The Right Side of Wrong

A Red River Mystery, Book 3

By: Reavis Z. Wortham

Narrated by: Traber Burns

In 1965 Constable Cody Parker’s frightening dreams of gathering storm clouds for the tight-knit Parker family from Center Springs, Texas, proved accurate. Cody is ambushed and nearly killed on a lonely country road during an unusually heavy snowfall. With that attack, the locals fear that a disturbed murderer “the Skinner” has returned to their community.

While his nephew recovers, Constable Ned Parker struggles to connect a seemingly unrelated series of murders. As the summer of 1966 approaches, rock and roll evolves to reflect the increasing unrest in the country, and the people of northeast Texas wonder why their once-peaceful community has suddenly become a dangerous place to live. Ned’s preteen grandchildren, Top and Pepper, are underfoot at every turn. The two lawmen, along with the Deputy John Washington, cross paths with many colorful citizens, including cranky old Judge O. C. Rains; the jittery farmer Isaac Reader; and the Wilson boys, Ty Cobb and Jimmy Foxx. And then there’s the arrival in their small community of a mysterious old man named Tom Bell.

Now recovered, Cody decides to follow his main suspect across the Rio Grande and into Mexico. Ned understands that to save his nephew, he will have to cross more than a river - he will have to cross over to the right side of wrong.

Humor, suspense, horror, precognition, and life in the tumultuous 1960s all play a part in the solving of this mystery….

©2013 Reavis Z. Wortham (P)2013 Blackstone Audio

Continues to be a fantastic series.

What did you love best about The Right Side of Wrong?

I loved the time frame - the 1960's, the narrator - often a 9-10 year old boy, the setting - Texas on the Oklahoma border and the author's skill as a story teller.

Any additional comments?

I really liked the people and how very real they all feel. I enjoyed discovering more about the characters as the story progressed. Way more depth and character than your average mystery.

Good to the last drop

If you could sum up The Right Side of Wrong in three words, what would they be?

I loved The Rock Hole but not The Burrows. This book was a worthy follow-up to The Rock Hole. As a Texan, I can really appreciate the humor, the 'Texas speak' and the culture.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

Nothing. A great performance! Only a true Texan can tell for sure.

great story

love all the books but wish the author would stop with hurting DOGS!! I mean come on I get it at times it's needed or can work but the first part of this story... it's Texas I'm sure you could have picked another animal.... author must be a cat love lol

Good mystery, same characters a little older.

Taking place in 1966, this is a good police procedural centered on suspicious murders and the introduction of marijuana into the North Texas area around Center Springs. In addition, the civil rights movement is finally coming to rural North Texas, which leads to some difficulties for the folks trying to adjust. With Constable Cody Parker laid up, first in the hospital, then undergoing physical therapy, his uncle Ned, former Constable, is brought out of retirement and deputized to help investigage the case. In the aftermath of being ambushed for no apparent reason, Cody was saved by a mysterious new neighbor, Tom Bell, who becomes a major figure in the unfolding story.

The omniscient narration changes abruptly at certain points to a first person point of view by Ned's grandson, Top, now age 10 or so. It doesn't always work so seamlessly, at least not for me. I also found the final chapter stretched the limit of my suspension of disbelief, but other than that, it was a exciting adventure and a glimpse into the degree of corruption among police south of the Rio Grande.

Traber Burns once again does a great job as reader/narrator, adding significantly to my enjoyment.

awesome series!

I love this series! set in the 60's in Texas.
TOP is typical kid and pretty well rounded.