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Bubba Snoddy #1
Bubba and the Dead Woman
Bubba is a good old boy with lots of problems. His ex-fiancee is deader than a door nail and everyone thinks he dun did it. His house is haunted. His mother is running an illegal gambling ring. His dog likes to bite people too much. And he's got to find out who really did it before the sheriff throws him in jail...again.
300 pages, Paperback
First published January 1, 2010
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1,877 people want to read
About the author
C.L. Bevill
44Ìýbooks485ÌýfollowersC.L. Bevill has been in the U.S. Army, cleaned floors, a graphic illustrator, a therapist, and a stay at home mother. She lives in the Alabama area with her husband and daughter and keeps plugging away at the next great American novel.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 568 reviews
December 11, 2012
The most imaginative stereotypes of East Texas come alive. Bubba comes home to find the dead body of the woman who done him wrong in his yard. Of course someone is trying to frame Bubba, but why? Since the local law enforcement thinks Bubba done kilt the woman, he's got to prove his own innocence, so his mother can go back to her illegal poker games. Will the fair Lady Willowdean Grey, finest sheriff's deputy this side of the Mississippi help him or lock him up? Will Miss Lurlene forgive him for two timin� her in his mind? It's up to Bubba and his faithful basset hound Precious to find out who's doin� all this, run the ghosts out of the mansion and save Bubba's hide.
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's the funniest book I've read in a long time. I laughed from cover to cover. Even the chapter tittles cracked me up. I'd recommended it to anyone who can put aside elitist snobbery and Yankee conceit long enough to simply relax and enjoy.
It's not a "deep" read, just a fun one. Can you solve the mystery before Bubba does?
I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It's the funniest book I've read in a long time. I laughed from cover to cover. Even the chapter tittles cracked me up. I'd recommended it to anyone who can put aside elitist snobbery and Yankee conceit long enough to simply relax and enjoy.
It's not a "deep" read, just a fun one. Can you solve the mystery before Bubba does?
April 22, 2014
Well, what can I say?! Bubba is the man! This is a murder with a twist, it is. A humouros, tongue-in-cheek suspense drama with Bubba the lead man in solving the murder he is accused of and has to spend a few days in jail for. His mama is ready to rewrite Texas history if he is not released immediately and she makes sure everyone, from the governor to the local jailer knows what lies ahead in their future if they refuse to listen! She has enough weapons in her arsenal to guarantee a nervous breakdown to the entire world's politicians.
The author describes her books as: " I have characters prancing around in my head. I have witty dialogue and titillating scenes" And she now has a new 'alien' fan. I am head over heels in love with the idea of Pegramville.
I cannot imagine a bigger thrill than hanging out in Buffors Gas and Groceries or Pregramville Café, and getting to meet Miz Demetrice Snoddy, Bubba's mother. Sheriff John Headrick is the man to watch. He's looking for blood - as much as possible, preferably coming from the chopped-off heads of convicted murderers. Add to that the delightful services of Dr. Goodijoint, the coroner, and become a member of the illicit Pegram County Pokerama, and life cannot get more delightful! But wait, what would be worse than being ignored by the local gossipers, with their faces crashed against windowsills in trying to fish out the latest scandals! And boy! do they have an active imagination!
If you have a sense of humor, can handle satire and fun, and a murder with a twist, this book is for you! Apart from never wanting it to end, there was nothing I wanted to change and accepted the book for what is was meant to be. Therefor, full five stars!
The author describes her books as: " I have characters prancing around in my head. I have witty dialogue and titillating scenes" And she now has a new 'alien' fan. I am head over heels in love with the idea of Pegramville.
I cannot imagine a bigger thrill than hanging out in Buffors Gas and Groceries or Pregramville Café, and getting to meet Miz Demetrice Snoddy, Bubba's mother. Sheriff John Headrick is the man to watch. He's looking for blood - as much as possible, preferably coming from the chopped-off heads of convicted murderers. Add to that the delightful services of Dr. Goodijoint, the coroner, and become a member of the illicit Pegram County Pokerama, and life cannot get more delightful! But wait, what would be worse than being ignored by the local gossipers, with their faces crashed against windowsills in trying to fish out the latest scandals! And boy! do they have an active imagination!
If you have a sense of humor, can handle satire and fun, and a murder with a twist, this book is for you! Apart from never wanting it to end, there was nothing I wanted to change and accepted the book for what is was meant to be. Therefor, full five stars!
