Lorilee Marple returned to her native town of Jefferson after an expansive education up north, only to find she had outgrown the quaint ways of her fellow townspeople. Tag along with detective Todd McVean as he takes you into his confidence on this, his first, notorious case of MURDER.

Who Shot Ms. Marple by Dana Hayward takes listeners on a journey through rural America, bringing intrigue and humor into a delightful novella. Deputy Todd McVean navigates Ms. Marple’s quirky complaints, highlighting the eccentricities of her neighbors, which the sheriff cannot personally handle. The vivid descriptions of the small-town setting make Ms. Marple’s escapes realistic while engaging all five senses.

The multidimensional characters are woven into an intricate plot, utilizing sharp dialogue to showcase the delightful interactions among the players. Ms. Marple is a deliciously spirited character with a passion for her community and exacting judgment on respect for others.

Following the clues to discover the culprit of the shooting reveals the good, bad, and misguided beliefs of residents who keep secrets.

L. H. Conbran uses his rich baritone perfectly to relate the tale from Deputy Todd McVean’s perspective. The flawless delivery has succinct pacing, superb tonality, and perfectly placed intonations that add depth to the layers of local dynamics. It is nearly impossible to pause this entertaining narration even when life intrudes.

Dana Hayward is commended for creating a small-town noir escape for fans of mysteries. The personalities of the endearing characters reveal a place one will want to visit again with Deputy Todd McVean. Don’t miss this charming, thought-provoking novella, Who Shot Ms. Marple to discover its underlying themes of local law enforcement, good ‘ol boys, and environmental issues.

Bravo!