Fallout

Joshua Stokes Mysteries #2

by Lila Beckham

Joshua Stokes is the charismatic and dedicated sheriff of Mobile County. Known for his manners, strength, and old-fashioned approach his passion for maintaining the pride and chivalry of the ‘Old South’ make him a desirable lawman. If asked to use one word to describe him, most folks would say, trustworthy. Women find Joshua attractive and although he could have his pick of available women in the county, he chooses to live alone. He enjoys the solitude afforded by his 160-year-old cabin that sets alongside the Escatawpa River at the Mississippi State Line. It was once the residence of the overseer for the Caledonia Plantation. The plantation covered over a thousand acres along the river back in the 1850’s when William Moffett, a cotton broker who rebuilt the old home, owned it. Joshua is a spiritual man unconcerned with material things. He spends a great deal of time sitting on his porch, drinking whiskey and reminiscing the past. However, he is also a lonely man who drinks too much and hides his pain behind a brave face and dry wit. The discovery of the heads of victims from as far back as the late nineteen-thirties has him wondering if his mother had fallen victim to a serial killer and not ran off with another man as his father had thought she had. The events of the past few months have him on edge. He has things he needs to do, things he needs take care of, and with this new rash of murders, he has new worries. He knows that there will be repercussions for his having to shoot Tom Stringer, and since then it had been one thing after the other that needed his attention. Now, the authorities were looking into his shooting and killing Tom Stringer. The inquisition is more of a nuisance than a worry. Joshua feels he was justified in shooting Tom. He just wants everything to settle down so that he can delve deeper into the disappearance of his mother.

Genres: Mystery

340 pages, Paperback

First published January 26, 2014

About the author

Lila Beckham lives in L.A. that is 'Lower Alabama' for those of you who do not know ;) She lives along the coast and enjoys anything to do with horses. She has three dogs, seven cats, and a slew of wilderness critters she enjoys watching when she takes a break from writing. She is currently working on the next installment of her Joshua Stokes Mysteries as well as several other books. Lila is laid back and quiet spirited. She is a recluse and says that she enjoys the solitude of writing. She says that all of her stories should come with a warning and at least an 'R' rating and oftentimes slip into an 'X' rating. Lila encourages reviews and says that she wants an honest opinion; no sugar coating. If you don't like it, say so. She also writes under Lila M Beckham Happy Reading!

Reviews

[Angela · Rating 5 out of 5]

It took me a while to get my head around all the characters, which is why I found the beginning to be a bit slow. Once I got into the story though, I found I couldn't put it down and finished it in no time at all.

Joshua Stokes is the Sheriff of Mobile County. He has a fair-minded approach to keeping the law and really enjoys his whiskey, cigarettes and the occasional joint. His mother disappeared when he was a child and the recent discovery of victims heads, dating back as far as the 1930's, has lead Joshua to think that his mother may not have run off after all.
Joshua Stokes is guided by spirits and spends a huge amount of his time mulling things over, alone, on his porch. The discovery of a double murder is cause for concern, especially as there has been a spate of them along the railway line, but believing that the murderer has long gone the Sheriff focuses on trying to learn more about his mother and what might have happened to her.

[Candy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fallout follows right where Dumping Grounds left off. Sheriff Stokes has began to try to put the pieces together about his mother's disappearance when he was little.

Throughly enjoyed the second book about Joshua Stokes, the sheriff of Mobile County.