Sissy Fletcher, the Preacher's daughter, disappeared 10 years ago but her body is found by some men digging a well.

The Sheriff knows that he isn't the brightest investigator and it's been made clear that he better solve this case or there will be a different name on the ballot for sheriff in the next election. He asks ex-ranger Jeremy Spur for help. Jeremy has only been retired for six months but needs something to get his mind off the sadness of his daughter's impending death from cancer.

Martin Fletcher, the Preacher's son is a redneck estremist. He and his friend Dud Hughes rob a liquor store as practice for robbing something bigger. Complications occur and he and Dud kill the young black man who is managing the store and the man's mother who came to drive him home.

The best cop in the town is Clyde Thomas, a black deputy who was a former Dallas policeman. He, Jeremiah and Clyde's girlfriend, assistant district attorney Sonya Nichols team up to solve the case.

The story is told with humor and empathy for the way of life in a small Texas town that has suffered for years from epidimic blackmail, illicit sex, bigotry and dirty politics.

Hime writes a story that brings the reader into the setting as if the reader was sitting on a park bench outside the town courthouse watching the events unfold.

There is rich character development. Jeremiah Spur is an excellent protagonist in the silent but strong Texan type and Clyde reminded me of the early Sidney Poittier in the 1967 movie, "In the Heat of the Night" with his strong, prideful manner and professionalism.

Recommended. ( )