Backwoods Boogie

by Trish Jackson

Redneck P.I. Twila Taunton accepts a case from local attorney Jimmie-Ray, the person she despises more than anyone else in the world. It goes against all her principles, but she simply can't let the harmless, soft-spoken Brit Pam Taylor be convicted of a murder she clearly did not commit.

Twila needs the services of master hacker and computer expert Gasser Cunha, who brings his guitar and joins a local band. He finds they have two suspects--or maybe three even.

Twila takes a trip to England to interview one. The other is a local, and when Twila discovers he is abusing several dogs he has locked up in his barn, she Appeals to her long distance boyfriend, Harland. "We have to save those dogs," she tells him.

There's only one problem. The suspect's crazy Goth girlfriend, Xyla. Twila calls on her office manager, LaMercy and Great Aunt Essie to do whatever it takes to gain access into the property.

Oh, and Twila thinks she could be pregnant.

Unknown Binding

First published January 1, 2014

About the author

Animal lover and chocolate addict, I write contemporary small town Romantic Suspense, Romantic Mysteries and Romantic Comedy.
In-your-face, spicy, zany, sassy, suspenseful, terrifying, chilling and definitely in bad taste.

One of my publishers, Soul Mate Publishing, went out of business and 5 of my novels disappeared off the internet. On January 15th, 2025, I just re-published CAPRICORN CRAVINGS. Reviews and ratings are thankfully to be seen here on Goodreads. Check it out.

Reviews

[Beth · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you are looking for a delightful story packed full of an eclectic group of witty characters, Backwoods Boogie is the book for you.

Twila Taunton, self proclaimed detective of the Redneck P.I. Agency, is hired to help her friend Pam Taylor. Pam has been imprisoned for a murder Twila is sure she didn't commit. To make matters worse Pam's attorney is Jimmie-Ray, the man that left Twila standing at the alter.

Murder, Motorcycles, Aunts Gone Goth and Baby Scares, Oh My!

Flat out Fun! Trish Jackson once agains provides a captivating cast that will having you laughing out loud. A perfect balance of mystery, sexual spice and action makes Backwoods Boogie a wonderfully engaging read.

[Medavis66 · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pretty entertaining story about a redneck detective/ real estate agent. Twila is interesting, but Aunt Essie is the best! At 81, I think it is, she is still as sassy as she ever could've been. I enjoyed LaMercy, too. Harland seemed like a keeper and I'm glad Twila had gotten dumped by Jimmie-Ray. I hope I got those names right. Without looking, there were so many of them with interesting personalities and names that I may have jumbled them. Anyway, there is lots going on in this book but at the center is the story of Twila trying to find out who killed a lady in the area. Another now-local is in custody for the murder, but no one thinks it is possible that Pam could've or would've killed Janice. There is a trip to England, a friend flown in from Boston, a garage band trying to make it big while attempting to find a place to practice, the weird nephew in England, a dog-fighting ring and puppy mill, and more. Oh my, you just have to read it so you can laugh too.

ARC provided in exchange for honest review.

[Charline Ratcliff · Rating 4 out of 5]

'Backwoods Boogie' is yet another well-written and fun addition to Trish Jackson's 'Redneck P.I. Mystery Series.'

In this installment, Twila Taunton, the series’ main protagonist has become much more settled in her role as private investigator for the small town of Quisby, Alabama. However, what's really throwing her for a loop is her ‘romantic’ relationship.

As luck, (and the karma of Twila’s life would have it) she discovers that she has zero time to deal with her (or his) pesky feelings; much less anything else relationship related because she was just asked to investigate a murder case.

While Quisby is located in the ‘Deep South,’ it actually boasts its own English tea house: Picadilly Tea Room, courtesy of one Pam Taylor. Pam is a Brit who has lived and worked in Quisby since Twila was in high-school. She’s a kind woman; one who always helps and looks after others, so needless to say the alleged murder charge is – shocking.

True to her nature, Pam befriended Janice Woodward (another English transplant) and over the years Janice made it a point to have tea at the Picadilly Tea Room twice per week. One day Janice didn’t come in like normal and Pam knew something was wrong. When Pam went to check on her, she found Janice dead in her house, apparently stabbed with the kitchen knife that she had retrieved from the driveway on the way into Janice’s house.

