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Throwing Shadows
Fans of Steven F. Havill’s Posadas County and Lisa Regan’s Josie Quinn series will enjoy this fascinating and complex story set in small-town Missouri.
"Balances well-developed characters and dry humor with a solid police procedural" - Library Journal Starred Review of Dangerous Consequences
When a hiker stumbles from the woods raving about a dead man, Sheriff Hank Worth launches a search. Near the infamous landmark of Murder Rocks – a Civil War era hideout for ambushers who robbed and killed passing travelers – they unearth two bodies and a skeleton.
Local legend says there’s caches of stolen gold buried in the area. And – thanks to some recent nationwide publicity – the Ozark backwoods are now swarming with out-of-town treasure hunters, who have little concern for Hank’s murder investigation. With the clock ticking, Hank must identify the victims . . . and the killer. But could the new pursuit of long-lost plunder really have led to multiple deaths?
Meanwhile, secrets uncovered in Hank’s personal life are taking a toll. He and his wife are trying to bridge the painful gap that’s widening daily. As it threatens to split them apart, Hank doesn’t know what’s tougher, murder or marriage. With both taking everything he has, all he does know is that old sins throw long shadows . . .
When a hiker stumbles from the woods raving about a dead man, Sheriff Hank Worth launches a search. Near the infamous landmark of Murder Rocks – a Civil War era hideout for ambushers who robbed and killed passing travelers – they unearth two bodies and a skeleton.
Local legend says there’s caches of stolen gold buried in the area. And – thanks to some recent nationwide publicity – the Ozark backwoods are now swarming with out-of-town treasure hunters, who have little concern for Hank’s murder investigation. With the clock ticking, Hank must identify the victims . . . and the killer. But could the new pursuit of long-lost plunder really have led to multiple deaths?
Meanwhile, secrets uncovered in Hank’s personal life are taking a toll. He and his wife are trying to bridge the painful gap that’s widening daily. As it threatens to split them apart, Hank doesn’t know what’s tougher, murder or marriage. With both taking everything he has, all he does know is that old sins throw long shadows . . .
234 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 5, 2025
7 people are currently reading
29 people want to read
About the author
Claire Booth
15 books102 followersClaire Booth is a journalist and author who has written about crime for decades. She’s covered everything from the theft of the Aston Martin used in the James Bond film Goldfinger to the Laci Peterson murder and the San Francisco dog mauling case, where two lawyers were convicted of killing their neighbor with vicious dogs they kept for an imprisoned friend.
She also covered the case of Taylor Helzer, a Northern California man who convinced two followers he was a prophet of God. In order to raise money for their end-of-days scheme, the group extorted money from a retired couple and then killed them and three others to cover their tracks. The tremendously complicated quintuple murder case is the basis for her first book, the non-fiction The False Prophet: Conspiracy, Extortion and Murder in the Name of God.
After living with that case for so long, Claire decided she’d had enough of the real world and turned to fiction. Her first novel, The Branson Beauty, features county sheriff Hank Worth. The second in the series is Another Man’s Ground and the third, A Deadly Turn, comes out March 1, 2019.
She also covered the case of Taylor Helzer, a Northern California man who convinced two followers he was a prophet of God. In order to raise money for their end-of-days scheme, the group extorted money from a retired couple and then killed them and three others to cover their tracks. The tremendously complicated quintuple murder case is the basis for her first book, the non-fiction The False Prophet: Conspiracy, Extortion and Murder in the Name of God.
After living with that case for so long, Claire decided she’d had enough of the real world and turned to fiction. Her first novel, The Branson Beauty, features county sheriff Hank Worth. The second in the series is Another Man’s Ground and the third, A Deadly Turn, comes out March 1, 2019.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
July 26, 2025
Among other things, a good fiction book makes me feel something and takes me on a journey of discovery. Claire Booth does both in
Throwing Shadows,
the seventh book in the Sheriff Hank Worth series. When a man stumbles from the woods hysterical and talking about a dead man, Hank launches a search near the infamous landmark of Murder Rocks. This is the site of an 1860’s hideout for ambushers who robbed and killed passing travelers. What the search reveals is more than one dead body.
A local legend says there’s caches of gold, silver, and other valuables buried in the area. When a podcaster reveals this, the Ozark backwoods near Forsyth, Missouri are swarming with treasure hunters who don’t care about a murder investigation or private property. Can Hank find the killer? Is there really treasure to be found?
As if this isn’t enough, secrets in Hank’s personal life are taking a toll on him, his wife Dr. Maggie McCleary, and their marriage. Can he resolve this and solve the case without everything falling to pieces?
Hank, Maggie, and Hank’s chief deputy Sheila Turley are well-developed characters. Hank is especially dynamic and grows as the story unfolds. He may be directionally challenged, but he’s also a great investigator. I especially liked that he praises and builds up his employees in private and in front of others. Maggie is an emergency room doctor and is only biased towards an accurate diagnosis. She puts patients first and can come home after a fourteen-hour shift and still have energy for their two children. However, a school supply trip of a few hours with two children can wipe her out after just a few hours. Sheila was injured in a previous book in the series and is still recovering, but she pushes herself hard to do her job. There are a lot of other characters, but they’re introduced gradually and I didn’t have any trouble distinguishing between them.
A fascinating story and good character development drew me into the book and kept my attention. The world-building is excellent as much of the activity takes place with fall rain and mud and in the woods. The interpersonal dynamics of the characters is excellent and the author is effective in showing readers how each character connect to the story and the others. Information about the legend is included throughout the novel. The story gradually builds momentum with twists and turns and a surprising conclusion. My biggest quibble is that the ending didn’t quite conclude one aspect of the personal dilemma faced by Hank and Maggie. Hopefully, this will be resolved in the next book. Themes include greed, pride, murder, relationships, and much more.
Overall, this is a solid police procedural with excellent world-building and compelling characters. The author does a great job of interspersing events in the character’s personal lives as they work to solve the case, bringing them together effortlessly. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Severn House and Claire Booth provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for August 05, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
--------------------------------------
My 4.2 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
A local legend says there’s caches of gold, silver, and other valuables buried in the area. When a podcaster reveals this, the Ozark backwoods near Forsyth, Missouri are swarming with treasure hunters who don’t care about a murder investigation or private property. Can Hank find the killer? Is there really treasure to be found?
As if this isn’t enough, secrets in Hank’s personal life are taking a toll on him, his wife Dr. Maggie McCleary, and their marriage. Can he resolve this and solve the case without everything falling to pieces?
