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Basically Good People
Virgil Ray and Martha Mae Pickers are basically good people. Still, like most basically good people, they’re subject to the siren calls of fame, fortune and — not least — impressing their neighbors.
In this laugh-out-loud novel of linked stories reminiscent of the unforgettable characters and sense of place portrayed in stories by Fannie Flagg and Garrison Keillor, the Pickers and their Oakley County neighbors find themselves in outlandish predicaments, however well-intentioned. A faked resurrection, a return to high school at age 60, a visit by Elvis, helping the US Treasury bust a moonshiner, plus a hijinks-riddled cross-denominational Thanksgiving church service — through it all, Virgil Ray, Martha Mae and their hound dog Buddy have each other. Heaven help them!
In this laugh-out-loud novel of linked stories reminiscent of the unforgettable characters and sense of place portrayed in stories by Fannie Flagg and Garrison Keillor, the Pickers and their Oakley County neighbors find themselves in outlandish predicaments, however well-intentioned. A faked resurrection, a return to high school at age 60, a visit by Elvis, helping the US Treasury bust a moonshiner, plus a hijinks-riddled cross-denominational Thanksgiving church service — through it all, Virgil Ray, Martha Mae and their hound dog Buddy have each other. Heaven help them!
- GenresFiction
315 pages, Kindle Edition
Published December 22, 2016
209 people are currently reading
259 people want to read
About the author
Will Martin
4 books15 followersWill Martin is the pen name of Dennis Winkleblack. A Midwestern native, he now lives in Connecticut. Married with two children and two grandchildren, he is the author of the Down in Burned Fork series novels, ... and Smell the Coffee and Basically Good People as well as After Church Mysteries and the novella, A Lucky Break. All are available from Amazon.
You can find him online at www.willmartinbooks.com.
You can find him online at www.willmartinbooks.com.
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Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews
September 14, 2020
Down-home humor at its best
Stories of real folks, simple folks who know who they are and where they fit into the scheme of things. You might not laugh out loud, but you will certainly have a sappy grin on your face as you explore familiarity with some of the authentic characters in these tales of Burned Fork. You might even see some caricatures of folks who live just down the road from you. Superbly edited and proofread ( not easy to do when writing in "the vernacular"). Highly recommended.
Stories of real folks, simple folks who know who they are and where they fit into the scheme of things. You might not laugh out loud, but you will certainly have a sappy grin on your face as you explore familiarity with some of the authentic characters in these tales of Burned Fork. You might even see some caricatures of folks who live just down the road from you. Superbly edited and proofread ( not easy to do when writing in "the vernacular"). Highly recommended.
May 16, 2023
I've been trying to read this book for a while, and I did read part of it.
On the whole, it's very easy to read. The characters and their voices are very distinct. The setting is very well established.
I did end up DNFing the book, but it really had more to do with me than the book. I just wasn't in the right place to read this book right now (I think), and I may decide to go back to it later. I can honestly say there's nothing wrong with the book, I only DNFed it because it wasn't working for me at the moment.
On the whole, it's very easy to read. The characters and their voices are very distinct. The setting is very well established.
I did end up DNFing the book, but it really had more to do with me than the book. I just wasn't in the right place to read this book right now (I think), and I may decide to go back to it later. I can honestly say there's nothing wrong with the book, I only DNFed it because it wasn't working for me at the moment.
November 6, 2017
Fun & Heartwarming!
If you need to laugh, and let your mind and heart stay for a while in a safe place, read this book! Very down to earth, but this author has a warm heart and lets us enjoy some fun, and learn a bit about just appreciating what we have as well. I wish he would write more about these endearing characters!
If you need to laugh, and let your mind and heart stay for a while in a safe place, read this book! Very down to earth, but this author has a warm heart and lets us enjoy some fun, and learn a bit about just appreciating what we have as well. I wish he would write more about these endearing characters!
November 8, 2019
* I won this book in a Goodreads Giveaway in 2017 and this was also a TBR Jar Pick. *
I found this book entertaining and funny. It’s different from anything else I’ve read. I like that the people in this book are from the country. I probably won’t read it again but I enjoyed it when I read it.
I found this book entertaining and funny. It’s different from anything else I’ve read. I like that the people in this book are from the country. I probably won’t read it again but I enjoyed it when I read it.
April 1, 2025
Absolutely loved this book!
This author's sense of humor is something else. I laughed so much. Also gives you a feel good feeling that touches your heart. Now on to more stories from Burnt Fork.
This author's sense of humor is something else. I laughed so much. Also gives you a feel good feeling that touches your heart. Now on to more stories from Burnt Fork.
June 24, 2025
This was such a good book, and a great series !
This was my first book I’ve ever read by Will Martin. I really enjoyed it so much. It was very funny and kept me reading. If you like a good down, Home funny book here’s your book. ! I just loved it.
This was my first book I’ve ever read by Will Martin. I really enjoyed it so much. It was very funny and kept me reading. If you like a good down, Home funny book here’s your book. ! I just loved it.
May 11, 2017
Country folks
If you grew up in the country, you know these folks. If you ever wondered what was going on in the double wide over by the county line...... here it is. Slow moving people with one thought a day! Not action packed, just slow moving country folks.
If you grew up in the country, you know these folks. If you ever wondered what was going on in the double wide over by the county line...... here it is. Slow moving people with one thought a day! Not action packed, just slow moving country folks.
May 6, 2019
I DNF. I hate not finishing a book, but this was a waste of my time. I didn’t find it funny.
September 27, 2024
A cute, lighthearted, wholesome read! Made me chuckle several times.
April 25, 2017
This book was certainly entertaining, the characters were hilarious... different from anything else I have read
Displaying 1 - 10 of 10 reviews