Mace and her Mama, Rosalee Stinson Bauer Cummings Burton Devraux, are "bonding" on the week-long Florida Cracker Trail Ride. Mace has been in the dumps since her break-up with Miami Police Detective Carlos Martinez, who was working in Himmarshee and met when he put her mother in jail for murder -- wrongly of course. Since Mama believes in marriage, has proven it so many times, and Mace's sisters, Marty and Maddie, are married, everyone is hunting a husband for her.

The trail riders break camp on the property of wealthy rancher Lawton Bramble where they know he will be stirring up a big pot of his Cow Hunter chili. He greets Mace and Mama when they arrive, and shortly after Lawton is found dead at his campfire, holding his chili tasting cup. After seeing the interactions of Lawton's family -- his much younger wife, his alcoholic son, and his high-strung daughter -- Mace believes there was foul play. Her suspicions will probably prove right as someone wants her to back off and whoever it is, is playing dangerously dirty.

Mama's fiancée Sal, a New "Yawk" transplant, is following the ride in his big Caddy to keep an eye on his Rosie's safety and provide a place for her to sleep at night. When she has a frightening horse riding accident, Marty and Maddie show up, and out of the blue Carlos materializes. Looks like the gang's all here and up to their knees in murder and mayhem.

MAMA RIDES SHOTGUN, Deborah Sharp's second book, is as fun and entertaining as MAMA DOES TIME. The characterization is outstanding and the family relationships are a hoot! Ms. Sharp's narrative of historical knowledge about her home state and facts about the original Cow Hunters and Cow Crackers add to the enjoyment of this exceptional book. Can't wait for the next installment!