Dead Broke in Jarrett Creek: A Samuel Craddock Mystery

Jarrett Creek, Tex., is running out of money in Shames’s solid third mystery featuring retired police chief Sam Craddock (after A Killing in Cotton Hill). Since the small town can now afford only two part-time police officers, Craddock volunteers to investigate the shooting murder of Gary Dellmore, the son of the local banker. Gary’s flagrant extramarital affairs first draw suspicion to his glum widow, but Craddock soon discovers that the deceased was aware of irregularities in the water-park project that wrecked Jarrett Creek’s finances; indeed, he may have been making money on the shady deal. With his makeshift police force, Craddock is forced to rely more on his insight into his neighbors’ characters than on forensics as he separates layers of mischief and mayhem. Still, like a good, steady shade tree mechanic, he gets the job done. Agent: Gail Fortune, Talbot Fortune Agency. (Oct.)