Jordan Poteet has left the big city to work as a librarian in his hometown of Mirabeau, Texas. But his dream of the quiet life is shattered when he locks horns with Miss Beta Harcher, the town's prize religious fanatic, in a battle over censorship. When Jordan finds her murdered body in the library, he becomes the prime suspect. And when the police find a cryptic list stashed next to her fanatical heart, it seems as if Beta Harcher has the whole town in a death grip . . .
Do Unto Others
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From Publishers Weekly
Abbott's debut mystery is a bright, often funny portrayal of the social mechanics of a small town, where, as the narrator/accused/detective quickly discovers, everyone has something to hide. Jordan Poteet has left a thriving publishing career back East to return to his home town in Mirabeau, Texas-a town as backward and insulated as any cliche-to care for his ailing mother and work as the local librarian. Quickly, Jordan is accused of the gruesome murder of a nasty, churchgoing town elder who is at odds with the library's "liberal" policies. With a redneck assistant D.A. on his heels, Jordan tries to prove his innocence. Abbott is highly skilled and at ease with the twang and tone of Texas folk and often seems in control of his story. The problem is Abbott has stuffed his relatively short book full-too full. He covers almost every hot topic from censorship to religious fanaticism to Alzheimer's to blackmail. The cast of characters is so vast that Abbott is forced to rehash his hero's suspect list more than once, and though the sweetly handled and satisfying romantic subplot stands out, more often readers will find themselves lost in a sea of personalities. While often engaging, Abbott simply weaves too large a web for a small-town tale. It's a little hard to imagine how this once-in-a-lifetime will translate into the series promised by the cover.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
Copyright 1994 Reed Business Information, Inc.
From Booklist
When his mama gets Alzheimer's and needs a caregiver, Jordan Poteet leaves his job in Boston to go home to Mirabeau, Texas. Luckily, the job as head of the Mirabeau library opens up, so even though Jordy doesn't have an MLS (gasp!), he's hired. Local harpy Beta Harcher immediately jumps on Jordy's case about the library's owning smut by authors like Twain, Lawrence, and Hawthorne. Unfortunately, the day after she and Jordy have a big argument, the woman is found bludgeoned to death, and Jordy ends up tops on Sheriff "Junebug" Moncrief's suspect list. Jordy knows he didn't kill Beta, and he doesn't want to end up in the pokey, so he decides to find the murderer. Abbott's writing is folksy and full of cornpone humor, and the plot is one of those every-small-town-has-secrets types, but there are some nice comic touches, Jordy is a likable fellow, the action is flashy, and the ending is heartwarming. And it's always nice to encounter a librarian-sleuth, even one sadly lacking in professional credentials. Emily Melton
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IT WAS REALLY RUDE OF BETA HARCHER TO argue with me right before she got killed. Read the first page
Front Cover | Copyright | Excerpt
IT WAS REALLY RUDE OF BETA HARCHER TO argue with me right before she got killed. Read the first page
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Most helpful customer reviews
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This story is about a small town in Texas, that has a cast of characters that only small towns could get away with. Junebug, Bob Don, Beta and others. The is the first in the Jordan Poteet mystery series. Jordan Poteet has come home to Texas from Boston to help care for his mother who has Alzheimers. Jordan gets a job has the Library manager and finds a dead Southern Baptist in his library when he opens up that morning. This woman had just the day before hit Jordan in the head with a book, because she called it smut and said it should be removed from the library shelves. Of course Jordan could be the main suspect, so he trys to find clues to the murder so he won't be indicted. I found this book very funny and also I liked the ending. I will definitely read more by Jeff Abbott.
Format:Mass Market Paperback
Jeff Abbott's "Do Unto Others" is certainly an impressive mystery debut, but while the thrills add to the story, many stereotypical "small-town" characters subtract from it. Basically, according to this book: all "Christian" characters are hypocrites, extortionists or psychotic killers. The more interesting(and sympapathetic ones) is a Vietnam vet/drug dealer, a car salesman with a dirty secret(one of this book's better subplots), and a nurse character. This book does realisticly portray Alzheimer's, so that's a plus. 3 stars
By E. Rey
Format:Mass Market Paperback
This book introduces the character Jordan Poteet for the beginning of several good mysteries. I feel like the discovery that Jordy's father isn't who he thought it was is important to his character development in this book. It also sets the stage for the frame of mind that Jordy is in through the book's main plot line - the investigation of Beta's death.
Living in Texas for the past 6 years makes the setting of these books feel homey even though I live in a different location of Texas. It also causes the action to feel closer to home and heightens the suspense for me.
Overall, Jordy is a warm, likable character. The fact that he is not a professional PI, but manages to stumble through a murder mystery makes his character easy to relate to. I recommend giving the Jordan Poteet mysteries a try starting with the first one (Do Unto Others) even if you just check it out from the library. I highly recommend reading any of Jeff Abbott's other books featuring Whit Mosely.
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3.9 out of 5 stars
Most recent customer reviews
5.0 out of 5 stars
Delightful debut novel
Jeff Abbott catches the atmosphere of small-town Texas to perfection in this, his first novel. His hero is Jordy Poteet, just returned from Boston to care for his mother who has... Read more
Published on Oct 15 2001 by Karen Potts
5.0 out of 5 stars
What a TREAT !!!!!!!!!
There are enough wonderful reviews here on this book(Do Unto Others) but must add my 2 cents.This is the best book I have had in my hands in ages! When will there be more??????? Read more
Published on July 12 2001
4.0 out of 5 stars
A Texas Cozy
Jordy Poteet runs afoul of the local religious fanatic in his little Texas town. Since he's the head librarian, she sees him as the main purveyor of filth in their small... Read more
Published on Dec 12 2000 by Larry Eischen
5.0 out of 5 stars
Very humorous, with a very believable setting.
Despite the seemingly dark plot (the murder of an ultra religious lady in a small town's library), this is in fact a very humorous, very funny story. Read more
Published on Oct 7 2000 by "amjdandachi"
5.0 out of 5 stars
I'm trapped!
The second I finished this book I ran out & bought the next three. Read them all within a week and I'm waiting for either another Jordan Poteet novel or a new series. Read more
Published on Oct 21 1998
5.0 out of 5 stars
Great Characters and Great Storyline
Everyone who has ever lived in a Southern town will relate to the characters and the relationships. This author is outstanding and just seems to get better with each book
Published on Aug 21 1998
5.0 out of 5 stars
A Great Mystery With Even Better Characters!
If you were raised in a small town in Texas (or most southern states), you will undoubtedly recognize most of the characters in this book. Read more
Published on May 14 1998 by gilley@cab.latech.edu
5.0 out of 5 stars
Outstanding! This author is going places.
Mr. Abbott caught the flavor of small town Texas perfectly. I couldn't stop turning the pages, and my husband finally had to read it to see what was so funny. Read more
Published on Feb 19 1997
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