Murder Passes The Buck by Deb Baker

A Gertie Johnson Backwoods Adventure
First in the Series

Gertie Johnson lives in Stonely, in the Michigan Upper Peninsula, the U.P., where her son Blaze is the Sheriff and he lives on Gertie's East 40 with his wife Mary, daughter Star lives on the West 40 with Gertie residing on the middle 40.  Daughter Heather lives in Milwaukee, Wisconsin.  Her son, Little Donny, Gertie's favorite grandson, has come to visit for Deer Hunting Season as usual.  Gertie's husband, Barney passed away not long ago and she is working on life without him.

Her friend Cora Mae, had given her a police scanner after Barney died.  She finally hooked it up and was one of the first to know that her neighbor had been shot and killed in his hunting blind.  Blaze tells her it was an accidental shooting, but Gertie doesn't believe that for a second.  So the sixty six year-old widow decides to become a detective and do an investigation on her own.  Let's just say Blaze is not happy or amused by this development and the fact that his mother is always just one step ahead of him doesn't help.  What Gertie didn't plan, was putting herself in the line of fire, but she is not giving up until she solves the case.

This book is hilarious!!!! Gertie is such a capricious character and the others are more than quirky.  Every family has a few unusual relatives and every town has its share of offbeat citizens, but this family and the town of Stonely are overrun with both, which makes this story side splitting funny.  I haven't laughed this hard in a long time.  There is a part with some sled dogs that had me crying with laughter. I also loved the idea of learning a new word every day.  A great way to start each chapter. 

Along with all the high jinks there is a wonderful mystery, plotted well, with several twists to keep the reader guessing.   A truly excellent story written so well you won't be able to put this book down.  I can't believe it took me so long to discover the marvelous Gertie Johnson and her Backwoods Adventures.  Need a light entertaining book to tickle your funny bone and tease your mind, this is the perfect book for you.  Gertie is a hoot and a half!!!!

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Check out Deb Baker's New Web Page to find out more about her and her books.  She also writes as Hannah Reed and I love the Queen Bee Series.  I first discovered Deb while reading her Dolls To Die For Series and was thrilled to find she lived right here in Wisconsin.

Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the author. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255 : “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.”