Redneck’s Revenge – Joan Livingston
Her next case. She’s in it for good.
Just months after solving her first case, Isabel Long is in a funk. Her relationship with the Rooster Bar’s owner is over. Then the cops insist she must work for a licensed P.I. before going solo.
Encouraged by her ‘Watson’ – her 92-year-old mother – Isabel snaps out of it by hooking up with a P.I. and finding a new case. But it’s not at all clear-cut.
The official ruling is Chet Waters, an ornery so-and-so, was passed out when his house caught fire. His daughter, who inherited his junkyard, believes he was murdered. Topping the list of suspects are dangerous drug-dealing brothers, a rival junkyard owner, and an ex-husband.
Could Waters’ death simply be a case of redneck’s revenge? Isabel is about to find out.
My thanks to Rachel at Rachel’s Random Resources for my review copy and the chance to join the blog tour.
Isabel Long has had a successful career as a journalist and is now taking early steps to train as a PI. She has to do an apprenticeship under an established investigator so Isabel picks a local guy who is nearing retirement and pitches her case to be taken on. She will be cheap, will find her own cases and is pretty confident she can keep out of her new boss’s way.
Isabel is asked to look into the death of a local junkyard owner. His daughter can’t pay much but she believes her father (death ruled accidental in a fire) was not an innocent victim of a dropped cigarette. Isabel takes the case and takes on a lot more than she bargained.
Isabel’s mother, a formidable 92yo, assists with her daughter’s investigations. The two women share ideas and theories and their chats are great fun to read. Actually one of the strengths of Redneck’ s Revenge is the dialogue between different character. Isabel is fun, sassy and has a quick mind to counter many situations. She is an engaging lead character.
The investigation seems to make slow progress yet you always feel Isabel has a lead to pursue. Events take place in a small town so everyone has a memory of events surrounding the fire. Everyone also knows all the individuals who may have been involved. It is down to Isabel to unlock the secrets and half-truths from her conversations.
Small observation for those that enjoy approaching a series in order. This is the second Isabel Long novel, there are lots of references to the first story so spoilers aplenty.
Rednecks Revenge was a fun read – the strong character development made it so. I enjoyed my visit to Isabel Long’s world and I would be happy to return.
Redneck’s Revenge is available in paperback and digital format. You can order a copy here: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Rednecks-Revenge-Isabel-Long-Mystery-ebook/dp/B07FDG1619/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1539282226&sr=8-1&keywords=rednecks+revenge