Short & Tall Tales In Goose Pimple Junction by Amy Metz
Book 3: Goose Pimple Junction Mystery Series
Publisher: Southern Ink Press, Blue Productions
Publication Date: Paperback - August 31, 2015 / September 4, 2015
Format: Paperback - 130 pages
Kindle - 2120 KB
ISBN: 978-0989714068
ASIN: B014XIMXOK
Genre: Cozy Mystery / Southern Fiction
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Buy The Series: Goose Pimple Junction Mystery Series
Book 1: Murder & Mayhem In Goose Pimple Junction
Book 2: Heroes & Hooligans In Goose Pimple Junction
Book 3: Short & Tall Tales In Goose Pimple Junction
Book 4: Rogues & Rascals In Goose Pimple Junction
Book 5: Liars & Lunatics In Goose Pimple Junction
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Book Description:
This is not your average Southern town. With a hint of mystery and a lot of laughs, you'll catch a glimpse of everyday life in Goose Pimple Junction in this short story compilation. Short & Tall Tales occurs chronologically between Murder & Mayhem, book 1, and Heroes & Hooligans, book 2, in the Goose Pimple Junction mystery series. Tales is a fun escape that will answer readers' burning questions about the residents of this quirky, small town.
How did Johnny Butterfield become police chief?
How did Tess and Jack get engaged?
How did Ima Jean come to live with Louetta?
How do you celebrate an Apple Day?
These questions and more are answered in Short & Tall Tales in Goose Pimple Junction. Five short stories, one novella, and three recipes will give you more of the unique charm of Goose Pimple Junction, make you laugh, and have your mouth watering. If you want a feel-good read, you've come to the right place. Grab some sweet tea and escape to Goose Pimple Junction.
Book Excerpt:
Talk of the Town
He may be good-looking, but good-looking won't put food on the table. ~Willa Jean Coomer
Downtown Goose Pimple Junction was bustling the next morning when Johnny parked his car and walked a block to the diner. The yellow tickets that were stuck under windshield wipers on some of the cars vaguely registered with him because Ima Jean’s abduction was on his mind, and he didn’t have room to think of much else. Periodically, he thought about Martha Maye and how pretty she looked when she’d brought him fried chicken, home fries, macaroni salad, and a slice of apple pie. But he forced his mind back to Ima Jean and how he was going to go about finding her.
The diner was crowded but went deadly silent when he walked in. Everyone stopped talking, and all heads turned his way. He met a few people’s eyes, nodded a hello, mumbled “Morning,” and sat down at the counter next to a man who looked older than Moses.
“You’re mighty brave to bring yourself in here today, Chief. I myself don’t hold no ill will, but then again, I ain’t got a car, so it’s no skin off my nose.”
“Come again—” Johnny started to say, but Willa Jean interrupted him.
“What can I getcha, Chief?” She put an emphasis on “Chief” but the word was dripping with disdain.
Johnny wondered if it was his imagination or was she glaring at him? He put a hand to the back of his neck as he craned his head around, finding several other people giving him the same expression. Curious.
“Coffee, a fried egg, and cheese grits, please.” He flashed her his best grin, but she didn’t seem to notice.
She turned on her heel without another word, calling to Slick, “A deadeye and mystery in the alley, Slick.”
Johnny noticed the old man cackling to himself and wondered what was so funny. He seemed to be a regular. Surely he was used to diner lingo. Moses turned to the man next to him and mumbled something that sounded like, “I haven't had this much fun since the pigs ate my brother.”
Willa Jean came back with a cup and saucer and a pot of coffee. As she poured the brown liquid into the cup, a good amount spilled into the saucer. She looked up at Johnny and deadpanned, “Oops,” but she walked away, making no attempt to clean it up.
Conversation had started again in the diner, but it was in hushed tones, not the loud chatter that Johnny had heard when he first came in. Once again, he looked around the restaurant and noticed furtive glances coming at him. A few words and bits of sentences wafted his way: “a lot of gall, arrogant, outsider, amateur, dumb as a fencepost . . . ” He considered asking the gentleman next to him if this was normal townsfolk behavior, but Willa Jean came back and set a plate in front of him. His gaze went from the plate to her eyes, which seemed to hold a challenge.
“Um . . . ma’am . . . this looks right tasty, but it also looks like poached eggs and hash.”
Willa put all her weight on her right leg and propped her hand on her hip. “Least your eyes work.”
“Well, see . . . I could be mistaken, but I thought I ordered fried eggs and grits.”
“You’re mistaken.” She flung a towel over her shoulder and walked away.
Johnny looked at Moses and said, “I’m late to the party. Wanna tell me what’s going on?”
“Oooh, law,” the man drawled. “That was almost as ugly as Uncle Moody’s divorce.” He swiveled off his stool, saying, “’Scuse me. I have to see a man about a horse,” and he made his way to the restrooms.
