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Kelly Dean Jolley
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Big Swamp Kindle Edition

by Kelly Dean Jolley (Author), Janet Taylor (Illustrator), Ellen Pickels (Editor), Format: Kindle Edition
4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 51 ratings
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A Private Eye in a One-Eyed Place?

Ford Merrick is a softhearted detective in a sleepy southern town, Opelika, Alabama—a “one-eyed, blinking sort of place.” A provoking visit from beautiful Rachel Gunner complicates his work and his life. This stunning woman asks Ford to tail her uncle and discover what he is up to. Taking the case, Ford quickly finds himself swamped in mysteries: Who is Rachel's uncle, and what is his secret business? Then there’s the mystery of an earlier death at Noble Hall where Rachel and her uncle now live. But the greatest mystery may be Rachel Gunner herself. Mired, Ford struggles to find his way, unearths tragedies old and new, and exposes his heart to a hard test.

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  1. Print length
    300 pages
  2. Language
    English
  3. Sticky notes
    On Kindle Scribe
  4. Publication date
    August 11, 2022
  5. File size
    3404 KB
  6. Page Flip
    Enabled
  7. Word Wise
    Enabled
  8. Enhanced typesetting
    Enabled
  9. See all details
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Product details

  • ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0B8FR8X1G
  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Meryton Press (August 11, 2022)
  • Publication date ‏ : ‎ August 11, 2022
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • File size ‏ : ‎ 3404 KB
  • Text-to-Speech ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Screen Reader ‏ : ‎ Supported
  • Enhanced typesetting ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • X-Ray ‏ : ‎ Not Enabled
  • Word Wise ‏ : ‎ Enabled
  • Sticky notes ‏ : ‎ On Kindle Scribe
  • Print length ‏ : ‎ 300 pages
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.9 4.9 out of 5 stars 51 ratings

About the author

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Kelly Dean Jolley

Kelly Dean Jolley

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Kelly Dean Jolley is the Goodwin-Philpott Professor of Religion and Philosophy at Auburn University

Customer reviews

4.9 out of 5 stars
4.9 out of 5
51 global ratings

Top reviews from the United States

Tom from St. Louis
5.0 out of 5 stars Love and mystery at its best!
Reviewed in the United States on November 2, 2022
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I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book about Ford Merrick, a detective living in the Deep South in Opelika, Alabama. The story is told primarily from his point of view, and is infused with his sharp observations and keen wit. While reading the story, I was inclined to turn the air conditioning on in the house even though it is not needed at this time of year. The steam rolling off the pages was caused both by the Alabama pervasive heat as well as the smoldering heat between Ford Merrick and his new client Rachel.

The book is entertaining as the characters grow and relationships develop. But beyond that, it is a first class mystery novel as Ford Merrick is pursuing some questionable disappearances and deaths from the past. Rachel's past is a mystery as well, making Merrick's head spin The story winds itself around the central mystery, and the at the conclusion all the mysteries have been solved including some that weren't even known to be mysteries.

I strongly recommend this to anyone who enjoys a good mystery coupled with the challenges of falling in love.
One person found this helpful
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G. Champlin
5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent read
Reviewed in the United States on August 14, 2022
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There are a myriad of reasons why I enjoyed this book so well as to rate it 5 stars. In the first place, I lived in Opelika years ago and the author does an excellent job of paying homage to this town that is too large to be “sleepy”, yet small enough to move slowly. Jolley portrays the entire surrounding area accurately and gives the reader a solid feel for his detective’s stomping grounds.
Secondly, the characters in the story draw the reader in completely. Ford Merrick is endearing more than tough ---though he shows he can be somewhat tough. He’s very eloquent but more so in his head. It’s charming to see him stumble over words at times when he’s so articulate and descriptive in his head. And there are times when he’s eloquent out loud, too, and that is even more charming. Merrick is smart but doesn’t always give that away, and it’s amusing to watch people underestimate him. He’s a very likeable and believable character. But Jolley gives us more than the detective to appreciate. He paints characters first with a broad brush but comes back later and refines the details so that in many cases you feel like you’re living in this town, having known these people all your life.
Jolley brings us a detective story that pokes gentle fun at detective stories, while at the same time honoring the genre. His plot seems straightforward, but then it winds around and at times surprises. And it’s believable once you get there. I always enjoy a detective story that keeps me guessing. In Big Swamp, the reader may guess some of it, and Jolley provides all the information needed to figure it out without spoon feeding it, but there’s still room for surprise.
I am looking forward to re-reading this story. Even though I know now what happens, the language in this novel has captured my attention. There are many pithy turns of phrase and excellent references throughout. It’s a joy to read and should a sequel be published, I’ll be the first in line to get it!
5 people found this helpful
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Lonny K Johnson
5.0 out of 5 stars You will feel the heat.
Reviewed in the United States on October 4, 2022
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To be clear, Mr. Jolley and I have traded a dozen or so emails concerning philosophical content in writing. He is the head of the Philosophy Department at Auburn University and has a deep knowledge of both philosophy and religion.

