WHO KILLED PRETTY BECKY LOW?

Backwoods sheriff Jess Roden's slow methodical sleuthing -- not always a full step ahead of the slow methodical reader -- uncovers the mystery of the stabbing death of a solitary virgin and the subsequent death of another unfortunate woman who knew too much. A greedy banker, blackmail, the problem of missing cash, a pair of lovers, two nervous women, and a bound dog are much in evidence. Plot could do with more thickening.