Red Upchruch, the Texas ranger assigned to the case immediately asks Biggie for her help, knowing her penchant for sticking her nose into murder cases, and knowing there is no way he would be able to keep her away from this one. Biggie is immediately suspicious of a jealous heir who will now have to share her inheritance with JR. There are also young girls at the camp who have emotional problems and anger issues, though Biggie is not convinced that any of those girls are disturbed enough to commit murder.

Biggie and the Devil Diet is a mystery long on atmosphere, but a bit short on suspense. Job's Creek and its residents are the quintessential small Texas town where everyone knows everyone else - and their secrets - and where everyone willingly helps one another during times of crisis. While the investigation is well-plotted and thoughtful, there are a limited number of suspects, making the culprit easy to guess. There is an unusual twist when the murderer is revealed, one that may be difficult to guess with the clues provided.

In an enjoyable subplot, JR is entering his teenage years and discovering girls as he wrestles with the problem of two dates for the big dance. With wisdom and grace, a solution is found that makes everyone happy, adding another dimension to JR's relationships with Biggie and her cook and handyman, Willie Mae and Rosebud, who both have a hand in raising JR, as he seeks their advice.

This is an entertaining, fast read that fans of the Biggie series won't want to miss. New readers to the series may be disappointed with the mystery, but are sure to be charmed by the small town and its residents.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry