The Moonshine Murders: The Jailer's Daughter Mysteries

by Joy York

In this young adult mystery set in 1970, a family tragedy prompts Christi, a shy and studious teenager, and her mother to travel to rural Roselyn, Mississippi. Christi's Uncle Bill, the county jailer and a deputy sheriff, is critically wounded while investigating a moonshine still that a local farmer found on his property. As the deputies approach the scene, they are ambushed by four assailants, resulting in the death of the farmer, then vanish without a trace.

Convinced the history of local mistrust of ATF federal agents will hinder the investigation, Lily, the jailer's daredevil teenage daughter, is determined to find the culprits who shot her daddy. She just needs to persuade Christi, her scaredy-cat cousin, and her best friend Troy, the son of the investigating detective, to join the hunt. Living in a house connected to the jail, Lily thrives on excitement and pushing boundaries. Rule abiding Christi and Troy have been entangled in Lily's misadventures before and suffered the consequences of lying, spying, and sneaking into forbidden place. With Uncle Bill's life on the line, Lily manages to convince them this time will be different. What harm can a few questions and a little information gathering do?

Lily's first assignment brings them face to face with a bootlegger brandishing a shotgun. Christi and Troy quickly realize Lily has once again left out critical details of her plan. When the trio meet Jake, the undaunted teenage son of the murdered farmer, he offers to take them to the location of the ambush. The horrifying scene they stumble upon has them running for their lives. The deeper the foursome digs to uncover the truth, the more the danger escalates, and the threats become personal. Will they back off and let the authorities handle it? Or will their stubborn doggedness result in another disaster?

This face-paced southern mystery also has a coming-of-age theme. In their efforts to find justice, the four teens discovered the importance of loyalty, being their genuine selves, trust, and taking responsibility for their actions. There is also a sweet romantic first love theme to the story. Adult mystery lovers will enjoy the many twists, turns, and surprises that will keep them guessing. The historical elements of the 1970 setting will also give a nostalgic feel of a time past for some adult readers.

Genres: Young Adult

293 pages, Kindle Edition

Published March 25, 2024

About the author

Joy York grew up in Alabama but has spent much of her adult life in the Midwest, currently living with her husband in Indiana. Inspired by a family legacy of oral storytelling, she began creating stories and adventures for her son when he was growing up. With encouragement from family and friends, she began to write them down. Her first book, The Bloody Shoe Affair: A daring and thrilling adventure with the jailer’s daughter (The Jailer's Daughter Mysteries Book 1), a YA mystery, was published in 2015. Genuine Deceit, an adult suspense novel, is her second book. Protective Instinct: A Thriller was recently published. The Moonshine Murders (The Jailer's Daughter Mysteries Book 2) will be released March 25, 2024. For more information, visit www.joyyork.com.

Reviews

[Eve Koguce · Rating 5 out of 5]

They claim that teenagers are wild. After reading this book most of those who say that will change their minds. Lily takes the definition of ‘wild’ to a whole new level.

“The Moonshine Murders” by Joy York is the second book in the Jailer's Daughter Mysteries, but it can be read as a standalone. Sufficient background is provided as to the relationships between the main characters, their families and friends. But the mysteries in book one and book two aren’t connected.

Lily’s father is shot. Of course, Lily is worried about him, but it’s not that it comes as a complete shock. He is a county jailer and a deputy sheriff after all. His job is dangerous, and Lily knows that anything can happen to him. Besides, her family lives even not next door but ‘next wall’ from the jail, and the only thing that separates them from prisoners is a metal door. Yet, even Lily’s mother who cooks for convicts calls them ‘boys’, so Lily’s somewhat light-hearted attitude towards the whole situation is understandable.

It seems that Lily is more affected by the chance to start a new investigation than by her father lying in hospital with his life hanging on a thread. But maybe it is a sort of coping mechanism, and the teenage girl needs to keep her mind occupied not to dwell on her family tragedy.

As the book title implies, the mystery revolves around the illegal operations with moonshine. Distilling spirits has always been a good source of income for opportunistic people who aren’t afraid to break the law. Deputies of a rural county in Mississippi get ambushed while on the call about the illegal moonshine operations on a local farmer’s property. Lily’s father gets shot but the farmer who called the authorities gets killed. Teenager Lily believes that she is better equipped to find the culprits and solve the mystery than the police and the FBI.

Lily’s behaviour is absolutely outrageous. Sometimes it seems that she doesn’t have a danger compass and doesn’t understand that the situations she drags herself and her friends into could end tragically. To be honest, I wouldn’t have liked to have such a friend when I was her age.

