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When the Corn Is Waist High
Father Solomon Lancaster—the town's dry-witted sheriff and priest at the community Catholic church—finds himself on the forefront of an investigation into a series of murders. Soon, he's fighting to match wits with the serial killer terrorizing his town while trying to justify his law-enforcement credentials to the FBI as their analysts and profilers take Crooked Creek, Indiana, by storm. But Father Solomon is hiding secrets of his own. Ones that threaten to rise to the surface as the murders continue and the investigation draws nearer to the truth. As the killer begins to escalate, Father Solomon finds that even the innocent have dark sides and trust might be the deadliest weapon of all.
Audible Audio
First published April 19, 2022
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About the author
Jeremy Scott
7 books258 followersJeremy Scott is a writer and entertainer from Nashville, TN. He is the co-creator & narrator of CinemaSins, a YouTube channel dedicated to movie-related comedy that has amassed over 3.8 million subscribers in under 2 years' time. A former online marketing consultant, Jeremy spends his time writing, being sarcastic, and greenly hoping to find a good laugh once a day.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 137 reviews
July 10, 2024
**3.5-stars rounded up**
When the Corn is Waist High is confounding to me. I have had the most difficult time trying to determine what my final rating will be. Jeremy Scott, you have left me confused, surprised and at a loss for words.
This story follows our narrator, Solomon Lancaster, who is a Catholic Priest, as well as the Sheriff for his Indiana County.
Although Lancaster seems slightly unprepared to run a murder investigation, he'll be the first to remind you that the Sheriff is in fact an elected position.
He's not actually a trained criminal justice professional. He's definitely more comfortable in his role listening to the confessions of his congregation.
So when bodies start dropping in his community of Crooked Creek, he begins bumbling around like a cowboy at his first rodeo. While the initial body was surprising enough, after the second and then the third, it's clear the community has an active serial killer on their hands.
The FBI gets called in and they aren't impressed by Lancaster's skill set. Nevertheless, he manages to keep himself involved in the investigation.
This book was interesting. I listened to the audiobook and appreciated the narrator's classic storytelling voice, as well as Scott's no-nonsense writing style.
I made it through the story in a day and had some highs and lows, but I was never bored. I was definitely intrigued, with one major twist dropping my jaw and having me question everything I thought I knew.
After that point, the intensity continued to climb for me as I began to see things in a whole new light. In my opinion, that was really well played by Scott.
I loved how I was sort of lulled into a sense of complacency, feeling like this was just a normal Police Procedural, but it's sure as heck not!
Additionally, I did love the ending of this. It left me with that devious little smile on my face I love so much; more than satisfactory. I am wondering if this will be the start to a series, or if this is where Scott is going to leave it?
Generally, I am not a huge fan of religious elements being involved in my stories, and I know others may be turned off by that, but I really don't see how this story could have worked otherwise.
Thank you to the publisher, Turner Publishing and Dreamscape Media, for providing me with copies to read and review. This was my first novel by Scott and I look forward to picking up more in the future!
When the Corn is Waist High is confounding to me. I have had the most difficult time trying to determine what my final rating will be. Jeremy Scott, you have left me confused, surprised and at a loss for words.
This story follows our narrator, Solomon Lancaster, who is a Catholic Priest, as well as the Sheriff for his Indiana County.
Although Lancaster seems slightly unprepared to run a murder investigation, he'll be the first to remind you that the Sheriff is in fact an elected position.
He's not actually a trained criminal justice professional. He's definitely more comfortable in his role listening to the confessions of his congregation.
So when bodies start dropping in his community of Crooked Creek, he begins bumbling around like a cowboy at his first rodeo. While the initial body was surprising enough, after the second and then the third, it's clear the community has an active serial killer on their hands.
The FBI gets called in and they aren't impressed by Lancaster's skill set. Nevertheless, he manages to keep himself involved in the investigation.
This book was interesting. I listened to the audiobook and appreciated the narrator's classic storytelling voice, as well as Scott's no-nonsense writing style.
I made it through the story in a day and had some highs and lows, but I was never bored. I was definitely intrigued, with one major twist dropping my jaw and having me question everything I thought I knew.
After that point, the intensity continued to climb for me as I began to see things in a whole new light. In my opinion, that was really well played by Scott.
I loved how I was sort of lulled into a sense of complacency, feeling like this was just a normal Police Procedural, but it's sure as heck not!
Additionally, I did love the ending of this. It left me with that devious little smile on my face I love so much; more than satisfactory. I am wondering if this will be the start to a series, or if this is where Scott is going to leave it?
Generally, I am not a huge fan of religious elements being involved in my stories, and I know others may be turned off by that, but I really don't see how this story could have worked otherwise.
Thank you to the publisher, Turner Publishing and Dreamscape Media, for providing me with copies to read and review. This was my first novel by Scott and I look forward to picking up more in the future!
