Review: THE CHIEF GETS HIS MAN
Rating: 5 out of 5
Date: 08 8, 2011
ANNIS WARD JACKSON has Authored a very, very entertaining mystery of unsolved and hidden-away murders in a small eastern North Carolina town. Recovering from a serious leg injury in the bombing of an American Embassy in the Middle East, Marine Sergeant Ellis Crawford, a career Military Policeman declines the opportunity to remain in his beloved Marine Corps and through a Marine Corps friend lands the job of Police Chief of Battenburg, North Carolina.  With a population of around 4,000 and a three member Police Department, he is settling in to the job that promises no real challenge for the police officers.Rummaging through his deceased predecessor's desk he discovers a red envelope.  It contains scant "evidence" of four unsolved murders of local townsfolk.  Chief Ellis Crawford querries his Dispatcher, Ruby Lea about the murders.  She explains that the Mayor did not want the murders to bring bad light to the town, and the very wealthy family of the first victim did not want justice for their son, as it just may sully the family's good name.  Chief Crawford examined the notes made by the late Chief Leon Jenkins wondering why the cases were never really investigated, let alone solved.  There also seemd to be an acrimonious feeling between the Battenburg Police Department and the Dawson County Shriff's Department, so there was no helps requested by Chief Jenkins.  Chief Crawford launches his own quite investigation.  He soon forms the opinion there will be another murder . . . on Christmas Day.ANNIS WARD JACKSON has woven a well organized plot and the tension rises as Christmas Day approaches.Chief Crawford is convinced he knows the identity of the next victim, but is refused when he offers protection.  Can he prevent a FIFTH murder and catch the killer he is convinced responsible for the previous four?  It is a great start for a young Police Chief, and I hope for more of his adventures . . . perhaps a bank robbery gone bad . . . A mob boss involved in the Witness Protection program that wants to "organize" local crime?You will enjoy this novel and I personally will now begin reading more of this very talented Writer.Michael PhelpsMiami, Florida