Mama Stalks the Past

Mama Detective #5

by Nora DeLoach

When my mama receives an angry visit from Nat Mixon, she learns some startling news. Nat's mother and Mama's neighbor, spiteful recluse Hannah Mixon, has just died--and left a large parcel of land to Mama! Nat is convinced Mama stole his inheritance, and to save her reputation, Mama's determined to find out why Hannah named her in her will. And when it turns out Hannah was murdered, Mama needs to find more answers. With the help of three notorious local gossips--and me--Mama uncovers a long, bloody history of greed and family betrayal connected to the land Mama's inherited. And unless she discovers the truth about this plot of land, it may become her burial plot....

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, African American, Southern

272 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published January 1, 1997

About the author

Nora Deloach was a mystery writer. Spent much of her career as social worker; worked professionally in Hampton, SC; moved back to Orlando and then to Atlanta, GA; wrote first novel, Silas, 1991 (published 1993); wrote Mama Solves a Murder, first book in Mama series, 1994; four books in series published by Holloway House, 1994-97; signed to Bantam Books, 1997; first Bantam Mama mystery, Mama Stalks the Past, published 1998; four Mama books published by Bantam, 1998-2001.

Awards: Gold Pen Award nominee, Black Writers Alliance, 2001; twice nominated as Georgia Author of the Year.

Reviews

[Kim G. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Enjoyable read Candi solving another crime in Otis South Caroline, with her daughter by her side Simone. Its just right kind of a mystery to me. Felt very real, especially when Simone has to ask for vacation time from work to help her mama solve a crime. The late Nora Deloach writing is just perfect for these cozy mysteries series. Candi, who is so respectable and treats people, all the same, you can't help but love her and see why all the townspeople love her also. I love how Mama (Candi-know for her golden complexion) is always dropping knowledge to her daughter Simone. The food Candi makes sounds so good makes me hungry. Its a laid back read the characters are all engaging, especially the three town gossipers Sarah Jenkins, Carrie Smalls, and Annie Mae Gregory are so comical.

[Marty · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mama had lived next to Hannah Mixon for years, but Hanna would have nothing to do with Mama. When Hannah’s son Nat pays an angry visit to Mama and accuses her of murdering Hanna, Mama is surprised --- but not half as surprised as when Mama finds out that Hanna had given her 250 acres of prime land in her will. The town gossips would have a field day with that information when they found out. Can Mama solve the murder before the will is probated?

[Donna’s Book Addiction · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book easily ranks as an easy entertaining read with not too much fluff to slow you down. The plot is good however, in my opinion, there's just not enough of it. The three gossiping ladies are a comical element to the story. I would read her other books in the series, they make for light, quick entertainment.

Don't read this series on an empty stomach -- all that talk about Mama's big dinners will make you hungry.

[Fabienne · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this as a part of the Read Harder Challenge.

I enjoyed the writing style and the story. it was a quick read, but didn't feel rushed. I don't know how the author pulled off such a complete story in 200 pages. It was well done.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

This was a great book. Just what I needed after finishing the previous drama filled book, The Girl Who Was Taken. I loved that the author had tons of descriptions of the characters and setting, so it was really easy to visualize everything.

[Rene · Rating 5 out of 5]

Best read Eva!

[Barbara Kurtz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I chose this book as an escape and it didn’t disappoint. It is a compelling whodunit with delightful characters. I could almost smell the food cooking in Mama’s kitchen.

[Betsy · Rating 1 out of 5]

Poorly written. Had to finish to find out "who dunnit".

[Dharia Scarab · Rating 4 out of 5]

Since I don't normally write reviews unless I have something specific to say, here's the break down of how I rate my books...

1 star... This book was bad, so bad I may have given up and skipped to the end. I will avoid this author like the plague in the future.

2 stars... This book was not very good, and I won't be reading any more from the author.

3 stars... This book was ok, but I won't go out of my way to read more, But if I find another book by the author for under a dollar I'd pick it up.

4 stars... I really enjoyed this book and will definitely be on the look out to pick up more from the series/author.

5 stars... I loved this book! It has earned a permanent home in my collection and I'll be picking up the rest of the series and other books from the author ASAP.

[Nikki · Rating 3 out of 5]

A very enjoyable book featuring African-American amateur sleuths Mama (Candi Covington) and her daughter Simone, a paralegal. In this series entry, Candi is willed land by her neighbor -- a reclusive woman she didn't really know. Then it turns out that the neighbor was murdered, and the plot begins to thicken. Southern small-town atmosphere, luscious descriptions of Mama's cooking, and the Covington family's loving spirit made this a very nice cozy read with a plot centering on family history.

[George · Rating 2 out of 5]

Murder mystery with Candi Covington set in a small South Carolina town. The narrator is Simone who is Candi's daughter making Candi the "Mama" of the story. Candi finds herself involved in people dying over a piece of property and works to fine out who is responsible. The story is a little slow moving and a lot of Simone's focus for the first half or so is on her boy friend who she wants to spend more time with, but is unable to.

[Karen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good book, I think I have read at least 1 other in this series about an African-American woman in a small town in the past. I wish I could have some of the recipes for the food they talk about - pumpkin pecan pound cake, doesn't that sound good?

[Kimberlyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

relaxing read; enjoyable characters with some twists of plot

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really like the characters. Always want to know more about them. :)

[Sandra · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was a fun read. Quick, funny, and the food made me want to eat constantly!