One Man's Poison

Garth Ryland Mystery #7

by John R. Riggs

Following an earthquake in Oakalla, cyanide is discovered in the water supply, and Garth Ryland must team up with a newcomer to town to catch a murderer.

Genres: Mystery

220 pages, Hardcover

First published January 1, 1991

About the author

Since 1971, John has lived in Putnam County, Indiana, currently on a small farm southeast of Greencastle. Throughout those years he has worked as a teacher, football coach , quality control foreman, carpenter, and wood-splitter. From 1979-1997 he assisted James R. Gammon of DePauw University with Gammon's landmark research on the Wabash River. Presently, as he has done for the past twenty years John works as a researcher for the DePauw University Archives.

John is author of 13 books in the Garth Ryland mystery series, several published articles, and the Bicentennial History bulletins for the Indiana United Methodist Church. His works in progress include a Garth Ryland mystery and Me ,Darst, and Alley Oop Walking the Dog, both memoirs. River Rats, a coming of age novel, set along the Wabash River in the 1950's.

Reviews

[Mike · Rating 3 out of 5]

Seems to be a somewhat poor man's Grisham, with Wisconsin sitting in for Mississippi in terms of "native son returns and tries to set things right". Garth Ryland is a newspaperman by day, but seems to be the county's main detective outside the police force. In this story, a Flint-like water issue combined with a cave with Indian artifacts and an old sibling rivalry turns into....not much really. While interesting on the surface, I never found myself all that engaged with "what's going to happen next" as I do with better stories. May try another one at some point to see if it was more the specific plot here but may just be "if nothing better lying around" type writer.

I read this again 10 years later and had no remembrance of reading it in 2016 (discovered when went to put in review). For the most part, my review holds up. Not terrible, but not really holding a ton of interest as it's like Mayberry mixed with Heat....some major pollution crimes and killings but stocked with characters names Stub and Sniffy. I'll be sure not to read a third time...

[Cat. · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in Wisconsin, in a small northern town. Think I've read other stuff by him. If not, I should, even if I had trouble following some of the mental machinery in this one. The characters are very interesting, and the plot was pretty good, although there was one bit that was a little too conveniently tied up at the end.

[L Y N N · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow...this 6th book in Riggs' Garth Ryland series is definitely one of my favorites, if not my favorite!! Love the interwoven complexities of the action and characters.
I believe this one contained quite a bit more detailed characterization--at least it seemed that way to me! This story resonated very strongly with me! Riggs' writing is concise and intense and this book wasn't too creepy for a wuss such as myself! These books are all quick reads, but leave lasting impressions! Well done, Mr. Riggs!

[Dark Star · Rating 2 out of 5]

I truly enjoyed the character of the news paper editor/investigator guy, Garth. I just found the story and bit boring and pretty predictable. We've got some tainted water and someone who is doing some illegal dumping. Lost folks, dead person in a drum and Garth trying to help out the aging sheriff with trying to figure out who...did what.