Murder in the Ozarks

by Steve Weems

Sent to the Ozarks on a simple assignment, depressed and disillusioned accountant Andy Bosher is drawn into the danger and intrigue of the backwoods culture he finds. Far from his safe, but empty big-city life, the assignment is not what he first thinks it to be. When there is a murder, Andy stubbornly sets out to separate the layers of deception from the truth despite the peril.

280 pages

Published December 10, 2010

About the author

Steve Weems returned to writing motivated by his love of the forests and lore of his native Ozark Mountains. He draws inspiration from deep woodland hikes, clear springfed creeks, and the thrill of continually discovering nature’s mysteries. His writing is often fueled by the desire to capture
the tales of a disappearing culture learned from the elders of his family.

Although the Ozarks have always been home, Steve also grew up in such diverse places as Greece, California, and the Washington, DC area. Following a stint in the U.S. Army locked inside a vault in West Germany, he attended Arkansas Tech University and received a Bachelors of Science degree. Steve then pursued a not-quite-glamorous career in Accounting.

Steve and his family live in a deep
hollow in the Arkansas Ozarks.

Reviews

[Erik]

Duck-out-of-water tale of DC accountant thrust into a mysterious murder situation in the rural Ozark mountains.

[Michael]

I thought the first few pages felt a bit awkward in the way the characters were introduced. However, after that, it was like the author reached down and grabbed another gear and we took off. I was tied and bound to the story as it took me and the main guy, Andy, on an adventure that was a true "who done it" right to the end.

I enjoyed also the landscapes he painted, in part because they seemed much like my home place, which is not in the Ozarks. It was a quick read because I couldn't put my kindle down; I just had to keep reading. I hope you too read and enjoy this book....Michael

[Grace]

This was an excellent book! It was not what I had expected, it was much more than that. This book goes beyond just a simple murder mystery to explore deeper and more complex themes such as spirituality and the innerworkings of men's hearts and minds. I also enjoyed the contrast between the Arkansans and the city-slicker Andy!

[Mary]

What a delight!
I picked this book up and couldn't put it down until I finished it.
A real 'who done it' that I have recommended over and over.

[Melinda]

Solid 3.5 - An interesting storyline of work, life strange unexpected journeys, redemption and murder. Set in Ozarks with a ton of local markers for those of us who know the area, it kept me engaged and wanting to reading more. Somewhere about mid-point, I figured the murderer and why. Would recc to folks wanting some local flavor of Ozarks and its local people with a solid mystery backdrop. As a Ozark bookstore owner, I would rec to locals and especially tourists looking for a good read of and about Ozarks. Good Job Steve!

[Jennifer Colley]

I enjoyed this book. The characters were great and felt so real to me.

[C.L.]

Murder in the Ozarks is a great murder mystery leaving you hanging to the very end. It also was an interesting insight into the Ozark culture leaving this recent transplant to Arkansas with a new perspective of the people. I look forward to new work by this author.

[Dick Darden]

I could nit pick this thing to death, but I’m not a critic or an asshole. It’s an easy read and a fun whodunit that you could zip through quickly. Most of my critiques are mostly about the printing itself. A few issues with hanging indents and layout type stuff, but I powered through because I’m not a wuss and I’m not gonna whine about it.

My only real beef is that the book is set in a fictional Winona County, which does not exist in Arkansas, yet references towns that do exist in Arkansas. The closest town with a Wal-Mart in the story is Crockett, which is in the extreme northeast part of the state, yet “Wishing Springs” where all the action happens is only 90ish miles from Joplin? Not sure why, but that bothered me a little bit. But hey, who cares what I think, right?!

Worth a read if you like a whodunit.

Woo pig

[Chad Manus]

I enjoyed it. I live in “Wishing” Springs and I thought it was a good story taking place in this area.
An entertaining read.

[Shanen Pankrez]

Learning new social norms, feeling out of place, lead by curiosity and leanings. Mystery was good too.

[bobg]

Lots of characters in here that are probably pretty accurate for the Ozarks. The story is much less realistic, but still interesting. Thanks, Troy!

[Mason Wenzel]

fun read. this is how you introduce an unlikeable main character and force them to grow and change through struggle and challenges.