He may be good-looking, but good-looking won't put food on the table. ~Willa Jean Coomer
Downtown Goose Pimple Junction was bustling the next morning when Johnny parked his car and walked a block to the diner. The yellow tickets that were stuck under windshield wipers on some of the cars vaguely registered with him because Ima Jean’s abduction was on his mind, and he didn’t have room to think of much else. Periodically, he thought about Martha Maye and how pretty she looked when she’d brought him fried chicken, home fries, macaroni salad, and a slice of apple pie. But he forced his mind back to Ima Jean and how he was going to go about finding her.
The diner was crowded but went deadly silent when he walked in. Everyone stopped talking, and all heads turned his way. He met a few people’s eyes, nodded a hello, mumbled “Morning,” and sat down at the counter next to a man who looked older than Moses.
“You’re mighty brave to bring yourself in here today, Chief. I myself don’t hold no ill will, but then again, I ain’t got a car, so it’s no skin off my nose.”
“Come again—” Johnny started to say, but Willa Jean interrupted him.
“What can I getcha, Chief?” She put an emphasis on “Chief” but the word was dripping with disdain.
Johnny wondered if it was his imagination or was she glaring at him? He put a hand to the back of his neck as he craned his head around, finding several other people giving him the same expression. Curious.
“Coffee, a fried egg, and cheese grits, please.” He flashed her his best grin, but she didn’t seem to notice.
She turned on her heel without another word, calling to Slick, “A deadeye and mystery in the alley, Slick.”
Johnny noticed the old man cackling to himself and wondered what was so funny. He seemed to be a regular. Surely he was used to diner lingo. Moses turned to the man next to him and mumbled something that sounded like, “I haven't had this much fun since the pigs ate my brother.”
Willa Jean came back with a cup and saucer and a pot of coffee. As she poured the brown liquid into the cup, a good amount spilled into the saucer. She looked up at Johnny and deadpanned, “Oops,” but she walked away, making no attempt to clean it up.
Conversation had started again in the diner, but it was in hushed tones, not the loud chatter that Johnny had heard when he first came in. Once again, he looked around the restaurant and noticed furtive glances coming at him. A few words and bits of sentences wafted his way: “a lot of gall, arrogant, outsider, amateur, dumb as a fencepost . . . ” He considered asking the gentleman next to him if this was normal townsfolk behavior, but Willa Jean came back and set a plate in front of him. His gaze went from the plate to her eyes, which seemed to hold a challenge.
“Um . . . ma’am . . . this looks right tasty, but it also looks like poached eggs and hash.”
Willa put all her weight on her right leg and propped her hand on her hip. “Least your eyes work.”
“Well, see . . . I could be mistaken, but I thought I ordered fried eggs and grits.”
“You’re mistaken.” She flung a towel over her shoulder and walked away.
Johnny looked at Moses and said, “I’m late to the party. Wanna tell me what’s going on?”
“Oooh, law,” the man drawled. “That was almost as ugly as Uncle Moody’s divorce.” He swiveled off his stool, saying, “’Scuse me. I have to see a man about a horse,” and he made his way to the restrooms.
My Book Review:
Welcome back to Goose Pimple Junction, Tennessee!
In Short & Tall Tales In Goose Pimple Junction, the third book in The Goose Pimple Junction Mystery Series, author Amy Metz provides the readers with five short stories and one novella compilation that answers some questions from the first two books in the series, while also providing a glimpse into the every day life in the picturesque southern small town of Goose Pimple Junction, Tennessee.
The five short stories provides the readers with more insight and backstories into the lives of the main characters featured in books one and two. The novella provides the backstory into the arrival of Johnny Butterfield, the town's new police chief. Each chapter opens with humorous Southern Certitude quotes from the various characters.
Author Amy Metz weaves a laugh-out-loud compilation that will keep you in stitches as you turn the pages following along with the townsfolks' southern charm, quirky "goosepimpleisms," and humorous Southern quotes at the start of every chapter. You can't help but get caught up in the townsfolks lives, drama, and crazy antics. And if that isn't enough to whet your appetite, how about three yummy recipes: Apple Upside Down Pie, Dutch Apple Pie, and Caramel Apple Pie that were all part of the Goose Pimple Junction Apple Day Festival!
The author has created a wonderful series that has a cast of characters with some pretty funny names/nicknames, and who are quirky and lovable, their southern charm, crazy antics, hysterical local dialect and dialogue will keep you in stitches. The reader is transported to the lovely southern town of Goose Pimple Junction, Tennessee, where the friendly townsfolk welcome you with open arms and sweet tea! I really enjoyed finding out more about all of the characters, and how their stories unfolds with a wonderful balance of comedy, drama, and suspense that easily kept me guessing, and left me wanting more.
Short & Tall Tales In Goose Pimple Junction is a humorous quick read that will engage you to join in the crazy adventures and trials and tribulations of the townsfolks of Goose Pimple Junction, while also providing you with a dose of good ol' southern charm and humor. So pull up a rocking chair and set down for a spell with some sweet tea while the townsfolk of Goose Pimple Junction tell y'all their story!
Short & Tall Tales In Goose Pimple Junction is the third book in the Goose Pimple Junction Mystery Series.
RATING: 5 STARS
About The Author
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Kathleen, you're awesome! Thank you!!
ReplyDeleteAmy, I really enjoyed this short story collection. It was really great to get more insight into the townsfolks of GPJ! :)
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