February 28, 2012
OMG this is just one hysterical book! For the record, I find drying my hair to be a huge pain in the place generally associated with sitting, so I take my Kindle up and read while I get it done. I started this book and had to stop reading until I finished my hair because I was laughing so hard. A selection of stuff that tickled my funny bone:
There was a significant amount of profanity involved from the telephone end of the student, inviting Bubba to inform George Bufford to place portions of his body inside other portions of his body that Bubba didn't rightly think would fit. There were also references to George's ancestry in general, and his possible relationship to the canine family.
Bubba finally, successfully jammed the bag of Cheetos in the too small grocery bag with a loud crunching noise that denoted the demise of hapless snack foods.
She was a little old lady on her way to commit various nefarious acts of misdemeanors with great glee in her heart.
I mean really! Precious the Basset Hound totally steals the show from the humans, Bubba's mom invents a new way that she killed her husband in every chapter (for the record he died of a heart attack), and the titles of the chapters are pretty darn funny just by themselves. Okay, I figured out who-done-it way early in the book. And okay maybe all the characters were a tad on the stereotypical side, but who cares? The book was free and it was funny. Sometimes that's all you want.
There was a significant amount of profanity involved from the telephone end of the student, inviting Bubba to inform George Bufford to place portions of his body inside other portions of his body that Bubba didn't rightly think would fit. There were also references to George's ancestry in general, and his possible relationship to the canine family.
Bubba finally, successfully jammed the bag of Cheetos in the too small grocery bag with a loud crunching noise that denoted the demise of hapless snack foods.
She was a little old lady on her way to commit various nefarious acts of misdemeanors with great glee in her heart.
I mean really! Precious the Basset Hound totally steals the show from the humans, Bubba's mom invents a new way that she killed her husband in every chapter (for the record he died of a heart attack), and the titles of the chapters are pretty darn funny just by themselves. Okay, I figured out who-done-it way early in the book. And okay maybe all the characters were a tad on the stereotypical side, but who cares? The book was free and it was funny. Sometimes that's all you want.
July 25, 2012
So far I've been slightly annoyed by this book. First off the author has portrayed the characters as really 'country'.. like stereotypical redneck country. They say cain't and play the lottery but then the author uses words outside of dialect that don't quite fit such as: prodigious, portentous, flagitious, etc.. and it seems off.
Then the author writes sentences like: "The dog butted his hand in order to promote the proper human-dog social interaction of petting." In other words the dog rubbed against his hand!
I enjoyed this authors book "Veiled Eyes" but I've decided I can't finish this one. It may be good but I can't get past the crazy long unnecessary sentences and the yes'm dialect with the big words and the attempt at comedy that I don't see the humor in.
I tried but there are simply too many good books out there to endure this torture!
Then the author writes sentences like: "The dog butted his hand in order to promote the proper human-dog social interaction of petting." In other words the dog rubbed against his hand!
I enjoyed this authors book "Veiled Eyes" but I've decided I can't finish this one. It may be good but I can't get past the crazy long unnecessary sentences and the yes'm dialect with the big words and the attempt at comedy that I don't see the humor in.
I tried but there are simply too many good books out there to endure this torture!
May 26, 2011
I haven't laughed so much while reading a murder mystery since, well, never. I love Bubba, a good ol' Texas boy who goes home after a hellish night at the 24/7 garage/convenience store and finds his ex-fiancee dead on his lawn. His antebellum mansion is haunted (by a real estate agent who wants the property to build a Walmart supercenter). His mother is the outspoken activist who runs the ladies' illegal Pokerama for the county. It's not enough Bubba has all these problems but he falls instantly in love, or lust, with the beautiful new sheriff's deputy, Willodean Gray. Not exactly the best circumstances to meet since Bubba is the prime suspect.
Loved finding out there is a sequel, Bubba and the 12 Deadly Days of Christmas. These are self-published and available only as ebooks. I sincerely hope Ms. Bevill finds a publisher so all can enjoy these great stories.
Loved finding out there is a sequel, Bubba and the 12 Deadly Days of Christmas. These are self-published and available only as ebooks. I sincerely hope Ms. Bevill finds a publisher so all can enjoy these great stories.
February 1, 2012
I bet that all ya'll complaining about the grammar and spelling in this book thought "Oh Brother Where Art Thou" was stupid. Careful! Your slip is showing. Oh no. Wait a minute. That's your IGNORANCE. My mistake. The thing about stereotypes is that they're true! That's what makes this book so funny: brilliantly conceived and captioned Colorful Characters. I loved this book and spent the second half wishing they would make it into a movie. With the right director, screenplay and actors, it could be a classic. If you don't get the satire in this story, go read "The Help" and quit whining already.
June 6, 2018
This was a pleasant surprise. I loved the characters and the small town Texas setting, I also loved Precious the dog. The mystery is good, but the main stay of the story is the way the small community hangs together - just because you accept each others quirks doesn't mean you can't have a good gossip about them. It's understood that stories grow with the telling- the results can be quite amusing and are taken with a pinch of salt, seemingly without malice. I liked that.
