Do Unto Others [Mass Market Paperback]

Jeff Abbott (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: October 1, 1994

Jordan Poteet has left the big city to work as a librarian in his hometown of Mirabeau, Texas. But his dream of the quiet life is shattered when he locks horns with Miss Beta Harcher, the town's prize religious fanatic, in a battle over censorship. When Jordan finds her murdered body in the library, he becomes the prime suspect. And when the police find a cryptic list stashed next to her fanatical heart, it seems as if Beta Harcher has the whole town in a death grip . . .

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Abbott's debut mystery is a bright, often funny portrayal of the social mechanics of a small town, where, as the narrator/accused/detective quickly discovers, everyone has something to hide. Jordan Poteet has left a thriving publishing career back East to return to his home town in Mirabeau, Texas-a town as backward and insulated as any cliche-to care for his ailing mother and work as the local librarian. Quickly, Jordan is accused of the gruesome murder of a nasty, churchgoing town elder who is at odds with the library's "liberal" policies. With a redneck assistant D.A. on his heels, Jordan tries to prove his innocence. Abbott is highly skilled and at ease with the twang and tone of Texas folk and often seems in control of his story. The problem is Abbott has stuffed his relatively short book full-too full. He covers almost every hot topic from censorship to religious fanaticism to Alzheimer's to blackmail. The cast of characters is so vast that Abbott is forced to rehash his hero's suspect list more than once, and though the sweetly handled and satisfying romantic subplot stands out, more often readers will find themselves lost in a sea of personalities. While often engaging, Abbott simply weaves too large a web for a small-town tale. It's a little hard to imagine how this once-in-a-lifetime will translate into the series promised by the cover.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist

When his mama gets Alzheimer's and needs a caregiver, Jordan Poteet leaves his job in Boston to go home to Mirabeau, Texas. Luckily, the job as head of the Mirabeau library opens up, so even though Jordy doesn't have an MLS (gasp!), he's hired. Local harpy Beta Harcher immediately jumps on Jordy's case about the library's owning smut by authors like Twain, Lawrence, and Hawthorne. Unfortunately, the day after she and Jordy have a big argument, the woman is found bludgeoned to death, and Jordy ends up tops on Sheriff "Junebug" Moncrief's suspect list. Jordy knows he didn't kill Beta, and he doesn't want to end up in the pokey, so he decides to find the murderer. Abbott's writing is folksy and full of cornpone humor, and the plot is one of those every-small-town-has-secrets types, but there are some nice comic touches, Jordy is a likable fellow, the action is flashy, and the ending is heartwarming. And it's always nice to encounter a librarian-sleuth, even one sadly lacking in professional credentials. Emily Melton

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Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Fawcett (October 1, 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0345389484
• ISBN-13: 978-0345389480
• Product Dimensions: 4.2 x 0.6 x 6.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 5 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (17 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #205,011 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

12 of 13 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful debut novel, October 14, 2001

By 

Karen Potts (Lake Jackson, Texas) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Do Unto Others (Mass Market Paperback)

Jeff Abbott catches the atmosphere of small-town Texas to perfection in this, his first novel. His hero is Jordy Poteet, just returned from Boston to care for his mother who has Alzheimer's. In contrast to his job as editor in Boston, Jordy becomes the head librarian in his old hometown. His nemesis is Beta Harcher, a religious zealot who is singlehandedly attempting to censor many of the best books in the library. Jordy and Beta have a loud disagreement, and the next day Beta is found murdered. Jordy's old schoolmate Junebug, now the town sheriff, fingers Jordy as the chief suspect. Jordy sets out on his own investigation as an act of self-defense. He discovers a list of townspeople which Beta compiled and beside each name is a scripture reference. Jordy talks to each person on the list and looks up the Bible verses, in an attempt to solve the murder. This book is well-written and has interesting characters and a well-conceived plot.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Small Southern Town Mystery, December 4, 2001

By 

Connie Rutter "Connie Audio Listener" (Daytona Beach, FL) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Do Unto Others (Mass Market Paperback)

This story is about a small town in Texas, that has a cast of characters that only small towns could get away with. Junebug, Bob Don, Beta and others. The is the first in the Jordan Poteet mystery series. Jordan Poteet has come home to Texas from Boston to help care for his mother who has Alzheimers. Jordan gets a job has the Library manager and finds a dead Southern Baptist in his library when he opens up that morning. This woman had just the day before hit Jordan in the head with a book, because she called it smut and said it should be removed from the library shelves. Of course Jordan could be the main suspect, so he trys to find clues to the murder so he won't be indicted. I found this book very funny and also I liked the ending. I will definitely read more by Jeff Abbott.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars What a TREAT !!!!!!!!!, July 11, 2001

By A Customer

This review is from: Do Unto Others (Mass Market Paperback)

There are enough wonderful reviews here on this book(Do Unto Others) but must add my 2 cents.This is the best book I have had in my hands in ages! When will there be more??????? This man writes the best 'cozy' you could imagine!