March 30, 2022
****Caution**** There is some offensive language and sexual content to this story that may be offensive to some.****
Solomon Lancaster holds two jobs in a rural town farm town in Indiana. He has his hands full being the priest at the local Catholic church and also the sheriff of this quiet town. Seems like a very odd dichotomy, but Solomon seems to balance the two pretty well, until there is a murder in town and Solomon is called in to figure out who the killer is. He is often a foul mouth sheriff/priest and when he and his office are forced to back out of the investigation, his vulgarity and witty repartee shows.
However, when a second and a third murder follow, Solomon and his crew plus the inept FBI are now on the trail of a serial killer. Strangely this killer leaves (at times sews onto) the victims fresh flowers and their presence really baffled the police. The FBI and police force search all know sources of the flowers, but to no avail. You can readily guess the powers that be are left befuddled.
Meanwhile, we learn of Father Solomon's close connection to the former pastor of the church and feels a father son relationship budding. However, more murders occur and the police seem to be chasing their tails. The townspeople are frantic and then with a pow, the killer and his motivations are revealed and once again, I didn't see that one coming. As the story concludes we are once again slapped with another wow moment, but is the killer finally found? Perhaps!
Language aside and the sex scenes (You will know if you read it why), this book kept me listening on my long car ride home from Virginia. I thought the narrator did a fine job with the story and was able to hold my interest and sense of who could it possibly be.
Thank you to Jeremy Scott and NetGalley audio, narrated by Thom Rivera for a chance to listen to this story due out April 19, 2022.
Solomon Lancaster holds two jobs in a rural town farm town in Indiana. He has his hands full being the priest at the local Catholic church and also the sheriff of this quiet town. Seems like a very odd dichotomy, but Solomon seems to balance the two pretty well, until there is a murder in town and Solomon is called in to figure out who the killer is. He is often a foul mouth sheriff/priest and when he and his office are forced to back out of the investigation, his vulgarity and witty repartee shows.
However, when a second and a third murder follow, Solomon and his crew plus the inept FBI are now on the trail of a serial killer. Strangely this killer leaves (at times sews onto) the victims fresh flowers and their presence really baffled the police. The FBI and police force search all know sources of the flowers, but to no avail. You can readily guess the powers that be are left befuddled.
Meanwhile, we learn of Father Solomon's close connection to the former pastor of the church and feels a father son relationship budding. However, more murders occur and the police seem to be chasing their tails. The townspeople are frantic and then with a pow, the killer and his motivations are revealed and once again, I didn't see that one coming. As the story concludes we are once again slapped with another wow moment, but is the killer finally found? Perhaps!
Language aside and the sex scenes (You will know if you read it why), this book kept me listening on my long car ride home from Virginia. I thought the narrator did a fine job with the story and was able to hold my interest and sense of who could it possibly be.
Thank you to Jeremy Scott and NetGalley audio, narrated by Thom Rivera for a chance to listen to this story due out April 19, 2022.
dnf
March 29, 2022DNF @ 15%
The book tries too hard to be funny. A Catholic priest, who is also the sheriff, and who throws around f-bombs isn’t funny. Nor is the fact that he lied on his application about his education.
In the beginning he forgets to wear gloves at a crime scene? His excuse was he wasn’t educated in criminal justice. Oh please….you don’t have to be in law enforcement to know that 🙄
Plus the down-home, small-town Hoosier shtick grows very thin. I lived most of my life in IN, although granted not in a rural small town, but I know those who did and none of them acts or talks like these characters.
If I'm rolling my eyes at 15% it's time to throw it atop the dnf pile. Not for me!
* I received the audio from NetGalley
The book tries too hard to be funny. A Catholic priest, who is also the sheriff, and who throws around f-bombs isn’t funny. Nor is the fact that he lied on his application about his education.
In the beginning he forgets to wear gloves at a crime scene? His excuse was he wasn’t educated in criminal justice. Oh please….you don’t have to be in law enforcement to know that 🙄
Plus the down-home, small-town Hoosier shtick grows very thin. I lived most of my life in IN, although granted not in a rural small town, but I know those who did and none of them acts or talks like these characters.
If I'm rolling my eyes at 15% it's time to throw it atop the dnf pile. Not for me!
* I received the audio from NetGalley
April 2, 2023
4 ⭐
I am a big fan of serial killer reads and I quite enjoyed this one, although it was quite unconventional.
Father Solomon Lancaster is both a priest and the town sheriff ~ a job he got without any experience. How does one come into law enforcement without any criminal justice background?
He has the pottiest of all potty mouths. I am no stranger to swearing at all, but holy moly there was an awful lot of it happening. Perhaps his previous job was a truck driver.
The murders were quite violent and graphic.
I am happy with narrator, Thom Rivera. He did a great job of keeping me engaged throughout.
There was a nice twist I didn't see coming and I liked the last little zinger at the end. I'll keep my eyes peeled for more work from this author in the future.