Still, Lily’s recklessness makes the plot race at a head-spinning speed. I kept turning the pages and read the book in a few sittings before bedtime. I liked that along with the main mystery a personal secret unravelled, which came as a complete surprise for me. Also, reading about moonshine makers, I remembered a brief ‘dry law’ period in the 80s, and how even in my family we had a contraption for making ‘apple wine,’ which we then stored in huge glass bottles in our summer house.

I appreciated the ending of the book for drawing the readers’ attention to the implications of Lily’s thoughtless behaviour.

Both books in the Jailer's Daughter Mysteries are action-packed and full of big and small mysteries. There are moments when my heart leapt with fear for Lily, Christi, and their friends. But I thoroughly enjoyed the experience of traipsing across country lanes, and small towns and even trudging through the wilderness in the American state of Mississippi with reckless teenagers who kept getting themselves in life-threatening situations. I hope the author plans to write more books in this setting, which I will devour with great pleasure.

[Veronica Barton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Cousins Lily and Christi join forces once again to solve a deadly mystery. This one hit close to home. Lily's father, Bill, the country jailer and deputy sheriff, has been shot and critically wounded, and a farmer murdered while investigating a mysterious moonshine still on the farmer's property.

Lily is determined to find out who did this to her father and drags her sometimes reluctant, Cousin Christi with her to sort through the clues and suspects. The danger escalates as the feds and members of a nefarious moonshine ring comes to town. Will the cousins and their friends sleuthing lead to their becoming the next victims?

Author York once again weaves a thrilling whodunnit with characters who have become fan favorites. Lily's and Christi's adventures are a treat for readers, and I feel like I've become part of their entourage--sharing secrets, mysteries, perplexing scenarios, and the hints of teenage romance. This is a fantastic mystery series, sure to entertain fans of all ages! A highly recommended read!

[Lisette Brodey · Rating 5 out of 5]

This YA mystery novel, the second in Joy York’s The Jailer’s Daughter Series, was so much fun. For me, it was like stepping into a time machine. The authentically crafted characters whisked me back to a simpler era, and reminded me that words like “boss” and “groovy” were often standard language fare. But that’s only a taste of the flavor of the time.

It was so much fun being reacquainted with Lily and Christi, teen cousin sleuths who pretty much are mirror opposites when it comes to taking risks, but Christi, who narrates, lets us know that she’s becoming less risk averse hanging out with her cousin.

With little to go on, the cousins are off to their new adventure when Lily’s dad (the jailer) is shot and another man killed on the property of a moonshiner. The girls, along with Troy and Jake, set out to find the killer. And that’s just the beginning. There are twists and turns, and like always, a compelling mystery. Yes, so much more happens, but I’ll leave that for the reader. I’ll just say that I loved a certain romance that left me feeling oh-so-good at the book’s end.

[Wendy Slater · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great Mystery for All!


“Moonshine Murders” by Joy York is a wonderful YA and adult mystery.

The narrative unfolds in the heart of Mississippi in the 1970s, a setting that adds a unique flavor to the story. As this is book two in the author’s The Jailer’s Daughters Mysteries series, the reader joins again with two teenage characters, Christi and Lily. These teenage cousins with contrasting backgrounds and personalities teach each other much and share a deep bond of love.

Lily, the jailer’s daughter, hails from the rural parts of Mississippi, while Christi is from the bustling area of Meridian, Mississippi. Lily can be described as fearless and a bit foolhardy, as she doesn’t always consider the impact of her choices on others. Christi is a reserved and thoughtful teenager just beginning to emerge from her shy shell. Their distinct personalities, family bonds, and the contrasting environments in which they were raised make for a compelling read as they embark on a mystery-solving adventure reminiscent of the Nancy Drew series.

This book could also be considered historical fiction, as the story takes place in the 1970s in the rural south of the USA. The author does a beautiful job describing that time frame through the eyes of these two teenagers.

Overall, this is an excellent YA read. The story teaches about peer pressure and the consequences of acting rashly in a group and putting others in danger. It's a beautiful coming-of-age story.

[Cathleen Maza · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Moonshine Murders by author Joy York is a YA mystery set in 1970. (Very historical and fun!) Teen cousins Lily and Christi are reunited for this latest adventure when Lily's father is mysteriously shot with very little evidence to go on. Never one to sit on the sidelines, Lily is determined to gather her own clues and evidence to move the investigation along...no matter the danger or consequences. This author does an amazing job showing us Mississippi in the 1970's through her young main characters, which also makes this an interesting historical work. All in all, another very enjoyable mystery read that's recommended for fans of any age!

