The Curious Poisoning of Jewel Barnes
by Terry Shames

“The Samuel Craddock series may be the best regional crime series around today” Library Journal Starred Review of Guilt Strikes at Granger’s Store

Strange goings-on in a small Texas town

Newly single Chief of Police Samuel Craddock hasn’t got time to worry about his own troubles—not with Lily Barnes’ wild accusation and trucks dumping suspicious cargo outside Jarrett Creek late at night.

A family feud with a lethal twist

Lily is sure her twin sister, Jewel, is trying to poison her—but it’s Jewel who’s discovered dead. Did she have a secret that could lead Craddock to her killer?

A dangerously toxic investigation

Craddock’s fears about the cargo are heightened by a series of alarming events. What’s really being dumped, and why does the millionaire oil boss who owns the land want to keep it hidden? As Craddock closes in on the truth—and a murderer—the stakes couldn’t be higher . . .

Fans of Steven F. Havill and C.J. Box will love this twist-filled mystery series set in rural Texas.

Reviews

“A fresh take on a southern-hospitality mystery mixed with small-town scheming”

Booklist on The Troubling Death of Maddy Benson

“A hot take on the . . . the demise of Roe v. Wade

Kirkus Reviews on The Troubling Death of Maddy Benson

“The Samuel Craddock series may be the best regional crime series around today. This installment is no exception”

Library Journal Starred Review of Guilt Strikes at Granger's Store

“Readers of Shames' earlier Craddock adventures . . . will expect, and get, shocking revelations”

Booklist on Guilt Strikes at Granger's Store

“Long memories help solve a fascinating case in a small town with plenty of big problems”

Kirkus Reviews on Guilt Strikes at Granger's Store

“Suggest for fans of mysteries featuring small-town police forces, including novels by Claire Booth, Steven F. Havill, and Tricia Fields”

Library Journal Starred Review of Murder at the Jubilee Rally

“Craddock’s understated first-person narration, the vivid secondary characters, and a nicely drawn small-town setting . . . Should win Shames new fans”

Publishers Weekly on Murder at the Jubilee Rally

“A neat character-intensive combo of clever police work and family angst”

Kirkus Reviews on Murder at the Jubilee Rally

Terry Shames

Award-winning author Terry Shames is the author of the Samuel Craddock Mysteries and Jessie Madison Thrillers. As well as winning the Macavity Award for Best First Novel, the first Samuel Craddock book, A Killing at Cotton Hill, was also shortlisted for The Strand Critics Award, and The Necessary Murder of Nonie Blake won the RT Critics Award for Best Mystery. Terry’s books have also been shortlisted for Left Coast Crime Awards for Best Mystery.Terry grew up in Texas, and is both a member of Sisters in Crime and on the board of Mystery Writers of America.

View author page

Editions

The Curious Poisoning of Jewel Barnes by Terry Shames is available in the following formats

Hardback97814483162812nd December 2025144 X 222mm256$29.99
Hardback97814483162812nd December 2025144 X 222mm256£21.99
Ebook97814483168922nd December 2025N/A256$14.99
Ebook97814483168922nd December 2025N/A256£12.99
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