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Ain’t Nobody Nobody
Still reeling from the scandal that cost him his badge, Randy Mayhill―fallen lawman, dog rescuer, Dr Pepper enthusiast―sees a return from community exile in the form of a dead hog trapper perched on a fence. The fence belongs to the late Van Woods, Mayhill’s best friend and the reason for his spectacular fall.
Determined to protect Van’s land and family from another scandal, Mayhill ignores the sherriff who replaced him and investigates the death of the unidentified man. His quest crosses with two others: Birdie, Van’s surly, mourning daughter, who has no intention of sitting idly by and leaving her father’s legacy in Mayhill’s hands; and Bradley, Birdie’s slow, malnourished but loyal friend, whose desperation to escape a life of poverty has him working with local criminals, and possibly a murderer.
A riveting debut novel about family and loyalty, old grudges and new lives, AIN’T NOBODY NOBODY is like a cross between Faulkner and “Breaking Bad”, from a talented new writer with an authentic Texas voice.
Determined to protect Van’s land and family from another scandal, Mayhill ignores the sherriff who replaced him and investigates the death of the unidentified man. His quest crosses with two others: Birdie, Van’s surly, mourning daughter, who has no intention of sitting idly by and leaving her father’s legacy in Mayhill’s hands; and Bradley, Birdie’s slow, malnourished but loyal friend, whose desperation to escape a life of poverty has him working with local criminals, and possibly a murderer.
A riveting debut novel about family and loyalty, old grudges and new lives, AIN’T NOBODY NOBODY is like a cross between Faulkner and “Breaking Bad”, from a talented new writer with an authentic Texas voice.
320 pages, Paperback
First published September 24, 2019
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 76 reviews
April 30, 2022
Rating: 2.5 stars
Billed as humor, this debut novel was anything but, unless you're the sort that enjoys Texas hillbilly humor. After reading Heather's bio, I found it curious she was a therapist, since the story is down right hokey!
Appropriately titled, there ain't nobody who's anybody in the story with one or two minor exceptions. A hard drinking former sheriff discovers a dead man stuck on a hog pen and his first move is to learn who he is and what happened. While some may find the illiterate, loser characters funny, I found them dull and repetitive much like the sheriff.
When it comes to Texas-style humor, Larry McMurtry's books are the 'laugh out loud' sort, but after trudging through over a 100 pages, I can't remember anything that struck me as funny with 'Nobody'. That said, the wonderful thing about various genre is we're each drawn to different styles or approach. Personally, if the plot or characters would have been more interesting, I would have forgotten about the missing humor, but this one failed on all fronts.
And if any of you reading this are humor fans, I can't speak highly enough about Texasville or any of his stories based in Thalia, TX. Regardless, pass on this one my friends!
Billed as humor, this debut novel was anything but, unless you're the sort that enjoys Texas hillbilly humor. After reading Heather's bio, I found it curious she was a therapist, since the story is down right hokey!
Appropriately titled, there ain't nobody who's anybody in the story with one or two minor exceptions. A hard drinking former sheriff discovers a dead man stuck on a hog pen and his first move is to learn who he is and what happened. While some may find the illiterate, loser characters funny, I found them dull and repetitive much like the sheriff.
When it comes to Texas-style humor, Larry McMurtry's books are the 'laugh out loud' sort, but after trudging through over a 100 pages, I can't remember anything that struck me as funny with 'Nobody'. That said, the wonderful thing about various genre is we're each drawn to different styles or approach. Personally, if the plot or characters would have been more interesting, I would have forgotten about the missing humor, but this one failed on all fronts.
And if any of you reading this are humor fans, I can't speak highly enough about Texasville or any of his stories based in Thalia, TX. Regardless, pass on this one my friends!
September 24, 2019
Update: Here's the link to my review on Criminal Element: http://www.criminalelement.com/book-r...
This is a fantastic debut mystery with great characters and a strong sense of place. I just wrote a review for Criminal Element and will post a link when it's available. And P.S. I'm not a fan of Breaking Bad so don't let that comparison in the GR blub turn you off.
This is a fantastic debut mystery with great characters and a strong sense of place. I just wrote a review for Criminal Element and will post a link when it's available. And P.S. I'm not a fan of Breaking Bad so don't let that comparison in the GR blub turn you off.
November 25, 2019
Pine County, Texas, 1996.
Things haven't been the same since Van Woods committed suicide a little over a year ago.
His best friend, former sheriff Randy Mayhill, has become a recluse. Getting fat, drinking Dr. Pepper, and watching TV with a dachshund named Pat Sajak.
Birdie, Van's surly seventeen year old daughter, is still "plain as bread, pleasant as gout" but, on top of all her other worries, now she has to deal with the fact that her grandmother may have lost her mind.
Young Bradley Polk, a few years older than Birdie, used to do odd-jobs for Van. These days Bradley is barely surviving.
And then there's that other thing... The dead man found hanging on a barbed wire fence this morning.
Rural wisdom says damn the law - private land, private matter. Still, when the body seems to disappear all on its own it raises a few questions.
Who was he? Why was he there? Where the hell did he go?
Ostensibly this is the main focus of Ain't Nobody Nobody the debut novel by Heather Harper Ellett. But, even more than that, it's about the late Van Woods. The void left behind by his suicide. The struggles those closest to him have had coming to terms with the tragedy. The lack of his presence is everywhere in this book.
Ain't Nobody Nobody is a work of literary fiction that is also a great mystery. Great plot. Some dark humor. Fully realized characters (some a bit oddball - which I love). It's all there.
A couple of quibbles. Well, one quibble and a caution to the reader.
My one quibble is the amount of introspection each character engages in. It works and it fits the story but, since my personal taste goes to a more streamlined narrative, it gets to be a wee bit much by the time it's all over.
My caution to perspective readers:If you've seen the blurbs, reviews, etc. comparing this to Carl Hiaasen or Elmore Leonard ignore them. They will send your expectations in the wrong direction.
Seen it compared to Joe R. Lansdale? Okay, that's closer but still not that close. Daniel Woodrell? In the sense that it's a dark rural or country noir - yes.
Enjoy 'Ain't Nobody Nobody ' for what it is, a good story told well. I know I did.
This book contains adult language and situations.
***Thanks to NetGalley, Polis Books, and author Heather Harper Ellett for providing me with a free digital copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
Things haven't been the same since Van Woods committed suicide a little over a year ago.
His best friend, former sheriff Randy Mayhill, has become a recluse. Getting fat, drinking Dr. Pepper, and watching TV with a dachshund named Pat Sajak.
Birdie, Van's surly seventeen year old daughter, is still "plain as bread, pleasant as gout" but, on top of all her other worries, now she has to deal with the fact that her grandmother may have lost her mind.
Young Bradley Polk, a few years older than Birdie, used to do odd-jobs for Van. These days Bradley is barely surviving.
And then there's that other thing... The dead man found hanging on a barbed wire fence this morning.
Rural wisdom says damn the law - private land, private matter. Still, when the body seems to disappear all on its own it raises a few questions.
Who was he? Why was he there? Where the hell did he go?
Ostensibly this is the main focus of Ain't Nobody Nobody the debut novel by Heather Harper Ellett. But, even more than that, it's about the late Van Woods. The void left behind by his suicide. The struggles those closest to him have had coming to terms with the tragedy. The lack of his presence is everywhere in this book.
Ain't Nobody Nobody is a work of literary fiction that is also a great mystery. Great plot. Some dark humor. Fully realized characters (some a bit oddball - which I love). It's all there.
A couple of quibbles. Well, one quibble and a caution to the reader.
My one quibble is the amount of introspection each character engages in. It works and it fits the story but, since my personal taste goes to a more streamlined narrative, it gets to be a wee bit much by the time it's all over.
