Book Review: Hot Enough To Kill

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Hot Enough To Kill     Amazon US TPB Amazon Canada TPB
Paula Boyd
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Amateur Sleuth
Series: Jolene Jackson # 1
Diomo Books, Oct 1999, $11.95, 241 pp.

Although forty-six years old Jolene Jackson was born and raised in Kickapoo, Texas, population just a shade over a thousand, she makes her life in the Colorado mountains. Every time she returns home, unpleasantness of some sort engulfs her. This trip back to Kickapoo involves her eccentric mother being the prime suspect in the murder of the town’s mayor. Jolene manages to keep her mother out of jail even as she sees her former lover Sheriff Jerry Don Parker. However, she refuses to remain in Kickapoo and he rejects the notion of leaving his children (from a previous marriage).

The pair have no time to reminisce as a bullet shot through Jolene’s window badly inures Jerry Don. A second shot apparently aimed at Jolene hits the deputy. Jolene begins snooping in order to learn who wants to hurt her and her mother. Her investigation leads her into some nasty segments of the community while a patient killer watches and waits for the next opportunity to surface.

This first entry of an apparent series will leave readers loudly laughing at the antics of Jolene and her mother. HOT ENOUGH TO KILL is a tongue-in-cheek look at relationships and amateur sleuthing. Still, the mystery has a character of its own that adds to a wonderful plot. If this tale is any example, Paula Boyd has a long running series that will provide much pleasure to fans.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner