Jackie Lynn Down by the Riverside

Down by the Riverside

Jackie Lynn

St. Martin's, Jun 2006, $24.95

ISBN 0312352301

Leaving behind a philandering husband with a full refrigerator and his much younger woman in North Carolina, Rose Franklin (dropping her married name) buys a camper and sets off for Arizona. However, she has some vehicle trouble so she stops in West Memphis, Arkansas, staying at the Shady Grove Campground, until repairs can be made.

The locals greet her with the news that the highly regarded undertaker, Lawrence Franklin V committed suicide three days before Rose parked her camper. Rose hears more tales about the late Lawrence and the four generations of Franklins that preceded him. She begins to doubt that the man killed himself especially since he was reportedly excited about research he was doing into a slave cemetery. Unable to resist, Rose decides it is time for her to give back to these caring people and uncover the truth, but will learn much more especially about her inner self than just how and why number five died.

DOWN BY THE RIVERSIDE is a delightful whodunit that is more of a coming of age (middle age that is) character study in which the amateur sleuth learns just who she is. The story line is fun to follow as the eccentric local flavor adds spice to Rose's personal discover of self-actualization. Though occasionally the tale turns discordantly flowery, Jackie Lynn provides a deep Mississippi mystery starring a likable woman who starts to obtain a sense of achievement, redemption, and worth.

Harriet Klausner