Hank, Maggie, and Hank’s chief deputy Sheila Turley are well-developed characters. Hank is especially dynamic and grows as the story unfolds. He may be directionally challenged, but he’s also a great investigator. I especially liked that he praises and builds up his employees in private and in front of others. Maggie is an emergency room doctor and is only biased towards an accurate diagnosis. She puts patients first and can come home after a fourteen-hour shift and still have energy for their two children. However, a school supply trip of a few hours with two children can wipe her out after just a few hours. Sheila was injured in a previous book in the series and is still recovering, but she pushes herself hard to do her job. There are a lot of other characters, but they’re introduced gradually and I didn’t have any trouble distinguishing between them.
A fascinating story and good character development drew me into the book and kept my attention. The world-building is excellent as much of the activity takes place with fall rain and mud and in the woods. The interpersonal dynamics of the characters is excellent and the author is effective in showing readers how each character connect to the story and the others. Information about the legend is included throughout the novel. The story gradually builds momentum with twists and turns and a surprising conclusion. My biggest quibble is that the ending didn’t quite conclude one aspect of the personal dilemma faced by Hank and Maggie. Hopefully, this will be resolved in the next book. Themes include greed, pride, murder, relationships, and much more.
Overall, this is a solid police procedural with excellent world-building and compelling characters. The author does a great job of interspersing events in the character’s personal lives as they work to solve the case, bringing them together effortlessly. I’m looking forward to reading the next book in the series.
Severn House and Claire Booth provided a complimentary digital ARC of this novel via NetGalley. All thoughts and opinions expressed in this review are my own. The publication date is currently set for August 05, 2025. This review was originally posted at Mystery and Suspense Magazine.
--------------------------------------
My 4.2 rounded to 4 stars review is coming soon.
August 10, 2025
There's gold in them thar hills! Or is there? Whe a podcast sparks a deluge of fortune hunters to the infamous Murder Rocks in the Ozarks, more bodies turn up than gold pieces.
Sherrif Hank Worth and his overworked, understaffed department have their hands full dealing with clueless city slickers, more than one murder, cranky land owners and, to add to everything, thier own personal issues.
It's a complex web of mystery that will have you guessing and unable to put it down until you reach the surprising end.
Sherrif Hank Worth and his overworked, understaffed department have their hands full dealing with clueless city slickers, more than one murder, cranky land owners and, to add to everything, thier own personal issues.
It's a complex web of mystery that will have you guessing and unable to put it down until you reach the surprising end.
July 6, 2025
I had the pleasure of reading Throwing Shadows by Claire Booth, it's the seventh adventure in the Ozarks with sheriff Hank Worth. This time we also get a little civil war history in the mystery, someone is searching for gold in the woods and people wind up dead. We also have some ongoing problems both with Hanks family and his second in command. I really like this series and have a soft spot for small town mysteries and this one falls deep into that category. If you still haven't started enjoying this sereis it's about time you do. This book hits the shelves August 5. I have to thank Severn House and Netgalley for supplying me with this advance copy.
August 18, 2025
4.5 stars
What makes this series stand out from other procedurals are the relatable characters, an excellent setting, and interesting plots. The three members of law enforcement, Sheriff Hank Worth, Chief Deputy Sheila Turley, and Deputy Sam Karnes are all capable investigators and good people. We get to see them at work and at home, especially Hank and his wife, Maggie, making them three-dimensional characters.
I love the Missouri Ozarks setting of this series. The town in which the book takes place, Branson, is an actual tourist town and one that I've visited many times. The author does a great job of describing both the natural beauty of the area and the "tourist town" aspects of the area. Branson is a small town but has millions of visitors each year.
The plot of this book is complex and involves American Civil War history. This case is full of surprises. The journal entries mixed in with the narrative helps bring the history of the story to life. The rock formation discussed is real, as are some of the other historical facts, but the author says the treasure which brings so many out-of-towners and drama to Branson in this book is fictional. All of these elements come together to make an excellent story of the investigation into human remains being found near a historic site, a treasure hunt, and the search for a killer. I recommend this book and the entire series.
I received a gifted copy of this book from Partners in Crime Book Tours and the publisher. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
What makes this series stand out from other procedurals are the relatable characters, an excellent setting, and interesting plots. The three members of law enforcement, Sheriff Hank Worth, Chief Deputy Sheila Turley, and Deputy Sam Karnes are all capable investigators and good people. We get to see them at work and at home, especially Hank and his wife, Maggie, making them three-dimensional characters.
I love the Missouri Ozarks setting of this series. The town in which the book takes place, Branson, is an actual tourist town and one that I've visited many times. The author does a great job of describing both the natural beauty of the area and the "tourist town" aspects of the area. Branson is a small town but has millions of visitors each year.
The plot of this book is complex and involves American Civil War history. This case is full of surprises. The journal entries mixed in with the narrative helps bring the history of the story to life. The rock formation discussed is real, as are some of the other historical facts, but the author says the treasure which brings so many out-of-towners and drama to Branson in this book is fictional. All of these elements come together to make an excellent story of the investigation into human remains being found near a historic site, a treasure hunt, and the search for a killer. I recommend this book and the entire series.
I received a gifted copy of this book from Partners in Crime Book Tours and the publisher. My review is voluntary and unbiased.
August 7, 2025
Following a hiker's unexpected emergence from the woods with a claim of a treasure discovery and a deceased individual, Sheriff Hank Worth initiates a search. This search leads to the discovery of two bodies and skeletal remains near the notorious Murder Rocks, a Civil War hideout. As the investigation unfolds, the officers must also keep the people looking for treasure away from the scene. A podcaster has been telling people about the legend of buried gold in the area drawing people from far and wide. Will Hank be able to close the case before another body turns up? Will he be able to keep his personal life out of the way?
This is the 7th book in the author's Hank Worth series but it was my 1st. Honestly, I wish I had read the previous books to have known the characters a little better. However, that didn't keep me from enjoyijg this book! The mystery was intriguing and it had me completely engrossed. It was suspenseful and the ending surprised me. I absolutely loved the small town Missouri setting and the civil war history. This was definitely a solid police procedural and I look forward to going back and reading the other books🩷
This is the 7th book in the author's Hank Worth series but it was my 1st. Honestly, I wish I had read the previous books to have known the characters a little better. However, that didn't keep me from enjoyijg this book! The mystery was intriguing and it had me completely engrossed. It was suspenseful and the ending surprised me. I absolutely loved the small town Missouri setting and the civil war history. This was definitely a solid police procedural and I look forward to going back and reading the other books🩷
August 28, 2025
The Hank Worth series is new to me so I did find some of the content which referred to previous books unfamiliar. However, none of that content (and my lack of reference) intrudes on the author’s ability to tell one hell of a story.
