The Odds of Getting Even by Sheila Turnage (review)

Mo LoBeau and her Desperado Detective Agency (including best bud Dale and newer pal Harm) are back again with another quirky tale of mystery and intrigue. This story picks up just after The Ghosts of Tupelo Landing (BCCB 3/14) ends, with Dale’s no-’count daddy, Macon Johnson, about to go on trial for his role in the kidnapping of Mo’s beloved guardians, Miss Lana and the Colonel. At the last minute the accused escapes, and a series of robberies and an attempted murder (of Lavender, Dale’s big brother and Mo’s crush) ensue, all of which point to the on-the-lam Macon; but is he the real criminal at work here? Dale is the only one clear-eyed enough to see the truth, that Macon is being framed, although Mo and Harm come around by the end, as the evidence mounts against other suspects, including Flick, Lavender’s rotten racecar rival, and personable (but suspicious) reporter Capers Dylan. The mystery element isn’t quite as taut or tense here as it was in the previous books, but unraveling it is still entertaining; it’s the characters (and the thoughtful exploration of their relationships) that really shine, as well as Mo’s strong, sassy narrative voice (“If Tupelo Landing was a country, gossip would be our national sport”). The steady pacing of the mystery, a diverting subplot about Dale’s dog and her puppies, frequent humor, and the continued development of the eccentric and lovable (well, most of them) cast will keep readers whipping through the pages. It’s a book best appreciated by those acquainted with the previous titles, and those friends of Mo and Co. will relish spending some more time in Tupelo Landing.