My caution to perspective readers:If you've seen the blurbs, reviews, etc. comparing this to Carl Hiaasen or Elmore Leonard ignore them. They will send your expectations in the wrong direction.
Seen it compared to Joe R. Lansdale? Okay, that's closer but still not that close. Daniel Woodrell? In the sense that it's a dark rural or country noir - yes.
Enjoy 'Ain't Nobody Nobody ' for what it is, a good story told well. I know I did.
This book contains adult language and situations.
***Thanks to NetGalley, Polis Books, and author Heather Harper Ellett for providing me with a free digital copy of this title in exchange for an honest review.
December 24, 2019
It's 1996 in a dysfunctional small East Texas town. It is a time before cell phones and computers and when rifles were commonplace in pickup trucks. It is a time when people knew their neighbors and would help each other out should the need arise. But when a dead body is found, it changes beliefs and perceptions until the truth isn't decipherable anymore.
While this book is fiction, there is a mystery peppered throughout the pages that had me questioning my thoughts about various characters as the story meandered down dark paths revealing truths that cast them in a light one may not expect. The author provides for a twist or two which erases all that you thought you knew to be true about the story you have read and the characters you have come to understand.
This story is also about losing family and friends, finding love, uncovering the truth, and learning to continue with life despite the curveballs thrown your way. There are dogs and hogs...the dogs are wanted, the hogs are not. And in true Texas fashion, an obsession with Dr. Pepper because no other beverage will do for some.
If you are looking for a fast-paced book, this is not the book to read. The book slowly reveals the truth, much like petals unfolding while a rose blooms. I took my time reading this book so I could embrace the characters, the town, and how I felt about each character. It is somewhat dark and deals with death, deception, drugs, and despair. But there is some hope at the end and multiple possibilities when it comes to how the story ends.
Some of my favorite lines:
"Mayhill approached life like hand-to-hand combat."
"Lying required an intellect that Bradley simply did not possess."
"Even at the road's worst, when it took a nail-biting, gut-jiggling forty-five minutes to drive only two or three miles, it never occurred to anyone to get out of their trucks and walk, any more than it would occur to a bird to take the bus to Cancun for winter."
"The air conditioner was so high that Pat Sajak shut his eyes and his short hair managed to somehow to blowback dreamily in the stream of air."
"Bradley was nobody to everybody. That was the beauty of Bradley, if there was a beauty to him."
"The dog flopped down next to Pat Sajak on the porch, with Boo and Atticus on the other side, and Mayhill realized then her name was Vanna because dog names are revealed; they are not chosen."
"All of the juices of Birdie's rebellion dried up right then, and she ran through the thicket and back to the house, the limbs tearing at her jeans like claws."
"it's a slippery slope, letting go of your ethics."
"He couldn't breathe and his chest tightened in the confusion of it all - a baking soda and vinegar mix of shame and redemption that threatened to erupt in him."
"Revenge was for scorned ex-wives and small-town football teams. This was of greater consequence. This was karma."
"An entire CBS mini-series of scenarios played out in his head, assassination attempts from the simplest (sniper drive-by) to the most complex (Rube Goldberg machines, infinite knives) and Mayhill twitched as he thought about it.
While this book is fiction, there is a mystery peppered throughout the pages that had me questioning my thoughts about various characters as the story meandered down dark paths revealing truths that cast them in a light one may not expect. The author provides for a twist or two which erases all that you thought you knew to be true about the story you have read and the characters you have come to understand.
This story is also about losing family and friends, finding love, uncovering the truth, and learning to continue with life despite the curveballs thrown your way. There are dogs and hogs...the dogs are wanted, the hogs are not. And in true Texas fashion, an obsession with Dr. Pepper because no other beverage will do for some.
If you are looking for a fast-paced book, this is not the book to read. The book slowly reveals the truth, much like petals unfolding while a rose blooms. I took my time reading this book so I could embrace the characters, the town, and how I felt about each character. It is somewhat dark and deals with death, deception, drugs, and despair. But there is some hope at the end and multiple possibilities when it comes to how the story ends.
Some of my favorite lines:
"Mayhill approached life like hand-to-hand combat."
"Lying required an intellect that Bradley simply did not possess."
"Even at the road's worst, when it took a nail-biting, gut-jiggling forty-five minutes to drive only two or three miles, it never occurred to anyone to get out of their trucks and walk, any more than it would occur to a bird to take the bus to Cancun for winter."
"The air conditioner was so high that Pat Sajak shut his eyes and his short hair managed to somehow to blowback dreamily in the stream of air."
"Bradley was nobody to everybody. That was the beauty of Bradley, if there was a beauty to him."
"The dog flopped down next to Pat Sajak on the porch, with Boo and Atticus on the other side, and Mayhill realized then her name was Vanna because dog names are revealed; they are not chosen."
"All of the juices of Birdie's rebellion dried up right then, and she ran through the thicket and back to the house, the limbs tearing at her jeans like claws."
"it's a slippery slope, letting go of your ethics."
"He couldn't breathe and his chest tightened in the confusion of it all - a baking soda and vinegar mix of shame and redemption that threatened to erupt in him."
"Revenge was for scorned ex-wives and small-town football teams. This was of greater consequence. This was karma."
"An entire CBS mini-series of scenarios played out in his head, assassination attempts from the simplest (sniper drive-by) to the most complex (Rube Goldberg machines, infinite knives) and Mayhill twitched as he thought about it.
December 22, 2019
In Ain’t Nobody Nobody by Heather Harper Ellett, we meet Randy Mayhill, a “retired” sheriff who is living his life of solitude until a dead body appears…and then disappears on the fence outside his home.
Ellett’s debut novel is full of wit and twists. I found the characters to be quite charming, something that I sometimes find missing in mystery novels. I was pleasantly surprised, however, to find myself feeling attached to these characters. Ellett’s writing gave them, not only life, but warmth - something I find can be ignored. I find characterization to be so important…if I don’t care about the characters, I have difficulty caring about the story.
Ellett’s writing is truly enjoyable, alternating between humor and wisdom. We feel what the characters are feeling - the guilt, loyalty, and eventually their sense of community. I appreciate writing that places you, not only in the scenes of the books, but engulfed in the feelings of the people. Mayhill takes us on a journey with him as he unofficially comes back from “retirement” in order to solve the mystery that hits way too close to home.
Ellett’s debut novel is full of wit and twists. I found the characters to be quite charming, something that I sometimes find missing in mystery novels. I was pleasantly surprised, however, to find myself feeling attached to these characters. Ellett’s writing gave them, not only life, but warmth - something I find can be ignored. I find characterization to be so important…if I don’t care about the characters, I have difficulty caring about the story.
Ellett’s writing is truly enjoyable, alternating between humor and wisdom. We feel what the characters are feeling - the guilt, loyalty, and eventually their sense of community. I appreciate writing that places you, not only in the scenes of the books, but engulfed in the feelings of the people. Mayhill takes us on a journey with him as he unofficially comes back from “retirement” in order to solve the mystery that hits way too close to home.
October 15, 2019
Randy Mayhill loves to sit on his front porch in only his boxer shorts and pistol holster, scheming how to catch feral hogs. He is “retired,” unceremoniously relieved of his duties as sheriff for protecting his felonious best friend, and Mayhill is fully committed to the hermit lifestyle. And for one year, that is all right with him, until a dead body appears draped over a fence he shares with his neighbors (Onie and Birdie, who happen to be his dead best friend’s mother and daughter, two people that are more like family to him than mere neighbors). But before he can find out who the dead person is, the body disappears. Hence, the mystery begins.