For me, the sign of a really, really good author is their ability to write a series that carries a thread throughout but with each entry able to stand on its own. That is accomplished by solid and clever storytelling supported by well-developed and interesting characters. All of that and more is here in Throwing Shadows.
The story which drives the action is fascinating – murder and mayhem on the backroads of the Ozarks during a very dark time in American history, lost gold, and plenty of intrigue coupled with 21st century treasure-hunting and podcasting. This is what kept me reading.
The back stories of the characters, particularly Hank Worth, didn’t really grab me because of my unfamiliarity with the series, but I liked this one well enough that I’ll now go back and read the rest of the series. I’m looking forward to some very enjoyable reading!
For me, the sign of a really, really good author is their ability to write a series that carries a thread throughout but with each entry able to stand on its own. That is accomplished by solid and clever storytelling supported by well-developed and interesting characters. All of that and more is here in Throwing Shadows.
The story which drives the action is fascinating – murder and mayhem on the backroads of the Ozarks during a very dark time in American history, lost gold, and plenty of intrigue coupled with 21st century treasure-hunting and podcasting. This is what kept me reading.
The back stories of the characters, particularly Hank Worth, didn’t really grab me because of my unfamiliarity with the series, but I liked this one well enough that I’ll now go back and read the rest of the series. I’m looking forward to some very enjoyable reading!
August 9, 2025
BOOK REPORT
Received a complimentary copy of Throwing Shadows, by Claire Booth, from Severn House/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.
Good heavens! What in the WORLD was Previous Kristi thinking, requesting an ARC of the No. 7 book in a police procedural mystery series?
I’d like to think that maybe “she” thought all manner of things, but I should just own up to what the real fact of the matter probably was: She was reading too fast and didn’t clock that it was part of a series, or thought it was the first.
Once I realized what was up, I had to make the decision about whether to keep going or not. I did, because I know myself well enough that when I finally make it back to this book after I start this series and read it in order, I will probably have forgotten many—if not all—salient plot points, and will enjoy it all over again. And the whole point of reading it was to see if I’d enjoy this series by Claire Booth.
Short answer: Yup.
Longer answer: Yup, because it’s an awful lot like Longmire in feel/tone.
Which now brings me to this: I also panicked because I had only nine days left to read this book. When what I really intended to do was read the newest Longmire book, which I checked out from the QuickPick shelf at the public library today. But then got sidetracked from, because Mailman: My Wild Ride Delivering the Mail in Appalachia and Finally Finding Home, by Stephen Starring Grant, was available electronically from another library (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... ).
If you’re following this pinball game of a Book Report, God bless you.
The point of all of ^that^ was to say that I started out this morning with one book plan, then shifted, repeatedly. Also, I had planned only to read for a bit, then take care of some yard chores. Nope, didn’t happen. Read a whole book instead.
And am now quite pleased to know that down the road I can come back to Sheriff Hank Worth and the Ozarks and enjoy myself immensely with a little binge. (Even if I do worry, just a little, that some of the characters are based on kinfolk…..distant, distant kinfolk……)
DESCRIPTION
Fans of Steven F. Havill’s Posadas County and Lisa Regan’s Josie Quinn series will enjoy this fascinating and complex story set in small-town Missouri. "Balances well-developed characters and dry humor with a solid police procedural" - Library Journal Starred Review of Dangerous Consequences
When a hiker stumbles from the woods raving about a dead man, Sheriff Hank Worth launches a search. Near the infamous landmark of Murder Rocks – a Civil War era hideout for ambushers who robbed and killed passing travelers – they unearth two bodies and a skeleton.
Local legend says there’s caches of stolen gold buried in the area. And – thanks to some recent nationwide publicity – the Ozark backwoods are now swarming with out-of-town treasure hunters, who have little concern for Hank’s murder investigation. With the clock ticking, Hank must identify the victims . . . and the killer. But could the new pursuit of long-lost plunder really have led to multiple deaths?
Meanwhile, secrets uncovered in Hank’s personal life are taking a toll. He and his wife are trying to bridge the painful gap that’s widening daily. As it threatens to split them apart, Hank doesn’t know what’s tougher, murder or marriage. With both taking everything he has, all he does know is that old sins throw long shadows . . .
Received a complimentary copy of Throwing Shadows, by Claire Booth, from Severn House/NetGalley, for which I am appreciative, in exchange for a fair and honest review. Scroll past the BOOK REPORT section for a cut-and-paste of the DESCRIPTION of it from them if you want to read my thoughts on the book in the context of that summary.
Good heavens! What in the WORLD was Previous Kristi thinking, requesting an ARC of the No. 7 book in a police procedural mystery series?
I’d like to think that maybe “she” thought all manner of things, but I should just own up to what the real fact of the matter probably was: She was reading too fast and didn’t clock that it was part of a series, or thought it was the first.
Once I realized what was up, I had to make the decision about whether to keep going or not. I did, because I know myself well enough that when I finally make it back to this book after I start this series and read it in order, I will probably have forgotten many—if not all—salient plot points, and will enjoy it all over again. And the whole point of reading it was to see if I’d enjoy this series by Claire Booth.
Short answer: Yup.
Longer answer: Yup, because it’s an awful lot like Longmire in feel/tone.
Which now brings me to this: I also panicked because I had only nine days left to read this book. When what I really intended to do was read the newest Longmire book, which I checked out from the QuickPick shelf at the public library today. But then got sidetracked from, because Mailman: My Wild Ride Delivering the Mail in Appalachia and Finally Finding Home, by Stephen Starring Grant, was available electronically from another library (https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/2... ).
If you’re following this pinball game of a Book Report, God bless you.
The point of all of ^that^ was to say that I started out this morning with one book plan, then shifted, repeatedly. Also, I had planned only to read for a bit, then take care of some yard chores. Nope, didn’t happen. Read a whole book instead.