August 5, 2011
Bubba Snoddy is having a bad night. His morning isn't any better when he finds a dead woman in his front yard.
The story takes off from there, the author having cleverly laid a foundation with a few well-hidden hints at what is to come.
Bubba is then falsely accused of having murdered the poor woman who was his fee-an-shay previous to him finding her in bed with his CO whom she then ended up marrying. Bubba is pretty much over all that, happily dating another woman, when he stumbles over his ex-fiancee's dead body. In front of a witness, a seedy real estate agent who's been wanting to buy the Snoddy property for a while.
With a lot of tongue-in-cheek snark and many, MANY references to southern (Texan) idiosyncrasies, the author then takes the reader on a merry ride to clear Bubba's good name. There are Bubba's momma, ghosts (or stories of ghost), hidden treasures (or not), ex-prostitutes and still-prostitutes, sordid extra-marital affairs, intrigue, sinister plots and a cute little deputy sheriff for whom Bubba is slowly but surely falling. The final scenes resolving the murder mystery will surprise you - I didn't figure it out until almost the very end.
This was a fun read. And it was a freebie, too. Cain't beat that, riiight?
Loved it.
The story takes off from there, the author having cleverly laid a foundation with a few well-hidden hints at what is to come.
Bubba is then falsely accused of having murdered the poor woman who was his fee-an-shay previous to him finding her in bed with his CO whom she then ended up marrying. Bubba is pretty much over all that, happily dating another woman, when he stumbles over his ex-fiancee's dead body. In front of a witness, a seedy real estate agent who's been wanting to buy the Snoddy property for a while.
With a lot of tongue-in-cheek snark and many, MANY references to southern (Texan) idiosyncrasies, the author then takes the reader on a merry ride to clear Bubba's good name. There are Bubba's momma, ghosts (or stories of ghost), hidden treasures (or not), ex-prostitutes and still-prostitutes, sordid extra-marital affairs, intrigue, sinister plots and a cute little deputy sheriff for whom Bubba is slowly but surely falling. The final scenes resolving the murder mystery will surprise you - I didn't figure it out until almost the very end.
This was a fun read. And it was a freebie, too. Cain't beat that, riiight?
Loved it.
November 10, 2011
This book was free on my Nook, but I still didn't want to download a stinker, so...I read all of the comments and reviews about this and decided to jump in and I'm glad I did! The characters were well-defined and fun. They are over-the-top crazy, yet still believable. I really loved Precious, and her personality is just about right for a Bassett Hound. She reminds me of my own Ruby Sue - also a Bassett.
There were just a few typos or words left out, so I think some better proofreading might be in order. One thing that had me laughing myself silly was the usage of the word "epitaph". I'm thinking it was not intentional because people don't shout "epitaphs" they shout "epithets." Epitaphs are something you find written on tombstones in cemeteries. Just a little something I found hilarious.
Overall I found it to be enjoyable and engaging. I enjoyed this book so much, I bought Bubba and the 12 Deadly Days of Christmas and am reading it currently. It's shorter, and in some areas even funnier than the first "Bubba". I really hope there are a lot more "Bubba" stories to come.
There were just a few typos or words left out, so I think some better proofreading might be in order. One thing that had me laughing myself silly was the usage of the word "epitaph". I'm thinking it was not intentional because people don't shout "epitaphs" they shout "epithets." Epitaphs are something you find written on tombstones in cemeteries. Just a little something I found hilarious.
Overall I found it to be enjoyable and engaging. I enjoyed this book so much, I bought Bubba and the 12 Deadly Days of Christmas and am reading it currently. It's shorter, and in some areas even funnier than the first "Bubba". I really hope there are a lot more "Bubba" stories to come.
August 2, 2011
I bought this book for two reasons. 1. It was free on my kindle and 2. I thought the title was great. I have to say this was one of the better books I've read in awhile. I loved every page and fell in love with Bubba and even more in love with his mother Miz Demetrice. She and Bubba have entered my list of favorite fictional characters. The book is well written, very interesting, and laugh out loud funny in parts. Even the names of each chapter made me laugh. It is a mystery but filed with far more than that. I was sad when I came to the end but thrilled to see there is another Bubba book and hopefully a series to come. If you have a kindle this is a must have in my opinion. Maybe it's free for Nook readers as well.
