Aside from the occasional kitten in a tree, Stanley Grace’s biggest challenge as Sheriff of the tiny town of Merit has been his heiress wife and her thinly veiled attempts to speed up the ‘til death do us part’ clause in their wedding vows. However, that peace ended when the national news picked up a local story about a violent gang war in Merit. Unfortunately, the story ignored that the rival … gangs are in the 4th grade and actually best friends. Stanley and the town get shoved unwillingly into the spotlight as national media, celebrities (including the recently dead), and a visiting circus pounce on them wagging the national finger in shame over the supposed race-related violence.
But when danger follows behind the chaos in the form of a bloody uniform found just outside the town, Stanley finds himself facing bigger problems than just the entire country calling his town racist. Armed with a cup of luke-warm coffee, his smelly dog, and a little supernatural help, it’s up to Sheriff Stanley to save his town from newshounds, killers, and circus clowns alike.
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Of War and Taters
By: Ashley Chappell
5 out of 5 stars
The story Of War and Taters by Ashley Chappell is an entertaining and intriguing book. It hooked me in from the very beginning and once I started, I found that I didn’t want to put it down until I had read the last page. It has some mystery and suspense as well as a good portion of humorous moments as well. Welcome to Merit. Here Sheriff Stanley Grace has found himself pulled into several situations going on at once and has Stanley trying to stay one step ahead. The book has a good pace to it and there are times when I wished I could read faster as I just had to know how it ends. What does the future hold for Sheriff Stanley Grace and the town of Merit? Read this book to find out. Besides Stanley, there are many other characters that are introduced, and I enjoyed the interactions they have with each other and the sheriff. One of the characters that stands out is the ghost of a recently murdered actor who is trying to stage a comeback. It is a story that I found myself staying awake into the night to find out the ending. I highly recommend reading it.
This really was an interesting book. A ghost story with a twist. When I started reading Of Way and Tators, I was a little leary. The beginning just did not grab my attention. But, as I continued reading my interest was peaked and I became engaged in the story. The many twists and turns grabbed my attention and I found myself wanting to know how it would end. I really recommend Of War and Tators, you will not be disappointed.
Of War And Taters by Ashley Chappell was a fun and unique read. The whole time I was reading this book I was chuckling. Overall I enjoyed the story and writing. It is witty and funny and just a little sarcastic. I wasn’t sure what to expect with this book but I’m glad I read it. I would rate 4 stars.
Of War and Taters by Ashley Chappell was an intriguing read! I would give this book a four out of five stars. I really did not know what to expect, but really enjoyed it. A part of me enjoyed the misunderstanding because it just highlights that the media focuses on the story they want to sell. I enjoyed the unexpected twists and turns throughout the book. Stanley was my favorite character, I could not put the book down because of him.
OF WAR AND TATERS by Ashley Chappell. I LOVED this book. Such a fun, gossipy read! This is the story of the small town of Merit and how things can get turned into much bigger things than they are! It all starts when the National News picks up the news story that Merit has a Gang War going on. What the paper failed to mention is that the gangs are 4th graders and actually best friends. Stanley Grace the Sheriff of the town who never has excitement like this is thrown in the spotlight. The gangs are called the Upper and Lower Jelly River gangs. There is also a circus in town and we get to meet all the weird characters. But when real danger shows up will the Sheriff be able to handle it before someone gets really hurt? Kids and adults will love this book.
4 Star l
OF WAR AND TATERS by Ashley Chappell
Of War and Taters by Ashley Chappell is a funny yet entertaining story that once I started reading I couldn’t put it down till the end. I loved all the characters and their personalities . Sheriff Stanley Grace finds himself pulled into several different situations at once and him trying to stay a step ahead. Can Stanley figure out what is going on? What does the future look like for Sheriff Stanley and the rest of the town of Merit? Find out what happens next in this cute book that I highly recommend reading. I’m definitely going to be checking out more books by this Author.
Of War and Taters by Ashley Chappell is a whimsical mystery with an endearing cast of characters. As I started reading the book I found it hard to figure out what kind of book it was supposed to be and where the story was going – it seemed like we were being shown a bunch of relatively unconnected events. But as the story progressed, everything began coming together and making sense (well, a bit of sense at least!).
At the centre of the story is a theme of gossip and misleading journalism that is all too familiar in our “post-truth” world. Stories are blown out of proportion or even fabricated for dramatic effect, and even threaten to become self-fulfilling prophecies.
