Biggie and the Poisoned Politician [Hardcover]

Nancy Bell (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 1996

Biggie Weatherford, an eccentric and wealthy grandmother from the tiny East Texas town of Job's Crossing, takes on city hall to halt a proposed garbage dump next to her ancestral graveyard, only to turn detective to solve the poisoning murder of the local mayor. A first novel.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Murder, kidnapping, fraud and other skullduggery come to a small East Texas town and usher a young boy toward maturity in this entertaining debut mystery. The narrator, J.R., is living with his eccentric grandmother, Biggie Weatherford, grand dame of Job's Crossing, when routine life is disturbed by strange events. The car belonging to Biggie's boarder, Mr. Crabtree, explodes in the driveway; the town makes plans for a sanitation landfill next to Biggie's family farm; and the mayor dies under mysterious circumstances after a meeting to plan the town's Pioneer Days. Biggie decides to investigate and is aided by J.R.; her maid, Willie Mae, who knows voodoo; and Willie Mae's wise, ne'er-do-well husband, Rosebud Robichaux. A motorcyclist wheels into town and another man dies before Biggie can put a finger on the scheming murderer amidst the carnival atmosphere of the town festival. Bell's characters, led by Biggie, a rural Auntie Mame, are painted in broad brush strokes, but their warmth and humor, equally outsized, enliven this country mystery.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Library Journal

As the richest woman in Job's Crossing, Texas, Biggie Weatherford can do what she pleases?and it pleases her to solve the murder of the town mayor, who dropped dead in his dessert at the local cafe. Biggie's 12-year-old grandson, J.R., narrates the story and assists in the investigation. Matters are complicated by a new landfill next to Biggie's family cemetery, a mysterious tattooed biker, and the blown-up car of Biggie's tenant. The humorous, Fannie Flagg-like viewpoint relegates murder to the back burner in favor of exaggerated drama. Recommended.
Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.

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Product Details

• Hardcover: 180 pages
• Publisher: St Martins Pr; 1st edition (May 1996)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0312142854
• ISBN-13: 978-0312142858
• Product Dimensions: 8.3 x 5.6 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,689,000 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely Charming, August 19, 2001

By 

Susan Bellow (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Biggie and the Poisoned Politician (Hardcover)

Nancy Bell has become my favorite mystery writer. After reading this absolutely charming book, I had to buy the other three books by her. I was not disappointed! I am anxiously awaiting for number five, Biggie and the Quincy Ghost. I have been an avid mystery reader for over forty years, and I can honestly say Nancy Bell is at the top.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Biggie Starts with a Biggie, June 9, 2003

By 

L Smith "acozylover" (Macomb, MI) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)   

This review is from: Biggie and the Poisoned Politician (Hardcover)

The first book in the Biggie series starts with a bang. A car belonging Biggie's boarder explodes, the mayor dies after a town meeting, and Biggie has to deal with someone trying to put a landfill on her property. The story is told in the narrative of Biggie's 12-year-old grandson, J.R., and makes you laugh out loud at times.

This is a good mystery, but I enjoyed it better for the strength of the characters, the setting, and the relationship between Biggie and J.R. A fun, easy read for a hot summer day. Enjoy!

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Mystery and Humor Combined, May 14, 1998

By 

[e-mail] (Ruston, LA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Biggie and the Poisoned Politician (Dead Letter Mysteries) (Paperback)

This story is told from the perspective of "Biggie's" 12 year old grandson - and a unique perspective it is. Those who like a rural setting with rich and unique characters will enjoy this book. The mystery is interesting, but the humor and collection of characters is what makes this book worth the time to read.