May 28, 2011
I downloaded this book on my kindle because it was free. I would not have paid 1 penny for this book. The mystery was good, but the rest was very bad. The writer tried to write this book in a Texan drawl/twang. That I could get over. It was the grammar and spelling and punctuation that killed me. I wonder if there was even an editor or a proofreader at all. Some of the words used weren't mispelled, but not the correct word at all. The main character's name is Bubba. He was referenced as Bubble many times. It was so hard to follow trains of thought because there were so many punctuation errors. I didn't know that sentences could be one page long!
The mystery itself was good. I didn't know who had done it until the very end. I can usually figure this out. I might have done better if I wasn't so distracted with all the errors. The only reason that I read all the way thru was just to figure out what had happened.
I think the title grabbed my attention because if anyone has read the Sookie Stackhouse series, you know who Bubba is in the books. I knew it wouldn't be that "Bubba", but I had hoped for at least a good character!!
I would never recommend this book to anyone, and it will probably be deleted from kindle.
The mystery itself was good. I didn't know who had done it until the very end. I can usually figure this out. I might have done better if I wasn't so distracted with all the errors. The only reason that I read all the way thru was just to figure out what had happened.
I think the title grabbed my attention because if anyone has read the Sookie Stackhouse series, you know who Bubba is in the books. I knew it wouldn't be that "Bubba", but I had hoped for at least a good character!!
I would never recommend this book to anyone, and it will probably be deleted from kindle.
July 31, 2011
The title could just as well be A Cast of Stereotypes from Texas and a Convoluted Mystery. I realize it's supposed to be funny, but I was too annoyed throughout to appreciate the humor. Aside from flat, stereotyped characters, the whole thing read like it was written in sections and each section had to re-introduce the reader to the whole thing. There were times that the same part of the story was told twice, which is just confusing. I kept going back and re-reading to make sure I didn't miss something or turned the pages backwards or something.
Being from the south, I understand just exactly how true some of the stereotypes are, but this just goes too far. People in the south don't hide it if they have college degrees, and if you live in a town as small as the one depicted in this story, there's no possibility of hiding a thing like that. Plus, if in a small, southern town, people have friends and supporters. The only time the main character refers to high school is to wring a favor from the jailer. There's MUCH more talk of high school in a typical small town in the south.
There are lots of 5 star reviews for this book, and maybe I'm being excessively critical. Even so, I do not recommend wasting your time with this one.
Being from the south, I understand just exactly how true some of the stereotypes are, but this just goes too far. People in the south don't hide it if they have college degrees, and if you live in a town as small as the one depicted in this story, there's no possibility of hiding a thing like that. Plus, if in a small, southern town, people have friends and supporters. The only time the main character refers to high school is to wring a favor from the jailer. There's MUCH more talk of high school in a typical small town in the south.
There are lots of 5 star reviews for this book, and maybe I'm being excessively critical. Even so, I do not recommend wasting your time with this one.
February 22, 2016
A stereotypical Texas read about the life and times of poor Bubba Snoddy. A Texas good ole boy that happened to be in the wrong place at the right time and now he has a dead woman on his property. Not just any woman though, his ex-fiance that he has had no contact with in two years. He caught her in bed with his commanding officer and ending up breaking the CO's arm. Now Bubba's problems have just begun as strange things start to happen around the old homestead. A pre-civil war antebellum mansion that has evidently now has a ghost rattling around. Bubba will have to get right on that, after he gets out of jail for a murder he didn't commit. He also has to keep his mom out of the pokey as well. She does run an illegal gambling ring of course. That was what made this entire ebook fun was the side characters that are always present in small town life. Being a Texan myself and having grown up in a small town I can appreciate the funniness of the book. It was a bit wordy, but Bubba was a hoot as he works to figure out who is trying to frame him for not one murder, but two. I did have it figured out very early in the book, but still worth the read.
June 12, 2019
Even though this took me awhile to finish, I'm going to rate it 3.5 stars. It was a good book but took me longer because of other needed reads.
Bubba was accused of killing his ex-fiance due to the fact that not only because she was found dead on the property but as the story continues we see that Bubba is being framed but we don't get why and who? Then Bubba tries to find out but every turn ends with him getting into some type of trouble.
Bubba was accused of killing his ex-fiance due to the fact that not only because she was found dead on the property but as the story continues we see that Bubba is being framed but we don't get why and who? Then Bubba tries to find out but every turn ends with him getting into some type of trouble.
August 22, 2012
I prefer print books and do no use the kindle that came with my phone very often, but I will occasionally get one of the free books if I'm caught somewhere with nothing to read. I had an hour to kill and I was browsing through goodreads and spotted a review for this book that mentioned it was a free download on kindle. The reviews were mixed but I decided to give it a shot. I ended up finishing the book later that night.
