Summary of Crosscut: A Joe Gunther Short Story, by Archer Mayor

Dive into the gripping short story 'Crosscut' featuring Joe Gunther, where humor meets suspense in a murder mystery set against Vermont's backdrop.

In this bracing short story, Crosscut, we find our beloved detective, Joe Gunther, navigating the charming yet suspicious landscape of Vermont. Spoiler alert-this isn't your typical sunny day at the lake; something sinister is lurking beneath the surface (pun intended)!

The story kicks off with Joe, who is apparently trying to enjoy what little leisure time he can squeeze in between solving crimes. However, his plans for some peaceful moments are promptly derailed when a body is discovered in a particularly tranquil spot-because, of course, nothing says "day off" like a corpse. This isn't just any murder mystery; oh no! The victim has a connection to the local logging industry, and it quickly becomes clear that this isn't just an unfortunate accident involving a chainsaw.

As Gunther delves deeper into the investigation, he finds himself tangled in a web of deceit, greed, and perhaps not surprisingly, a slew of untrustworthy characters. Who will he trust? The logger with a secret? The local business tycoon with a vendetta? Or the ornery townsperson who seems to know more than they're letting on? The possibilities are endless, and not everyone is looking out for the best interests of Vermont's picturesque landscape-or Gunther himself.

Throughout this 75-page escapade, we get to revel in Gunther's sharp intuition and even sharper wit. Archer Mayor crafts a taut narrative filled with enough twists and turns to keep even the most seasoned mystery readers on their toes. Will Joe figure out who killed the poor soul and why? Well, I'm not here to spoil the entire plot for you-just enough to make you curious enough to dive headfirst into this gripping tale!

So if you're looking for a quick read that balances humor and suspense while reminding us all that nothing good happens when you mix logging and murder, Crosscut is your ticket! Grab a cozy spot, a cup of something warm (maybe not a chainsaw), and prepare for a whirlwind ride with Joe Gunther that will leave you guessing until the last page. Happy reading!

Maddie Page

Classics, bestsellers, and guilty pleasures-none are safe from my sarcastic recaps. I turn heavy reads into lighthearted summaries you can actually enjoy. Warning: may cause random outbursts of laughter while pretending to study literature.