Deborah Adams

In Jesus Creek, Tennessee, something is amiss. First the home of Oliver who has recently written a genealogical/historical profile of the town goes up in flames. It is ruled arson. Then the library is found ransacked, and even worse, the librarian is dead. All of this occurred on the same night in a town which normally has nothing eventful happen. Delia Cannon, a local genealogist and life-time resident, knows that they cannot be coincidental. So does the local police chief, Reg. Although the plot is not without flaws, it is a fun and quick read. As I was reading the novel, I realized how much the worlds of genealogy and book publishing have changed since the book appeared in print in 1992.… (mais)

Someone is attacking the first families of Jesus Creek, Tennessee. First arson, then vandalism and murder. Can genealogist and first family descendant Delia Cannon figure out the motive and identify the culprit?

I loved a lot of the elements of this story – genealogy, libraries, a small town in my home state. I enjoyed the light banter between Delia and her Yankee boyfriend, Roger. I even identified with the unusually cold weather of the story, since I'm experiencing the same thing this week. I can usually spot red herrings, but I fell for one this time. However, I was distracted by a few annoyances along the way. For instance, Delia is described as 46 years old, yet she is a retired math teacher. I've heard of early retirement, but at 46? Seriously? Also, the book begins as Delia is returning home from a Thanksgiving visit with her daughter, the events span more than a week, and it's still November at the end of the book.

Minor grievances aside, this was a fun, light read, perfectly suited for curling up with on a chilly winter evening.… (mais)