But Why Shoot the Magistrate? (Thoroughly Southern Mysteries, No. 2) [Paperback]

Patricia Sprinkle (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: September 1, 1998

When a popular youth pastor is accused of a grisly crime, MacLaren Yarbrough won't rest until she finds the truth. Her gut instinct tells her Luke Blessed is innocent. Still, how could the dream he had on the night a young woman was murdered depict the crime with such chilling accuracy? As MacLaren tracks down clues from all corners of Hopewell, GA, four like suspects emerge. But the police aren't buying her theories. Even her husband, local magistrate Joe Riddley, resists her amateur sleuthing. This case, he feels, is too dangerous. Just how dangerous, both of them are about to discover. The assailant strikes again, leaving Joe comatose from a gunshot wound to the head. And suddenly, a new question stares MacLaren in the face. It's the most perplexing question of all -- and the most personal: Why shoot the magistrate?

Editorial Reviews

From Library Journal

In the debut of this series (When Did We Lose Harriet?, LJ 9/1/97), lead character MacLaren Yarbrough did her detective work in Montgomery, AL. In this book, she returns to her small hometown of Hopewell, GA, and the book is much the better for the change. MacLaren is drawn into a murder investigation when the pastor of her church tells the police he had a dream that may hold clues to a killer's identity. Finding himself under suspicion, the pastor turns to MacLaren for help. With the help of a wonderfully portrayed Southern setting, MacLaren seems right at home in her tiny town and is much more believable than in the first book in the series. Light touches of humor and the charming interplay between MacLaren and her magistrate husband make this a fun read for mystery fans.
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From the Publisher

Meet MacLaren Crane Yarbourgh, a spunky Southern woman on the sunset end of sixty with a knack for getting tangled up in mystery and murder. This time, the quiet rural community of Hopewell, Georgia, is rocked by a grisly killing--the first murder in Hopewell in forty years. But was it really Pastor Luke Wallace who killed gentle young Amanda Kent? Or did the police miss four other likely suspects in their haste to pin the murder on Luke? In search of answers, amateur sleuth MacLaren Yarborough pieces together a grim puzzle--with her beloved husband, Joe, who is magistrate in Hopewell, as one of the pieces. When he ends up in the hospital, unconscious from a gunshot wound, a simple investigation becomes for MacLaren a life and death struggle to save the man she loves. But Why Shoot the Magistrate? is an engaging who done it--a skillful weaving of elusive clues and close calls, spiced with the unflagging faith, savvy wit, salty observations, and down-home wisdom of its feisty, golden-age heroine.

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Product Details

• Reading level: Ages 18 and up
  
• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Zondervan; 1ST edition (September 1, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 031021324X
• ISBN-13: 978-0310213246
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5.3 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.9 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (12 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #724,148 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

18 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Definitely worth my money and my time., June 2, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: But Why Shoot the Magistrate? (Thoroughly Southern Mysteries, No. 2) (Paperback)

I bought this book because the cover had a sticker that said if I did not love it, I could return it and get my money back with no questions asked. I figured what did I have to lose? Patricia Sprinkle has since become one my favorite authors. Her Maclaren Yarbrough books are easy reads. I felt like I knew her characters personally and was already missing them as I read the last few pages. If you like Perry Mason, Ben Matlock, or Jessica Fletcher, you will love Maclaren Yarbrough.

5.0 out of 5 stars WOW!, April 27, 2011

By 

Tammy's Book Parlor "Tammy" (east texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: But Why Shoot the Magistrate? (Thoroughly Southern Mysteries, No. 2) (Paperback)

The first sentence of a good mystery can "hook me" and then hook, line and sinker I'm into delving into the read trying to figure out the mystery.
Such is the case of this read, But Why Shoot the Magistrate by Patricia Sprinkle. Here's the first sentence, "On the night of the first murder, a full moon sailed over middle Georgia."
Even though this is the second book in the Thoroughly Southern Mysteries series it is probably (in my opinion) one of the best mysteries I've read. I was surprised that I had not read any books by Patricia Sprinkle since this book was published in 1998! I was enthralled from page one.
I truly like MacLaren (yes, her first name), the southern charm and the great mystery of why would anyone want to kill a nurse and then blame the Youth Pastor. Had a hard time figuring this mystery out!
Mac is on the case! MacLaren Yarbrough is back in her hometown of Hopemore, Georgia, with another mystery to solve. There are quite a few eccentric characters who inhabit Hopemore and we also meet MacLaren's sons, Ridd and Walker.
I enjoy a good clean mystery and I love it when an author writes about the "God things" of life. Ms. Sprinkle incorporates a lot of God and Christianity into this short, fast read!
Will be looking for more books from Ms. Sprinkle!
*This book was provided for review by Zondervan*

4.0 out of 5 stars Lazy Weekend Read, July 24, 2010

By 

TransplantedHusker - See all my reviews

This review is from: But Why Shoot the Magistrate? (Thoroughly Southern Mysteries, No. 2) (Paperback)

I picked up this book on a whim and had never heard of Patricia Sprinkle or her other books. I liked the slow pace of writing and the development of the characters. I related to the family dynamics and the description of small-town life. Ms. Sprinkle does a great job of weaving hints of the mystery that keeps you wanting to know more. I would recommend this book if someone was looking for something to read but didn't want to put too much thought into it. Not a memorable book, but good for a lazy weekend!