Ain’t Nobody Nobody is the debut novel of Heather Harper Ellett, a zany, witty, and heartfelt ode to rural Texas, where colloquialisms have a wisdom that is hard-earned, and the sleepy town has secrets that can be easily hidden in the wooded areas of private property. Harper Ellett has created a large cast of unique and eccentric characters that would easily fit somewhere between an Elmore Leonard novel and a Coen Brothers movie. The mystery of the dead man on the fence (who he is, how he got there) becomes entwined rather quickly in the history of Mayhill and his relationship with his best friend’s family. Moral boundaries are blurred. Illegal activity abounds. It all makes for a riveting mystery wrapped up in literary ambition.
One thing of note: Harper Ellett devises an interesting and fun narrative strategy that straddles the line between third and second person. The narrator knows the cast intimately, although it’s never revealed who the narrator is. But the narrator often interjects things about the characters or the citizens of the town that elicits a response from the reader, as if to say, “Don’t YOU think so? Don’t YOU think that’s crazy?” I laughed out loud often to this commentary from the narrator, something akin to the gossipy tone of a group of folks commenting on the foibles of the people they know, then sitting back as if to say, “Those poor bastards.” Pretty funny stuff.
This is a fun read with literary flourishes that drives a murder mystery into a suspenseful, climactic showdown. My only quibble is I wanted more of the backstory and less of the mystery as the novel progressed. Maybe Harper Ellett has another novel in her—set a few years earlier—about Mayhill and Van and Onie and Birdie and Bradley. That would be amazing, don’t you think?!
Ain’t Nobody Nobody is the debut novel of Heather Harper Ellett, a zany, witty, and heartfelt ode to rural Texas, where colloquialisms have a wisdom that is hard-earned, and the sleepy town has secrets that can be easily hidden in the wooded areas of private property. Harper Ellett has created a large cast of unique and eccentric characters that would easily fit somewhere between an Elmore Leonard novel and a Coen Brothers movie. The mystery of the dead man on the fence (who he is, how he got there) becomes entwined rather quickly in the history of Mayhill and his relationship with his best friend’s family. Moral boundaries are blurred. Illegal activity abounds. It all makes for a riveting mystery wrapped up in literary ambition.
One thing of note: Harper Ellett devises an interesting and fun narrative strategy that straddles the line between third and second person. The narrator knows the cast intimately, although it’s never revealed who the narrator is. But the narrator often interjects things about the characters or the citizens of the town that elicits a response from the reader, as if to say, “Don’t YOU think so? Don’t YOU think that’s crazy?” I laughed out loud often to this commentary from the narrator, something akin to the gossipy tone of a group of folks commenting on the foibles of the people they know, then sitting back as if to say, “Those poor bastards.” Pretty funny stuff.
This is a fun read with literary flourishes that drives a murder mystery into a suspenseful, climactic showdown. My only quibble is I wanted more of the backstory and less of the mystery as the novel progressed. Maybe Harper Ellett has another novel in her—set a few years earlier—about Mayhill and Van and Onie and Birdie and Bradley. That would be amazing, don’t you think?!
January 2, 2020
Heather Harper Ellett’s debut novel Ain’t Nobody Nobody is a darkly comedic murder mystery set in rural East Texas that takes a uniquely creative and thoroughly engaging approach to themes such as loss, grief, guilt, and redemption.
The characters are richly drawn and, combined with a strong sense of locale, evoke very vivid images of backwoods roads and trails, impoverished small towns, and people, who are neither all good nor bad, but act out of desperation, hopes and dreams, and necessity.
There are numerous plot twists and turns that begin with a dead body draped over a fence line. Who is it, how did it get there, and what happens to it? What secrets, threats, and yes… even opportunities are hidden on this private isolated property? Should friendship and loyalty be allowed to blur the lines between duty and morality? How far should someone go to protect loved ones? If the chance for a better life included criminal activity, would you do it? The answers to these questions propel the story forward and keep the pages turning.
An unidentified narrator pieces the elements of this mystery together, often interacting with the reader, while feral hogs, common to this part of Texas, are featured throughout the narrative. For anyone unfamiliar with the species these animals will eat anything (including humans), proliferate in spite of hunters, traps, and poisons used to control their numbers, and are highly destructive. In Ain’t Nobody Nobody they’re symbolic of the damage that occurs when lives are shattered by get rich schemes, suicide, murder, and revenge, and the author even uses their image at the beginning of each chapter.
I’ve deliberately not discussed the various players in this story leaving them for the reader to discover. They’re not as numerous as the hogs, but each is intricately woven into Heather Harper Ellett’s first entry into the literary world. It will definitely not be her last!
“Ain’t nobody nobody, I guess.”
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for this review
The characters are richly drawn and, combined with a strong sense of locale, evoke very vivid images of backwoods roads and trails, impoverished small towns, and people, who are neither all good nor bad, but act out of desperation, hopes and dreams, and necessity.
There are numerous plot twists and turns that begin with a dead body draped over a fence line. Who is it, how did it get there, and what happens to it? What secrets, threats, and yes… even opportunities are hidden on this private isolated property? Should friendship and loyalty be allowed to blur the lines between duty and morality? How far should someone go to protect loved ones? If the chance for a better life included criminal activity, would you do it? The answers to these questions propel the story forward and keep the pages turning.
An unidentified narrator pieces the elements of this mystery together, often interacting with the reader, while feral hogs, common to this part of Texas, are featured throughout the narrative. For anyone unfamiliar with the species these animals will eat anything (including humans), proliferate in spite of hunters, traps, and poisons used to control their numbers, and are highly destructive. In Ain’t Nobody Nobody they’re symbolic of the damage that occurs when lives are shattered by get rich schemes, suicide, murder, and revenge, and the author even uses their image at the beginning of each chapter.
I’ve deliberately not discussed the various players in this story leaving them for the reader to discover. They’re not as numerous as the hogs, but each is intricately woven into Heather Harper Ellett’s first entry into the literary world. It will definitely not be her last!
“Ain’t nobody nobody, I guess.”
I received an advanced copy of this book in exchange for this review
September 22, 2019
Ain’t Nobody Nobody by Heather Harper Ellett
Tragedy seem to find many of the characters in this book. The existence of all seems to be difficult with little money or food and not much to look forward to. What one is wiling to do to make money gets some into trouble. Suicide, Murder, mysteries, drugs and money may or may not balance out friendship, family and community in this story. I came away feeling a little bit dirty at the end of the book and wishing that there had been “more” for those who survived and also for those that didn’t. In the end, though the feral hogs were being trapped and killed it seemed they survived and thrived better than the humans.
Was the book well written? Yes
Did I enjoy it? On the fence
Would I read more by this author? Maybe
Thank you to NetGalley and Polis Books for the ARC – this is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
Tragedy seem to find many of the characters in this book. The existence of all seems to be difficult with little money or food and not much to look forward to. What one is wiling to do to make money gets some into trouble. Suicide, Murder, mysteries, drugs and money may or may not balance out friendship, family and community in this story. I came away feeling a little bit dirty at the end of the book and wishing that there had been “more” for those who survived and also for those that didn’t. In the end, though the feral hogs were being trapped and killed it seemed they survived and thrived better than the humans.
Was the book well written? Yes
Did I enjoy it? On the fence
Would I read more by this author? Maybe
Thank you to NetGalley and Polis Books for the ARC – this is my honest review.
3-4 Stars
January 2, 2020
Ain’t Nobody Nobody by Heather Harper Ellett is a unique, twisted murder mystery that takes the reader down a long and winding trail of deception, betrayal, subterfuge, criminal activities, revenge, and sounders of feral hogs. Randy Mayhill has been a hermit since he was ousted as sheriff of a small East Texas town after valiantly trying to subvert his friend’s crimes. Randy and Van have been best friends for years, but after Van allegedly commits suicide rather than face jail time, Randy hides away and wallows in self-pity and confusion and loneliness, with only his dogs and cases of Dr. Pepper for comfort.
