See Also Proof: A Marjorie Trumaine Mystery by Larry D. Sweazy

See Also Proof: A Marjorie Trumaine Mystery by Larry D. Sweazy. Prometheus Books. Copyright April 2018.; pb 251 pp. ISBN: 981633882799.

Marjorie Trumaine is an ordinary woman with an unusual job, that of an Indexer of books.  It’s a job that demands a good memory and a high degree of organization and order.  All of those gifts have been offset for a few months since her husband Hank passed away.  Marjorie lives in Dickinson, North Dakota, a place that is extremely unkind in winter weather but whose residents take it all in stride.  They love the area with its farming community and town activities.  When things get tough, they all band together and they will certainly be doing this several times as this mystery evolves!

Marjorie’s time right now is divided with her work indexing an Audubon book about birds and joining the local Ladies Aid group, as well as taking care of her farm which is now dormant with winter.  It’s an old-fashioned type of community in 1965 comprised of residents of German, Swiss and other northern European heritage.  The descriptions of the dishes mentioned in this novel will make each reader drool for sure!

The first mystery involves a missing young girl, Tina Rinkerman, who is mentally challenged and has not been seen in two days.  As the weather is viciously cold and snowy, it is believed if she is not found soon she will not survive as she was not wearing a hat or coat when it is believed she disappeared.  The men in the town and the local Sheriff set to forming search groups and getting to work to find Tina.  They are severely challenged though as it keeps snowing more and more each day.

On one of these trips, Marjorie’s travels with the Sheriff and what they find is a murdered neighbor, Nils. One can feel the shock of the community.  Although all are occupied in providing for food etc. for the wake and funeral, Tina is still missing. 

No spoilers here but the remainder of the story centers on finding the murderer and finding Tina.  The end is ultra-shocking and also brings back some distressful realities about how mentally challenged patients were abused in the last half of the 20^th Century.  Marjorie will be shocked by the identity of the murderer of Nils.

See Also Proof is a fine, fine mystery that progresses slowly but interestingly.  It has spunk, humor, suspense and some fascinating qualities about the occupations of the main and minor characters.  Nicely and sensitively done, Larry D. Sweazy!!!