A butt-kicking West Virginian female sheriff from an outlaw family on a fast-moving adventure! This is a wild ride, full of action and adventure. Crime, 'crooked' DOJ employees, white supremacists, a strip-joint owning narcissistic mother, a little romance, and a fast moving story all build to a satisfying conclusion. The author has developed a fresh new character that has not been done before. I sincerely hope that this is the first in a series. I really want to see where he can take the story. This is a fast read, I had a very hard time putting it down. And thoroughly enjoyable. Bravo!

Russell Johnson’s THE MOONSHINE MESSIAH is Justified meets Fargo and with as many twists and turns as a Blue Ridge mountain pass you won’t put this book down. It’s one I wish I could read again with fresh eyes. —Mark Westmoreland, A Violent Gospel and A Mourning Song

Reviewed by Alma Boucher for Readers’ Favorite

The Moonshine Messiah is a mystery by Russell W. Johnson. After her husband's death, Mary Beth became the sheriff. Mary Beth's family members are criminals, which sometimes works in her favor because she understands criminal minds and that helps her with her job. Mamie, Mary Beth's mother, is the head of the local crime syndicate, which complicates matters significantly for Mary Beth. She receives an offer that her past criminal links will be overlooked by an old school sweetheart on condition that she gives up her brother to the authorities. Mary Beth's brother is the leader of the anti-government militia and owns a radio station that spreads propaganda. He's a thorn in the Feds' side, and they want to arrest him.

The Moonshine Messiah is complicated and exciting. The story was fast-paced and full of action. There was never a dull moment, but the story never felt rushed. Russell W. Johnson kept me on the edge of my seat with suspense. This roller coaster ride of crime and mystery had me hooked from the start. I could not put it down and eagerly turned the pages. The events were vivid and described in detail. The characters were well-handled, and each had a solid background. They were authentic, and I could relate to them. Some of the characters were wild and dangerous. It was a shock to learn that Mary Beth grew up in this criminal world and then became a sheriff. The story is well written, and Johnson has a gift for characters and plots.