AIN’T NOBODY
NOBODY
by
HEATHER HARPER ELLETT
Genre: Murder Mystery / Southern Noir / Dark Humor
Publisher: Polis Books
Date of Publication: September 24, 2019
Number of Pages: 336
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Named a Best Debut of Fall/Winter 2019 by Library Journal, Ain’t Nobody Nobody is the story of a disgraced East Texas sheriff, his dead best friend’s surly teenage daughter, and a naive ranch hand who find unlikely redemption in a murdered hog hunter on a fence.
Part Breaking Bad and part Faulkner, this tragi-comic mystery is perfect for readers who enjoy dark humor (think Fargo) and like their crime fiction with a literary flare.
A Best Mystery of 2019 by the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel
Rating :★★★★★
Disclaimer: This review is solely my opinion. I was provided a copy of this book from Lone Star Literary Life partner in exchange for my honest review. The comments in this review do not reflect the views of the author or the publisher. The copies used in those are finalized copies sent to me in exchange for my honest review. #partner #LSBBT
This book is a debut novel for Heather Ellett. It dives into a murder mystery that takes place in the backwoods of an East Texas town. A town where everybody knows everybody and everything that happens. Randy Mayhill carries grief, shame, and regret everywhere he goes. He spends time trying to redeem the mistakes of his past and his involvement in his friend’s death. All Randy Mayhill ever wanted to do was become a sheriff but now even after his friend’s death and the loss of his job, he’s still carrying the guilt and shame. In an effort to relieve some of the guilt, he makes it his mission to do whatever he can to be available to Birdie and Onie, the daughter and mother of his late friend. But in a town overcome by feral hogs where the only murders that take place are the hogs when a dead body shows up on the fence of his late friend’s family house Randy steps into action. Birdies isn’t saying anything, Onie isn’t talking, and Bradley the helper looks frightened and isn’t saying a word. However, when Randy goes to dispose of the body, it’s gone. Randy must come out of his seclusion to solve a murder mystery and keep another scandal away from Van’s household as he continues to seek redemption for his friend’s death. Only one problem, Randy isn’t the Sherrif in town anymore and no one is giving him answers. The story continues to unfold with twists and turns and an ending that will leave you shocked, proud, and in tears. Who is the mystery man on the fence? What is Birdie’s involvement in his death? Where is Bradley? This story will take you on a wild East Texas backroad ride that will involve deception, redemption, grief, loss, and revenge.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the way it is written. I have not encountered a book quite like it recently. It is known from the first page that the author spent time working to develop each character and the storyline. It is a challenge to write a story in a way that allows the reader to build an emotional connection with the characters but this author did just that. You feel the grief, guilt, loss, regret, pain, emanating from each page. Each main character and supporting character’s story intertwines in such an effortless way that every character feels just as vital as the next. For example, we get a hint of Bradley’s backstory in parts of this novel but it just enough to understand his connection to the plot. Also, I was completely shocked at the ending and was not expecting it. The author does a superb job closing out this story in such a way that it still leaves you wanting more. I laughed at the end because I could not have seen this story ending in any other way.
The author does a phenomenal job telling this story in a way that is both humorous in some areas and tragic in others. The author uses a unique approach to telling the story where the narrator is both involved in the telling of the story but also a commentator, providing insights in every chapter. This allows the story to feel more realistic and engages the reader in the development of each character. She uses descriptive text to express the character’s emotions in a realistic manner that allows the story to feel real when reading. This book will have you laughing, crying, gasping, and shocked all in one sitting. If you’re looking for a unique Texas read that will have you enveloped from the beginning try to solve a small-town mystery, then this is your book. It will capture your attention from start to finish. I highly recommend this Texas-based murder mystery for any interested in a tragically humorous adult mystery that will have you captured from the beginning. Click the link below to purchase this item or try your luck at the giveaway. Either way, get your hands on this book!
Born and raised in East Texas, Heather Harper Ellett is a graduate of SMU and a therapist in private practice. She lives in Dallas with her husband and son.
GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY! GIVEAWAY!
THREE SIGNED HARDCOVER COPIES
January 2-12, 2020
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