The reviews citing errors (wrong words, missing words, etc) and grammar problems are correct, and these problems did take me out of the story on a number of occasions. However, I also agree with those reviewers that found the book entertaining and funny. There is good story telling here. A fast, light read that, in the end, I did enjoy. I will read another Bubba book when I need a good yarn and a laugh.
I also have to mention the odd impact of my other current reading material. I'm reading Lovecraft's complete works (a large and heavy volume that I can't tote around everywhere, explaining why I was uncharacteristically caught without a book yesterday).
With Lovecraft's influence lurking, I found myself expecting the minor mentions of ghosts and family history in this book to take a turn for the truly horrible, bracing for grotesque and unspeakable secrets. Of course they never did, not that kind of tale at all. I think Lovecraft has twisted my brain. ;)
The reviews citing errors (wrong words, missing words, etc) and grammar problems are correct, and these problems did take me out of the story on a number of occasions. However, I also agree with those reviewers that found the book entertaining and funny. There is good story telling here. A fast, light read that, in the end, I did enjoy. I will read another Bubba book when I need a good yarn and a laugh.
I also have to mention the odd impact of my other current reading material. I'm reading Lovecraft's complete works (a large and heavy volume that I can't tote around everywhere, explaining why I was uncharacteristically caught without a book yesterday).
With Lovecraft's influence lurking, I found myself expecting the minor mentions of ghosts and family history in this book to take a turn for the truly horrible, bracing for grotesque and unspeakable secrets. Of course they never did, not that kind of tale at all. I think Lovecraft has twisted my brain. ;)
October 6, 2012
Perilously close to a 5-star book, people. Perilously close.
A haunted mansion! Sassy basset hound! Small-town hijinks! Homicide-minded matriarch! I was basically hooked from the first chapter, right at the bit where Bubba was holding down the gas station graveyard shift against nefarious old women and snarky teens, so much so that I voluntarily read a book where a basset hound (Precious) was a main character without -- and this is key -- without having someone pre-read it for dog drama. That is just how good it was.
Great characters, great small town. Very interesting to read what was essentially a cozy but with a male protagonist. Few and far between, and in this case, very well done.
I was less impressed with Bubba's romantic confusions than I believe I was supposed to be, but that was because I loved the haunted mansion and all the night-time creeping about things. I especially loved how Bubba's mother, Demetrice, kept insisting she'd killed the late Elgin Snoddy in a variety of interesting ways (poison, snake in his bed, chainsaw) and how Bubba would gently try to get Demetrice back on track by reminding her that his daddy had simply had a heart attack.
It was neck-and-neck for awhile, between Demetrice and Precious the basset hound, but eventually Precious did just up and steal the whole show. Anyone who's ever had a particularly beloved dog can recognize the fineness of the species in Precious and her unswerving dogliness.
I'm off to read book 2. More Bubba, less reviewing.
A haunted mansion! Sassy basset hound! Small-town hijinks! Homicide-minded matriarch! I was basically hooked from the first chapter, right at the bit where Bubba was holding down the gas station graveyard shift against nefarious old women and snarky teens, so much so that I voluntarily read a book where a basset hound (Precious) was a main character without -- and this is key -- without having someone pre-read it for dog drama. That is just how good it was.
Great characters, great small town. Very interesting to read what was essentially a cozy but with a male protagonist. Few and far between, and in this case, very well done.
I was less impressed with Bubba's romantic confusions than I believe I was supposed to be, but that was because I loved the haunted mansion and all the night-time creeping about things. I especially loved how Bubba's mother, Demetrice, kept insisting she'd killed the late Elgin Snoddy in a variety of interesting ways (poison, snake in his bed, chainsaw) and how Bubba would gently try to get Demetrice back on track by reminding her that his daddy had simply had a heart attack.
It was neck-and-neck for awhile, between Demetrice and Precious the basset hound, but eventually Precious did just up and steal the whole show. Anyone who's ever had a particularly beloved dog can recognize the fineness of the species in Precious and her unswerving dogliness.
I'm off to read book 2. More Bubba, less reviewing.
December 5, 2012
Now, this book has mixed reviews but I err on the positive side. Bubba and the Dead Woman is funny, intriguing and vividly drawn. Granted, it would benefit from a night or two with an editor and a red pen, but I really enjoyed the story despite occasionally having to rearrange a sentence or mentally substitute words to make sense.
The personalities really leap out, even the dog’s, and the tone throughout had me reading with a mental Texan accent despite harking from the North East of England. It just has that cadence that only the proud and inimitable southern United States carries. In fact, if my mind had opted for my own, or even a more refined British accent, it would not have read so well.
