Malpractice in Maggody

Interesting new twists for our heroine in this one. A must read for fans of Maggody. All the usual from that most amusing place.

The Maggody old-folks home has been sold and workmen are transforming it into--something. But nobody in Maggody knows what. They only know for sure that they have some old-folks that aren't being taken care of, but they come up with all sorts of fantastic ideas on what might be happening. To the point that the women in the missionary society arm themselves--with all of the danger that comes from firearms in the hands of the untrained. It isn't until police chief Arly Hanks is called in that she learns what's really going on at the former home--now the Stonebridge Foundation. A doctor has established an exclusive retreat for the rich and famous looking for a place to detox. The last thing Dr. Stonebridge needs is attention--the primary draw of the place is that it's below radar, but murder has a way of wrecking plans and the pretty receptionist was definitely murdered. There isn't much love lost between the staff and patients. Still, it's hard to imagine anyone murdering the young woman. She seemed something of a favorite with the patients--who could bribe her into breaking the rules, and both of the male doctors were attracted to her. Still, she is definitely dead and Hanks needs to find some motive. Things only get more complicated when one of the doctors dies--an apparent suicide. The charm of this story, as with the other mysteries in author Joan Hess's in the people of Maggody. From Arly's mother Ruby Bee Hanks who runs the cafe, to the members of the missionary society to the local sheriff and the good-ole-boy mayor (who owns the grocery store) everyone in Maggody is interested in what everyone else in Maggody is doing--and is happy to offer advice on how to do it. Hess manages to mix some real insights into stereotypes. Even when dealing with stereotypes, she recognizes and synthesizes the "ignorant rural hick" with the "noble true-American salt of the earth" into a composite that seems far more true than either of the extremes. If you're looking for a fun light mystery, MALPRACTICE IN MAGGODY is definitely one you'll want to grab.

I've enjoyed all the books in the Maggody series, but some have been a little thin. This is one of the best with plenty of action among the townfolks and the "outsiders" who, as in past book, provide both the victims and the suspects. This book remains a page turner right to the last sentence and leaves you eager for another book in the series.

I AM A HUGE FAN OF JOAN HESS,AND HAVE READ THE ENTIRE SERIES OF THE ARLY HANKS MAGGODY BOOKS.SHE DID NOT LET US DOWN,FUNNY,HARD TO PUT DOWN.I READ THIS BOOK WITH A SMILE,LAUGHING AND READ IT IN ONE DAY. I CAN NOT WAIT FOR THE NEXT.

The 755 residents of Maggody, Arkansas wonder what is being build at site of the old folks home guarded with a high wire fence and a security person with a mean looking attack dog at his side. The place is going to be a high priced rehab center staffed by Dr. Vincent Stonebridge (who lost his license in California and was forced to relocate), Dr. Randall Zumi (a psychologist whose wife is divorcing him) and Dr. Brenda Skiller (a psychologist who believes in the holistic approach). The four patients include former child star Dawn Dartmouth who is in for a court ordered psychological examination; Senator Alexandra Swayze who is running for reelection but needs to kick her addiction for painkillers: Toby Mann, a former quarterback who is on a ninety day court ordered psychological evaluation; and diet guru Dr. Dibbins who needs to lose a massive amount of weight so that he can go on a book tour. It is hard to tell who the inmates are as the patients and staff act the same but chief of police Arly Hanks isn't interested in what goes on there unlike the rest of the town until the receptionist is murdered. Then she has to deal with doctors and patients who can drive a sane person crazy. MALPRACTICE IN MAGGODY is a hilarious police procedural due to the antics of the patients and staff, all of whom have their own agendas that doesn't include getting cured. On the part of the patients, they want what feeds their addictions and the staff wants them to pay for exotic treatments to inflate their profits. Readers will find themselves laughing out loud at some of the activities of the townspeople as their try to find out who the patients are and why they are there. Harriet Klausner