Customer Reviews

Do Unto Others

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(3)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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.

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.

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!

The second I finished this book I ran out & bought the next three. Read them all within a week and I'm waiting for either another Jordan Poteet novel or a new series. Please Mr.Abbott- Get cracking on that! :)

Mr. Abbott caught the flavor of small town Texas perfectly. I couldn't stop turning the pages, and my husband finally had to read it to see what was so funny. Jeff Abbott is on my short list of favored mystery writers

Jordy Poteet runs afoul of the local religious fanatic in his little Texas town. Since he's the head librarian, she sees him as the main purveyor of filth in their small community. When she wallops him with a copy of DH Lawrence's Women in Love, he makes a threat that will come back to haunt him. She's found dead in the library of a wallop from a baseball bat. A list of names followed by Bible verses leads to Jordy uncovering a multitude of sins among the population. And why is his mother, an Alzheimer's patient, on the list? The answer to that question leads to a profound change in Jordy's life. Distinctively Southern in tone, Abbott's debut talks with a Dixie accent. His small town characters ring true-- from the local police force to the little old lady who writes steamy romances to the preacher and his wife. This is a promising start. I've already begun the followup and, so far, it is just as enjoyable.

Despite the seemingly dark plot (the murder of an ultra religious lady in a small town's library), this is in fact a very humorous, very funny story. Although the events in the last few chapters are perhaps revealed too abruptly, compared to the rest of the book, the ability of the author to think up so many interesting and intriguing events and twists in a small town setting is to be admired.

Everyone who has ever lived in a Southern town will relate to the characters and the relationships. This author is outstanding and just seems to get better with each book

If you were raised in a small town in Texas (or most southern states), you will undoubtedly recognize most of the characters in this book. The main character, Jordy Poteet is engaging and funny. The mystery is well crafted and the writing style is easygoing. Jeff Abbott started a winning series with this book!

A Southern tale of murder and deception surrounding a man who comes back home to Mirabeau, Texas to help with the care of his ailing mother.

His "been out of the area too long" ways irritate Miss Beta Harcher who feels that Jordan Poteet is allowing too many books into the library that are corrupting the minds of the young. After a very heated argument that is witnessed by quite a few town folk, Beta is found murdered in the library leaving Jordy as the prime suspect. It doesn't help that there is also a list of names, Jordy included, with Bible verses attached tucked into Beta's shirt that lead to while speculation as to what the true purpose of her murder was.

Thus leads the reader on a twisted tale of the many that could be responsible and their own reasons for why they could have done it.

The book is very slow in the middle, but ends quite well; with a very good lead into the remainder of the series.

Don't know if I could actually recommend this book since I couldn't wait for it to end, but with some better pacing this could have been a very good book.