The Right Side of Wrong

A Red River Mystery, Book 3

By: Reavis Z. Wortham

Narrated by: Traber Burns

Length: 9 hrs and 19 mins

Publisher's summary

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 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.

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

Thoroughly entertaining thriller of a yarn!!!

This third installment of the Red River mysteries is once again a good old fashioned, rip roaring, 1960's, Texas, western. The story combines more modern day western thrills with lawmakers and desperadoes, and great yarns narrated by a couple of pre-teen scalawags. You'll pardon my language, considering I just finished this thoroughly entertaining book!

Constable Cody Parker was shot at while driving down a backroad during an unusual Texas snow storm. Badly smashed within his car and a tree, Cody is rescued by a new elderly man in town, Tom Bell, just in time to save Cody's body from becoming food for a hungry pack of wild dogs. Constable Ned Parker begins the search for the shooter and finds himself caught in a new evil coming to his town. Tearing down illegal whiskey stills was easy work compared to the trouble caused by these new drug traders. Meanwhile, the kids, Top and Pepper, are satisfying their curiosity about, Ted Bell. Thus the adventures and goosebumps begin!!

Once again, Wortham combines, mystery, thrills, humor, and good old fashioned story telling as his characters get into, and barley out of, trouble. Red River is still a distinctly segregated place, but the main characters are a mix of whites, blacks, American Indians, and Mexicans who defy these boundaries within their communities to work and love together, as God intended. The misadventures of Top and Pepper add a rich element to the story as well. This book is not quit like any other book out there today, and is a greatly appreciated change. I thoroughly enjoyed this third installment, and am looking forward to many more books from Reavis Z Wortham.

review

Super! Loved it. Can not wait to get the next one. Characters are great. Thumbs ☝

The Right Side of Wrong

This is an excellent story. The reason for my 4 star rating in the story category is that I don't like profanity. The story is sprinkled with it. At first I was reluctant to continue but the volume itself overrode my objections to some of the language that was used. Mind you this narrative is by no means vulgar or obscene. I recommend this volume as an excellent read.

Outstanding!!

As the third Red River Mystery I've listened to in three days, I think this may be the best of all so far. Wortham does not disappoint. And narrator Traber Burns is the perfect voice for this very cool series. I'd write more but I'm off the buy the next one. :O)

Hold on for a Wild Ride

The third book in the series so far is my favorite. Top and Pepper are getting older, and Pepper's tongue hasn't tamed one bit. Cody is ran off the road in a heavy snow storm and nearly killed, The same culprit seems to be showing up in other spots, including the honkytonk that Cody owns. In the meantime, a new neighbor moves in next to the Parkers by the name of Tom Bell. Something about the man's eyes bothers Constable Ned Parker, yet he seems friendly enough. The signs of the times are everywhere in the small town of Center Springs, Texas, from the rock 'n roll music on the radio to the appearance of mary jane for the first time. Drug runners, murder and law men as crooked as a dog's hind leg are just a taste of what Cody and Ned are dealing with. And when Cody follows their main suspect over the border into Mexico, all bets are off. How will Ned and Big John manage to get Cody out of this one! Don't miss The Right Side of Wrong!