This is the second Mace Bauer mystery. The setting is in central Florida and features a family of four women. Mama, the drama queen, is engaged to her fifth beau. Maddie, the oldest daughter, is married and works as a middle school principal. Mace, the middle daughter, is a single woman more comfortable with animals than people and works outdoors with animals . Marty, the youngest daughter, is married and works as a librarian. Lawton Bramble, one of the ranchers who allowed the riders to camp on his land planned on providing vats of his famous Cow Hunter Chili before he died unexpectantly while preparing it. His much younger wife finds him just before the Mauer family arrived. Mace, considered a sleuth, since she helped investigate a murder the year before. Mace is certain it was murder even though the man's personal physician states it was natural causes. Mace sets out to find out the truth, which puts her immediate family in peril from someone who doesn't want her pursuing her line of questioning.Mace and her family suffered near fatal accidents on the trail ride. But in the end Mace's determination leads her to discover the truth about Lawton Bramble's death after all! This was a good read. Don't tell Carl Hiaasen, but Mama has quickly become my favorite Florida character. Deborah Sharp's second book places Mama on a six-day cattle ride with her daughters. When an ex-beau suddenly dies the mis-adventure of being around Mama ensues. I LOVE that this is set far away from the beaches and neon of Miami, in rural Florida. The fictional town of Himmarshee is a side of Florida that people should read about. This is a great read that will have you picking up the next book in the series, Mama Gets Hitched.
What do You think about Mama Rides Shotgun (2009)?
This was a light funny mystery. Very enjoyable.
—shyantwin
