Roger Devon, a teacher at a local missionary school, has dropped out of sight, and a private investigator arrives in town hoping to uncover his whereabouts. Neighborhood rumor has it that Roger was fond of a local girl and was run out of town by a rival suitor, but nobody seems to know for sure. The plot thickens when an ATF agent shows up asking questions and offering no answers.

Homer methodically goes to work, using logic and his knowledge of the local culture to piece together the scenario. One of his best resources is Nina, a feisty young lady who runs the local Post Office and has her hand on the pulse of the community and a firm grasp on Homer’s heart. When dead bodies begin to show up, things begin to make sense, and the acting sheriff skillfully fits the puzzle together.

This story is an absolute pleasure to read with its rapid pace and tongue-in-cheek texture. It’s a first person account of events told with a country drawl and backwoods reasoning. A series of highly unlikely events occurs throughout the story, keeping the reader guessing as to which ones are relevant. It’s a fun book from beginning to end with no lapses, and the action never slows down. I give it a solid "A."