Twila knows in her heart that Pam is incapable of having committed this murder so she sets off to find out who is. While on this journey to discover the truth, and thereby free Pam, she also happens to stumble into what’s obviously an illegal dog breeding operation where the dogs are abused, as well as an illegal dog-fighting ring.

Twila is an animal lover through and through and she's sickened by her discovery. She doesn't care about the politics of the situation, nor does she care about how many laws (meant to protect the men behind these horrific and barbaric acts) she breaks. She only cares about the rights of the abused and suffering animals – because if she doesn't stand up for them, then who will?

In summary, 'Backwoods Boogie' was another fun read that also includes an important message. Four stars.

[Sharon Lee · Rating 5 out of 5]

From the first purchase at the pharmacy, to the sunset, this book will capture your attention with twists and turns, you think you have figured out. But you will definitely be wrong! You will be taken on a detailed journey of mystery and suspense that is at times breathless, as you find yourself holding yours during well described moments of sheer 'what if they see me' scenes! Even the POV's at the ends of the chapters gave clues and kept you abreast of the situation, but even that was not giving away the mystery until the very end of this delightful story! I really liked this character Twila, brought to life with a few very well chosen words. She's brash, throws down whiskey with no gagging, she's gentle, feels for animals, she's sexy, gets a hole in her pants, and doesn't care, she's me and you! Trish Jackson has taken hold of the reins and steers you towards a journey you will never forget! From the alligator swamps in Alabama to the rainy cramped slow streets of England. This is one book you will not be able to put down. The action is so realistic you almost find yourself punching out the villain with your own hand! I really enjoyed my trip thru Backwoods Boogie...I look forward to reading more of Trish's books. Especially if this one is any indicator of the talent behind the keys, known as Trish Jackson.

[Ellie Crowe · Rating 4 out of 5]

Backwoods Boogie takes the reader right into the world of Twila Taunton, an appealing gutsy redneck P.I. whose boyfriend thinks she is hard on the one hand and soft and delicious on the other. Twila has a mystery to solve and an innocent person to save, though some of the evidence seems to say otherwise. She also has a personal problem, it looks as if she really might be pregnant. What can a girl do other than head off on her Harley to buy a pregnancy test. The characters in the backwoods town are a colorful lot, and their thoughts and conversation makes an entertaining read. Most are nice but not all, as there is a killer out there somewhere. And too bad for Twila that she is working for the guy who once stood her up at the altar. I was really hoping she wouldn’t go back to him. The boyfriend was much more sexy. The author, Trish Jackson, grew up in Zimbabwe, Africa and I hope one day soon will write a book set there. I’d love to read about a heroine sleeping with a UZI beside her bed, as the author #Trish Jackson did.
I received a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

[Jules Deplume · Rating 4 out of 5]

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I was pleasantly surprised by Backwoods Boogie. To be honest, I'm not usually a fan of real hard-core country books but for the most part I didn't mind it in this one. At times, Twila's rather butch demeanour did get on my nerves but the story was fast-paced enough that I quickly got over it. This book reminded me a little of Charlene Harris and her writing style so if you're a fan of hers you should enjoy this one.

I did quite like how the last page of every chapter contained a perspective from another character, it did fill in a lot of the plot and provide insight and depth into the characters. The supporting cast was fun.

I don't quite see why Twila had to travel to London, I think that was perhaps my least favourite part of the book but it was brief. The plot was captivating and action-packed for the rest of the book I thought.

Overall, I enjoyed reading this. It was fun and wild and I would recommend it to anyone who loves a good mystery with a hint of romance and a lot of crazy!

[Joan Ellis · Rating 4 out of 5]

Backwoods Boogie by Trish Jackson

Trish Jackson's gutsy writing style makes for an easy read. When Redneck PI Twila Taunton finds herself working alongside the man who stood her up at the altar, it's hardly the ideal partnership but Twila doesn't let that stand in the way of getting justice for wrongly-imprisoned, Pam Taylor. She enlists the help of hacker Gasser Cunha and great-aunt Essie. Enter long-distance lover, Harland and you've got a great mix of characters.

The plot leaps along, with Twila determined to crack the case. She never takes 'No' for an answer but does take risks. Lots of them. It's these moments that Trish Jackson does so well. Look out for a corker midway through. It's brilliantly handled. And very funny.

