Playing God (Paperback)

by Allen, P. Bristow (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description
The murder and cremation of a young homesteader befuddles Sheriff Jeff Scott and complicates La Roca County politics in the election year of 1890. Each county official involved in the investigation develops a different theory about the crime and the pre-election publicity it may provide. A love triangle, rustlers, land fraud and suicide are among the suggested solutions to the crime. The case is further compromised by the political goals of the investigating officials. Tempers become short between the district attorney and the undersheriff, as their theories about the murder clash and the prime suspect commits suicide in his jail cell. Sheriff Scott's bid for re-election is cast into doubt as a variety of incidents reflect on his judgment and solving the crime becomes vital to his political future. The truth about the murder eludes the sheriff until he finds that nothing about the case is what it first seemed. None of the solutions put forth by the others are correct and revelation of the truth would be extremely embarrassing for them and distressing for the community. It remains for the sheriff to "play God" in the interest of justice and to preserve tranquility among those he serves.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: Virtualbookworm.com Publishing (July 12, 2005)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1589397452
• ISBN-13: 978-1589397453
• Product Dimensions: 8 x 5 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.3 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #7,300,104 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Playing God, Allen Bristow, December 26, 2005

By	D. Weaver - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This is a great read! The story is set in California in 1890 between the Wild West and what we know as modern police departments. It is obvious that the author has had extensive police experience. Bristow develops characters and multiple plots with unexpected developments, subtlety illustrating human nature. It all adds up to a very creative story that is hard to put down, as is his last book, "The Pinkerton Eye."

26 Dec 05

5.0 out of 5 stars Bristow knows his stuff!, October 16, 2005

By	Old Pete - See all my reviews

Bristow knows his stuff: history, technical deails, and especially people. An accomplished historian, he keeps you enthralled with the details, all the while keeping you guessing throughout as the various characters, all with different agendas, attempt to solve the murder. Throw in an epidemic and a batch of self-serving frontier folks looking for political gain at others expense, along with a keen uderstanding of people and you have a first rate mystery novel. This is defiinitly a good read.