Here's to the Newly Dead

One of the chief charms of Sheri Teppi's books written under the name of B. J. Oliphant is the basic decency of her series characters. Shirley McClintock, the protagonist in this series, her friends A.J. and Xianthippe and her foster daughter Alison, form a warm and loving extended family. Their strong moral values at time contrast sharply with the selfish and willful people they encounter. But don't take this to mean that their values are conservative. They are more based on commen sense and kindness than any particular religious or political stance.At the time of this story the guest ranch has a pair of selfish and annoying young newly weds as guests. There is another wedding in the offing because Shirley has broken one of her rules and agreed to rent the ranch as the background for a society wedding. The bride and the bride's obnoxious mother are adding to the disturbed atmosphere-- later to be joined by a couple hundred guests, a mariachi band, a dance band, a photographer, caterer and wedding coordinator.Before this happens though, the first young couple decided to plant a tree to symbolize their relationship. They ask to borrow a spade and Shirley tells them they can have an old trenching tool to use. Instead they take her new shovel, a gift from A.J. That, as much as anything, sends Shirley on their trail when they don't return to the guest house. Oliphant starts out with what seems a simple crime, but investigation results in greater and greater complexity as characters and background are added. Each addition helps to fill the puzzle out until at last a satisfactory conclusion is acheived.

As BJ Oliphant or Sheri Tepper, the stories are always creative and engaging. Her mysteries are far less complex than her science fiction/fantasy books, but no less enjoyable. It is amazing that Ms. Tepper is so prolific and still such a good writer. This book is quite fun. I enjoyed the characters and the town. The main character is someone I would like to meet, but then she seems like she could be quite a lot like the author.

I am a big fan of Shirley McClintock and her family. I've read every one as soon as I could get my hands on them, and reread each so many times I'm afraid I will have to replace the books soon from sheer wear and tear. Shirley is the non politically correct, common sense first opposite of every fluff headed "heroine" that clutter too many mysteries. The mysteries are clever and beguiling but it is the the people in the books I want to know more about. They are real, flawed, full flavored, and interesting. My only complaint is that Ms Oliphant cannot, under the present law, be forced to write more, more, more.