And am now quite pleased to know that down the road I can come back to Sheriff Hank Worth and the Ozarks and enjoy myself immensely with a little binge. (Even if I do worry, just a little, that some of the characters are based on kinfolk…..distant, distant kinfolk……)
DESCRIPTION
Fans of Steven F. Havill’s Posadas County and Lisa Regan’s Josie Quinn series will enjoy this fascinating and complex story set in small-town Missouri. "Balances well-developed characters and dry humor with a solid police procedural" - Library Journal Starred Review of Dangerous Consequences
When a hiker stumbles from the woods raving about a dead man, Sheriff Hank Worth launches a search. Near the infamous landmark of Murder Rocks – a Civil War era hideout for ambushers who robbed and killed passing travelers – they unearth two bodies and a skeleton.
Local legend says there’s caches of stolen gold buried in the area. And – thanks to some recent nationwide publicity – the Ozark backwoods are now swarming with out-of-town treasure hunters, who have little concern for Hank’s murder investigation. With the clock ticking, Hank must identify the victims . . . and the killer. But could the new pursuit of long-lost plunder really have led to multiple deaths?
Meanwhile, secrets uncovered in Hank’s personal life are taking a toll. He and his wife are trying to bridge the painful gap that’s widening daily. As it threatens to split them apart, Hank doesn’t know what’s tougher, murder or marriage. With both taking everything he has, all he does know is that old sins throw long shadows . . .
August 10, 2025
Throwing Shadows: A Sheriff Hank Worth Mystery by Claire Booth is the latest read in a great series that began with The Branson Beauty. This is a series that must be read in order as events happen, create consequential ripple effects just like in real life, and people change. That is especially true in this case as this read is set just a few weeks after the events of Home Fires. Not only is the community dealing with the aftermath, Sheriff Hank Worth and his family are dealing with the scorched earth aftermath of a devastating family secret that burned through them all.
In the here and now, Sheriff Hank Worth is dealing with a surge in catalytic converter thefts across Branson County, Missouri. The devices are getting stolen in large numbers off the cars in the local car lots. It is happening in places that have poor or nonexistent security. Nobody has an idea they have been hit until a car is started for a potential customer and the loud racket makes it clear the theft has happened.
At the same time, Chief Deputy Sheila Turley is coping with her slowly healing injuries as best as she can as she faces the upcoming trail of her attacker. The same grit and determination that got her through the attack is getting her through each day, a painful minute at a time, now. The odds of getting a fair trial are considerably stacked against her, but Malcolm Oberholz assures her they can win the case.
Then a man in very bad shape stumbles out of the thick woods and everything else, personal, and professional, takes a back seat. He claims to have been lost in the woods the last two or three days. Not only was he not prepared to be wandering around in the woods, he was not prepared to find a body. He did. Now the good Sheriff and others on his team have to figure out where the lost man has been and if there really is a body in those woods so lovely, dark, and deep.
After some effort a body is found. It isn’t the first time blood has been shed in those same woods. Those woods have a bloody, and often violent, history that goes back decades and rumors of stolen treasure. There is a reason why the area is known to the natives as the “Murder Rocks.” That history inspired a podcast. That, in turn, brought out a bunch of people with zero wilderness skills to hunt loot from long ago. It also seems to have also brought out at least one killer who is not through yet.
Throwing Shadows: A Sheriff Hank Worth Mystery by Claire Booth is another very good read. Complicated as these books always are, it also features a lot of interesting local history for us armchair travelers. The result is another really good read that ends all too soon and leaves the reader wanting more.
I picked this up through NetGalley by way of the publisher, Severn House, which has me on their preapproved reviewer list. A fact I am very grateful for as the ability to instantly download is a wonderful thing. There was no expectation of a review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2025
In the here and now, Sheriff Hank Worth is dealing with a surge in catalytic converter thefts across Branson County, Missouri. The devices are getting stolen in large numbers off the cars in the local car lots. It is happening in places that have poor or nonexistent security. Nobody has an idea they have been hit until a car is started for a potential customer and the loud racket makes it clear the theft has happened.
At the same time, Chief Deputy Sheila Turley is coping with her slowly healing injuries as best as she can as she faces the upcoming trail of her attacker. The same grit and determination that got her through the attack is getting her through each day, a painful minute at a time, now. The odds of getting a fair trial are considerably stacked against her, but Malcolm Oberholz assures her they can win the case.
Then a man in very bad shape stumbles out of the thick woods and everything else, personal, and professional, takes a back seat. He claims to have been lost in the woods the last two or three days. Not only was he not prepared to be wandering around in the woods, he was not prepared to find a body. He did. Now the good Sheriff and others on his team have to figure out where the lost man has been and if there really is a body in those woods so lovely, dark, and deep.
After some effort a body is found. It isn’t the first time blood has been shed in those same woods. Those woods have a bloody, and often violent, history that goes back decades and rumors of stolen treasure. There is a reason why the area is known to the natives as the “Murder Rocks.” That history inspired a podcast. That, in turn, brought out a bunch of people with zero wilderness skills to hunt loot from long ago. It also seems to have also brought out at least one killer who is not through yet.
Throwing Shadows: A Sheriff Hank Worth Mystery by Claire Booth is another very good read. Complicated as these books always are, it also features a lot of interesting local history for us armchair travelers. The result is another really good read that ends all too soon and leaves the reader wanting more.
I picked this up through NetGalley by way of the publisher, Severn House, which has me on their preapproved reviewer list. A fact I am very grateful for as the ability to instantly download is a wonderful thing. There was no expectation of a review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2025
November 6, 2025
📚Throwing Shadows
✍🏻Claire Booth
Blurb:
When a hiker stumbles from the woods raving about a dead man, Sheriff Hank Worth launches a search. Near the infamous landmark of Murder Rocks – a Civil War era hideout for ambushers who robbed and killed passing travelers – they unearth two bodies and a skeleton.
Local legend says there’s caches of stolen gold buried in the area. And – thanks to some recent nationwide publicity – the Ozark backwoods are now swarming with out-of-town treasure hunters, who have little concern for Hank’s murder investigation. With the clock ticking, Hank must identify the victims . . . and the killer. But could the new pursuit of long-lost plunder really have led to multiple deaths?
Meanwhile, secrets uncovered in Hank’s personal life are taking a toll. He and his wife are trying to bridge the painful gap that’s widening daily. As it threatens to split them apart, Hank doesn’t know what’s tougher, murder or marriage. With both taking everything he has, all he does know is that old sins throw long shadows .
