The book I've chosen for this week is the 10th book in Donis Casey's series featuring Alafair Tucker and her extended family. Set in early 20th century Oklahoma, these historical mysteries are addictive to me. I'm always delighted to see the next part of this family's story. Each of the books has sort of focused on one of Alafair and Shaw's children. This is Gee Dub's book.
by Donis Casey
Publication Date: February 6th
Some people who have experienced a shocking, dangerous, or terrifying event develop Post Traumatic Stress Disorder. It is recognized today as a debilitating but potentially treatable mental health condition. Military veterans are a vulnerable group. But PTSD can deliver a knockout blow to anyone, as the remarkable unfolding of the tenth Alafair Tucker Mystery, Forty Dead Men, shows.
World War I is over. Alafair is overjoyed that her elder son, George Washington Tucker, has finally returned home from the battlefields of France. Yet she is the only one in the family who senses that he has somehow changed.
Gee Dub moves back into his old bunkhouse quarters, but he's restless and spends his days roaming. One rainy day while out riding he spies a woman trudging along the country road. She's thoroughly skittish and rejects his help. So Gee Dub cannily rides for home to enlist his mother in offering the exhausted traveler shelter.
Once made comfortable at the Tucker farm, Holly Johnson reveals she's forged her way from Maine to Oklahoma in hopes of finding the soldier she married before he shipped to France. At the war's end, Daniel Johnson disappeared without a trace. It's been months. Is he alive? Is she a widow?
Holly is following her only lead - that Dan has connected with his parents who live yonder in Okmulgee. Gee Dub, desperate for some kind of mission, resolves to shepherd Holly through her quest although the prickly young woman spurns any aid. Meanwhile, Alafair has discovered that Gee Dub sleeps with two cartridge boxes under his pillow - boxes containing twenty "dead men" each. The boxes are empty, save for one bullet. She recognizes in Gee Dub and Holly that not all war wounds are physical.
Then Holly's missing husband turns up, shot dead. Gee Dub is arrested on suspicion of murder, and the entire extended Tucker family rallies to his defense. He says he had no reason to do it, but the solitary bullet under Gee Dub's pillow is gone. Regardless, be he guilty or innocent, his mother will travel any distance and go to any lengths to keep him out of prison.
There are so many great mystery series out there! I have five different series I am thinking I should start this year. The bad thing is there are already lots in each series, so I would never catch up!
ReplyDeleteI always have that problem - seriously, always. LOL
DeleteThe setting and era would be great for a mystery, I think. I hope you love it, Kay!
ReplyDeleteI will love it. The setting is what drew me initially, but I love the characters and all the other little things that remind me of my grandparents and great-grandparents. They were from Oklahoma too.
DeleteThat's a new title for me. I hope you get it soon.
ReplyDeleteI actually have an advance copy to read before long. I've been trying to make myself wait a little longer. :-)
DeleteThis sounds like something I would like. The post-war setting and deal is NG with PTSD. I hope you read and enjoy this one, Kay!
ReplyDeleteDealing. (typing on my phone--autocorrect is sneaky and comes up with weird combinations)
DeleteLaughed about your phone. Mine drives me nuts with the autocorrect. It's always trying to 'help' me. I'm excited about the PTSD storyline, plus I love the character of the young man, GeeDub.
DeleteI really enjoy the time period but mainly the books I've read set during that time are set in Europe so this would definitely be a good way to have a different perspective.
ReplyDeleteWell, Oklahoma might be kind of like a different country - certainly when OU plays UT. LOL
DeleteI had kind of heard of this series but did not realize the time frame. Sounds interesting. Although I have too, too many books.
ReplyDeleteDon't we all, Tracy? Have too many books, I mean. I started out with this series because of the setting, but I've loved the characters since the beginning. I'll keep reading them as long as Donis keep writing them.
DeleteThis sounds like an excellent series and one I haven't come across before - like other commentators it's a time period I'm fond of too.
ReplyDeleteIt might be a little tame for you, Cleo, but it's one that I love so much for the characters.
DeleteI love historical mysteries though somehow I've missed this series. It sounds like a good one. I think most of the historical mysteries I've read take place in England so I'm really intrigued by the US setting.
ReplyDeleteKatherine, I think you would like it. Alafair and Shaw Tucker have 10 kids and each book kind of highlights one kid.
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