TW: cheating
*Thanks to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media LLC and Jeremy Scott for the advanced audiobook. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
More reviews here ➡ Heather Adores Books
I am a big fan of serial killer reads and I quite enjoyed this one, although it was quite unconventional.
Father Solomon Lancaster is both a priest and the town sheriff ~ a job he got without any experience. How does one come into law enforcement without any criminal justice background?
He has the pottiest of all potty mouths. I am no stranger to swearing at all, but holy moly there was an awful lot of it happening. Perhaps his previous job was a truck driver.
The murders were quite violent and graphic.
I am happy with narrator, Thom Rivera. He did a great job of keeping me engaged throughout.
There was a nice twist I didn't see coming and I liked the last little zinger at the end. I'll keep my eyes peeled for more work from this author in the future.
TW: cheating
*Thanks to Netgalley, Dreamscape Media LLC and Jeremy Scott for the advanced audiobook. I am voluntarily leaving my honest review*
More reviews here ➡ Heather Adores Books
May 4, 2022
4.0 Stars
This might be the cosiest Serial Killer thriller ever written. I normally prefer my fiction more dark and disturbing, yet something about this one drew me in enough to request a copy for review.
This book has an engaging first narrative, written from the perspective of a priest who also serves as the sheriff for this small US small town. In many ways, this book was incredibly quaint with descriptions of small town life.
At first, I would this book was a little too cute, with it's jokey narrative and descriptions of homemade cooking. Yet I kept reading and soon enough was rewarded for my patience. It's important not to spoil a book like this, but it became quite… interesting. Some of the plot points were wonderfully unexpected and I became completely hooked in the later half of the book.
I would highly recommend this novel to readers looking for a unique twist on the classic cozy mystery novel. I wish I could say more, but I encourage people to read this for themselves before they accidentally get spoiled on the internet.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review.
This might be the cosiest Serial Killer thriller ever written. I normally prefer my fiction more dark and disturbing, yet something about this one drew me in enough to request a copy for review.
This book has an engaging first narrative, written from the perspective of a priest who also serves as the sheriff for this small US small town. In many ways, this book was incredibly quaint with descriptions of small town life.
At first, I would this book was a little too cute, with it's jokey narrative and descriptions of homemade cooking. Yet I kept reading and soon enough was rewarded for my patience. It's important not to spoil a book like this, but it became quite… interesting. Some of the plot points were wonderfully unexpected and I became completely hooked in the later half of the book.
I would highly recommend this novel to readers looking for a unique twist on the classic cozy mystery novel. I wish I could say more, but I encourage people to read this for themselves before they accidentally get spoiled on the internet.
Disclaimer I received a copy of this book from the publisher for review.
April 6, 2022
While this was a predictable thriller with a predictable plot twist, you could literally see it coming from page one, the narrator of the audiobook did a great job. I enjoyed listening to his voice. The plot of the book could very well and probably has been a cable tv movie of the week. All these things aside, in my opinion it was just ok.
A rural Indiana town experienced a series of murders in the early 80’s. In charge of the investigation is sheriff and priest Father Salomon Lancaster. His lied about his police qualifications and has been faking it ever since. Now with the FBI taking over the town, he must prove himself.
Father Solomon’s has secrets of his own and as the bodies start to pile up and the investigators close in on the killer, he begins to worry that his secrets will be revealed.
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
A rural Indiana town experienced a series of murders in the early 80’s. In charge of the investigation is sheriff and priest Father Salomon Lancaster. His lied about his police qualifications and has been faking it ever since. Now with the FBI taking over the town, he must prove himself.
Father Solomon’s has secrets of his own and as the bodies start to pile up and the investigators close in on the killer, he begins to worry that his secrets will be revealed.
Thank you to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for this arc in exchange for my honest review.
November 18, 2022
I'm not sure if the story is based on true events or if its fiction just built around a real town.... The town is very real. The story is set in the 1980s in the small town of Crooked Creek, Indiana, Jeremy Scott’s novel opens with a murder. This might not seem like the most original of beginnings, but Scott cleverly constructs the opening to transform quickly into something much larger, and something quite sinister. The murder victim is 84-year-old Tina Hillary, and the stem of a white lily is sewn into her arm. The more you read, the more twisted and terrifying it becomes. Soon the little town has one murder after another, all with attached flowers. The town was unprepared to say the least... the police department only had five people on the payroll, but they all appeared nightly as they received nightly national attention for having a serial killer who’s preying on the locals. The novel is told mainly from the perspective of Father Solomon Lancaster, who serves the dual roles of both the sheriff of Crooked Creek and the priest at Jerusalem Independent Catholic Church. It's a unique point of view allowing the book to showcase the narrator’s deep complexities:
“I began to worry that sooner or later, my obligations as a priest would be undone or superseded by my obligations as a sheriff. It was a conflict of interest I had always hoped to avoid. Foolish.”
Throughout the book, you see and feel all that Father Lancaster is experiencing as it all unfolds through each chapter. If you like psychological thrillers, you will more than likely enjoy this book but be aware that some of it is extremely graphic.
