They Call Me Crazy

Cass Adams has spent her whole life thinking she was destined to be married to Roland and that she was also “crazy”. The local doctor and her husband have both been feeding her a pharmacy worth of different pills until one night she snaps. She has had enough of Roland’s lying, cheating and emotional abuse so she kills him and buries in him the unfinished koi pond near their rundown shack Roland has moved her to away from town. Unfortunately the rain doesn’t cooperate and starts uncovering the body and when Cass tries to move Roland to the river one of the men from town catches her and calls the local police chief. Cass freely admits to killing her husband but did she really??

A bit of a mystery and a lot of comedy involved in this little gem of a book. I wasn’t too sure what I was getting into when I picked it up but thought it sounded interesting enough to give it a try. Actually really glad I did in the end, I found myself laughing on more than one occasion and really wasn’t sure where it was all going to end up.

The story is told from the different perspectives of those involved. Cass, wife and possible murderess of our victim. Clay, Roland’s older brother. Maryanne, former best friend of Cass who is in love with Roland. Babe, Cass’ psychic grandmother, Daze, town local/friend of Clay and Roland, and Benny, local law enforcement.

Of course being a small town all of these characters have grown up together and everyone knows everyone. This story often reminded me of watching one of those daytime talk shows like Jerry Springer etc which is probably why I laughed during a lot of it…perhaps that’s just my own weird sense of humor though. As with most of those talk shows you have the who did what to who and why in the world would anyone be in that type of relationship drama with just about everyone involved.

Overall, a little bit of crazy that was completely entertaining, would definitely recommend checking this one out.

I received a copy from the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

"Maybe now that he's gone, he'll be easier to talk to."

Crazy... well it's a relative term. When Cass Adams decides to be rid of her bully of a husband (Roland), she hits him over the head with a shovel and buries him. Of course as the earth loves to reveal secrets, the rain uncovers him and damn if she doesn't decide to get rid of him again when she gets caught in a big way. Arrested for his murder the whole town wonders if she did it, some are convinced and Cass herself is professing her guilt. Her psychic grandma knows she didn't- her aura would surely show guilt if she had. Each character has their say and are all stuffed with quirks. Roland's brother Clay was always sweet on Cass, and like he says he liked her a whole lot better when she wasn't with Roland, so his 'death' isn't such a bad thing. Roland wasn't exactly a beloved brother, in fact he may have been downright cruel to those closest to him, even if he could charm the pants of everyone else (and in fact did, as Cass's best friend will tell you.) Clay is a bit strange himself with his beloved Worm farm that inspires off-putting cuisine.
This was a fun dark little read about a woman whose had enough and snaps, or doesn't- you don't really know for sure, or do you? Ha. It was a quick, easy fun read for a change of pace. I wish it were a little longer and that her grandmother's 'gift' was more involved. Fun though.

Life in a small town is not the peaceful happy "Mayberry" that some people imagine. This novel portrays a more accurate depiction. Everybody knows everybody else's business, or at least they think they do. They sure don't mind sharing everyone else's business either if it gets them a bit of attention. So of course it's common knowledge that Cass Adams is just plain crazy, like her mother before her was crazy. Her witch of a grandma might not be all there either. Her Husband Roland is a great guy, at least to your face. Maybe not so great behind closed doors, and maybe Cass isn't so lucky after all to have landed the husband every other girl wanted for their own. Even so, she should not have killed him. Or should she? Maybe he deserved it. Though he didn't even beat up on her all that much. What's a few blows to the top of the head and a degrading insult or two. Who can blame him when she won't even lift a finger to clean up the tar paper hovel of a shack he has her living in. Or maybe she didn't really do it. She says she did but everybody knows she's crazy as a loon, and if that's what everybody thinks it must be true.
This story, told in first person from multiple points of view, with sarcasm and wit kept me up turning pages all night long. I would rate it 5 of 5 stars.

I received a complimentary copy for review

The dead are like secrets, they never stay buried for long. When Cass is caught trying to dump her husband's body in the river after a rainstorm she confesses to killing him. You would think it was a simple case of homicide and away she would go. But it isn't. Everyone in town has always thought Cass was crazy and even dangerous. Roland her husband did his best by taking her to the doctor and getting her medication and moving her out of town to an isolated hill. But was it best for her or for him. He has his own secrets to hide. Not even Clay, Roland's brother, believes Cass killed him.

This book was very enjoyable to read and discover the truth to the story. I found myself lost in the story and felt like I was sitting right beside Cass in that jail cell. I will definitely look for more from this author.

I received an ecopy from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I really, really enjoyed this crazy story! It wasn’t just the main female character that everyone labeled as crazy, but the whole group, main and secondary characters were crazy as well! The plots were twisted and kept the reader’s interest in this “why’d she do it” suspenseful drama. Best of all, though, was the inner dialogue that Cass had with herself….you couldn’t tell if she truly was crazy or not.
Cass is eccentric to say the least. She has loved her husband, Roland, for most of her life. Her memories of their good days help her to put up with his verbal abuse after years of being married. But eventually she has enough and kills him. That is where the fun starts for the reader. Cass not only kills Roland, but then she decides to use their Koi pond as his final resting place. However, Roland doesn’t have the decency to stay there which is unfortunate for Cass.
Clay is Roland’s older brother and secretly has always loved Cass and disliked Roland. Clay has his own obsessions…those being his red wigglers and his worm farm. You might even say Clay has a special use for those red wigglers that just he and Cass know about. When Cass is accused of murdering Roland by an ex school mate bent on making Cass’s life difficult, Clay comes to her rescue. It doesn’t take long for the whole town to become involved and secrets to emerge that set a pace of twists and turns you would never expect. Secondary characters such as the sheriff, the ex-best friend, Cass’s grandmother and even Clay’s daughter quickly emerge with crazy lives, secrets and behaviors that set this book apart as one not to put down until finished.
While Cass is charged with murder and Clay and her brother-in-law are trying to clear her name, Cass continues to say she murdered Roland. Did she murder him? Or does she think she does due to some reason that may have played tricks with her mind? When the verdict is declared can it really be the truth?
I have not enjoyed a twisted plot like this ever. I highly recommend this book as a got to read book for the hilarity of the characters that the author, Kelly Stone Gamble created. She brought to life not just the main character, but the supporting ones as well.