Leftover Dead

Trailer Park Mystery #5

by Jimmie Ruth Evans

From the New York Times bestselling author of A Cat in the Stacks mystery series, a novel about a single mom, wits, grits, double shifts…and murder!

A Trailer Park Mystery (#5)

Kountry Kitchen Southern cooking recipes included!

Whatever happened to time off? Newly married Wanda Nell Culpepper is counting the minutes until her honeymoon with Jack. No work, no kids, nothing but Jack. But an unsolved cold-case murder is about to intrude on their partnered paradise…

A young woman’s body is found on the Tullahoma County High School football field—and Wanda Nell and Jack begin to unwind a tangled trail of deceit. With some help from a retired schoolteacher, they uncover the prime suspect—who swears he’s innocent. But when a relative of the young woman is found dead, Wanda and Jack know they must be hot on the killer’s trail…

Will Wanda Nell and Jack be able to find the murderer before her honeymoon is over…or will the murderer make this a shotgun funeral?!?

“Wanda Nell and her shotgun-toting buddy Mayrene are wonderful people to get to know. A down-home treat!” – #1 New York Times bestseller, Charlaine Harris

“FLAMINGO FATALE is the Southern cozy at its best.” – Lane Wright, revewingtheevidence.com

“As down-home and appealing as fried green tomatoes, grits, and sweet tea. Heroine Wanda Nell Culpepper is a steel magnolia to cherish.” – Carolyn Hart

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

308 pages, Kindle Edition

First published January 6, 2008

About the author

also writes as Dean James, Honor Hartman and Miranda James

Reviews

[Abby · Rating 4 out of 5]

A fun murder mystery to read that is light and whimsical! The main character is a little annoying but otherwise, I would recommend!

[Sabine · Rating 4 out of 5]

The mystery wasn't a recent murder but one that occurred 31 years ago and was never solved. And this due to the fact that people with influence paid some hush money to make evidence disappear and blame an innocent person.
I did enjoy it and am very sad to have reached the end of this series. I grew very fond of Wanda Lee and family and friends. She was a little over protective but lovingly mother and wife.

[Vickie · Rating 5 out of 5]

WOW! I am so very glad I had a quiet weekend to pretty much nonstop read this book. This is only the second book of this series I've read, but it's a favorite series for all that. The characters, especially main character, Wanda Nell. She has a lot on her plate but she gets everything done and is kindhearted and loving. It's definitely don't judge a book by it's cover or living abode. Yes, Wanda Nell lives in a trailer in a trailer park and works as a waitress in a diner. But there are rich people out there who live in mansions and are evil. Just because one has not as much monetarily, it doesn't mean diddly in the kindness department. It's part of the charm of this series.
The rest is engaging characters, nifty setting and premise and this particular mystery is a dandy. It's an old cold case murder that comes back to light as Wanda Nell's husband decides to investigate for his next true crime book.
I think my favorite character introduced is Miss Lyda. She is the sweetest!
I absolutely can recommend this book, series and author aka Dean James who also writes as Miranda James.

[Candice · Rating 2 out of 5]

This series decreased in “quality” over time, if I may be so bold as to use that descriptor about a cozy series that takes place in a trailer park. This last in the series was painful pablum but I finished it like the champion I am. The end.

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laid back easy paced cozy. A cold case, a cover-up, a charming little hostess, a wonderful best friend, a writer and older newlyweds. Piece by piece, common courtesy, and logic makes a splendid easy read mystery

[Stacey · Rating 4 out of 5]

I loved this book. Sad that this is the last in the series. Love the characters & the references to southern living. Fun read.

[Camilla Harry · Rating 4 out of 5]

Last book in this series. Definitely enjoy reading books by this author (all names used, too).

[Leeankh · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I really liked it. I like that they were investigating an unsolved crime because it feels somewhat unrealistic for a small town setting to host so many murders throughout a series. It's especially difficult to suspend my disbelief that one character would find herself connected to every murder, in such a setting. Additionally, the main characters leave town to follow up on some leads and I really liked that. I guess I just need to see some changes of scenery, even in a book series. Miranda and Mayrene were pushed to the side quite a bit in this book, which was surprising to me. They were really only mentioned in passing. The author really focused on Wanda Nell and Jack's relationship, as well as the unsolved crime, of course. I was put off by a few small plot points, but not enough to stop reading the series. In fact, I am really looking forward to reading the next installment soon. :)

[Mary · Rating 3 out of 5]

I saw this book on the shelf; it said 'A Trailer Park Mystery', and I grew up around several trailer parks, so I had to read it! It does the trailer parks proud. This is a light mystery with the 'sleuths' being a newlywed couple who happen to live in a trailer park. The characters were amusing, with lots of names that sound best when you have a Southern accent ('Wanda Nell', 'Mayrene', 'Miss Lyda', 'Elmer Lee'). The mystery was interesting (a 30+ year old murder at the local high school). I enjoyed it; good light read.

[Gail · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the 4th "trailer park mystery" by Evans. In it, Wanda Nell is married to her schoolteacher sweetheart and only has one child left at home. Someone tells her about a girl who was found murdered on the high school football field 30 years ago, a murder that was never solved, and Wanda Nell and co. decide the poor girl deserves better than that. Another stroll into the dark and twisted underbelly of a small Southern town...

[Vicky · Rating 2 out of 5]

I did not like this book as well as the previous ones in this series. It was "Too polite" on the whole an the humor between Mayreen and Wanda Nell was non-existent. I do not like the marriage idea either. Too hokey. I liked Wanda better as a struggling "hero". i don't know if i will read another by this author.

[Tisha · Rating 3 out of 5]

the 5th and final (?) installment of the Trailer Park Mysteries series. This is kind of a cold case storyline. Wanda Nell and Jack are now married. Jack is a true crime writer. He discovers a cold case from 31 years ago and he and Wanda Nell set out to solve it. Wanda Nell is a bit more likable in this story. I did have a time warming up to her.

[Wendy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this mystery with Wanda Nell and Jack. Sad that this appears to be the last book in the series (even though there is no real ending to the series here).

The mystery was a cold case and for once did not involve anyone in Wanda Nell's family. lol

Enjoyed this cozy series.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Wanda Nell and her new husband Jack are happy until Jack decides to write his new book about a girl who was murdered right there in Tullahoma 31 years earlier. Soon both are haunted by the sad story, and decide to take whatever risks are necessary to avenge the unidentified girl.

[Laura · Rating 4 out of 5]

I am sooo sorry that this author ended this series with this book!! I am primed to read several more-alas...I liked the way the story/excitement built up and instead of a Big Finale, ended softly. I wish the author would reconsider, I can come up with some plots!

[Cindi Kelley · Rating 4 out of 5]

This one was like an episode of Cold Case Files. very good!

[Erin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Okay mystery, too much gay agenda.

[Kim · Rating 1 out of 5]

Just not into it.

[Jean Brazil · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another cute trailer park cozy mystery.

[Becky · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the only one I have read in this series and I enjoyed it.

[Linda · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another fun trailer park mystery. This one is about a cold case from 31 years ago that Wanda Nell gets involved with solving and I'm a sucker for cold cases.

[Sandy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I would love to see more from Jimmie Ruth Evans! Hasn't let me down yet, loved everything I from from this author.

[Joy F Walker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hope there will be more books in this series.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

... . can only hope for another in this series