Review: Who Invited the Dead Man?

Who Invited the Dead Man? Amazon US PB Amazon Canada PB
Patricia Houck Sprinkle
Class/Genre: Mystery Cozy Woman Main Character
Series: MacLaren Yarbrough (Thoroughly Southern Mysteries) # 3
2002, 250 pages

MacLaren Yarbrough is a Georgia magistrate. She is also co-owner of Yarbrough's Feed, Seed and Nursery. Her husband, Joe Riddley Yarbrough was shot about one year ago. He is still in intensive therapy and cannot fully function.

MacLaren has planned a large birthday gala at their Southern home for Joe Riddley. A local man, Hiram Blaine, is found dead at Joe Riddley's party. Hiram was a real character. He believed in aliens and usually carried his parrot, Joe, on his shoulder. MacLaren is able to talk the police chief and sheriff to investigate quietly so they won't disturb Joe's party.

Augusta Wainwright is a wealthy older woman in town. Her granddaughter, Meriwether, has been taking care of her but decides to get her own house. Alice Fulton is brought to town to assist Augusta. The 3 women go to China. While there, Meriwether decides to stay longer and shop. When they return, MacLaren finds out that Meriwether is setting up a catalog business. Meriwether starts dating Slade Rutherford, the new newspaper editor. Then Jed Blaine, Hiram's nephew and an Atlanta lawyer, comes back to town. Twelve years before Meriwether and Jed had been engaged against Augusta's will. Every time Jed and Meriwether are in the same room, sparks fly.

I liked this first mystery by Patricia Sprinkle. I intend to read more. The only negative comment I have is that MacLaren doesn't really investigate. Things just happen around her that help her solve the crime.

I like the characters. They are very well constructed. I was able to figure out part of the mystery, but I couldn't figure out who the killer was. The plot was well written.

She has done a good job with describing Joe Riddley and his current condition while also letting us see a little of what he was like before the shooting.

I look forward to getting to know these characters further in her second book, "Who Left That Body in the Rain?"

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Dawn Dowdle

Book Review: Who Invited the Dead Man?