There’s something of a Smokey and the Bandit feel about the story and its cast of characters; amusing from the start and the mildly bewildered state of Bubba only adds to the smile you can’t help but read this with.
I’ll read other work from C L Bevill. Bubba and the Dead Woman promises well.
The personalities really leap out, even the dog’s, and the tone throughout had me reading with a mental Texan accent despite harking from the North East of England. It just has that cadence that only the proud and inimitable southern United States carries. In fact, if my mind had opted for my own, or even a more refined British accent, it would not have read so well.
There’s something of a Smokey and the Bandit feel about the story and its cast of characters; amusing from the start and the mildly bewildered state of Bubba only adds to the smile you can’t help but read this with.
I’ll read other work from C L Bevill. Bubba and the Dead Woman promises well.
May 13, 2012
A good, fun crime/mystery adventure set in the Deep South this book tells the tale of Bubba Snoddy, big, solid Texan, who's not as stupid as some might think. Wrongfully accused for the murder of his ex-fiancee Bubba has to uncover the truth before he ends up on Death Row.
This book really reminded me of the Les Norton series by . A big, tough country boy with intelligence and muscle getting himself in and out of danger. One foot on either side of the line of the law. This book didn't have the sex, drugs and drinking that Norton does but it's also set in a small, religious(ish) community so the character fits the setting.
An enjoyable book, I really liked Bubba and can't wait to see where this series goes.
This book really reminded me of the Les Norton series by . A big, tough country boy with intelligence and muscle getting himself in and out of danger. One foot on either side of the line of the law. This book didn't have the sex, drugs and drinking that Norton does but it's also set in a small, religious(ish) community so the character fits the setting.
An enjoyable book, I really liked Bubba and can't wait to see where this series goes.
February 23, 2013
I loved this book. It really was a fun read. Bubba works as a mechanic (and yes he's of large build as per the cliche but he's definitely nothing of the sort). He namely works the night shift and after a shocking night when he had to try to use the cash register (due to the overnight clerk quitting rather than showing up for his shift) he comes home to find a dead woman on his lawn.
But not just any dead woman. It's his ex-girlfriend, the one who Bubba found in bed with another man so he broke that man's arm (who just happened to be his commanding officer so there went his army career) so not unsurprisingly Bubba's the prime suspect. And the evidence just keeps piling up around him.
So Bubba investigates on his own account.
This book has a joyful air about it (and I positively giggled at Bubba's dream in Chapter 15) that really makes it a pleasure to read.
But not just any dead woman. It's his ex-girlfriend, the one who Bubba found in bed with another man so he broke that man's arm (who just happened to be his commanding officer so there went his army career) so not unsurprisingly Bubba's the prime suspect. And the evidence just keeps piling up around him.
So Bubba investigates on his own account.
This book has a joyful air about it (and I positively giggled at Bubba's dream in Chapter 15) that really makes it a pleasure to read.
June 30, 2011
While I've only been to Texas twice in my life & both were to major cities, even I could spot the stereotypes going on in this book.
That being said? I loved Bubba to pieces. He's the epitome of Good Ol' Country Boy, complete with a dog named Precious, truck, & cowboy hat. How can a little part of you not love that?
And his mama, the fiesty Mizz Demetrice, who may or may not have killed her husband in a variety of ways if you listen to her tell it? I'd go to one of her illegal poker games any night.
The mystery itself was fairly good, although complicated. It kept me guessing, I'll give it that much, but once the dust settled after The Big Reveal, all I could think was, "really? All that, huh?" Like I said, complicated. And half-cocked. But whatever. More Precious, please!
That being said? I loved Bubba to pieces. He's the epitome of Good Ol' Country Boy, complete with a dog named Precious, truck, & cowboy hat. How can a little part of you not love that?
And his mama, the fiesty Mizz Demetrice, who may or may not have killed her husband in a variety of ways if you listen to her tell it? I'd go to one of her illegal poker games any night.
The mystery itself was fairly good, although complicated. It kept me guessing, I'll give it that much, but once the dust settled after The Big Reveal, all I could think was, "really? All that, huh?" Like I said, complicated. And half-cocked. But whatever. More Precious, please!
March 19, 2012
You can't help but be amused by Bubba in this story. A good old fashion red neck town in the deep parts of Texas. Quirky characters run rampart through this small town, every one has secrets and love their gossip. Even the dog's thoughts are given as the story goes on. Every time you think some one is the killer, they end up dead. Every time you think Bubba doesn't have a chance, something comes a long and helps him out. Bubba's ex finance is found dead on his mother's property, Bubba is arrested and the chase is on to learn the truth. The story is told in a slow southern drawl, no rushing these folks in getting the story out. But, it is amusing as the truth is revealed and the bad people are caught.