Everything changes when a dead body appears on his late friend’s property, causing Randy to emerge from his exile to protect Van’s mother, Onie, and daughter, Birdie, and to discover the identity of the dead man and who shot him in the back. As the mystery deepens and shocking details begin to materialize, Randy slowly starts to uncover the truth about what really happened to his friend and about the criminal activity still being perpetuated on Van’s property. One man rises up as a greedy antagonist and so-called friend of both Randy and Van, but is greed his only crime, or is he also capable of murder?
Ain’t Nobody Nobody is a literary showpiece that unravels the web of lies in a small Texas town and highlights just how far a person will go to remain under avarice’s tenacious heavy hand. Ellett’s debut novel is well written and superbly crafted. This character-driven fiction will have you peering over your own shoulder and looking twice at both friends and family to see if betrayal and murder lurk behind their eyes. The ending is enigmatic and might come across as unsatisfying to some readers and absolutely brilliant to others. Ellett’s ability to leave readers forming their own ideas and opinions long after the book is finished is a skillful way of leaving a lasting, thought-provoking impression.
The pacing and tone of this story are moderate and somber, respectively, peppered with some humor, humility, tender moments, and kindness. The ubiquitous feral hogs offer an interesting motif that is most definitely open to interpretation and is reminiscent of the downward spiral of humanity into primeval acts of survival found in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. The characters in Ain’t Nobody Nobody are all swirling and shifting and looking for that secure foothold of sanity, truth, and redemption.
I personally look forward to seeing more such fiction from Heather Harper Ellett.
I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.
Everything changes when a dead body appears on his late friend’s property, causing Randy to emerge from his exile to protect Van’s mother, Onie, and daughter, Birdie, and to discover the identity of the dead man and who shot him in the back. As the mystery deepens and shocking details begin to materialize, Randy slowly starts to uncover the truth about what really happened to his friend and about the criminal activity still being perpetuated on Van’s property. One man rises up as a greedy antagonist and so-called friend of both Randy and Van, but is greed his only crime, or is he also capable of murder?
Ain’t Nobody Nobody is a literary showpiece that unravels the web of lies in a small Texas town and highlights just how far a person will go to remain under avarice’s tenacious heavy hand. Ellett’s debut novel is well written and superbly crafted. This character-driven fiction will have you peering over your own shoulder and looking twice at both friends and family to see if betrayal and murder lurk behind their eyes. The ending is enigmatic and might come across as unsatisfying to some readers and absolutely brilliant to others. Ellett’s ability to leave readers forming their own ideas and opinions long after the book is finished is a skillful way of leaving a lasting, thought-provoking impression.
The pacing and tone of this story are moderate and somber, respectively, peppered with some humor, humility, tender moments, and kindness. The ubiquitous feral hogs offer an interesting motif that is most definitely open to interpretation and is reminiscent of the downward spiral of humanity into primeval acts of survival found in William Golding’s Lord of the Flies. The characters in Ain’t Nobody Nobody are all swirling and shifting and looking for that secure foothold of sanity, truth, and redemption.
I personally look forward to seeing more such fiction from Heather Harper Ellett.
I received a free copy of this book from Lone Star Book Blog Tours in exchange for my honest review.
May 27, 2020
Extreme is the best way to describe Randy Mayhill, former sheriff and current hermit. Extreme, with strict personal beliefs that make complete sense to him but not everyone. He means well and truly wants to be a hero - both the helping people part and the front page glory part. He doesn't begin as a particularly sympathetic character. It appears he must have been a rather incompetent sheriff. For a man who claims to love the law and deeply misses being sheriff, he never feels compelled to follow a law that doesn't suit his needs. But it's also clear he's in mourning and looking for a way to get his life back on track. Mayhill misses his friend Van, and wants to help Van's daughter and mother. Mayhill feels it's his duty to protect them even if he has to cross lines to do it. When Mayhill finds Birdie (Van's daughter) and Bradley (a young man working for their family) standing over the dead body of a stranger on Birdie's property, Mayhill doesn't think twice - calling the police is not an option. He immediately takes action to cover up the crime, but his cover up goes incredibly wrong leaving him in the position of having to investigate the crime. If Mayhill can crack the crime and get his name in the paper as a hero while also keeping Van's family out of it, it'll all be to the good.
The story is told from the points-of-view of Mayhill, Birdie, and Bradley. I particularly enjoyed Birdie and Bradley's perspectives. Both are young and not very worldly, but both are dealing with a lot - Birdie is grieving and attempting to navigate her grandma's grief; Bradley is grieving while doing all he can think of to get out of poverty and dealing with serious family problems. Really, everyone in this book was grieving something (a person, loss of safety/security, loss of position of authority and community respect), and they're all doing their best. How do you define morality when you're just trying to get by?
Recommended for fans of darker character-driven mysteries.
Content Warnings: SPOILERS suicide; begins with killing and gutting a hog; mental illness; drugs; racism; grief END SPOILERS
The story is told from the points-of-view of Mayhill, Birdie, and Bradley. I particularly enjoyed Birdie and Bradley's perspectives. Both are young and not very worldly, but both are dealing with a lot - Birdie is grieving and attempting to navigate her grandma's grief; Bradley is grieving while doing all he can think of to get out of poverty and dealing with serious family problems. Really, everyone in this book was grieving something (a person, loss of safety/security, loss of position of authority and community respect), and they're all doing their best. How do you define morality when you're just trying to get by?
Recommended for fans of darker character-driven mysteries.
Content Warnings: SPOILERS suicide; begins with killing and gutting a hog; mental illness; drugs; racism; grief END SPOILERS
December 30, 2019
The metaphors are strong with this novel! It is chockablock full of so many visual examples that I loved! The writing reminds me of why I love books by authors like Laini Taylor or Michael Chabon. Based on her debut novel, I’m putting Ms. Ellett on the list of authors I’d read if they wrote a dictionary. Some examples that I really enjoyed including:
“The vest had stood stiffly in his closet like a decapitated torso”
Who doesn’t picture that vest in the closet!
And
“The reverend and Onie bobbed their tea bags feverishly in their cups as if they were stabbing something to death at the bottom of them”
As a tea drinker, that quote is hilarious. I brew loose leaf, but remember my grandmother using the same brewing technique!
There is also a very dry humor\wit in this novel. I for one am always appreciative of a dry sense of humor. (I made copious highlights for reference!) The names of the dogs include Pat Sajak and Vanna White. Grammar in the local newspaper is routinely criticized. The coffee at the feed store is horrible. I chuckled out loud on more than one occasion while reading.
I don’t want to spoil the plot or central mystery in Ain’t Nobody Nobody. Let’s call the main storyline character redemption. Clues to the many plot puzzles are layered throughout the novel. I saw some of the twists coming, but others came out of nowhere. As much as I hate when I finish reading a great book, I loved the ending here. It was very unexpected yet satisfying.
I did not grow up in Texas, so I can’t really say how accurate the small-town Texas setting is. But I did grow up in a small town and I like to imagine that many small towns are similar. The multiple Jimmy characters in the feed store may not be named Jimmy in every small town, but they are there nonetheless, gossiping like hens, shunning people who disappoint them. Ms. Ellett does a fantastic job with the setting and characters.
The novel is told from multiple points of view. My only real complaint is the POV switches were not always clear. I would need to backtrack occasionally to determine which character is speaking.
Ain’t Nobody Nobody is very unique, enjoyable, and highly recommended!
