The Ranger: A Quinn Colson Novel    by Ace Atkins Order:  USA  Can Berkley, 2012 (2011) Hardcover, Softcover, CD, e-Book      Reviewed by Lyn Seippel Army Ranger Quinn Colson returns home to Jericho, Mississippi for the first time in six years to attend his uncle's funeral. Uncle Hamp was his stand-in dad after his own dad just up and left when he was ten. When Quinn turned eighteen, his uncle pushed him towards the armed forces, not wanting Quinn to get stuck for life in Tabbehah County. Hamp had been sheriff of Tabbehah County for thirty years. Quinn didn't know until after the funeral that his uncle's death was considered a suicide by everyone except Deputy Lily Virgil. She is sure he was murdered and encourages Quinn to investigate. Quinn soon discovers more than he wanted to know about Hamp's years as Sheriff. Hamp was close to losing his farm to city councilman Johnny Stagg. Stagg is a corrupt politician, but he holds notes to prove that Hamp put up the farm to finance his trips to the gambling casinos. The farm has been in the Colson family since the late eighteen hundreds and Quinn has no intention of to making it easy for Stagg to take it. Other characters include Boom, a black man who was Quinn's childhood friend. He lost one arm as the result of an IED and now spends his time drinking and fighting. When Quinn drafts his help, he stomps right in, a better man that most with two good arms. Quinn's mother is still mourning Elvis more than she's ever mourned his daddy's desertion. Sister Caddy leaves her baby with their mother while she runs off to Memphis, selling her body to get high. Atkins is off to a good start with the Quinn Colson series. Tabbehah county is a setting is like no other. The story is fast and furious and a great read. Note: Opinions expressed in reviews and articles on this site are those of the author(s) and not necessarily those of BookLoons. Find more Mystery books on our Shelves or in our book Reviews