Restored to Death: A Judge Jackson Crain Mystery

Restored to Death introduces Jackson Crain, a widowed county judge who lives with his delightfully idiosyncratic thirteen-year-old daughter.

When his deceased wife’s sister is bludgeoned to death, and her husband, Ron Hughes, is accused of the crime, the judge decides to assist the investigation. Things do not look good for Ron, who is rumored to be having an affair with the red-haired waitress at the town’s only cafe.

Soon a young vagrant girl is discovered: she has been bludgeoned to death, too. As Judge Crain explores further, he is surprised to find a possible connection between the murdered girl and a new woman in town whom he finds attractive.

Full of quirky characters like the gossip-laden ladies down at the Knitter’s Nook, Restored to Death is the start of another top-notch series from Nancy Bell.