“The vest had stood stiffly in his closet like a decapitated torso”
Who doesn’t picture that vest in the closet!
And
“The reverend and Onie bobbed their tea bags feverishly in their cups as if they were stabbing something to death at the bottom of them”
As a tea drinker, that quote is hilarious. I brew loose leaf, but remember my grandmother using the same brewing technique!
There is also a very dry humor\wit in this novel. I for one am always appreciative of a dry sense of humor. (I made copious highlights for reference!) The names of the dogs include Pat Sajak and Vanna White. Grammar in the local newspaper is routinely criticized. The coffee at the feed store is horrible. I chuckled out loud on more than one occasion while reading.
I don’t want to spoil the plot or central mystery in Ain’t Nobody Nobody. Let’s call the main storyline character redemption. Clues to the many plot puzzles are layered throughout the novel. I saw some of the twists coming, but others came out of nowhere. As much as I hate when I finish reading a great book, I loved the ending here. It was very unexpected yet satisfying.
I did not grow up in Texas, so I can’t really say how accurate the small-town Texas setting is. But I did grow up in a small town and I like to imagine that many small towns are similar. The multiple Jimmy characters in the feed store may not be named Jimmy in every small town, but they are there nonetheless, gossiping like hens, shunning people who disappoint them. Ms. Ellett does a fantastic job with the setting and characters.
The novel is told from multiple points of view. My only real complaint is the POV switches were not always clear. I would need to backtrack occasionally to determine which character is speaking.
Ain’t Nobody Nobody is very unique, enjoyable, and highly recommended!
December 13, 2019
I met the author of this novel at Deep Vellum Books in Dallas, Texas. She was doing a reading from this, her first novel. Heather was very engaging and her book is terrific. This is a Texas crime novel, but not a traditional "who done it" novel. There are many twists and turns. And, the best part, I think, are the characters. They are all unique. And, at times, you smile as you read. In summary, read this book. It is really good. The title also says something special. We are all somebody.
December 19, 2019
Poignant and hilarious in tandem, Ain't Nobody Nobody is the book you didn't know you should be reading. From the moment I saw the hog beneath the title on the cover, I knew I had to read this book. Because I, too, grew up checking on hog tracks and waking the next day to the devastation they could wreak on your yard. Ellett is a local to East Texas, and it shows from the colloquialisms, the mannerisms and the true grit of its characters. I was watching out for certain things when I dove into Ellett's dark comedy, and more than pleased when she delivered in spades.
Ain't Nobody Nobody takes place in "the thicket," or what most would consider the middle of nowhere. Former county Sherriff, Randy Mayhill is living with one foot in the past and the other in denial. You could say this story is the world according to Randy Mayhill. The disgraced Sherriff has little to his name: a one-room shack on his dead best friend's property, three dogs and a desperate need to somehow make a difference. When his former best friend's daughter Birdie finds herself in the worst possible pickle—how to dispose of a dead body—Mayhill rises to the occasion. Caught in the thick of things is poor Bradley, Birdie's "just-a-friend." All three people (because soon enough you stop thinking of them as characters) want simple things. Randy wants affirmation, Birdy wants her dad back, and Bradley just wants a better life. Finding a dead body is just the beginning of their story, and as you hope, lead them to a satisfying ending.
Everything about Heather Harper Ellett's crafting is superb, in particular, her gift for blending humor and subjects you never would have thought could go so well together. You will laugh and you may shed a tear, but you'll certainly love every witty turn of phrase. Above all, I dare you not to be pulled in by the heart of this fantastic book. The truth is in the title, after all: Ain't Nobody Nobody. The perfect read for fans of Fargo and Justified, Heather Harper Ellett's debut highlights truths and mystery within the Piney Woods.
Ain't Nobody Nobody takes place in "the thicket," or what most would consider the middle of nowhere. Former county Sherriff, Randy Mayhill is living with one foot in the past and the other in denial. You could say this story is the world according to Randy Mayhill. The disgraced Sherriff has little to his name: a one-room shack on his dead best friend's property, three dogs and a desperate need to somehow make a difference. When his former best friend's daughter Birdie finds herself in the worst possible pickle—how to dispose of a dead body—Mayhill rises to the occasion. Caught in the thick of things is poor Bradley, Birdie's "just-a-friend." All three people (because soon enough you stop thinking of them as characters) want simple things. Randy wants affirmation, Birdy wants her dad back, and Bradley just wants a better life. Finding a dead body is just the beginning of their story, and as you hope, lead them to a satisfying ending.
Everything about Heather Harper Ellett's crafting is superb, in particular, her gift for blending humor and subjects you never would have thought could go so well together. You will laugh and you may shed a tear, but you'll certainly love every witty turn of phrase. Above all, I dare you not to be pulled in by the heart of this fantastic book. The truth is in the title, after all: Ain't Nobody Nobody. The perfect read for fans of Fargo and Justified, Heather Harper Ellett's debut highlights truths and mystery within the Piney Woods.
December 26, 2019
“He nudged his snout at the softness of Birdie’s thigh, and looked at her as if to say, “Let’s go, Birdie Woods. I’ve been waiting for you.”
I am stating this right off – Ain’t Nobody Nobody was the best book I’ve read in 2019! Author Heather Harper Ellett completely blew me away with this story set in east Texas surrounded by feral hogs no less.
The quirky title Ain’t Nobody Nobody is quite appealing. The story is extraordinary. The book is woven around… Dogs. Revenge. Drugs. Death. Not in that order. The story unfolds with a former sheriff who is trying his best to deal with the loss of his best friend while looking after his best friend’s mom and his daughter. Not to mention all the dogs this former sheriff is caring for. The biggest issue you think would be the drugs in the story, but in fact, it is the deaths.
To be honest I did connect with the story setting throughout the book. Half of my life I grew up in the piney woods of east Texas. I know how thick the woods are. I experienced the tallness of pine trees and the mass of brambles underneath them. I certainly know what it’s like to be hidden on east Texas land and its unknown backroads. Without a doubt, Ellett’s realism of place is powerfully woven into each chapter.
The beauty of Ellett’s debut novel is how she crafted the twists that I never saw coming with each turn of the page, especially the last twist! Her lambent storytelling is powerful along with her remarkable writing voice.
Lastly, the best books will make you cry if you connect with the story. Indeed – I was crying at the end of the Ain’t Nobody Nobody. Yep – dogs tend to do that with me, even story dogs!
I am stating this right off – Ain’t Nobody Nobody was the best book I’ve read in 2019! Author Heather Harper Ellett completely blew me away with this story set in east Texas surrounded by feral hogs no less.
The quirky title Ain’t Nobody Nobody is quite appealing. The story is extraordinary. The book is woven around… Dogs. Revenge. Drugs. Death. Not in that order. The story unfolds with a former sheriff who is trying his best to deal with the loss of his best friend while looking after his best friend’s mom and his daughter. Not to mention all the dogs this former sheriff is caring for. The biggest issue you think would be the drugs in the story, but in fact, it is the deaths.
To be honest I did connect with the story setting throughout the book. Half of my life I grew up in the piney woods of east Texas. I know how thick the woods are. I experienced the tallness of pine trees and the mass of brambles underneath them. I certainly know what it’s like to be hidden on east Texas land and its unknown backroads. Without a doubt, Ellett’s realism of place is powerfully woven into each chapter.
The beauty of Ellett’s debut novel is how she crafted the twists that I never saw coming with each turn of the page, especially the last twist! Her lambent storytelling is powerful along with her remarkable writing voice.
Lastly, the best books will make you cry if you connect with the story. Indeed – I was crying at the end of the Ain’t Nobody Nobody. Yep – dogs tend to do that with me, even story dogs!