My Thoughts:
This is the 7th book in the author's Sheriff Hank Worth series, but it was my 1st. Following a hiker's unexpected emergence from the woods with a claim of a treasure discovery and a deceased individual, Sheriff Hank Worth initiates a search. This search leads to the discovery of two bodies and skeletal remains near the notorious Murder Rocks, a Civil War hideout. As the investigation unfolds, the officers must also keep the people looking for treasure away from the scene. A podcaster has been telling people about the legend of buried gold in the area, drawing people from far and wide. Will Hank be able to close the case before another body turns up? Will he be able to keep his personal life out of the way? The mystery was intriguing, and it had me completely engrossed. It was suspenseful, and the ending surprised me. I absolutely loved the small-town Missouri setting and the Civil War history. I look forward to reading more of the series.
Thanks NetGalley, Severn House and Author Claire Booth for the complimentary copy of "Throwing Shadows" I am leaving my review in apprection.
#NetGalley
#SevernHousePublications
#ClaireBooth
#ThrowingShadows
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
✍🏻Claire Booth
Blurb:
When a hiker stumbles from the woods raving about a dead man, Sheriff Hank Worth launches a search. Near the infamous landmark of Murder Rocks – a Civil War era hideout for ambushers who robbed and killed passing travelers – they unearth two bodies and a skeleton.
Local legend says there’s caches of stolen gold buried in the area. And – thanks to some recent nationwide publicity – the Ozark backwoods are now swarming with out-of-town treasure hunters, who have little concern for Hank’s murder investigation. With the clock ticking, Hank must identify the victims . . . and the killer. But could the new pursuit of long-lost plunder really have led to multiple deaths?
Meanwhile, secrets uncovered in Hank’s personal life are taking a toll. He and his wife are trying to bridge the painful gap that’s widening daily. As it threatens to split them apart, Hank doesn’t know what’s tougher, murder or marriage. With both taking everything he has, all he does know is that old sins throw long shadows .
My Thoughts:
This is the 7th book in the author's Sheriff Hank Worth series, but it was my 1st. Following a hiker's unexpected emergence from the woods with a claim of a treasure discovery and a deceased individual, Sheriff Hank Worth initiates a search. This search leads to the discovery of two bodies and skeletal remains near the notorious Murder Rocks, a Civil War hideout. As the investigation unfolds, the officers must also keep the people looking for treasure away from the scene. A podcaster has been telling people about the legend of buried gold in the area, drawing people from far and wide. Will Hank be able to close the case before another body turns up? Will he be able to keep his personal life out of the way? The mystery was intriguing, and it had me completely engrossed. It was suspenseful, and the ending surprised me. I absolutely loved the small-town Missouri setting and the Civil War history. I look forward to reading more of the series.
Thanks NetGalley, Severn House and Author Claire Booth for the complimentary copy of "Throwing Shadows" I am leaving my review in apprection.
#NetGalley
#SevernHousePublications
#ClaireBooth
#ThrowingShadows
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
August 14, 2025
This is the first book I’ve read by this author, book 7 in the Sheriff Hank Worth series. It seems these can also be read as standalones, but the characters’ personalities are well developed so I suspect reading this series in order might not be a bad idea.
Sheriff Hank Worth – he’s not just dealing with the crime at hand, he’s dealing with a couple of home situations that are totally relatable. They involve his wife (Maggie), his children, and his father-in-law. There’s a deeper story there, which makes me think book 6 would be a good one to pick up for a better understanding.
Maggie, Hank’s wife – she works in the ER so every time a case comes through the ER doors, she has to admonish Hank.
Sam – Hank calls him his young pup. He’ll be a good investigator one day. And his girlfriend Brenna.
And my favorite character … Sheila. She works with Hank, she’s supposed to be his partner but it seems she outranks him, at least that was my take. There’s more to Sheila’s story as she walks around with a limp and sometimes a bad attitude, but her sense of humor … that is something I appreciated throughout this tale. She just drops these comments that are so spot on, she gave me a chuckle or two.
There is some history in the telling of this tale that involves Alf Bolin and what happened at what is called Murder Rocks. These rocks are now located on the Fackrells’ land, their family having been there for quite a long time. There’s a podcast. There are treasure hunters. There are crimes involved which is where Hank, Sheila, and Sam come in. There are innocent folks, guilty folks, and just a lot of things happening throughout the solving of the crimes. There are some backstories that include the Worth family, Sheila’s limp, and of course the podcast owner.
I liked all these tidbits of individual stories laced together, coupled with Sheila’s sense of humor, to get to the end result. I kind of figured out the whodunnit but I wasn’t sure of the why or the how. I’d be interested in reading more of Hank and Sheila’s adventures.
Sheriff Hank Worth – he’s not just dealing with the crime at hand, he’s dealing with a couple of home situations that are totally relatable. They involve his wife (Maggie), his children, and his father-in-law. There’s a deeper story there, which makes me think book 6 would be a good one to pick up for a better understanding.
Maggie, Hank’s wife – she works in the ER so every time a case comes through the ER doors, she has to admonish Hank.
Sam – Hank calls him his young pup. He’ll be a good investigator one day. And his girlfriend Brenna.
And my favorite character … Sheila. She works with Hank, she’s supposed to be his partner but it seems she outranks him, at least that was my take. There’s more to Sheila’s story as she walks around with a limp and sometimes a bad attitude, but her sense of humor … that is something I appreciated throughout this tale. She just drops these comments that are so spot on, she gave me a chuckle or two.
There is some history in the telling of this tale that involves Alf Bolin and what happened at what is called Murder Rocks. These rocks are now located on the Fackrells’ land, their family having been there for quite a long time. There’s a podcast. There are treasure hunters. There are crimes involved which is where Hank, Sheila, and Sam come in. There are innocent folks, guilty folks, and just a lot of things happening throughout the solving of the crimes. There are some backstories that include the Worth family, Sheila’s limp, and of course the podcast owner.
I liked all these tidbits of individual stories laced together, coupled with Sheila’s sense of humor, to get to the end result. I kind of figured out the whodunnit but I wasn’t sure of the why or the how. I’d be interested in reading more of Hank and Sheila’s adventures.
August 23, 2025
This is an entertaining and informative mystery. It explores a contemporary murder that has its roots in the unsettled situation in Civil War torn Missouri. Booth has done a good job creating two situations. The contemporary one is the hunt for hidden gold by people obsessed and driven by a popular podcast, resulting in murder. The historical situation comes through in letters describing the attempt to flee approaching raiders while traveling north with gold. The setting for the action felt authentic with rain drenched and forested hills.
