Murder mystery in rural Idaho (kinda sexist and formulaic) ( )

If you're the type of mystery reader who sometimes prefers your murders to be served up with a smile-- and if you're caught up with all of Craig Johnson's Longmire books-- let me recommend Patrick McManus's Sheriff Bo Tully series. They don't necessarily have to be read in order, but some of the characters and events might be a bit clearer to you if you do.

Sheriff Bo Tully is a man who always has an eye for the ladies, and for the most part the ladies of Blight County have just as much fun as Bo does. But Bo is really a crime-solving natural who uses his in-depth knowledge of the area and its inhabitants to close his cases. His investigations often delve into the history of the area a little as well, which brings a bit of the Old West into the story.

As in other books in the series, Bo tends to be a couple of steps ahead of readers and the other characters in The Tamarack Murders, something that usually annoys me in other mysteries, but it doesn't here. Bo is one savvy sheriff, and it quickly becomes apparent that his attempts to remain those two steps ahead are mostly to prevent any harm from coming to his team.

Down-home humor plays an important part in the book, and a little old lady named Vera steals the show from Bo. Her scenes alone are well worth reading the book.

If you like mysteries that are light, fun, and quirky from first page to last, I think it's time you introduced yourself to Bo. But be warned: if you're female, this here sheriff is a dyed-in-the-wool lady's man. ( )

Bo tracks down bank robbers along with the FBI agent. Plot was a bit weak - there weren't any options for other suspects! Not his best in the series. ( )

“The Tamarack Murders” by Patrick F. McManus is one of the Bo Tully Mystery Series. I thought I would enjoy this book because McManus is supposed to be a writer who invokes a sense of humor in his books. I DO love a good murder mystery, but this was not a good murder mystery and I think I missed the humor.

I’m sorry to say that, but there were so many characters written into this story that I had a hard time following. Also the book was super short which in my mind didn’t give the novelist time to flesh out the story enough to entice me to read this book word for word. I must admit that I began skimming the pages just to be through with it.

I would not recommend purchasing this book. It was not at all a book that I would lend anyone along with a good review. I received a free print copy of this book in return for my honest review from the publisher, Skyhorse Publishing, Inc. and Night Owl Reviews. The opinions expressed here are my own.

You can read this review on my blog at http://wp.me/p2pjIt-5h ( )