Much Madness

This is billed as the last of the Garth Ryland books and it is the eighteenth book in the series. I've read and much enjoyed every one of them over the many years Mr. Riggs has been writing them. Like the other books, this is a fine "stand alone" read, with an excellent murder mystery at its core. But for me and others who have read the books, this is a very special book too because it so satisfyingly settles the future lives of Garth, Ruth, Abby, and many others in the Wisconsin town of Oakalla where the books are set. I totally loved this tale and am so glad that Mr. Riggs got it written--it has been several years since his last Garth Ryland book and in that interval I have often thought of the characters I've come to know so well through the books and wondered how things would turn out for them. Now I know.I think that Mr. Riggs wrote this book as much for himself as for his readers: I think he too wanted to end the series knowing that his very real characters were going to be all right, and that Garth's maturity and the weight of all those difficult past experiences he helped resolve wouldn't allow him to go on the same way now that Abby was permanently in his life.So the ending is particularly special on many levels, and I can now look back at all the books and feel comfortable about letting go of Garth and Oakalla. Thank you, Mr. Riggs, and best wishes for whatever you have planned beyond this marvelous series.

This, #18, is supposed to be the last in the series. If it is, Riggs wrapped it up well. But I so hope that somewhere down the line, he will change his mind and take us back to Oakalla.

The character Garth Ryland once again brings his homespun intuition to the latest offering in Much Madness. Always a page turner from John Riggs.

Riggs' books never disappoint and are always worth waiting for. Unlike some authors who churn out book after book, every one of his stories is a gem. The characters have evolved over the series and we learn a little more about them and Oakalla with each book. Although this book could be read as a stand-alone, I recommend reading the books in order. Actually, I want to go back and reread them all again - that's how good they are.

Excellent read.