June 25, 2019
Nearly perfect. If the ending was just a bit more fitting for me I would have said this was 100% perfect, still giving it 5 stars because it is a worthy read and was a total wild ride.
Would love to see this adapted for tv. While reading it I had a sudden urge to have a Dr. Pepper which I haven't had in so long, can't imagine why. Went out and got a Dr. P and continued reading.
The characters in this book were great and I loved the setting. Nice touch with setting the book in the 90s, no technology needed here.
I definitely agree with the Joe Lansdale meets Breaking Bad description.
Would love to see this adapted for tv. While reading it I had a sudden urge to have a Dr. Pepper which I haven't had in so long, can't imagine why. Went out and got a Dr. P and continued reading.
The characters in this book were great and I loved the setting. Nice touch with setting the book in the 90s, no technology needed here.
I definitely agree with the Joe Lansdale meets Breaking Bad description.
July 16, 2019
I've never read a book with a voice quite like this one, simultaneously earthy and profound, at turns hilarious and sinister, but always fun. It's a unique skill to write about plagues, murder and other crimes with levity and humor while still giving such heavy subjects their due respect, and the author pulls it off. It has been quite some time since I read a book in which I legitimately liked and cared about almost all of the characters, even the "bad" ones! It's also a portrait of a place, East Texas, that treats even that place's flaws with love. A very satisfying read.
March 16, 2020
Reviewed by Michelle Newby Lancaster for Lone Star Literary Life.
Featured on https://www.lonestarliterary.com/cont.... Lone Star Blogger Team average rating: 4.666
Featured on https://www.lonestarliterary.com/cont.... Lone Star Blogger Team average rating: 4.666
October 9, 2019
Darkly funny and pleasantly fast-paced; mysterious and tender. If you think feral hogs, dementia and dead pine trees would not make for a heart warming read, think again. “Life is easier the more places you feel like home.” Having read Ain’t Nobody Nobody, I can add East Texas to my list.
January 2, 2020
Wow! I am not sure I have ever read a more authentically Texas-y book than AIN'T NOBODY NOBODY by Heather Harper Ellett. In the process of entertaining readers with the East Texas people and the nuances of their lives and language, Ellett provides an engaging, multi-layered mystery sure to keep readers turning the pages.
“Bradley Polk was not dumb. He had simply over-executed his naiveté. It was a misused tool, like a butter knife cutting a tomato.”
There are lessons abounding in AIN'T NOBODY NOBODY, but one that manifests itself in many ways is about taking things at face value. In the book, as in life, some things are nothing more than they appear to be, but most are not once you scratch beneath the surface. A story comes to mind about when my highly educated Texan husband traveled to another state for work. At the conclusion of his presentation, a man approached and was puzzled because my husband, the man said, talked like a hick but used big words. Ellett’s characters may live in the sticks, and they may talk like hicks, but these people are not all country bumpkins. The main characters are educated, well-read (“Thoreau’s everybody’s favorite.”), and sharp, and this in contrast to how they talk and act is what adds flavor to the story. I laughed out loud at how Onie, a retired English teacher, had a standing assignment for her students to edit the local newspaper, and how Van, out of habit when reading, circled split infinitives. And then there was this conversation between Van and his daughter Birdie, about the new English teacher (also the school’s football coach – ah, Texas) teaching Thoreau:
“He calls him H.D. Thorough,” Birdie said.
“And he ain’t jokin’, is he?”
“He ain’t jokin’.”
Van shook his head. Birdie shook hers too. A joint lamentation of all the poor rural kids deprived of Transcendentalism during football season.
“The lines in their faces deepened, their jowls padded as if saddling up for the long ride of middle age.”
Ellett’s writing is richly detailed, and her use of figurative language provides amazing depth to the characters and the situations – the metaphors are strong and worthy of an entire paper devoted to their dissection. Truly, AIN'T NOBODY NOBODY is a teacher’s dream book, ripe with opportunities for students to extract themes and literary devices and observe creative twists to writing points-of-view and resolutions (that ending!) – oh, and to learn raw lessons on life. But happily, it’s not a book to be assigned for a proofreading exercise; AIN'T NOBODY NOBODY is meticulously edited. Can I get an amen?
I had been intrigued by AIN'T NOBODY NOBODY since before it published and ended up buying a print copy and adding myself to the Lone Star Book Blog Tour of it (because I can do that. Perks.) Certain books call to you, and this one did just that. I knew this one had to be held in my hands and each page savored, not devoured. I knew that once I started reading, the story would wash over me and hold me captive until the last page. I knew that the characters and the mood and the weight – and levity -- of it would stick with me long after I finished reading. I knew I’d be naming this book to anyone who asked for a reading recommendation (but I also knew that I’d never give up my own copy). Everything I knew would be true of AIN'T NOBODY NOBODY is true, and it’s even more outstanding than I expected. Now, if I can just parlay this clairvoyance into playing the lottery…
This full review and other special features on Hall Ways Blog.
“Bradley Polk was not dumb. He had simply over-executed his naiveté. It was a misused tool, like a butter knife cutting a tomato.”
There are lessons abounding in AIN'T NOBODY NOBODY, but one that manifests itself in many ways is about taking things at face value. In the book, as in life, some things are nothing more than they appear to be, but most are not once you scratch beneath the surface. A story comes to mind about when my highly educated Texan husband traveled to another state for work. At the conclusion of his presentation, a man approached and was puzzled because my husband, the man said, talked like a hick but used big words. Ellett’s characters may live in the sticks, and they may talk like hicks, but these people are not all country bumpkins. The main characters are educated, well-read (“Thoreau’s everybody’s favorite.”), and sharp, and this in contrast to how they talk and act is what adds flavor to the story. I laughed out loud at how Onie, a retired English teacher, had a standing assignment for her students to edit the local newspaper, and how Van, out of habit when reading, circled split infinitives. And then there was this conversation between Van and his daughter Birdie, about the new English teacher (also the school’s football coach – ah, Texas) teaching Thoreau:
“He calls him H.D. Thorough,” Birdie said.
“And he ain’t jokin’, is he?”
“He ain’t jokin’.”
Van shook his head. Birdie shook hers too. A joint lamentation of all the poor rural kids deprived of Transcendentalism during football season.
“The lines in their faces deepened, their jowls padded as if saddling up for the long ride of middle age.”
Ellett’s writing is richly detailed, and her use of figurative language provides amazing depth to the characters and the situations – the metaphors are strong and worthy of an entire paper devoted to their dissection. Truly, AIN'T NOBODY NOBODY is a teacher’s dream book, ripe with opportunities for students to extract themes and literary devices and observe creative twists to writing points-of-view and resolutions (that ending!) – oh, and to learn raw lessons on life. But happily, it’s not a book to be assigned for a proofreading exercise; AIN'T NOBODY NOBODY is meticulously edited. Can I get an amen?
I had been intrigued by AIN'T NOBODY NOBODY since before it published and ended up buying a print copy and adding myself to the Lone Star Book Blog Tour of it (because I can do that. Perks.) Certain books call to you, and this one did just that. I knew this one had to be held in my hands and each page savored, not devoured. I knew that once I started reading, the story would wash over me and hold me captive until the last page. I knew that the characters and the mood and the weight – and levity -- of it would stick with me long after I finished reading. I knew I’d be naming this book to anyone who asked for a reading recommendation (but I also knew that I’d never give up my own copy). Everything I knew would be true of AIN'T NOBODY NOBODY is true, and it’s even more outstanding than I expected. Now, if I can just parlay this clairvoyance into playing the lottery…
This full review and other special features on Hall Ways Blog.