This book is a bit of a throwback to the noir novels and the hardboiled detectives of the mid 20TH Century. Though he describes himself as a "soft boiled detective" at his core Ford Merrick has all the qualities of Spade, Marlowe, and Hammer. He treats the law as a guideline, not a rigid boundary, instead allowing his own personal code to guide him to do what is right. He is unflinching in the face of danger. He is eager to help those who need him, without worrying too much about the money. He is "soft boiled" because he is slow to throw a punch and doesn't habitually carry a gun. The author builds his tale slowly, mixing small town mores, budding romance, and personal relationships, allowing them to simmer in the oppressive heat and humidity of Auburn/Opelika Alabama. Ford has two new cases, looking into a possible con game and checking into the death of the town's wealthy, eccentric Southern Belle to see if it really was natural causes. As the story twists and turns the two mysteries seem converge. Is it all one case? What twisted mund or minds hide beneath the surface if the Big Swamp? This is really an excellent, stylish mystery, well worth your time.
One person found this helpful
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Susan Andrews
5.0 out of 5 stars Captures the South to Sweaty Perfection
Reviewed in the United States on September 5, 2022
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A wry Alabama PI spins a first-person tale about a case so noir that you can almost hear Humphrey Bogart narrating it. A long-legged blonde walks into his office, see...and, well, yes, we DO see immediately that she could have the smitten gentleman's liver for breakfast if she wished and he would happily offer her a side of toast as she eviscerated him. But is Rachel Gunner a true femme fatale or just a great looking gal who's misunderstood...by a whole town? Therein lies the tale and it keeps us guessing to the end.

While the mystery is solid and pulls us along from zig to zag, the most fun of this tale for me was Jolley's spot on description of the South. The truly infernal, inescapably humid heat of the place that no amount of superb barbecue can eradicate from memory, Jolley has lived it and it shows. Pour yourself a glass of sweet tea and enjoy the clever tone of this story. Betcha purty that you'll like it.
3 people found this helpful
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B. Anderson
5.0 out of 5 stars Delightful Local Detail and Characters
Reviewed in the United States on October 1, 2022
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Fun read that pulled me further and further in as the pages flew. Local detail was delicious and the characters were delightful. If the author wishes to pen a sequel, I’m ready.
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War Eagle Reader
5.0 out of 5 stars I recommend!
Reviewed in the United States on September 9, 2022
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If you like detective mystery novels: that, mention local landmarks from around Auburn and Opelika; that, include fun twists and turns; that, keep you in suspense; that, are written by local authors; that, are well written with plot and character lines; and, that, are just plain fun to read…check out “Big Swamp.” I finished it last night and highly recommend it!
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Thomas Hannahan
5.0 out of 5 stars An exciting mystery with delightful wordplay!
Reviewed in the United States on March 26, 2023
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I love a good plot twist, and this book has many, but what I really adored were the puns and double meanings Kelly works in constantly! As an Auburn alum, this book also made me very nostalgic, and at one point, it had me craving a burger from Shelia Cs. I hear a sequel is coming out around Christmas—I can’t wait to read it.
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