Not Available in Your Country
Still reeling from the scandal that cost him his badge, Randy Mayhill—fallen lawman, dog rescuer, Dr Pepper enthusiast—sees a return from community exile in the form of a dead hog trapper perched on a fence. The fence belongs to the late Van Woods, Mayhill’s best friend and the reason for his spectacular fall. Determined to protect Van’s land and family from another scandal, Mayhill ignores the sherriff who replaced him and investigates the death of the unidentified man. His quest crosses with two others: Birdie, Van’s surly, mourning daughter, who has no intention of sitting idly by and leaving her father’s legacy in Mayhill’s hands; and Bradley, Birdie’s slow, malnourished but loyal friend, whose desperation to escape a life of poverty has him working with local criminals, and possibly a murderer.
A riveting debut novel about family and loyalty, old grudges and new lives, Ain’t Nobody Nobody is like a cross between Faulkner and Breaking Bad, from a talented new writer with an authentic Texas voice.
“One of the best books of the year. This cracking debut is packed with quirky characters that I adored. Ellett’s dialogue sparks off the page and the rural Texas setting where the county dump is a landmark is hypnotic and unceasing.”
— Carole Barrowman, Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel
“Funny, heartfelt, and suspenseful, Ain’t Nobody Nobody is terrific from the first page to the last. Grab it.”
— Meg Gardiner, Edgar Award-winning author of the Unsub series
“(An) auspicious debut…Ellett balances the goofiness of the crimes and setting with some effective storytelling, never letting the real emotional stakes for the characters get obscured. Carl Hiassen fans will find a lot to like.”
— Publishers Weekly
“This debut novel is most notable for Ellett’s supremely witty prose and the oddball but deeply relatable characters. Readers looking for a fresh, offbeat voice in the mystery genre will find it here.”
— Library Journal
“Good plot material, and the author handles it with skill. And humor. Harper Ellett is also after a poetic affect, and she displays considerable talent.”
— Booklist
“The dark poetry of East Texas has found a new, lyrical voice in Heather Harper Ellett’s debut book, Ain’t Nobody Nobody, where the landscape is as feral and potentially deadly as the predators that inhabit it; and where love and loyalty can prove as dangerous as greed and betrayal.”
― Kathleen Kent, Edgar-nominated author of The Dime
“A gritty, well-written story with so much heart. Ellett is an exciting new voice on the mystery scene, and Ain’t Nobody Nobody is a fantastic read for those who like a straightforward mystery with flesh-and-blood characters and a strong sense of place.”
— Criminal Element