December 17, 2022
This is not SFF, just a good mystery. It is in part an ode to rural Indiana, has a strong narrator's voice throughout, and an interesting plot twist around 60%. I picked it up because I like the author's YA series, and i am glad that I did.
May 5, 2022
I found this audiobook hard to review. This book is a thriller with comedic undertones, which at times
I appreciated because it helped relieve some of the darker subject matter but also fell flat in other circumstances. The combination of a sheriff/catholic priest main character was not very believable but did allow for some comedic relief. I don't really appreciate negligence, so a haphazard murder investigation where characters lack the basic skills to properly investigate was somewhat off-putting. However, the narration I found to be excellent.
Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to review this audiobook.
I appreciated because it helped relieve some of the darker subject matter but also fell flat in other circumstances. The combination of a sheriff/catholic priest main character was not very believable but did allow for some comedic relief. I don't really appreciate negligence, so a haphazard murder investigation where characters lack the basic skills to properly investigate was somewhat off-putting. However, the narration I found to be excellent.
Thank you Netgalley and Dreamscape Media for the opportunity to review this audiobook.
January 23, 2023
This book is hard to review without giving too much away but one important thing is... if you are reading it and wondering if it is going to get better... yes, it does so stick with it. It started out okay but there was nothing spectacular. There are murders being committed in a disturbing way in a modest town where things like this do not happen. We have the local sheriff who is also the town's priest trying to figure out who could possibly be doing this to such innocent people. Along the way we see day to day life in a small, rural town and we also get a lesson in Indiana food (which I enjoyed). This was all good but I was starting to think that it wasn't going to be a great book if we don't get more... and then it happens. BAM! Out of nowhere (at least it was that way for me). After that I was impressed. The book took a whole other turn was it was crazy. Enjoyed it and really liked the way it ended. Look forward to reading more by this author.
July 31, 2022
Fun read
March 31, 2022
When The Corn Is Waist High was fantastic!
I was hooked within the first few minutes. Father Solomon Lancaster is not your average priest, he is also the sheriff of the small Indiana town of Crooked Creek. When a string of mysterious murders start happening in town he needs to figure out why they are happening and find the killer. I am a lifelong Hoosier so I loved all the nods to small town Indiana. The book was hard to follow at times but ultimately was phenomenal. It was dark, gruesome and funny in all the right ways. The twists and turns had me guessing until the very end. The final twist was absolutely shocking. I would highly recommend this to anyone that enjoys a good thriller.
I was hooked within the first few minutes. Father Solomon Lancaster is not your average priest, he is also the sheriff of the small Indiana town of Crooked Creek. When a string of mysterious murders start happening in town he needs to figure out why they are happening and find the killer. I am a lifelong Hoosier so I loved all the nods to small town Indiana. The book was hard to follow at times but ultimately was phenomenal. It was dark, gruesome and funny in all the right ways. The twists and turns had me guessing until the very end. The final twist was absolutely shocking. I would highly recommend this to anyone that enjoys a good thriller.
March 10, 2022
I *SLAMMED* this book shut when I got to the plot twist - high praise btw. It's been a minute since a thriller caught me off guard, and the way that the author managed it without throwing in something wildly off base? Ugh, man. It made for a really fun read. Overall, if you're looking for something quick and enjoyable or if you're craving a thriller with a solid plot twist, this one's for you. Thank you to Keylight Books and Jeremy Scott for the ARC!
April 21, 2022
That was mind fucky
October 12, 2023
Definitely a surprise ending. Felt like a fist in the chest. Hope it’s not a series. Some profanity and sexual situations. Narrator is clear and does well. Starts interesting and entertaining but…. 3 ⭐️⭐️⭐️
March 29, 2022
The Catholic Priest is the Sheriff is the...wait...nope...there are twist after twist in this one. There is murder after murder in this small town. If you can get past all the food references, this is a really good mystery/thriller and you don't know who the killer is until about 2/3 of the way through it but wait until the ending because that is a shocker. Plan on not putting it down once you start because it is a page turner or if you have it in audio as I did you just have to keep listening to find out what is going to happen next!
**Received this ARC for review in audio from the publisher via NetGalley**
**Received this ARC for review in audio from the publisher via NetGalley**
March 26, 2022
Well. Where to begin with this one. I have so many feelings.
I wasn’t sure in the beginning how i felt about it. There’s a lot of detail that i think is unnecessary here so some parts i skimmed over. Just over detailed. Like everything they’re eating. So skipping those parts, the story…
It’s a dark one. There’s some gruesome murders. They’re briefly described so not too gory but they’re rough. And this priest is not anything like any priest I’ve ever met. Not only is he the local priest but he’s the sherif, in charge of finding the killer. Until the FBI is called in.
There was also some romance to this one. I liked that too 🤭😏 it just flowed well in the story.