The characters are drawn well. I am impressed with Sheila, a crusty sheriff detective, maimed from an event in a previous novel but aggressive here in her attempt to get at the truth. Hank is the overworked sheriff who is trying to even out his relationship with his wife. Young Sam is trying to make his way, working on the case while paying suitable attention to his girlfriend. Booth does a good job of interspersing personal events into the ongoing murder investigation plot. While the mystery is solved, some of the personal issues are not so I will be waiting for a sequel.
This novel is down the line in a series but the first I have read. There were a few references to important events in previous novels, such as Sheila's debilitating attack and the cause of the tension between Sheriff Hank and his wife. Nonetheless, I was able to enjoy this novel and felt it read pretty well on its own. It's a good one for readers who would like interesting characters and murders with motives buried in history.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
The characters are drawn well. I am impressed with Sheila, a crusty sheriff detective, maimed from an event in a previous novel but aggressive here in her attempt to get at the truth. Hank is the overworked sheriff who is trying to even out his relationship with his wife. Young Sam is trying to make his way, working on the case while paying suitable attention to his girlfriend. Booth does a good job of interspersing personal events into the ongoing murder investigation plot. While the mystery is solved, some of the personal issues are not so I will be waiting for a sequel.
This novel is down the line in a series but the first I have read. There were a few references to important events in previous novels, such as Sheila's debilitating attack and the cause of the tension between Sheriff Hank and his wife. Nonetheless, I was able to enjoy this novel and felt it read pretty well on its own. It's a good one for readers who would like interesting characters and murders with motives buried in history.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
August 6, 2025
Another intriguing mystery in the Ozarks
Murder, greed, and family tensions abound in this 7th book of the Sheriff Hank Worth series. The book opens with the discovery of two bodies near the legendary Murder Rocks. Hank and his deputies must dig hard to find out who the victims are. If two murders aren’t enough, a podcast floods the Ozark woods with treasure hunters.
Claire Booth has woven murder and treasure hunting into a splendid story. Besides a riveting mystery, she has created such wonderful characters that I am invested in their lives. Sheriff Worth is a complex man trying to do the best for his town and deputies. He juggles the needs of his young children and his E.R. doctor wife with his role as Sheriff. He has a cantankerous father-in-law, who is the glue that makes the family work. Chief Deputy Sheila Turley is back at work, but still recovering from her injuries. I get a kick out of her attitude and approach to policing. Her colleagues are a little intimidated by her, including Hank and Deputy Sam Karne. Sam is another favourite character who is having some personal difficulties. But he is developing into a top-notch officer.
What I like most is that a big dose of humour complements this intriguing plot. It would be better to have read the previous book in the series. The author reveals details later in the book to explain the family dynamics. Throwing Shadows will appeal to readers who enjoy the Sheriff Bree Taggert series by Melinda Leigh.
Thanks to Severn House for access to a digital advance review copy on NetGalley.
Murder, greed, and family tensions abound in this 7th book of the Sheriff Hank Worth series. The book opens with the discovery of two bodies near the legendary Murder Rocks. Hank and his deputies must dig hard to find out who the victims are. If two murders aren’t enough, a podcast floods the Ozark woods with treasure hunters.
Claire Booth has woven murder and treasure hunting into a splendid story. Besides a riveting mystery, she has created such wonderful characters that I am invested in their lives. Sheriff Worth is a complex man trying to do the best for his town and deputies. He juggles the needs of his young children and his E.R. doctor wife with his role as Sheriff. He has a cantankerous father-in-law, who is the glue that makes the family work. Chief Deputy Sheila Turley is back at work, but still recovering from her injuries. I get a kick out of her attitude and approach to policing. Her colleagues are a little intimidated by her, including Hank and Deputy Sam Karne. Sam is another favourite character who is having some personal difficulties. But he is developing into a top-notch officer.
What I like most is that a big dose of humour complements this intriguing plot. It would be better to have read the previous book in the series. The author reveals details later in the book to explain the family dynamics. Throwing Shadows will appeal to readers who enjoy the Sheriff Bree Taggert series by Melinda Leigh.
Thanks to Severn House for access to a digital advance review copy on NetGalley.
August 8, 2025
Throwing Shadows by Claire Booth is a mystery in the Sheriff Hank Worth mystery series by the author, in fact book #7. If you haven't read these books you really should, and you can read this as a standalone. This author has a way with writing an interesting mystery series. Hank is the local sheriff and in this book there is a dead man in the woods near a famous site called Murder Rocks. And there is some history in this book also which was a plus for me;) I love mystery/thrillers written with a historical fiction like flair. The characters are well developed and also Hank our MMC, is a really great investigator and boss to his employees. He treats them with respect and care, which I would love if I worked for someone else and not myself. Hank is married to Maggie who is an ER doctor who was relatable working and then taking her kids back to school shopping, if y'all have ever done that it is true. You can be wiped after working with kids more than grownups/doing work with people. It's funny and true. I loved that the author included these details in the story. This is a great police procedure book with lots of accurate information mixed in with a fictional story! I would be interested in reading more books in the series!
September 6, 2025
They thought there was treasure in the Ozarks. Is there? Maybe. But, for sure there’s something else. Sheriff Hank Worth takes a hiker’s statement claiming they discovered treasure. That’s not why the Sheriff initiates a search. What does is the hiker’s claim that there’s a dead body. The search reveals more than one.
Almost from the beginning something about this book felt familiar. Like maybe I’d read earlier books in the series. But, I hadn’t. So what was it. Then, it hit me. It reminded me of the show, Longmire. I really liked that show. And I really liked this book. So much was happening. The character’s were genuine. There were plenty of questions I wanted answered. And the author put me in the action. Very good visual writing. That all kept me flying through my reading. And the best thing. I didn’t have to wait for the next episode. I just kept on reading until I got my answers. And a very satisfying conclusion.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
Almost from the beginning something about this book felt familiar. Like maybe I’d read earlier books in the series. But, I hadn’t. So what was it. Then, it hit me. It reminded me of the show, Longmire. I really liked that show. And I really liked this book. So much was happening. The character’s were genuine. There were plenty of questions I wanted answered. And the author put me in the action. Very good visual writing. That all kept me flying through my reading. And the best thing. I didn’t have to wait for the next episode. I just kept on reading until I got my answers. And a very satisfying conclusion.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
August 27, 2025
This is my first introduction to both the author and series and I really liked the writing style. The mix of investigation with the podcast and letters kept my attention and there was never a dull moment. At first I wasn’t really sure which of the officers the main story was going to follow. It followed both Hank and Sheila a decent amount as well as Sam. I enjoyed how the reader got to know the background of more than just the main officer. I liked their personal lives just as much as their professional ones and never felt clueless as to what happened in the past. The investigation was interesting and with the three officers we got to see all aspects of it. I loved how much the setting and history was a part of the plot. It was suspenseful and kept me guessing. The length was perfect to not draw it out too long but also wrap up the mystery without feeling rushed.
