ROANOKE TIMES 
                      Copyright (c) 1996, Roanoke Times

DATE: Sunday, February 18, 1996              TAG: 9602160077
SECTION: BOOK                     PAGE: G-4  EDITION: METRO 
                                             TYPE: BOOK REVIEW 
SOURCE: REVIEWED BY JUDY KWELLER

ARLY HANKS IS IN HESS' COMIC EPIC

MIRACLES IN MAGGODY. By Joan Hess. Dutton. $20.95.

Arly Hanks is the chief of police in Maggody, Ark. (pop. 750 of the most disreputable, charmingly dysfunctional characters you'll ever meet). Hanks is also the divorced daughter of Ruby Bee of Ruby Bee's Bar & Grill who, along with her best friend, Estelle Oppers of Estelle's Hair Fantasies, serve as a sort of redneck Greek chorus in Hess' comic epic.

In "Miracles in Maggody," televangelist and faith healer Malachi Hope rolls into town with his wife, Seraphina, to hold a religious healing revival in Burdock Grapper's pasture. The whole town is turned upside down by that event and the religious theme park the televangelist plans to build on the site. Hope's revival turns out to be murder - literally - as two corpses are found in Maggody, and Hanks must solve the crime.

"Miracles in Maggody" is such fun! Look for this book - for a wonderful gift for someone or a truly satisfying read for yourself.

Judy Kweller is a free-lance| writer and special events coordinator.

LENGTH: Short :   30 lines