Pride v. Prejudice

"Claire Malloy is one of the most engaging narrators in mystery."-Deadly Pleasures

Claire Malloy has always been known in Farberville, Arkansas, as the owner of the Book Depot whose teenage daughter, Caron, speaks in ALL CAPS. But Claire's life has changed dramatically of late. She's married her longtime beau, Deputy Police Chief Peter Rosen; let one of her employees run the bookstore; and, OMG, soon Caron will be off to college. The only thing that remains steadfast and unwavering? Claire's astonishing ability to attract, find, or even just randomly stumble across trouble.

"nicely leavened with humor, realistic family vignettes, and diverse characters."-Booklist

Summoned for jury duty, Claire ends up butting heads with the prosecutor on a murder case who harbors a grudge against her husband. He humiliates Claire, then dismisses her from the jury pool. Enraged by her mistreatment, and eager for revenge, Claire decides to take the case on herself. She hunts down the defendant-a woman accused of killing her husband-and offers to help prove her innocence. Only problem is that the defendant is looking guiltier by the minute...and now Claire is in too deep. How can she claw her way out of this one, with her pride intact, when all semblance of law and order has flown the coop?
"Hess smoothly blends humor and detecting [in] Pride V. Prejudice...Spending time with Claire and the other citizens of Farberville is always a treat."-Publishers Weekly