October 29, 2019
This book sure was fun! The characters were three dimensional and very interesting. All of them were more or less dirt poor, but proud and mostly happy. The story was told with humor and panache, with a deep understanding of the local people, dialect and thoughts.
Here we have the story of a disgraced county sheriff in East Texas, who spends his time pretty much a recluse. His friend committed suicide, perhaps tied to him, and so he watches over the family. A dead man is found and suddenly, Randy Mayhill has a mission. Much chaos ensues, with some humor but also a deadly seriousness.
I really liked this book. Probably not really a 5 star book, but it is too good for just 4. I chuckled often while reading this, but it isn't because she made fun of her characters. She obviously understands them and writes them as serious folks with some, shall we say, strange ideas, but a definite code of right and wrong. The turns of phrases were excellent and I really enjoyed the characters and the story.
The ending was a tad baffling though. The storytelling changed a bit and I am not 100% sure what exactly happened. But that is probably for the better I think. Give this one a try, I think you will like it. And I am looking forward to the next book by this new writer.
Here we have the story of a disgraced county sheriff in East Texas, who spends his time pretty much a recluse. His friend committed suicide, perhaps tied to him, and so he watches over the family. A dead man is found and suddenly, Randy Mayhill has a mission. Much chaos ensues, with some humor but also a deadly seriousness.
I really liked this book. Probably not really a 5 star book, but it is too good for just 4. I chuckled often while reading this, but it isn't because she made fun of her characters. She obviously understands them and writes them as serious folks with some, shall we say, strange ideas, but a definite code of right and wrong. The turns of phrases were excellent and I really enjoyed the characters and the story.
The ending was a tad baffling though. The storytelling changed a bit and I am not 100% sure what exactly happened. But that is probably for the better I think. Give this one a try, I think you will like it. And I am looking forward to the next book by this new writer.
January 28, 2023
Unique, cozy, hilarious, warm from beginning to end. Witty prose with a distinct voice, an East Texas legend about good people in a place you might not be too familiar with. Absolutely heartwarming, a must read.
April 20, 2021
I do not know why I left this book pending for the time I did. Once I got past the first chapter, the story was absorbing and quite convoluted. This last part is a good thing that made the story unique, and I actually liked it.
As mentioned earlier, the first chapter or so focuses on Hogs and the problem they are creating in a small town. They are eating crops, amongst other things, and destroying property due to their size and numbers. People have been free reign to trap and kill them as necessary. They even feature in the background of every important scene throughout the book. In this odd situation, we meet a sad man who lost his job and his best friend at almost the same time. He follows it up with a need to protect the family the friend left behind. We have a handful of characters who make up most of the story, but each is their own brand of weird. Although this book is labelled a mystery, I saw it play out more like a drama with the emotional bonds between the various characters, causing different things to happen the way they did. Since the focus was so much on the people and their idiosyncrasies, I never even saw the twist coming, and when it did, I did not even treat it as one. The back and forth in time, however, was a little confusing and disorienting sometimes; otherwise, I would have liked the book even more.
Overall, this is a very different read and a reasonably quick one. If the blurb even sounds remotely interesting, I would recommend picking it up.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
As mentioned earlier, the first chapter or so focuses on Hogs and the problem they are creating in a small town. They are eating crops, amongst other things, and destroying property due to their size and numbers. People have been free reign to trap and kill them as necessary. They even feature in the background of every important scene throughout the book. In this odd situation, we meet a sad man who lost his job and his best friend at almost the same time. He follows it up with a need to protect the family the friend left behind. We have a handful of characters who make up most of the story, but each is their own brand of weird. Although this book is labelled a mystery, I saw it play out more like a drama with the emotional bonds between the various characters, causing different things to happen the way they did. Since the focus was so much on the people and their idiosyncrasies, I never even saw the twist coming, and when it did, I did not even treat it as one. The back and forth in time, however, was a little confusing and disorienting sometimes; otherwise, I would have liked the book even more.
Overall, this is a very different read and a reasonably quick one. If the blurb even sounds remotely interesting, I would recommend picking it up.
I received an ARC thanks to NetGalley and the publishers, but the review is entirely based on my own reading experience.
January 10, 2020
Author Heather Harper Ellett takes on a dark, yet comedic scenic route in her debut novel set in East Texas. Ain't Nobody Nobody introduces us to Randy Mayhill who was forced into retirement and lost everything of importance to him after a scandal takes place, his best friend's family (Birdie and Onie) and a cast of supporting characters that bring this quiet East Texas tale to life.
It all begins with the discovery of an unidentified man dead on his best friend's property. Mayhill, being the "man of the law" that he was, took control of the situation and sets out to solve the case. I chuckled at his indignation at being treated like "the public" during his initial inquiries. The author did a good job of creating tension and grabbing my attention early on in the story. Ellett continued to take the reader on a tension-filled ride until the end by adding humor, and drama with twists and turns to keep you interested in this mystery within a mystery.
Other than the few times that I thought it got a little bit wordy (i.e. describing how to access Mayhill's or Van's land), overall, I enjoyed this read. There was something about his shield of gruffness that will endear Mayhill to you.
It all begins with the discovery of an unidentified man dead on his best friend's property. Mayhill, being the "man of the law" that he was, took control of the situation and sets out to solve the case. I chuckled at his indignation at being treated like "the public" during his initial inquiries. The author did a good job of creating tension and grabbing my attention early on in the story. Ellett continued to take the reader on a tension-filled ride until the end by adding humor, and drama with twists and turns to keep you interested in this mystery within a mystery.
Other than the few times that I thought it got a little bit wordy (i.e. describing how to access Mayhill's or Van's land), overall, I enjoyed this read. There was something about his shield of gruffness that will endear Mayhill to you.
November 7, 2019
Good job, Heather Harper Ellett. Lots of fun to read, with great quirky characters and fascinating local color. Definitely will look for more fromthis author.
September 30, 2019
This is a great murder mystery. It has a gritty style which creates a really vivid story. I would highly recommend to fans of darker literature but it wasn't quite my cup of tea.
November 2, 2019
Slow beginning but a very satisfying ending. The writer definitely captured east Texans, and I know, because I am one!
January 9, 2020
Spanning a realistic timeline and told in multiple yet seamless parts and perspectives, this is a slow-burning story with a deeply-rooted mystery that screams rural East Texas. Everything from the dialogue, monologues, settings, and description sets the tone and never lets you forget exactly where you are. But don't let the idea that because it takes place in some backwood country location fool you into thinking these characters are bumpkins and there's nothing really going on. They're clever, intensely guarded, and carry an edge that's razor sharp. Whether they're your neighbors, your friends, or from your very own family, we can all recognize someone like them, making this story come alive off the page. And the moment that reveals the meaning *of the book's title...absolute perfection!
"She angrily pecked Bradley's number into the keypad again because she was Van's daughter after all, and an order to stop was always an invitation to keep going."
Life is tough here, especially if you choose to hang around the wrong people, and even then, keeping to yourself can lead to problems. Everything is very much in the shades of gray, and this story paints a beautiful picture of that reality. All that gray has a way of making the world seem foggy, hazy, muddled, and in much the same way that these characters can see no way out, that gripping sense of being stuck grabs a hold of the reader and doesn't let go until the final reveal. As conclusions draw near, there is a wave of hope that breaks through to shine on one of the most beautiful endings I have read in quite a while.
"Revenge was for scorned ex-wives and small town football teams."