June 6, 2011
Not really a spoiler, but talks about the end of the book.
I got to the final chapter of this book, but had to leave to go to work. I picked it back up as soon as I got home, expecting to read an exciting conclusion. I was surprised to find, though, that the tone had completely changed, and the last chapter read as being almost anti-climactic. Not that I was expecting surprise or mystery - it's pretty predictable by that point. But it almost felt like the author got tired of telling the story, and basically ended it as fast as she could. It lost the storytelling voice that the rest of the book had, and I was disappointed.
I got to the final chapter of this book, but had to leave to go to work. I picked it back up as soon as I got home, expecting to read an exciting conclusion. I was surprised to find, though, that the tone had completely changed, and the last chapter read as being almost anti-climactic. Not that I was expecting surprise or mystery - it's pretty predictable by that point. But it almost felt like the author got tired of telling the story, and basically ended it as fast as she could. It lost the storytelling voice that the rest of the book had, and I was disappointed.
June 29, 2011
This book is exactly what you would expect from the title - a silly mystery involving a big Texan named Bubba (do Bubbas come in any size by XXL?) and the dead woman attributed to his actions. I was very amused by this tale. It kept me reading and kept me amused and I even occasionally had to read Dave a passage because I thought it was so funny. Bubba is amusing, law enforcement in the small town is silly, Bubba's mother is a hoot, and you wish you got more of her. Self-published, as an eBook on Amazon, it is a light, fluffy, fun, summer read. It's even free. And, of course, Bubba didn't do it - but the reader never thought he did - so that's not a spoiler.
March 31, 2012
My co-worker had read this so when I saw it on the free list again I downloaded it and it was pretty good. The mystery moved along nicely and the last part of the book was pretty funny as everything was put together. I also just liked the way it was written, not sure how to describe it, but I just liked the word choices I guess. The next couple books are pretty inexpensive so I'll probably get them eventually too.
November 5, 2024
What a fun introduction to a new cozy mystery series! Took me quite a while to figure out whodunnit, the journey was fun and FULL of laughter, which I very much enjoy in a cozy mystery. The characters are well-written.
BTW...I think I know Bubba's mama. I SURELY know a good many older southern women JUST LIKE HER!
BTW...I think I know Bubba's mama. I SURELY know a good many older southern women JUST LIKE HER!
September 25, 2017
Funny main character and a mystery to solve! Enjoyable book. Best aspect is over-the-top stereotypes making fun of themselves.
September 30, 2017
What a fun book! It reminds me a little of Barbara Kingsolver's early work. There's even a cute dog.
There is some head hopping and the book could use a bit of a copyedit, but I forgive the author because it's such an enjoyable read.
There is some head hopping and the book could use a bit of a copyedit, but I forgive the author because it's such an enjoyable read.
December 28, 2019
Nice little who-dunnit caper. I was wrong about motive, but I guessed the "who" about half way through. Good quick vacation read
February 13, 2017
Bubba and the Dead Woman by C L Bevill is the first book in the Bubba Snoddy mystery series. If you like some humor and laughs mixed in with your murder mysteries, this series is for you.
Bubba is a big man with a gentle nature and he lives in a small town with an attitude. He sounds like a backwoods hick…half the time, but he is more than he appears to be. He is a fabulously complex character who projects a false facade to protect himself.
His faithful basset hound, Precious is his constant companion, refusing to be left behind. She may look harmless, but she will not let anyone harm her human.
It seems like trouble will forever follow him around, along with dead bodies, so it is no surprise when he stumbles across Melissa Dearman. The surprise is that he has a past with her. The news travels fast through the grapevine of Pegramville and the sheriff haunts his every move.
His mom, Miz Demetrice is a spitfire and you need to think twice before you cross her. She is wacky and wild.
The writing makes me think of the Andy Griffith show, with a bit of Dukes of Hazard and the Beverly Hillbillies thrown in.
Bubba is shot at, beaten up, lured into a pit, falls down the stairs and someone tries to burn his house down with him in it. How much more abuse can the poor guy take before he solves the mystery?
Rip roaring, thigh slapping good fun. Even the dog’s ‘conversations� are funny, showing her personality. I couldn’t help but crack up when she tries to play hard to get with her human because she’s mad at him. I love when a critter adds an extra element to the story and Precious does that in spades. She may be my favorite character.
Mysteries abound with legends of treasure and plenty of people in the suspect pool.
If Bubba and the Dead Woman by C L Bevill is the first book in the Bubba Snoddy mystery series, but this book will stand alone.
Bubba is a big man with a gentle nature and he lives in a small town with an attitude. He sounds like a backwoods hick…half the time, but he is more than he appears to be. He is a fabulously complex character who projects a false facade to protect himself.
