Poppy Done to Death

Onthewaytoalunchmeetingofherlocalbookdiscussiongroup,theUppityWomen,small-townSouthernlibrarianAurora"Roe"Teagardenisshockedanddismayedtofindhersister-in-lawPoppylyingbloodyanddeadrightoutsideherownbackdoor.Poppyhadherflaws,certainly-sheandherhusbandwerehavingtroublestayingfaithfultoeachother-butshedidn'tdeservetobesobrutallymurdered.Investigatingacaselikethisisnevereasy,ofcourse,giventhegossipyatmosphereofanysmalltown,whatwithPoppyandherhusband'sextramaritalaffairs,thelocalpolicedetective(whoalsohappenstobeaformerboyfriendofRoe's)andhisseeminglyunresolvedfeelingsforPoppy,andtheneedtoprotectPoppy'sfamily.ButRoeisalsocopingwithaburgeoningromanticrelationshipaswellasthesuddenappearanceofherteenagedhalfbrother.Allinall,it'salotforonewomantohaveonherplate,evenoneastogetherasRoe.LongtimereadersandnewfansalikewilldelightinRoe'sexploitsassheemploysherimpeccableknowledgeofsmalltownpoliticsandenchantingSoutherncharmtosolvethecrimeinthiswonderfulinstallmentofCharlaineHarris'terrificcozyseries.