The humor is dark, witty, filled with snark, and I loved every minute of it! I am also in love with the author's writing style. Every word is carefully selected to craft rich detail, creating a work of art that is neither excessive nor terse. Cadence, diction, and rhythm matter as well! When combined, the phrasing and flow of the writing begs for this book to be read aloud! I'm not generally an audiobook listener, but I would love to hear this one when it becomes available. For all of its literary merits, this is also an absolutely fantastic call back to more traditional mystery storytelling. Christie, Hammett, Highsmith, even Hitchcock! No guts, gore, sex, or swearing * . Simply a fantastic story filled with entertaining and heartfelt characters that will evoke strong emotions and is easily recommendable to any reader.
There is magic between these pages, and I can't wait to read what the author has in store next! What a phenomenal way to start the new year! Eight days in and I've already found a favorite for the year!
*After some feedback, reviewing of passages that I had considered for pull-quotes, and the author's own acknowledgement at the end, I realized that there is in fact cussing. BUT...these words were used so naturally within the dialogue that it was not unlike a conversation you might hear everyday. It was never gratuitous in my opinion, and I read books with A LOT of unnecessary cussing that adds nothing to the story. It says a lot to me that I was able to breeze through that language, but perhaps it is worth mentioning just in case this is a deal breaker for you. I hope it won't be because this is a story that needed to be told and well worth your time to read!
January 9, 2020
Disclaimer: This review is solely my opinion. I was provided a copy of this book from Lone Star Literary Life partner in exchange for my honest review. The comments in this review do not reflect the views of the author or the publisher. The copies used in those are finalized copies sent to me in exchange for my honest review. #partner #LSBBT
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the way it is written. I have not encountered a book quite like it recently. It is known from the first page that the author spent time working to develop each character and the storyline. It is a challenge to write a story in a way that allows the reader to build an emotional connection with the characters but this author did just that. You feel the grief, guilt, loss, regret, pain, emanating from each page. Each main character and supporting character’s story intertwines in such an effortless way that every character feels just as vital as the next. For example, we get a hint of Bradley’s backstory in parts of this novel but it just enough to understand his connection to the plot. Also, I was completely shocked at the ending and was not expecting it. The author does a superb job closing out this story in such a way that it still leaves you wanting more. I laughed at the end because I could not have seen this story ending in any other way.
This book will have you laughing, crying, gasping, and shocked all in one sitting. If you're looking for a unique Texas read that will have you enveloped from the beginning try to solve a small-town mystery, then this is your book. It will capture your attention from start to finish. I highly recommend this Texas-based murder mystery for any interested in a tragically humorous adult mystery that will have you captured from the beginning.
You can head over to my blog for the full review, purchase links, and access to enter a giveaway. Libraries Book Adventures
I thoroughly enjoyed this book and the way it is written. I have not encountered a book quite like it recently. It is known from the first page that the author spent time working to develop each character and the storyline. It is a challenge to write a story in a way that allows the reader to build an emotional connection with the characters but this author did just that. You feel the grief, guilt, loss, regret, pain, emanating from each page. Each main character and supporting character’s story intertwines in such an effortless way that every character feels just as vital as the next. For example, we get a hint of Bradley’s backstory in parts of this novel but it just enough to understand his connection to the plot. Also, I was completely shocked at the ending and was not expecting it. The author does a superb job closing out this story in such a way that it still leaves you wanting more. I laughed at the end because I could not have seen this story ending in any other way.
This book will have you laughing, crying, gasping, and shocked all in one sitting. If you're looking for a unique Texas read that will have you enveloped from the beginning try to solve a small-town mystery, then this is your book. It will capture your attention from start to finish. I highly recommend this Texas-based murder mystery for any interested in a tragically humorous adult mystery that will have you captured from the beginning.
You can head over to my blog for the full review, purchase links, and access to enter a giveaway. Libraries Book Adventures
January 13, 2020
I really enjoyed this debut novel from Ellett, although I'm not certain how I'd classify it! It's a murder mystery but more than that, it's a character piece - one of the biggest characters being the Texas countryside. The main (human) character is Randy Mayhill, a disgraced lawman that I wasn't sure I liked until his dogs confirmed that he was, in fact, quite endearing, albeit a bit lost after the death of his best friend. Mayhill is messy, for sure, but he has a new mission to protect his late friend's daughter and mother. (The daughter, Birdie, and the well-meaning farmhand, Bradley, were probably my favorite characters, which was surprising, as I don't normally care for teen characters. However, these two were richly done without being obnoxious, overly innocent, or dumber than can be believed.)
As Mayhill stumbles around town, trying to figure out why a dead man was on Birdie's land, he keeps running headlong into his own past. It's all made worse by the small Texas town, where everyone is in everyone else's business. It makes you almost uncomfortable, but only because it feels so authentic. The actual mystery and plot is fairly easily figured out in broad strokes, but the enjoyment was seeing how each character comes to the realization of what happened. The ending was satisfying and fitting for what had come before.
While I usually prefer plot-driven books, the characters in this novel were so powerful that I became wholly invested in their fate. The characters are authentic, not just 3 dimensional people, but as Texans and as small town residents. Ellett has her voice and her atmosphere nailed down, and I will definitely look forward to seeing more from her.
As Mayhill stumbles around town, trying to figure out why a dead man was on Birdie's land, he keeps running headlong into his own past. It's all made worse by the small Texas town, where everyone is in everyone else's business. It makes you almost uncomfortable, but only because it feels so authentic. The actual mystery and plot is fairly easily figured out in broad strokes, but the enjoyment was seeing how each character comes to the realization of what happened. The ending was satisfying and fitting for what had come before.
While I usually prefer plot-driven books, the characters in this novel were so powerful that I became wholly invested in their fate. The characters are authentic, not just 3 dimensional people, but as Texans and as small town residents. Ellett has her voice and her atmosphere nailed down, and I will definitely look forward to seeing more from her.
December 8, 2019
Originally published on my blog: Nonstop Reader.
Ain't Nobody Nobody is a remarkably promising debut novel from Heather Harper Ellett. Released 24th Sept 2019 by Polis Books, it's 320 pages and available in hardcover and ebook formats.
This novel's southern gothic Texas tragicomedy is hung on a skeleton of a murder mystery around whose gravity vortex swirls a potent mix of family, redemption, guilt, poverty, ignorance, pride, drugs, corruption, and small town East Texas life. The reviewers who have likened it to Breaking Bad meets Joe Lansdale with a touch of Faulkner are spot on.
For some (scheduling) reasons this book kept getting shoved around in my reviewing queue and I missed reviewing it at release. I sat down this weekend and read it start to finish and found it funny, sad, nostalgic, and human. The characters are well written and flawed and remain in character throughout. The plot drew me in from the beginning, and developed slowly but inevitably. The language and situations are rough in places, but not gratuitous.
This is a well written, intelligent, and engaging narrative, well delivered. It certainly doesn't read like a debut novel.
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
Ain't Nobody Nobody is a remarkably promising debut novel from Heather Harper Ellett. Released 24th Sept 2019 by Polis Books, it's 320 pages and available in hardcover and ebook formats.
This novel's southern gothic Texas tragicomedy is hung on a skeleton of a murder mystery around whose gravity vortex swirls a potent mix of family, redemption, guilt, poverty, ignorance, pride, drugs, corruption, and small town East Texas life. The reviewers who have likened it to Breaking Bad meets Joe Lansdale with a touch of Faulkner are spot on.
For some (scheduling) reasons this book kept getting shoved around in my reviewing queue and I missed reviewing it at release. I sat down this weekend and read it start to finish and found it funny, sad, nostalgic, and human. The characters are well written and flawed and remain in character throughout. The plot drew me in from the beginning, and developed slowly but inevitably. The language and situations are rough in places, but not gratuitous.
This is a well written, intelligent, and engaging narrative, well delivered. It certainly doesn't read like a debut novel.
Five stars.
Disclosure: I received an ARC at no cost from the author/publisher for review purposes.
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