I feel like i knew the killer from the start but still once it was revealed it was still a shock because i wasn’t expecting it to go down like that! 😯
This is just one of those reads that you have to keep going because what & why and how will it end!?
There could be some revisions to this one but i actually really liked it. I think it will be one that has me thinking about it for a bit.
3.5 stars
I wasn’t sure in the beginning how i felt about it. There’s a lot of detail that i think is unnecessary here so some parts i skimmed over. Just over detailed. Like everything they’re eating. So skipping those parts, the story…
It’s a dark one. There’s some gruesome murders. They’re briefly described so not too gory but they’re rough. And this priest is not anything like any priest I’ve ever met. Not only is he the local priest but he’s the sherif, in charge of finding the killer. Until the FBI is called in.
There was also some romance to this one. I liked that too 🤭😏 it just flowed well in the story.
I feel like i knew the killer from the start but still once it was revealed it was still a shock because i wasn’t expecting it to go down like that! 😯
This is just one of those reads that you have to keep going because what & why and how will it end!?
There could be some revisions to this one but i actually really liked it. I think it will be one that has me thinking about it for a bit.
3.5 stars
March 31, 2022
I loved this book. It reminded me of a Fargo/Dexter mashup with some great dark humor. I highly recommend it for any fans of crime fiction.
Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media who sent me an ARC audiobook of this title in exchange for my honest review.
Thanks to Netgalley and Dreamscape Media who sent me an ARC audiobook of this title in exchange for my honest review.
December 17, 2022
Well, this was a surprise. The beginning was just meh, but the story picked up quite nicely soon after. Solomon Lancaster is a Catholic priest and a sheriff in a small town in Indiana in the early 1980's. Bodies start piling up adorned with flowers. People start panicking and FBI storms in to take over the investigation. I figured out the first big twist beforehand. I have read my Agatha Christie after all. But the second twist came out of nowhere. I liked how the author described the rural life and people of Indiana.
March 6, 2022
I received this ARC through the Goodreads Giveaway. This was a great read. I truly enjoyed this book. It was a very good crime thriller with a touch of quirkiness to make it a fun read. I highly recommend this book.
April 3, 2022
The Promo really sounded like a fun read
As the Catholic Priest in Crooked Creek, Indiana, caring and witty Father Solomon Lancaster has not only his parish to manage but is also the town’s sheriff.
He totally has his hands full when a serial killer is terrorizing this small town with gruesome murders. As he is investigating, the FBI comes and questions his law enforcement credentials.
Oops not a fun read ~ It was a disappointment.
(I am guessing some readers find a priest using profanity and dropping f-bombs is funny: Nope ~ not one of those readers.)
I like a court room drama so hung in there hoping I would find something worth my time.
When the truth came out, I did say “Oh I get it!”
However, I didn’t enjoy it. Not to say that many other will like this. We all have our own unique tastes when it comes to our reading pleasure!
Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this audio eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for an honest professional review. Publishing Release Date scheduled for April 19, 2022.
As the Catholic Priest in Crooked Creek, Indiana, caring and witty Father Solomon Lancaster has not only his parish to manage but is also the town’s sheriff.
He totally has his hands full when a serial killer is terrorizing this small town with gruesome murders. As he is investigating, the FBI comes and questions his law enforcement credentials.
Oops not a fun read ~ It was a disappointment.
(I am guessing some readers find a priest using profanity and dropping f-bombs is funny: Nope ~ not one of those readers.)
I like a court room drama so hung in there hoping I would find something worth my time.
When the truth came out, I did say “Oh I get it!”
However, I didn’t enjoy it. Not to say that many other will like this. We all have our own unique tastes when it comes to our reading pleasure!
Want to thank NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this audio eGalley. This file has been made available to me before publication in an early form for an honest professional review. Publishing Release Date scheduled for April 19, 2022.
October 15, 2022
Overall I really enjoyed this story and laughed out loud a few times while listening to the audiobook. I liked the comedy mixed in with a crime novel. However, I think you will like this book most if you grew up in a small midwestern town and you don’t take it too seriously. (If you are offended by the portrayal of a priest who sins or use of bad language, this book is not for you). There was about a 15-20 minute period toward the end that drug a bit but a twist awaited at the finish.
April 11, 2022
ARC audiobook provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.
“When the Corn is Waist High” is novel about a serial killer set in the 1980’s in rural Crooked Creek, Indiana. The book is narrated by Father Solomon Lancaster, who is both the local Catholic priest and the small-town sheriff. In this quiet setting, a serial killer begins to stalk the citizens, and the bodies soon pile up. The mayor quickly calls in the FBI, who takes the lead on the investigation, which seems to go nowhere fast.
As the serial killer holds the town in a state of ever-growing fear, secrets begin to unfold. Father Solomon has secrets of his own and is forced to face some shocking truths. The serial killer continues to escalate, and Father Solomon finds that both trust and the truth might be the deadliest weapons of all.