[Barbara Daniels Dena · Rating 5 out of 5]

Lily never learns!

The jailer's daughter is up to her ornery self and takes the reader on a wild ride through this who-dun-it featuring the two female cousins, Lily and Christi in The Moonshine Murders. What makes this book super special in the series is the comeuppance Lily receives. Author Joy York has brought us another twisty tale that is hard to put down. What mischief will the cousins find in her next novel? One can only wonder. Excellent YA & adult reading entertainment.

[D.L. Finn · Rating 5 out of 5]

Christi and Lily have joined forces again to solve a murder and mystery focused on Lily’s father, who suffered a gunshot wound. They get help from Troy and Jake as the pursuit leads to moonshine and a mysterious university study. I love the setting in the seventies, along with the musical references. It brought back many memories and added great layers to the story. The friendship between Christi and Lily is heartwarming and humorous. They have each other’s backs no matter what mess they or Lily are in. A sweet romance develops for Christi and Jake, while Lily and Troy appear to clash. There are many twists and dangerous situations they find themselves in that make this a page-turner. Who to trust becomes very important. A YA mystery for the young at heart that I can easily recommend.

[John Dolan · Rating 5 out of 5]

“No matter how many times I’ve been here over the years, the creepy feeling never went away. My biggest fear was a jail break. And it didn’t help when I heard the occasional scream promising murder and mayhem during the night. That’s why Lily kept a baseball bat under her bed. Not that I thought it would do much good, but it did make me feel a little better.”
‘The Moonshine Murders: The Jailer’s daughter Mysteries, Book 2’ picks up the lives of teenage cousins Christi (the sensible one) and Lily (the wild one) where book 1 of the series left off. The action remains close to home – in this case the shooting of the county jailer, Lily’s father, who was investigating an illegal moonshine still. Throw in the death of the farmer on whose property the still was sited, visiting agents, dubious characters in the neighborhood, and plenty of teenage angst – plus, of course, Lily’s renowned inability to stay out of trouble – and you have the recipe for another high-octane adventure in rural Mississippi.
A sequel can be a disappointing affair, particularly if, like me, you enjoyed the first book. But that’s not a problem here.
“An ear-splitting scream rang out. Afraid she was hurt, I hurried down the front stairs and around to the bushes. Oh God, please let her be okay.”
And…
“The night was inky black with no moon to light our path… My heart throbbed in my throat.”
Buckle up, reader.

[Patricia Furstenberg · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second novel in Joy York's "The Jailer’s Daughter "series, "The Moonshine Murders: The Jailer’s Daughter," was most enjoyable to read. I was captivated by the tension from beginning to end, especially when two resolute cousins, Lily and Christi, set out to unravel a mystery that struck very close to home. After looking into a lethal moonshine business, Lily's father, the local jailer, is seriously injured, and a farmer is killed.
As Christi and the reader gather together facts, Lily's unyielding drive to find the truth drags them both into a dangerous maelstrom. With the FBI investigating and the community under threat from a moonshine ring, the stakes are high. The cousins' courage in the face of growing peril is admirable, but it also emphasizes the risks of getting too close to something so dangerous.
I found York's portrayal of the 1970s rural Southern environment to be very noteworthy. I was drawn in not only by the mystery but also by the realistic depiction of the era as seen by two youngsters. The book provides a thorough examination of peer pressure, snap judgments, and the fallout from those choices—a helpful lesson for young readers.
In the end, "The Moonshine Murders" is a lovely coming-of-age tale that will linger in your mind long beyond the last page, in addition to being an exciting mystery.

[Kat · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am such a fan of this historical YA mystery series by Joy York, set in rural Mississippi! I loved Christi and Lily in book one so much that I grabbed book two right away and added it to my TBR. This is such a fun setting, with outgoing Lily, who is the daughter of sheriff Bill, who also runs the jail. Lily lives in housing that is connected to the jail, which gives her an inside track to the goings on with the police and anyone locked up at the time, and has made her a bit too nosy for her own good. Her cousin Christi is a bit shyer and a good counterpoint to Lily.

In this second book, the cousins are trying to figure out who is responsible for a shooting that left Lily’s dad Bill wounded. It has to do with moonshine, and I loved again how author Joy York pulled so much of the local setting and the historical setting into the book. Every chapter had such delicious food descriptions from fried chicken and potato salad and okra to Lily and Christi being excited to ride in their friend Troy’s car. I loved the love interests for both girls in this one too. It had all the elements of a great YA novel, a good mystery to solve, perfect YA language and writing and mood, and characters I wanted to spend more time with. Loved this! 5/5 stars.

