’m a big fan of Terry Shames’ Samuel Craddock mysteries. In fact, that’s a quote from me on the jacket of her latest book, Guilt Strikes at Granger’s Store. It’s from my review of Murder at the Jubilee Rally for Library Journal. “Suggest for fans of mysteries featuring small-town police forces, including novels by Claire Booth, Steven F. Havill, and Tricia Fields.” And, the primary mystery in this one, the story surrounding Granger’s Store, is intriguing. I’m a little tired of irresponsible young women, though, as part of a mystery story. That’s my personal issue, not yours.

It’s a busy morning for Samuel Craddock, police chief in Jarrett Creek, Texas. He’s supposed to meet a man about a bull, but that needs to be postponed when he receives a call from Wendy, the woman he’s been dating for a couple years. Her daughter, Allison, has been arrested in Mexico following a traffic accident. Samuel has a couple pieces of advice, including contacting a lawyer. But, before he can get too involved, he receives a call from his deputy, Maria Trevino. Mark Granger was assaulted at his father’s feed store.

Melvin Granger, the owner of Granger’s Feed Store, is bedridden after a stroke. His son, Mark, came in from Houston, with big plans to change the store. He’s received a couple threatening phone calls, and now someone assaulted him. He tells his sister, Chelsea it was two men. Mark’s problems only grow worse when there’s a fire at the feed store, and a mummified body found under the floorboards. It’s a case that takes Samuel back thirty years to 1992, when he first arrived in Jarrett Creek.

As I said, the story surrounding Granger’s Feed Store is fascinating. It was interesting to watch Samuel track down the history, despite warnings from several good citizens to let the matter lie.Samuel Craddock, like Bill Crider’s Sheriff Dan Rhodes, believes in listening to people talk. As they ramble, there might be something he can latch onto for his investigation.

As to Wendy’s daughter, Allison? Craddock’s deputy, Maria, heads to Mexico to try to help. Maria has family connections there. My personal opinion? She should have left Allison in that Mexican jail. If she’s irresponsible and rude when she’s thirty, she isn’t going to change.

Pick this one up for the mystery about Granger’s Feed Store.

Terry Shames’ website is https://www.terryshames.com/

Guilt Strikes at Granger’s Store by Terry Shames. Severn House, 2023. ISBN 9781448311279 (hardcover), 232p.

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