Kirkus Style Review

Miss Ruffles Inherits Everything

By Nancy Martin

What happens when the heir to a large fortune turns out to be an ornery Texas cur?  Meet Miss Ruffles, the richest dog in town!

For Sunny McKellip, a transplanted Yankee, Mule Stop, Texas takes some getting used to. “I felt as if I’d landed from another planet. I still do. Texas has that effect on people.” Unfortunately, Sunny is left with scarce time to adjust to rodeos, gun toting locals and the saccharin sweet ladies of the garden club. Soon after accepting a position as assistant to the colorful and flamboyant Honeybelle Hensley, Sunny finds herself attempting to solve the mystery of Honey’s suspicious death. Honeybelle had spread her wealth to many, though not all, of her Mule Stop neighbors finding themselves in dire straits and there is a list of possible suspects. However, more surprising than the circumstances of her mysterious death are the circumstances of her will, which leaves the bulk of her fortune to her beloved dog, Miss Ruffles, a Texas cur who often exhibits a ‘mischievous’ spirit, to say the least. Based on the list of those she has bitten, Miss Ruffles also appears to be a good judge of character. Honeybelle’s wealth tended to invite human nature at its best and at its worst. Should Sunny, Mae Mae the cook, and Mr. Carver, the valet, take good care of Miss Ruffles for one year, each will inherit one million dollars. Sunny, considered an outsider as a result of her Yankee status as well as her role as Miss Ruffles’ guardian, now faces the daunting task of solving Honeybelle’s murder while attempting to keep Miss Ruffles out of danger. A list of colorful, albeit somewhat stereotypical characters including a smooth talking Texas lawyer add flavor to the story. Surprising twists in the story will keep the reader guessing till the very end. 

Nancy Martin, author of the popular Blackbird Sisters mysteries, has not disappointed her fans in her latest mystery. For readers who enjoy their mysteries with a large dose of southern charm and a very small dose of blood and gore, this one will surely satisfy.