I’m a big fan of thriller/mystery/horror/serial killer books. This book sucked me in right from the beginning. The author’s writing style made it easy to immerse myself in the world of Father Lancaster and Crooked Creek. I quickly found myself dying to know where the story was going. Would the serial killer be caught? Would the FBI solve the murders, or would it be small-town Father/Sheriff Lancaster who saves the day? How many bodies would pile up before the killer was through?
I raced along with the characters through twists, turns and surprises. I’m usually good at figuring out what was going to happen in a book, but this book caught me off guard and kept me guessing right until the very end. I felt like I couldn’t walk away from this book. I needed to know what was going to happen. This book was a fully engaging read which left me wanting to read more novels by this author.
My ARC copy of this book was an audiobook, so I must make note of the quality of same. The narrator was excellent, weaving between character voices easily. I was pleased with the narrator’s inflection throughout the book as well, easily keeping me engaged in the story. I highly recommend this as an audiobook.
Overall, “When the Corn is Waist High” is a top-notch thriller/mystery/serial killer book. It is full of twists and turns, with a bit of humor thrown in. Although I had this as an audiobook, I will be picking up a written copy as well. This book was engaging, entertaining, and hard to walk away from. I highly recommend this for fans of these genres, as well as readers looking to dip their toes into the thriller/mysteries. I feel this book is so engaging it is hard to put down and makes for a quick read. It is a fun take on a serial killer book with twists and turns a reader may not see coming. I recommend that readers pick this book up and join Father Lancaster for this twisty ride. You won’t regret it.
“When the Corn is Waist High” is novel about a serial killer set in the 1980’s in rural Crooked Creek, Indiana. The book is narrated by Father Solomon Lancaster, who is both the local Catholic priest and the small-town sheriff. In this quiet setting, a serial killer begins to stalk the citizens, and the bodies soon pile up. The mayor quickly calls in the FBI, who takes the lead on the investigation, which seems to go nowhere fast.
As the serial killer holds the town in a state of ever-growing fear, secrets begin to unfold. Father Solomon has secrets of his own and is forced to face some shocking truths. The serial killer continues to escalate, and Father Solomon finds that both trust and the truth might be the deadliest weapons of all.
I’m a big fan of thriller/mystery/horror/serial killer books. This book sucked me in right from the beginning. The author’s writing style made it easy to immerse myself in the world of Father Lancaster and Crooked Creek. I quickly found myself dying to know where the story was going. Would the serial killer be caught? Would the FBI solve the murders, or would it be small-town Father/Sheriff Lancaster who saves the day? How many bodies would pile up before the killer was through?
I raced along with the characters through twists, turns and surprises. I’m usually good at figuring out what was going to happen in a book, but this book caught me off guard and kept me guessing right until the very end. I felt like I couldn’t walk away from this book. I needed to know what was going to happen. This book was a fully engaging read which left me wanting to read more novels by this author.
My ARC copy of this book was an audiobook, so I must make note of the quality of same. The narrator was excellent, weaving between character voices easily. I was pleased with the narrator’s inflection throughout the book as well, easily keeping me engaged in the story. I highly recommend this as an audiobook.
Overall, “When the Corn is Waist High” is a top-notch thriller/mystery/serial killer book. It is full of twists and turns, with a bit of humor thrown in. Although I had this as an audiobook, I will be picking up a written copy as well. This book was engaging, entertaining, and hard to walk away from. I highly recommend this for fans of these genres, as well as readers looking to dip their toes into the thriller/mysteries. I feel this book is so engaging it is hard to put down and makes for a quick read. It is a fun take on a serial killer book with twists and turns a reader may not see coming. I recommend that readers pick this book up and join Father Lancaster for this twisty ride. You won’t regret it.
August 24, 2022
Audible Audiobook.
Plot: A small town sheriff, who is also the local Catholic priest, is confronted with a serial killer. Very dark and disturbing. No plot spoilers. If you're looking for an uplifting story - skip it.
Liked: I almost want to say "nothing," but production is fine.
Not so hot: Some sex, but not explicit - priests have sex? Some offensive language. The narrator's voice seems pretty jolly considering the basic story - that was weird. Slow, bumped the audio speed to 1.7.
When the Corn Is Waist High will appeal to a few, but it is not my cup 'o tea.
Written by Jeremy Scott, narrated by Thom Rivera, 9 hours of listening in unabridged audiobook format, released April 2022 by Dreamscape Media.
Not recommended for most people - but some like the macabre.
Plot: A small town sheriff, who is also the local Catholic priest, is confronted with a serial killer. Very dark and disturbing. No plot spoilers. If you're looking for an uplifting story - skip it.
Liked: I almost want to say "nothing," but production is fine.
Not so hot: Some sex, but not explicit - priests have sex? Some offensive language. The narrator's voice seems pretty jolly considering the basic story - that was weird. Slow, bumped the audio speed to 1.7.
When the Corn Is Waist High will appeal to a few, but it is not my cup 'o tea.