There are characters for everyone to enjoy. The Upper and Lower Jelly River gangs are rival groups of mischievous, inquisitive children who have been thrust into the spotlight. They remind me of characters in books like Swallows and Amazons – sworn enemies until they find something else to team up against. Then there’s the Sherriff (double “r” intended) who seems to be doing quite well for someone whose usually quiet town has been turned upside down. There’s a circus to rival The Greatest Showman, with some excellent characters like Goliath the giant and Chaz the astigmatic ape. There’s Monty the thespian ghost, who reminded me somewhat of Gordon Way in Dirk Gently. I could go on! It’s an eclectic, endearing cast.
For me, this is a five star book. It’s entertaining, engaging and different. If you enjoy books that are both very clever and very silly, such as the works of Douglas Adams and Tom Holt, I would definitely recommend it!
Of War and Taters by Ashley Chappell a fun filled four-star read. I didn’t know what to expect with this story when I read the title, but just like we shouldn’t judge a book by its cover, I shouldn’t judge a book by its title. This was so funny I spat tea over myself, this story has a little something for everyone, its witty and funny with a sarcastic brush that just keeps it from getting soppy. If you like a mystery or a funny story then you cant go wrong with this story.
Of War and Taters is written by Ashley Chappell is a book that kept me laughing. I have read some of her other books but this one is something completely different. Her other books are fantasy and this one is what starts out as a fourth-grade schoolyard battle and develops into something beyond crazy. The characters kept me in stitches and I couldn’t read this fast enough. Not only do you have the students but crazy media, a ghost making his comeback, and a Sheriff trying to keep everything together. I have always enjoyed her books but this has me as a fan. I love the small town could be any small town getting up to all sorts of shenanigans. I look forward to reading more from her in the future.
I loved everything about this book. My only question is how, as a lover of Terry Pratchett, have I NEVER stumbled across Chappell before now? Her wit oozes from each page and happily finds a home in your heart regardless of your age (good thing since I’m most definitely not in the YA group!). Sharp, poignant, fantastically tongue-in-cheek, this book had me enraptured from beginning to end. What a wonderful addition to every library. You must pick it up – NOW!!
OF WAR AND TATERS by Ashley Chappell
5 Stars
OMG…I loved this book, and can not figure out how this is my first book by this author. If this is her writing style and creativity with storylines then I can promise this will be the first of many I read by this author.
I’m a small town girl and love reading about small towns and this small town was everything for me.
I can’t even think of where to start reviewing this book except to say if you love reading mysteries with a twist and laughing your fool head off while your reading then this is absolutely the book for you. The characters..each one is written so perfectly and each one has their own little storyline going on and there’s no way I can pick a favorite.
Read this book…it was an awesome break from some of the super heavy books I’ve been reading lately. I will read this again and might even buy this for my grandsons because I think they would seriously love it 🙂
OF WAR AND TATERS by Ashley Chappell
4 stars
With a title like this one, I wasn’t sure what to expect but what a hidden gem of a book!
I laughed throughout this book which was helpful as i’ve read pretty heavy as of late.
It took just a bit to get into the swing of the writing style and the pov’s going through many people, but once it clicked i took off flying through the pages.
What happens when the media gets involved, a circus comes to town and a ghost? This book does.
Loved Sheriff Stanley!
Must read.
Of War and Taters by Ashley Chappell is a sarcastic, witty, unusual story. It is one of those things that you go, oh this is so stupid it is funny kind of things. It is a satire from start to finish and is hard to put down. It is one that you find yourself laughing at but you want to smack yourself in the head for laughing. The story is based on the residents of a small town who thanks to rival gangs the town gets far more than is bargained for but in amongst that there is mystery, ghosts and drama that goes with living in a small town. This tongue in cheek story will leave you laughing long after you finish.
I give Of War and Taters by Ashley Chappell, 5 stars.
The sleepy little town of Merit is quiet no more. A bunch of reporters have flocked there once they heard about the rival gangs this town has. Little did they know they “gangs” were just a bunch of ten-year-olds. Plus the travelling circus decided to get some of this attention and stopped over there. Oh and don’t forget the ghost actor. Sheriff Stanley, used to nothing happening in his town, doesn’t know how to stop this sudden chaos and bad rumors. Then he finds a grisly discovery that hints at worse things going on. Will he be able to step up and take charge or is his little town doomed?
