Swing Low, Sweet Chariot: A Shady Grove Mystery

Shady Grove #3

by Jackie Lynn

When her husband left her for a younger woman, Rose Franklin bought a camper and started traveling. Eventually, she put down roots in Shady Grove, a campsite along the Mississippi River in West Memphis, Arkansas, where she has lived for almost two years now.                                                                                                                           

After helping to solve two murders in the area, Rose is now entangled in the murder of a young man from South Dakota—a murder which Chariot, a young woman at the Shady Grove campground, stands accused. As Rose tries to help her friend Chariot out from under the shadow of suspicion and solve the murder, she also struggles with unresolved maternal instincts, and her own difficult choices.

A spiritual and riveting follow-up to Jacob’s Ladder, Swing Low, Sweet Chariot is ultimately a story about redemption, and the chariots that carry each of us from hardship and darkness, to understanding.

JACKIE LYNN is a writer and journalist. Writing under the name Lynne Hinton, she is the New York Times bestselling author of Friendship Cake, as well as the author of Hope Springs and Forever Friends (The Hope Springs Trilogy), among other books, and writes a monthly column for The Charlotte Observer. She lives in New Mexico. Visit her Web site at www.LynneHinton.com.

Praise for Down by the Riverside:

"Lynn elevates the genre with her blend of philosophy, romance, spirituality, and elegant writing . . .  This is a truly lovely book to be read slowly, savoring life by the river in the cool shade."

-- Kingston Observer

"Lynn's accomplished debut mystery is a righteous blend of spirituality and suspense."

--Booklist

Praise for Jacob’s Ladder:

It’s a fast-paced, funny ride down the river with cleverly drawn characters worthy of the journey.”

--Sallie Bissell, author of In The Forest of Harm

“Jacob’s Ladder is perfect light reading for sleepless nights and an exploration into the concept of innocence rewarded. “

 --Katherine Valentine, author of Haunted Rectory, and the award winning Dorsetville series

Genres: Mystery

272 pages, Hardcover

First published June 24, 2008

Reviews

[Connie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun book to read… easygoing.. cute little story

[Peggy · Rating 5 out of 5]

loved this book, didn't want to put it down. this book kept me so involved that I couldn't wait to see what happened at the end.

[Laura · Rating 3 out of 5]

Rose Franklin after her husband left her for a young woman purchased a camper and started traveling. In her travels she ended up putting down roots in Shady Grove, a campsite located along the Mississippi River. With her success in helping solving two murders along comes a third one. Right now it seems that Chariot, a young woman at the campground stands accused. Will Rose be able to help her? With help from other persons at the camp ground she just may find the murder(s).

[Dru · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's amazing how murders can happen at one little camp ground. And how Rose always gets involved in solving them. But first she always has to get herself into a situation that you don't think she can recover from. But enter the other people from the camp ground. Good books. Easy to read, funny and good.

[Pammy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Cover described as "gentle tale of friendship and suspense."
From the Badlands of South Dakota to the banks of the Mississippi , the author introduces a cast of quirky, memorable characters along the way.
Murder and mayhem with a twist of romance, philosophy and mystery.
It's part of a series based in the Shady Grove campground, though I read this one as a standalone and it did just fine.

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 5 out of 5]

She has the circles of characters just like how on own circles might look like. A bit slow paced like the area they're from and loaded with little intense moments throughout. I enjoyed it a lot.

[Kaeeap · Rating 2 out of 5]

this one just is not all that interesting - Shady Grove Campground is just not all that interesting of a place nor are the characters

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Easy quick mystery murder. I enjoyed it

[Debbie Maskus · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third mystery in the Shady Grove series set on the banks of the Mississippi River in West Memphis, Arkansas. Shady Grove is a camper park owned and operated by a husband and wife that are ex felons. In this story, and young woman that met Lucas and Rhonda, the owners of Shady Grove, finds herself in trouble and turns to them for help. Chariot Stevens has left South Dakota, after watching her boyfriend die. She runs to Arkansas, but the trouble follows her. While Rose and the various people from Shady Grove try to solve the puzzle, Charoit and Rose are kidnapped. The story moves quickly and brings in many new characters and enhances many of the prior citizens in Shady Grove. I feel that Lynn improves with each book in this series.

[Elaine · Rating 3 out of 5]

Shady Grove book 3

While Chariot is out of state visiting Lucas and Rhonda, two motorcycle buddies from a while back, she discovers she's wanted for the murder of her boyfriend, Jason. She's extradited back to her home state of South Dakota, possibly into the hands of the enemy. In the meantime, Rhonda and her mother Lou Ellen, Luke, Rose, and Thomas are on the hunt to uncover the truth.

[Eva · Rating 1 out of 5]

Oh my gosh - this book is so syrupy sweet the murderer even said "please" and "thank you". When ever I start a book I always feel I have to finish it BUT the ONLY reason I finished this one was because it was the only thing I had with me while I stood in line for 2 1/2 hours waiting to vote in the presidential election. Save yourself the pain!

[Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

This book could have been half the length if all the drawn-out exposition and completely unnecessary narrative details (e.g., paragraphs to describe someone answering the phone) had been taken out. The manuscript needed a major developmental edit—although then the book might have been too short to make it worth selling. Probably needed a complete do-over.

[Catherine Woodman]

I thought that I had read one of the Shady Grove mysteries before, but once I started this, I relaly did not recognize anyone featured, so I may actually be wrong about that. THis was competently written, with a homey atmosphere, and a sense of community in the trailer park that I think can be true. I think it is very light reading, even for the genre, but enjoyable.

[Donna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this light mystery set in West Memphis, Arkansas. I am about the read another one. I believe there are three in a series. These are quick reads with likable characters set along the Mississippi River in the Shady Grove camp ground were the main character, Rose, as became a resident.

[LInda L · Rating 3 out of 5]

A nice little mystery with a nice little ending. Nothing to surprise you or scare you, but definitely worth reading. Light fare!

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

It was hard to set this down. It is a good mystery and sweet story. Easy read for sure.

[Linda Underwood · Rating 1 out of 5]

Terrible. Story of a campgound for homeless and one resident solves murders.

[Cathy · Rating 4 out of 5]

... Just a cute story.

[Linda G · Rating 5 out of 5]

An awesome book. Wish there were more to the series.

[Bailey Olfert · Rating 1 out of 5]

A very simplistic "mystery" that I only finished because I was on vacation and had limited access to books.

[Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good "popcorn" read. And part of a series. I'll try the next one...

[lynn · Rating 3 out of 5]

a fun easy to read mystery.if you have spare time it's fine to read..

[Andrea Jackson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty slow-paced, but it was a well thought plot.