Book Review: Big Foot Stole My Wife: And Other Stories

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

Big Foot Stole My Wife: And Other Stories     Amazon US HC Amazon Canada HC
Joan Hess
Class/Genre:   Mystery   [Short Stories]
Five Star, Feb 2003, $25.95, 202 pp.

This eleven-collection mystery anthology showcases Joan Hess at her for the most part amusing best. Two of the tales star Claire Malloy and two others Arkansas Sheriff Arly Hanks (the Maggody novels). Those four tales alone would make the short story collection worth reading, but the other seven tales are also well written with six containing the author’s renowned humor with a wink. Surprisingly, the final contribution seems out of place, as it is more of a psychological suspense thriller than Ms. Hess’s typical satirical biting social barb that leaves no one standing. Besides the writer’s fans and towns with populations under 800, anyone who appreciates a strong anthology will want to read BIG FOOT STOLE MY WIFE! AND OTHER STORIES. Additionally, Ms. Hess' readership will also enjoy her previous collection, DEATH OF A ROMANCE WRITER AND OTHER STORIES.

Harriet Klausner

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