Claire Booth’s Sheriff Hank Worth books are some of my favorite police procedural series. A warning, though. This is a series you really should read from the beginning, starting with The Branson Beauty. The small sheriff’s team in Branson, Missouri continue to work cases and develop personally in the course of this strong series. And, Hank’s personal life grows more complicated as the series continues.
Booth throws readers right into a complex story as a man who feels threatened plunges through the woods. He’s hysterical, injured, and a couple who sees him calls the sheriff’s department. The man claims to have seen a body in the body in the woods. Sheriff Worth has a deputy who is an excellent tracker, but when they find a body, it’s not the one that was reported. So, they bring in two search-and-rescue dogs, and find two more victims. What in the heck is going on in the woods to bring outsiders to Branson?
It seems there’s a podcast called “Hidden Hoards” that directed listeners to the Ozarks to find a treasure possibly hidden by Alf Bolin, an outlaw who terrorized and killed people in the Ozarks prior to and during the Civil War years. Gold! All kinds of listeners headed to Branson County to search for Bolin’s hidden treasure. And, some of them don’t make it alive out of the woods.
While Hank and his Chief Deputy, Sheila Turley, struggle to find enough staff to work the murder investigation, they both deal with personal issues. After issues with his father-in-law, Hank’s struggling to keep his marriage intact. Sheila’s preparing for the trial of a man who attacked her. But, the investigation of deaths in the woods takes priority.
Throwing Shadows is another outstanding book in an ever-evolving series. Booth’s use of the legends of Alf Bolin, along with a podcast that stirs up trouble, combines history and current topics. At the same time, the personal lives of Worth and his team allow the characters to come to life. In the past, I’ve compared this series to Terry Shames’ Samuel Craddock mysteries and Steven F. Havill’s Posadas County ones. This book, and the series, is a skillful blend of character and mystery.
Claire Booth’s website is https://clairebooth.com/
Throwing Shadows by Claire Booth. Severn House, 2025. 240p.
FTC Full Discosure – I read a galley through NetGalley, supplied by the publisher with no promise of a positive review.
Totally agree about the book, the series, and the comparison to other great series. My review also runs today.
And now it is another day of Hank Worth withdrawal.
I’m doing J.D Robb withdrawal, Kevin. I’m going to check your site for your review.
I have had no NetGalley success so far on her read coming out next month.
I’m lucky, Kevin, in that I have a source at the publisher who seemed to have found me.
I liked the first one but didn’t continue; I’m not sure why. Both you and Kevin have convinced me to try the second one!
I’m going to admit, Kim, that I never read the first one. I was reviewing for Library Journal at the time, and they gave me the second one to review. Then, I never went back. Love the series, though.
Do the first one, Lesa.
Been a fan since book one.
Yeah, like Kim, I read the first one and never went back, without a real reason why.
Nice review.
I like the cast, Jeff, and the evolution of the characters.
I love this book! It was a great addition to the series.
I thought so, too, Bev.