Deservedly Dead

Shirley McClintock #3

by B.J. Oliphant

The new owner of the Jewell place has drained the wetlands, poisoned the scrub, and destroyed the wildlife. Neighbor Shirley McClintock is just about ready to kill. So when someone does kill the ruthless greenhorn easterner, Shirley is the prize suspect. But she wasn't the only one to bear the deceased a grudge. There is a wealth of suspects -- and Shirley better narrow them down fast, before she takes the rap herself!

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy

220 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published April 22, 1992

About the author

This is a pseudonym for author Sheri S. Tepper.

Reviews

[BookAddict ✒ La Crimson Femme · Rating 3 out of 5]

Here we go. This is what I expect out of Ms. Tepper. I expect some kind of environmental commentary. This one was right up her alley on poisoning the land. A quick and enjoyable read.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

This series is mind candy at its best. The mysteries are short, but complex and thoroughly engaging. Even the annoying characters are well drawn -- otherwise they wouldn't be so annoying. I look forward to reading the next book.

[Michelle Hanson · Rating 4 out of 5]

What I like about these.. is they are short and sweet.. and a decent read.. on to #4

[Jane · Rating 4 out of 5]

More thoughtful than your average cozy. I like the unabashedly middle-aged main character and her partner and her foster child.

[Emily Cullen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A new neighbor makes a lot of enemies amidst ranching country in Colorado, destroying the natural land with large noisy machines. But when Shirley McClintock is spotted by the sheriff standing over his dead body, she is suspect number one and she must start asking questions to clear her name. I really like this cozy mystery series written in the early 90s. Shirley takes no guff and her friend, J.Q., and foster daughter, Allison, are well developed. An all around good mystery as well!

[Arlene Allen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Why and how was I reading so much, you may ask? I was working about 30 miles from my home, had to take a bus and a train, and I was pregnant and felt like a slug; the library branch I worked at was destroyed in Hurricane Andrew so I was just shoved out of sight, because they knew I was going out on maternity leave...so I did actually spend my days reading.

[Pat · Rating 2 out of 5]

Shirley who is 6'3" has been away for a month and when she returns she finds a new neighbor has severely damaged the environment.
Then she finds him dead and is accused of the murder.
Boyfriend is J.Q.
Foster daughter is Allison.
Good.

[Helen Fleischer · Rating 3 out of 5]

Aptly named book! Guessed killer

[Charles · Rating 3 out of 5]

Author is also well-known science fiction writer Sheri Tepper. Solid mystery.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

My least favorite of the series so far. Well written as usual, just very sad on several levels. I love that she advocates for same sex marriage in this one - in 1992, that must have been unheard of!