As with 'Capricorn Cravings', Trish Jackson has got the art of story-telling down. Reading her work is like watching a movie, you can picture every twist and turn.

A fun, entertaining read. Hunt out your inner detective and enjoy!

[Linda Klages · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a Goodreads win - free book. I really enjoyed the makeup of the book - liked the single page introduction to people. It was easy to read, hard to put down - read within 18 hours. Would read more from this author.

[Diane Meier · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just love how Twila tackles life - riding around on her harley, taking her dog to work, and investigating as the Redneck PI. I was constantly amused by Twila’s view of the world and the people she meets. She’s surrounded by a bunch of folks who range from off beat to outlandish.

Twila has a sense of justice that I can only applaud. She doesn’t wait for other people to solve problems. She just steps up and finds a way to fix things. I wished that I was with Twila while she went after the people who abuse dogs. I don’t find that many characters in books whom I truly would like to have as a friend. If I could wave a wand and make Twila someone in my life, I would definitely do that.

I really got a kick out of Trish Jackson's writing. The first person narration made me feel like Twila was talking to me. Now I need to go read the other books in the series.

[R.L. Cherry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Backwoods Boogie is a wild Harley ride around small-town Quisby, Alabama. Twila Tauton’s Redneck Detective Agency is retained by her sleaze-ball ex-fiancé, lawyer Jimmy-Ray, to clear her good friend, the genteel Pam from England, of a murder rap. Twila’s approach is to ride her Harley full-throttle into anyone and anything that gets in her way. She enlists the help of her hard-drinking, pistol-packing Great Aunt Essie, her office manager, the Afro-coifed, straight-talking LaMercy and a computer expert from her Boston days, the blues-guitar-playing and appropriately-nicknamed Gasser in her quest. With the constant worry of a yet-untaken pregnancy test looming over her head, Twila kicks it into second gear as she takes on a puppy mill and a dog-fighting operation. Popping in to help are boyfriend Harland and a biker gang, who add to the list of zany characters. With her dog Scratch in custom-made cage on the back of her bike, nothing can stop Twila. Or can it? Thwarted by confusing leads and lack of proof, she struggles to free gentle Pam before she’s beaten to death by the rough prison crowd, while trying to cope with all the side problems of her own life.

While Trish covers serious, real problems of animal abuses, she does so in the course of a book that is a romp through Quisby and the surrounding country, with a host of crazy characters. It’s meant to be a bit tongue in cheek and enjoyable. So put on your helmet, climb on the back of Twila’s Harley and hold on for a rowdy spin through backwoods Alabama.

[Lee Bullen · Rating 3 out of 5]

Twila Taunton, redneck detective, reluctantly joins forces with her ex-fiancée to solve the mysterious murder of British resident, Janice Woodward.
Sensing an innocent woman was setup for the crime, Twila assembles a small group of trusted friends and specialists to dig deep and unearth the truth, and needs all her sass and guile to overcome the many challenges they hit along the way.
Backwoods Boogie, the third in the Redneck Series, is a fast-paced journey that spans America’s Deep South to the rainy reaches of Northern Europe, and keeps you reading on and guessing throughout. The characters are wonderfully vivid and you’re transported directly into their gritty setting, observing them first-hand as they slowly piece together the puzzle – but can they do it in time?
This book will appeal to anyone who enjoys well-written detective stories and wily whodunits.

[Elaine · Rating 5 out of 5]

Twila became owner of The Redeye Detective Agency mainly because she wanted to root out the person who had murdered her mother. And she actually did!
Now a new case arises which involves a meek Englishwoman who owns the town’s tearoom. She is being held for the murder of her best friend and since Twila is more than convinced that she is innocent, sets out to find out who is responsible.
The story is intriguing from the first few pages . I especially liked the way the author inserts the thoughts of the individual characters while keeping the flow of the story.
I enjoyed too her descriptive writing style and the humor she uses is natural and appropriate to the story setting in the South of the USA.
An ideal mystery to read and enjoy. I must warn the readers that it’s a book that’s very hard to put down!.

[Mizz · Rating 1 out of 5]

Not a romance and ends with a cliffhanger which I was not expecting.

Not a great read as I am a romance reader so when I am asked to review books, I am under the impression that the book that I will be reviewing would be a romance which this was not.

Not happy.