If you do not appreciate humor and satire, this book may not be for you. However, if you do, this book is right up your alley. Something completely different from what I’ve read of this author before, she does a brilliant job of putting just the right amount of humor and sarcasm into this story while still keeping it a mystery book too. Is most of what happens completely outlandish? Yes, but that is what makes it so great! At the same time, there is a touch of heart in here too. The kids great and the poor sheriff puts up with so much. The people could easily be your eccentric neighbors who live down the road. The story itself has so much going on in so many directions, but it all ties together wonderfully. I could not put this down until I reached the end. I would love to see more of this town in the future.
If you enjoy a humorous whodunit the likes of which you have never read before, this book is for you.
When an ambitious 4th grader’s news story makes national headlines, news reporters swarm in from all over the country to uncover the rampant racism in town amongst the gangs. The only problem? The gang is a bunch of 4th graders, best friends in fact, in typical summertime play.
Now the circus is in town, as well as a famous actor’s ghost and things are downright nutty for Sheriff Stanley Grace, whose wife has tried in endless ways to kill him and keep her generous inheritance for herself. Have I mentioned things are a bit of a mess in town?
The characters were quirky and fun, with the exception of Cyrus. I did not care for in the way he talked to others, and I do understand that’s his character, but he’s calling people dwarfs and marmoset face and there are tattooed pigs in the circus and it all just made me uncomfortable.
But when I take out my dislike for Cyrus, the book is a strong 4-star read. It was a fun story, and poor Stanley sincerely tried to shut it all down, but no one was having it. When Mad Mother Hinkle showed us why she was given that nickname I burst out laughing at the ingenuity. This was such a smart and clever book. When you think things can’t go more awry, it does, and you find yourself laughing out loud at the hilarity of it all.
A quick and satirical read that that was full of humor. The story flows well from beginning to end and it kept me intrigued and humored.
OF WAR AND TATERS is one of those books that I want to write a flowing and detailed summary, but I don’t want to recap the entire story. Trust me when I say it is super funny and worth the read. As someone who works in the newspaper industry, this line tickled my funny bone… “There was a sickness that afflicted some newspaper readers that forced them to read it from cover to cover aloud to anyone who might be in the room.”
There is also an interesting point of view shared in the story. Ok, I’m stopping now because I don’t want to say more.
I recommend it.
OF WAR AND TATERS by Ashley Chappell was a fun read that had a little bit of everything, that kept me both entertained and engaged.
Not my first read by this author, so I knew going in that I was in for a well written witty read, with intertwining elements. I was not led astray, and this book brought what it stated. Now I will say that I did find the pacing a little slow at times, especially with all the different POV’s. But overall, it wasn’t that much of a bad thing. I did love how every different element was connected somehow, and the dog, Mr. Cuddle Face, it was like this little innocent voice that popped in; made me smile, and just had me wanting to steel him away.
Overall this book is a fun quick read that will have you second guessing, scratching your head and laughing. It was the perfect little mix of fun, drama, spoof, dark humour, mystery and entertainment. This book will keep you reading, and it will have you wondering why there isn’t more like it. I do hope there is more to come from this wonderful little world that the author has created.
To end this book gets my super high recommendation and my stamp of approval.
Happy Reading.
-E.A. Walsh
This story is amazing. It has different elements from romance, to mystery and murder and shows how adult attitudes can affect children’s behaviour towards each other.
The town of Merit is a quiet peaceful place where children are children and no real crime ever happens.
Until one day that all changes and Sheriff Stanley finds himself with a town suffering from a mad circus, a war about racisim between the children and a murderer on the loose.
I really enjoyed this book once i got into it. At first there was to many characters introduced at once but i kept reading and really enjoyed it
Of War and Taters by Ashley Chappell is a funny and clever story that will keep you entertained the whole way through.
This book hosts a ton of brilliant and strong characters, each with their own stories that only add to the overall storyline. It is funny right from the word go. There were quite a few times that this book had me laughing out loud.
There was a lot going on with the story but the author did a great job at tying all the threads together and keeping the story moving along nicely. As the first book I have read by this author I felt it was a great showcase as to what she is like. I am looking forward to exploring more of her work in the future.
This is a thoroughly engaging story. Each character has their own Individual story going on with their larger than life personalities but it’s how they all come together that makes this so good. It’s full of humor, wit and don’t forget sarcasm. This takes place in basically ANY town USA. Except there is murder, mystery, mayhem and….the circus. These characters and situations are something that happen could happen to anyone and that makes them easy to identify with as well as chuckle at. I personally loved listening to the fourth grader gangs divide the town with their “map”. The names of the places reminded me of my youth. Ah…looking through a child’s eyes.
This is my first time reading this author. I find her story tricky but smooth. Easy to follow and the characters…colorful.