Written by Jeremy Scott, narrated by Thom Rivera, 9 hours of listening in unabridged audiobook format, released April 2022 by Dreamscape Media.
Not recommended for most people - but some like the macabre.
January 30, 2023
This book in a nutshell: "MC is too smart for anyone, and everyone should just give up already because he is the best sheriff in town."
The twist could have been good but just went nowhere. Halfway through the stakes are over and it just becomes an ego booster for the MC. It was so close and then turned around and say nah.
Also, we get it this is "smalltown" Indiana. If you want to have some fun take a shot everytime Indiana is mentioned, or the MC insinuated someone else is a d*ck, ahole, and stupid.
The twist could have been good but just went nowhere. Halfway through the stakes are over and it just becomes an ego booster for the MC. It was so close and then turned around and say nah.
Also, we get it this is "smalltown" Indiana. If you want to have some fun take a shot everytime Indiana is mentioned, or the MC insinuated someone else is a d*ck, ahole, and stupid.
September 5, 2022
Straight up, the twists are freaking good.
Otherwise, this is a shockingly strange, weird, outlandish, and probably vulgar book because of the characters. The main characters throws your for a whole dang loop and it might not be cool for everyone. Again, the twists are good!
Otherwise, this is a shockingly strange, weird, outlandish, and probably vulgar book because of the characters. The main characters throws your for a whole dang loop and it might not be cool for everyone. Again, the twists are good!
April 27, 2022
I'm not quite sure what to think about Jeremy Scott's serial killer novel set in Indiana, "When the Corn is Waist High". As a born and bred Hoosier of almost 70 years, I was offended and disappointed in the way the author portrayed rural Hoosiers as bumpkins and dullards. And, I'm not sure where he got the idea that the Hoosier accent is a combination of Minnesotan and a Southern drawl, but that's not even close. I worked hard to not let my feelings about the author's dismissal of my fellow Hoosiers color my opinion of what is a pretty good thriller.
The protagonist is the sheriff of a small Indiana town and also the town's Catholic priest. I'll give author Scott props for an imaginative character combo there. The small, quiet town is suddenly besieged with strange killings that border on serial. The murderer is leaving behind a variety of flowers on the various dead bodies that become unanswered clues. Soon, it's clear to the mayor that the sheriff/priest is not capable of solving the murders, so he petitions the governor for help from the FBI.
As the body count increases neither the sheriff nor the FBI are any closer to finding the killer. Scott throws in an illicit love affair and other red herrings into a plot that takes a couple of really imaginative turns in the last half of the book.
If you're not a Hoosier and you like a quick thriller to read, then I think you'll like "When the Corn is Waist High".
3.5 stars
The protagonist is the sheriff of a small Indiana town and also the town's Catholic priest. I'll give author Scott props for an imaginative character combo there. The small, quiet town is suddenly besieged with strange killings that border on serial. The murderer is leaving behind a variety of flowers on the various dead bodies that become unanswered clues. Soon, it's clear to the mayor that the sheriff/priest is not capable of solving the murders, so he petitions the governor for help from the FBI.
As the body count increases neither the sheriff nor the FBI are any closer to finding the killer. Scott throws in an illicit love affair and other red herrings into a plot that takes a couple of really imaginative turns in the last half of the book.
If you're not a Hoosier and you like a quick thriller to read, then I think you'll like "When the Corn is Waist High".
3.5 stars
July 12, 2022
This is probably the worst book I’ve ever read. I wish I would’ve stopped after the first chapter.
April 9, 2022
When the Corn is Waist High AUDIO by Jeremy Scott is a compelling serial killer mystery told first person by the Chief of Police. The story takes place in Jerusalem County, Indiana, which when translated means out in the middle of nowhere. This town is so small that the police chief is also the local priest. There are only two churches and one is his independent Catholic church, which means the pope and that hierarchy is not part of their concern. His name is Solomon Lancaster and most of the time he has no problem fulfilling the responsibilities of both positions. The there is a killing. A sweet old lady who had recently donated several thousand dollars to his church. He is called to the scene of the crime where amongst other things, there are lilies sewn into her arm. Very odd. The mayor immediately gets into a panic and swears there's a serial killer on the loose, despite there being only one death. That doesn't last for long, though, as other bodies, appear, all with flowers as part of the staged death scene. Finally the mayor gives up and calls the FBI. Solomon and his staff are pretty much taken off the case, relegated to patrolling the streets.
Solomon visits his mentor, the retired priest who had been his best friend since he retired and gave up the position to Solomon. Solomon regularly hears his friend's confession and his friend offers him the same in return. The old man is slowly fading and probably doesn't have much longer. One of the things Solomon confesses is his attraction to a female officer on loan from a nearby town for this case. He is absolved. Then he starts an affair. He hasn't yet confessed that. Bodies keep dropping. The FBI is making no headway. It is an exciting investigation when things start happening.