His faithful basset hound, Precious is his constant companion, refusing to be left behind. She may look harmless, but she will not let anyone harm her human.
It seems like trouble will forever follow him around, along with dead bodies, so it is no surprise when he stumbles across Melissa Dearman. The surprise is that he has a past with her. The news travels fast through the grapevine of Pegramville and the sheriff haunts his every move.
His mom, Miz Demetrice is a spitfire and you need to think twice before you cross her. She is wacky and wild.
The writing makes me think of the Andy Griffith show, with a bit of Dukes of Hazard and the Beverly Hillbillies thrown in.
Bubba is shot at, beaten up, lured into a pit, falls down the stairs and someone tries to burn his house down with him in it. How much more abuse can the poor guy take before he solves the mystery?
Rip roaring, thigh slapping good fun. Even the dog’s ‘conversations� are funny, showing her personality. I couldn’t help but crack up when she tries to play hard to get with her human because she’s mad at him. I love when a critter adds an extra element to the story and Precious does that in spades. She may be my favorite character.
Mysteries abound with legends of treasure and plenty of people in the suspect pool.
If Bubba and the Dead Woman by C L Bevill is the first book in the Bubba Snoddy mystery series, but this book will stand alone.
April 16, 2013
This was the first C.L. Bevill ebook I read. The main reason I downloaded it for my Kindle was that I was quite taken with the blurb and encouraged by the reviews I read. I also liked the fact that it was set in a small town in East Texas and had a main character called Bubba Snoddy. We find out very early on that Bubba used to be in the military and stands at 6 feet 4 inches tall, weighs 250 pounds and is a gentle giant. He is smart and patient in that “Southern Hospitality� way and finds himself in all kinds of trouble in this story, through no fault of his own.
Having lived in mid-south USA for several years myself, when I read anything set in the south I can hear those southern accents as I read the dialogue. This book was no exception and I thoroughly enjoyed it. So much so that I will definitely BUY the next ebook in the series, just to see what happens to Bubba next. I liked C.L. Bevill’s writing style and as a result of reading this book I searched for more of her work, which I also found on Amazon.
So back to Bubba and The Dead Woman. Bubba is a mechanic at Bufford’s Gas and Grocery Store which is owned by a mean man called George Bufford who is currently off gallivanting with his secretary in the Bahamas whilst his wife is taking care of the store at home. When we first join Bubba he is on the phone to a very disgruntled Bufford employee who should have been working that night with Bubba, but, for some reason is resigning over the phone. Because of this and as it is Mrs Bufford’s night off, Bubba ends up being the only employee working at Bufford’s for the whole of the night shift. When he gets home from work the next morning he finds a dead woman lying head first in the long weeds at the side of the caretakers house, which is where Bubba lives. Things get more complicated from there and before you know it Bubba is in the thick of a mystery that involves confederate bullion and the long arm of the law.
This was an adorable book to read, I loved every minute of it and really grew fond of Bubba, his dog, Precious and his mother, Miz Demetrice. The characters were very reminiscent of many people I met whilst living in mid-South USA and the way the small town picture is painted is indeed accurate, as I recall it. If you want to be entertained and smile for a few hours then read this book.
Having lived in mid-south USA for several years myself, when I read anything set in the south I can hear those southern accents as I read the dialogue. This book was no exception and I thoroughly enjoyed it. So much so that I will definitely BUY the next ebook in the series, just to see what happens to Bubba next. I liked C.L. Bevill’s writing style and as a result of reading this book I searched for more of her work, which I also found on Amazon.
So back to Bubba and The Dead Woman. Bubba is a mechanic at Bufford’s Gas and Grocery Store which is owned by a mean man called George Bufford who is currently off gallivanting with his secretary in the Bahamas whilst his wife is taking care of the store at home. When we first join Bubba he is on the phone to a very disgruntled Bufford employee who should have been working that night with Bubba, but, for some reason is resigning over the phone. Because of this and as it is Mrs Bufford’s night off, Bubba ends up being the only employee working at Bufford’s for the whole of the night shift. When he gets home from work the next morning he finds a dead woman lying head first in the long weeds at the side of the caretakers house, which is where Bubba lives. Things get more complicated from there and before you know it Bubba is in the thick of a mystery that involves confederate bullion and the long arm of the law.
This was an adorable book to read, I loved every minute of it and really grew fond of Bubba, his dog, Precious and his mother, Miz Demetrice. The characters were very reminiscent of many people I met whilst living in mid-South USA and the way the small town picture is painted is indeed accurate, as I recall it. If you want to be entertained and smile for a few hours then read this book.
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