[Beem Weeks · Rating 5 out of 5]

Joy York returns with another exciting thrill ride of a story. She brings back cousins Lily and Christi from her Bloody Shoe Affair novel. The girls join forces again, but this time, the case hits a little too close for comfort. Lily's father, a deputy sheriff, is critically wounded, while another man is killed. At the heart of the shootings is a whiskey still. Does this play into the murderous crime?

Lily, the deputy's daughter, seeks answers for who would do such a thing to her father. She coaxes cousin Christi into helping her sift through a cast of suspects in search for the culprit. But getting too close to finding those answers puts both girls in harms way.

Author Joy York is a master in the whodunnit genre of great storytelling. She manages to craft a tale that leads readers on the hunt alongside cousins Lily and Christi in their hunt for the truth. If you enjoy great mystery writing from an author who has the skill to entertain from start to finish, this is one you don't want to miss.

[Moona · Rating 5 out of 5]

"Sometimes, the biggest mysteries hide in the smallest towns." In The Moonshine Murders: The Jailer’s Daughter Mysteries, Joy York transports readers to 1970s Mississippi, where a quiet town is shaken by a violent ambush. When Lily’s father, the county jailer, is critically wounded investigating a moonshine operation, she refuses to sit on the sidelines. Enlisting her cautious cousin Christi, detective’s son Troy, and the vengeful Jake, the four teenagers plunge into a dangerous world of bootleggers, buried secrets, and a mystery bigger than they ever imagined.

York masterfully blends coming-of-age themes with a gripping murder mystery, crafting a tale that’s as much about friendship, trust, and first love as it is about uncovering the truth. The richly atmospheric setting and fast-paced twists make this novel a compelling read for both young adults and nostalgic mystery lovers. Perfect for fans of Nancy Drew with a Southern twist.

[Tonya Penrose · Rating 5 out of 5]

he Moonshine Murders delivers an enjoyable dose of 1970s nostalgia combined with a murder mystery that has the right amount of twists and turns to keep your nose in the book.

Author Joy York brings back cousins Christi and Lilly for another snooping adventure. In this romp, it's personal for Lily. Her dad was shot, and whodunit was top of mind. Pulling in Christi, Jake, and Troy to help chase the clues, the story takes off, and the reader is fully invested.

Expect humor, suspense, deflection, well-developed characters, sweet splashes of romance, and a surprise ending. Okay, more than one surprise. Joy York is known for delivering on that.

If you love Nancy Drew Mysteries or have never read them, this series is for you. I look forward to hanging out with Lily and Christi again for another romp. Don’t miss Joy York’s second book!

[Julie Lence · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent follow-up to the Bloody Shoe Affair. Teenage cousins and amateur sleuths, Christ and Lily, are back to solve another mystery. This time around, Lily's father, who is the town sheriff, has been shot and another man has been killed. Wanting to know who shot her father and if the incident is related to the moonshine still found on a property outside of town, Lily is unstoppable in her pursuit of justice, wrangling Christ to keep up with her.

Loved how the author let the story play out for the reader to discover clues and possible suspects the same time that Lily and Christi did. With interesting subplots, a bit of romance, an intriguing list of suspects, plus the dangers the duo faced, I thoroughly enjoyed this mystery and hope Ms. York plans a 3rd installment to the series.

[Mary Schmidt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Teenage mystery and crime novel

This book is a teenage murder, mystery, crime, moonshine novel set back in the day when many counties were dry. I remember some counties being dry as a young child, but never saw a still or moonshine being made. No one is the same at the end of the book as all lives are changed in many ways, some to death. Murdered actually, and the story weaves around a smallish town, and the countryside. Tack in some people from Chicago, bad men, dangerous men, and mix that with four teenagers and you have a plot in which the teenagers are in more danger than they realized.

[Vicky Whedbee · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow!

This was a great sequel!

The main characters, Lily and Christi, are so realistic with their interactions and dialog, and about as curious as teenagers can be! Reading it was like stepping back in time to my teenager years, minus-the-murders part!

The story-line was great and definitely action-packed from start to finish! I loved the addition of some romance into their life, as they grow into young women!

Though this book is in the young adult genre, I certainly enjoyed it as I feel would everyone of any age would, and I highly recommend it! Well done!