Thank you @claire.booth10 @secernhouseimprint @partnersintime for the gifted copy.
Thank you @claire.booth10 @secernhouseimprint @partnersintime for the gifted copy.
August 7, 2025
This was a good police procedural mystery. It is the first I’ve read on the series so there were a few back stories I was missing but it was still good as a stand alone.
The setting is southern Missouri near a place called Murder Rocks, which does actually exist. The book hooks you right away with a man stumbling out of the woods half delirious soon to be followed by finding two dead men and a skeleton.
Podcast listeners have turn amateur sleuth treasure hunters in the Ozark mountains in search of 1860s riches but two end dead and now Sheriff’s Hank Worth and Sheila Turley have to figure out who and why as more treasure hunters make their way into their town.
I enjoyed the subplots with marriage strife with Hank and his wife and Sheila healing from her injuries (this makes me so curious to go back and read from the start of the series). Sheriff Turley is a great character, she is so well developed. I appreciate the fact that she clearly was hurt in the last book, but she didn’t spring back fully healed in the book. You feel her pain and vulnerability as she struggles to walk, and stand and sit; but you also get to see the deep respect she has from the department that they busy themselves so they don’t watch her struggle, they don’t offer an arm when she needs to stand. They let her do it.
I’ll be putting the series in my tbr!
The setting is southern Missouri near a place called Murder Rocks, which does actually exist. The book hooks you right away with a man stumbling out of the woods half delirious soon to be followed by finding two dead men and a skeleton.
Podcast listeners have turn amateur sleuth treasure hunters in the Ozark mountains in search of 1860s riches but two end dead and now Sheriff’s Hank Worth and Sheila Turley have to figure out who and why as more treasure hunters make their way into their town.
I enjoyed the subplots with marriage strife with Hank and his wife and Sheila healing from her injuries (this makes me so curious to go back and read from the start of the series). Sheriff Turley is a great character, she is so well developed. I appreciate the fact that she clearly was hurt in the last book, but she didn’t spring back fully healed in the book. You feel her pain and vulnerability as she struggles to walk, and stand and sit; but you also get to see the deep respect she has from the department that they busy themselves so they don’t watch her struggle, they don’t offer an arm when she needs to stand. They let her do it.
I’ll be putting the series in my tbr!
August 28, 2025
4.5
*Thank you to Partners in Crime Tours for the spot on this tour! Thank you for the gifted book!
Infamous, podcast, treasure? …
Sheriff Hank, Chief Deputy Sheila, and Deputy Sam are part of the force in the Ozark country of Branson, Missouri. A hiker discovers a body out near Murder Rocks in the backcountry.
A mixture of police procedural, rumors in history, a search for long ago treasures, family drama, and MURDER!
Murder Rocks - once a lawless Civil War area. What will be discovered here? What do they EXPECT to discover here?
Excellent police procedural with a bit of family angst thrown in. I liked the teamwork of the trio of investigators-Hank, Sheila, and Sam. They were believable and they all connected to me as a reader. They mirrored both experiences and struggles. By the way , I sided with Hank in his family disagreement. Methods used by the trio were detailed and realistic. Author’s background as a crime reporter was in evidence.
Descriptive writing about the location. I have been to the glitzy Branson as well as Lake Taneycomo.
I have not read the previous books in the series. I was able to follow the plot and characters in Book 7. I would like to continue reading this series !
*Thank you to Partners in Crime Tours for the spot on this tour! Thank you for the gifted book!
Infamous, podcast, treasure? …
Sheriff Hank, Chief Deputy Sheila, and Deputy Sam are part of the force in the Ozark country of Branson, Missouri. A hiker discovers a body out near Murder Rocks in the backcountry.
A mixture of police procedural, rumors in history, a search for long ago treasures, family drama, and MURDER!
Murder Rocks - once a lawless Civil War area. What will be discovered here? What do they EXPECT to discover here?
Excellent police procedural with a bit of family angst thrown in. I liked the teamwork of the trio of investigators-Hank, Sheila, and Sam. They were believable and they all connected to me as a reader. They mirrored both experiences and struggles. By the way , I sided with Hank in his family disagreement. Methods used by the trio were detailed and realistic. Author’s background as a crime reporter was in evidence.
Descriptive writing about the location. I have been to the glitzy Branson as well as Lake Taneycomo.
I have not read the previous books in the series. I was able to follow the plot and characters in Book 7. I would like to continue reading this series !
August 27, 2025
In the latest book in the Sheriff Hank Worth Mystery series, Hank investigates a murder that is seemingly related to a legend of buried gold that dates back to the Civil War.
The plot is well-conceived, while the motivations of the characters makes the mystery more complex and interesting. There are several key players and I found it was sometimes hard to keep track of them or how they were related to each other. But, in the end, this was an interesting mystery that I enjoyed.
Throwing Shadows is the seventh book in the series by Claire Booth. The author does an admirable job trying to provide some context for this most recent book. However, I did feel a little adrift at times and I’m sure if I had read more of the previous books Throwing Shadows would have been even more enjoyable. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.
The plot is well-conceived, while the motivations of the characters makes the mystery more complex and interesting. There are several key players and I found it was sometimes hard to keep track of them or how they were related to each other. But, in the end, this was an interesting mystery that I enjoyed.
Throwing Shadows is the seventh book in the series by Claire Booth. The author does an admirable job trying to provide some context for this most recent book. However, I did feel a little adrift at times and I’m sure if I had read more of the previous books Throwing Shadows would have been even more enjoyable. NetGalley provided an advance reader copy.
August 7, 2025
Throwing Shadows by Claire Booth is a fascinating read for both historical and crime fiction fans! Tensions rise fast in this tale. Pressure builds on the main character as he is trying to deal with both a professional and personal issue in his life. Murder, mayhem, intrigue keeps me wanting to read more about these characters especially Hank. Claire Booth is new to me and I am glad to have read this gem of a novel by her. Her writing is smooth and the storytelling is fabulous. Action-packed scenes and great dialogue make this book stand out from others. Entertaining and suspenseful Throwing Shadows was a mystery you do not want to miss!
