THE SHERIFF AND THE BRANDING IRON MURDERS

This contemporary story, set in the dusty Texas Panhandle, features Sheriff Charles Matthews, newly arrived from Dallas to take over law enforcement. The murder is brutal--the dead body of a beautiful Mexican-American girl found in a barbecue pit. The heat is on Matthews for fast results as the town swirls with suspicion and fear. The narrators delivers a dandy yarn in fireside voices--folksy and well paced. Each townsperson has a definite personality and a distinctive voice. Maxwell is especially convincing with female characters--a couple of old biddies enjoyably lighten up this tale of murder, greed and tangled secrets. B.V. ©AudioFile, Portland, Maine [Published: NOV 95]