Bundled on the couch and watching the snowfall outside, I am glad I packed a Florida author in my bag. Deborah Sharps’ first murder mystery, Mama Does Time, takes place in the mythical town of Himmarshee just north of Lake Okeechobee. The story takes place during the summer, and reading about hot, humid, and mosquito-infested swamps warms me up on this windy, cold, and snowy day in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan.
Mama works in the local beauty shop, and her specialties are aromatherapy and matching patrons with the proper colors for their complexions and personalities. She is also working on husband four or five, but who is counting. She has three daughters by husband number one, and they are quite the characters.
Mace, Maddie, and Marty are appalled; their Mama has been arrested for murder. Just because the body happened to have been found in Mama’s trunk does not mean she had anything to do with it, and they are out to prove her innocence. Mace is a bit of a tomboy, and works as park ranger. Maddie is a middle school principal, and Marty is the local librarian.
Mace is the main protagonist, and finds herself in many predicaments. Her house is burglarized, her car is rear-ended dumping her in the swamp, and she has adventures with raccoons and a one-eyed alligator. She also has numerous close encounters of the romantic kind, but someone is always interrupting. She seems to like the Cuban hunk of a detective transferred from Miami, but he did put Mama in jail. Her former high school boyfriend, the handsome and charming rodeo star with the tight fitting pants is trying to rekindle the flame. Mace finds herself tempted even though he did break her heart by cheating on her, and he may be the murderer.
Mama Does Time is an easy read with lots of humor, and small town flavor. Sharp is a native Floridian, and reporter for the USA Today. This is her first book. The edition I read had some typos, but overall the book is enjoyable and a good read. She wraps the story up nicely, and doesn’t leave the reader with any loose ends.
Bruce G. Smith 12/29/2009