Thom Rivers is the narrator and I don't know if he is a talented actor or simply the perfect man to read this book. He sounds kind of slow and plodding, just as people see country folk sometimes. He is perfect. He keeps an even keep no matter what is happening, and plenty happens. Kudos to Mr. Rivers.
I was invited to listen to a pre-publication version of the audio book by Dreamscape Media, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #dreamscapemedia #whenthecorniswaisthigh #jeremyscott
Solomon visits his mentor, the retired priest who had been his best friend since he retired and gave up the position to Solomon. Solomon regularly hears his friend's confession and his friend offers him the same in return. The old man is slowly fading and probably doesn't have much longer. One of the things Solomon confesses is his attraction to a female officer on loan from a nearby town for this case. He is absolved. Then he starts an affair. He hasn't yet confessed that. Bodies keep dropping. The FBI is making no headway. It is an exciting investigation when things start happening.
Thom Rivers is the narrator and I don't know if he is a talented actor or simply the perfect man to read this book. He sounds kind of slow and plodding, just as people see country folk sometimes. He is perfect. He keeps an even keep no matter what is happening, and plenty happens. Kudos to Mr. Rivers.
I was invited to listen to a pre-publication version of the audio book by Dreamscape Media, through Netgalley. All thoughts and opinions are mine. #netgalley #dreamscapemedia #whenthecorniswaisthigh #jeremyscott
July 30, 2022
As a fan of CinemaSins, I was already familiar with Jeremy Scott (you might recognize his voice as the narrator of the “Everything Wrong with” YouTube series, along with several podcasts).
That said, I was a bit late to the party picking this up, even after multiple recommends on social media.
Fortunately, I was able to avoid spoilers. Trust me, you do not want to be spoiled for this one.
Put succinctly: I loved it. I lost an entire night of sleep because I couldn’t put it down.
The plot goes like this: A rural Indiana town’s sheriff also happens to be the priest of the local Catholic church, and there’s some doin’s a-transpirin’.
Specifically, murders. The local cops are stumped, and the body count is starting to climb.
Before long, the FBI gets involved, followed by the media.
(If you’ll indulge me, I would like to share one tiny, minor spoiler: in one particular scene, our protagonist loses his temper. Anyone who listens to the podcasts will immediately recognize a bit of Jeremy Scott’s ranting style, and it is glorious. The whole thing feels very cathartic. I almost cheered.)
There are also a few Easter eggs sprinkled in for CinemaSins fans, but prior knowledge is not required to get full enjoyment of the story.
The main character (who is also the narrator) is a Catholic priest who swears, which immediately endears him to the reader. This is, first a foremost, just a man trying to fulfill a divine calling. But he isn’t perfect, and he admits as much in the book’s opening pages.
Sufficed to say, watching him juggle the occasionally conflicting demands of priesthood while conducting a murder investigation is... well, I suppose you should read it to find out, now, shouldn't ya?
To say more would be to ruin the surprises along the way, so I’ll leave you with this: If you enjoy a good murder mystery with plot twists, small towns, endless corn fields, and home-cooked meals of varying degrees of quality, then I recommend this title.
If not, then you are always free to SKIP! *ding* (Sorry, I had to say it. I'll see myself out.)
Content warning: Includes profanity, religious themes, multiple depictions of murder, and sexuality.
That said, I was a bit late to the party picking this up, even after multiple recommends on social media.
Fortunately, I was able to avoid spoilers. Trust me, you do not want to be spoiled for this one.
Put succinctly: I loved it. I lost an entire night of sleep because I couldn’t put it down.
The plot goes like this: A rural Indiana town’s sheriff also happens to be the priest of the local Catholic church, and there’s some doin’s a-transpirin’.
Specifically, murders. The local cops are stumped, and the body count is starting to climb.
Before long, the FBI gets involved, followed by the media.
(If you’ll indulge me, I would like to share one tiny, minor spoiler: in one particular scene, our protagonist loses his temper. Anyone who listens to the podcasts will immediately recognize a bit of Jeremy Scott’s ranting style, and it is glorious. The whole thing feels very cathartic. I almost cheered.)
There are also a few Easter eggs sprinkled in for CinemaSins fans, but prior knowledge is not required to get full enjoyment of the story.
The main character (who is also the narrator) is a Catholic priest who swears, which immediately endears him to the reader. This is, first a foremost, just a man trying to fulfill a divine calling. But he isn’t perfect, and he admits as much in the book’s opening pages.
Sufficed to say, watching him juggle the occasionally conflicting demands of priesthood while conducting a murder investigation is... well, I suppose you should read it to find out, now, shouldn't ya?
To say more would be to ruin the surprises along the way, so I’ll leave you with this: If you enjoy a good murder mystery with plot twists, small towns, endless corn fields, and home-cooked meals of varying degrees of quality, then I recommend this title.
If not, then you are always free to SKIP! *ding* (Sorry, I had to say it. I'll see myself out.)
Content warning: Includes profanity, religious themes, multiple depictions of murder, and sexuality.
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