The Redneck Detective Agency / The Redneck Detective Agency (ePub)

The title seems to say it all about this private-eye mystery set on Alabama's Elk River. But not quite. The Redneck Detective Agency isn't a detective agency at all (later it fulfills its own destiny). And its proprietor, fifty-five year old Rusty Clay, asserts he is no redneck. His old friend and new lover, Gloria Davenport, begs to differ. Rusty has married and divorced the same woman three times, makes his own whiskey and dynamite, and as a kid grabbled (catch with one's bare hands) a catfish greater than his own body weight.

When Rusty is accosted by a mysterious man with five thousand dollars in cash to find out who stole his two hundred fourteen pound catfish, the story begins. Complications arise when news of the big man's death appears in the local paper. Rusty estimates himself to be last person to see this rich owner of a catfish restaurant chain alive.

If that's not complicated enough, the surgeon fiancée of Rusty's ex-wife is blown up in a classic two-seater Mercedes. Rusty knows he has to stay out of jail long enough to find out who weighs in a two hundred fourteen pound catfish at the annual catfish grabbling rodeo on Elk River-because that is the real multiple murderer, Rusty is sure.

The title seems to say it all. But not quite. Fifty-five year old Rusty Clay does not claim to be a detective, though his office door says otherwise. He says he is no redneck, though his longtime friend Gloria Davenport asserts otherwise.

Not being a detective changes when a big man walks into Rusty's office and insists he find his two hundred fourteen pound catfish. Five thousand dollars cash asserts this is no joke. And he wants it found so he can win first place in the annual grabbling (catching a catfish with one's bare hands) rodeo.

Before Rusty decides to take the case or not, the catfish man ends up dead and the surgeon fiancé of Rusty's ex-wife is blown up in his Mercedes.

With the help of his old friend and new lover, Gloria, Rusty knows he must find the true killer of what he believes is a double homicide or he's going to be on trial for a murder.

Rusty is surrounded by a large group of colorful friends: Cousin Ray, his sidekick. Duane, his old buddy who is now a professional bass fisherman. Brother-in-law Sammy Reese, the local no-nonsense District Attorney. Aunt Essie, his ninety-five year old quasi-psychic cousin, and her pet monkey Herman. Ex-wife Jenny, who has gone on to realtor success. Al Bolton, Gloria's ex, who is handsome, charming and has not only a mysterious past but also a nineteen year old girlfriend. And of course there is Gloria, owner of Davenport Marina, a café, and an RV park. Those facts and her past make her the queen of Elk River.

This is the first novel in A Redneck Detective Mystery series.

The novel wallows in backwater river subcultures and Southern gothic humor.

The Redneck Detective Agency is the start of a trilogy (or more). The subsequent two volumes The Elk River Blues and Gothic Gray may soon be found at my PQM Books.