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
I received this copy from the publisher. This is my voluntary review.
August 7, 2025
Book #7 in the Sheriff Hank Worth series. By now, the characters and community of this series have become friends whom I welcome with every new book. The characters continue to grow and move forward in their personal and professional lives. The community has its odd quirks, but every small town in Missouri has some of the same quirks. Claire Booth has maintained the story lines so they blend one into the next without losing track of the overarching threads, such as the Sheriff's marital problems. Overall, the books are well-written, the mysteries have enough twists that you won't figure them out until the reveal, and I'm always left waiting for the next book. If you're a lover of great series, this one is for you.
June 13, 2025
Throwing Shadows by Claire Booth. This is Book 7 of A Sheriff Hank Worth Mysteries, The mystery portion of the book was a solid police procedural with great suspense, twists and turns, and a light touch of dry Missouri humor. Since this was the first book that I read in the series, I confused as to the backstories and histories of the main characters. However, the characters were presented in a manner that has made me curious about them and wanting to search out Sheriff Worth series' backlist. An entertaining read.
Thank you to the author, Severn House and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.
Thank you to the author, Severn House and NetGalley for the opportunity to preview the book.
July 21, 2025
Throwing Shadows is part of an ongoing series involving Sherriff Hank Worth. I will say that while you technically could read this as a standalone I probably wouldn't. The story itself is stand alone and fully told within the book. But there is a lot of character backstory that you are missing out on by just jumping right in. It can be a little confusing. The overall story is good and well told. There is strong character development - with the caveat that there is more development by reading the series. I love the small town detective feel.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.
July 21, 2025
Thank you, Severn House, for this opportunity to read this book, Throwing Shadows, by Claire Booth. I'm sorry I have not yet read the previous 6 books in the series, which I have added to my TBR going forward. It's a good book with lots of twists and turns. Who are they, and who did it? Make me think of a previous old TV show I used to watch in a small town in Cape Cod, Maine. I enjoy the back-and-forth banter, who did it type of mystery. I feel I need to catch up on the previous back list. I enjoyed these small-town murder mysteries. not sure if our Sheriff had family problems in the previous series; in this particular book, he seems to have some marital problems and so much more.
July 12, 2025
In the seventh installment in the Sheriff Hank Worth series a man stumbles out of the woods saying there’s a dead body. Unfortunately he has no idea where in the woods the body was, leading Hank to call in search dog teams. In addition to dealing with the search and the normal everyday crime, treasure hunters are descending on the area drawn by a podcast that claims the contents of a bank were buried there during the Civil War and never found.
The book is an interesting mix of present day police procedural and snippets of Civil War history. It was a hard story to put down.
The book is an interesting mix of present day police procedural and snippets of Civil War history. It was a hard story to put down.
July 18, 2025
This was my first Sheriff Hank Worth book and it won't be my last. I really liked the story and the characters. There were times I was confused about parts of the storylines but the author did a great job explaining everything. While it's part of a series it could be read and enjoyed as a standalone. I am a huge fan of podcasts so the idea that a podcast could cause so much chaos to a small town with treasure hunters was intriguing. I enjoyed the character development and am eager for book 8 to (hopefully) find out how Sheila's trial ends up.
#ThrowingShadows #NetGalley
#ThrowingShadows #NetGalley
August 5, 2025
Many thanks to NetGalley and Severn House for the free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.
I am new to this series and really enjoyed it. I am definitely going to check out the first in the series and make my way through Sheriff Worth's stories! As a standalone, it worked for me.
I like a good police procedural mystery. I found this to be a fast paced mystery that had lots of subplots going on to keep it interesting and fully flesh out the characters. Definitely adding this series to my list of TBR! Highly recommend!!!
I am new to this series and really enjoyed it. I am definitely going to check out the first in the series and make my way through Sheriff Worth's stories! As a standalone, it worked for me.
I like a good police procedural mystery. I found this to be a fast paced mystery that had lots of subplots going on to keep it interesting and fully flesh out the characters. Definitely adding this series to my list of TBR! Highly recommend!!!
August 20, 2025
A young man ends up disoriented and dehydrayed on the side of the road. Turns out he is a hiker / treasure hunter after a popular podcast reveals clues about a notorious fella's actions and loot he stole from travelers during the Cival War. Turns out the young man found a body. Sheriff Hank Worth is on the case. With the help of his Chief Deputy Shelia and Sam a deputy with an excellent ability to track in the woods, He is determined to get to the bottom of everything. This was a great, fast faced, police procedural suspense thriller.
October 28, 2025
Branson County Sheriff Hank Worth and chief deputy Sheila Turley are back. I read #2 in this series but, as the book began, I can see that Sheila has been assaulted in a previous story to this #7. I've missed a lot but my library is not good about getting the books in this series.
A hiker comes out of the woods babbling about a dead body. Well, there's more than one. Who knew treasure hunting could be so deadly?
Good police procedural. I liked seeing the dogs track. Once again, Sheila is my favorite character in the book.
A hiker comes out of the woods babbling about a dead body. Well, there's more than one. Who knew treasure hunting could be so deadly?
Good police procedural. I liked seeing the dogs track. Once again, Sheila is my favorite character in the book.
July 24, 2025
Sheriff Hank Worth's hunt for the body a man swears he saw in the woods is complicated by treasure hunters and his life is complicated with family problems in this latest in the small town procedural series. This should be fine as a standalone but know that those who have been following along likely will get more from it. It blends in a bit of Civil War history. Thanks to Netgalleyfor the ARC. A good read for fans of the genre.
January 1, 2026
I received this book as an ARC from NetGalley.
I enjoyed reading this mystery and its connection to the legend of Murder Rocks. The characters are well drawn and interact realistically.
While investigating a murder, Sheriff Hank Worth is faced with a major problem when a podcaster broadcasts that there is gold buried in the vicinity. Hank hopes he can solve the case before other bodies are discovered and the crime scene is contaminated by the hordes who come looking for riches.
I enjoyed reading this mystery and its connection to the legend of Murder Rocks. The characters are well drawn and interact realistically.
While investigating a murder, Sheriff Hank Worth is faced with a major problem when a podcaster broadcasts that there is gold buried in the vicinity. Hank hopes he can solve the case before other bodies are discovered and the crime scene is contaminated by the hordes who come looking for riches.
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