Heather Harper Ellett’s debut, Ain’t Nobody Nobody, is a raw ode to East Texas and an authentic portrayal of the brutal, compassionate, hardscrabble way of life of the impoverished south. With wry humour and keen insight into human nature, Ellett deftly weaves a tale of murder, family, and honour.

Randy Mayhill lives as a hermit now, mourning the loss of his best friend to suicide and the loss of his elevated status in the community as sheriff to loyalty. The tragedies are intimately connected, and the plot unfolds in layers. A hog trapper is found murdered on his best friend’s land, and before Mayhill’s loyalty can lead him to covering up a crime—again—the body disappears. What ensues is a skillfully crafted mystery with each small detail woven into the narrative later revealing its relevancy.

The characters are appallingly real in a vein akin to Flannery O’Connor, and the sweltering, tick-laden pine forests of Texas come alive on the page. Ellett’s writing is intelligent and literary, clever and astute, inviting and darkly comedic. The twisted tangle of human emotion and motivation is deftly unraveled in Ellett’s hands.

Gritty, immersive, and evocative, Ain’t Nobody Nobody is a memorable tale, thoughtfully told, filled with humour and heartache. And after turning the last page, readers will want to crack open a Dr. Pepper and sit in a rocker on the front porch with their dog.

Highly recommended for fans of murder mysteries with distinct settings and for fans of classic southern literature.

Many thanks to NetGalley and Polis Books for a copy of the book in exchange for an honest review.