Survivors Will Be Shot Again by Bill Crider

©2016 Minotaur Books, New York

Blacklin County Texas is finally settling in to the quiet Mayberry-like existence that it should enjoy, so Sheriff Dan Rhodes has decided to take a long overdue day off. But when a would-be thief descends on the same convenience store Rhodes has entered to end his hiatus from drinking Dr Pepper, days off vanish from his mind.

It's just as well, because a crime ring has been operating on the outskirts of the county. Billy Bacon, who’s been the victim of thieves on his property over and over again, has called in another incident on his place. This time, the sheriff finds not only an empty space where Billy’s heirloom saddle should be, but also the body of Bacon’s neighbor, Melvin Hunt.

As usual, readers are treated to the squad-room banter of Hack and Lawton, even though Hack is convinced that the high sheriff intentionally keeps his dispatcher “out of the loop.” There is also high adventure as Rhodes heroically wrestles a “prehistoric turtle” and rids Clearview of the scourge of illegal marijuana patches.

We have another fast and fun story played out on the stage of Blacklin County Texas. Rhodes and his cohorts earn another 5 reading glasses for their efforts.

--Benjamin Potter, October 3, 2016

Between the Living and the Dead by Bill Crider

©2015 Minotaur Books, New York

[Note to the reader: I received and read this book several months ago, and now that I have finished the next in the series, I thought I should go ahead and post a quick note about this good Dan Rhodes story.]

Seepy Benton, professor at Clearview College, trained member of Blacklin County’s “Citizen’s Patrol”, and part-time live music for a local restaurant has a new job interest—he’s a ghost hunter. And so is born another headache for county sheriff Dan Rhodes.

As is his fashion, award-winning author Bill Crider, weaves a story filled with ghosts, guns, and intrigue. Throw in some trademark comic relief and mystery lovers have another good evening’s read. Crider is known for his wit and attachment to clichéd phrases, and constantly files them away to surface in one of his mystery novels. As I read the description of Dan Rhodes subduing a run-away bull in the Walmart parking lot, I fairly laughed out loud to see that the good sheriff “took the bull by the horns.” And I wondered how long Crider had been waiting to fit that one into a story.

Again filled with our favorite characters, Sheriff Dan Rhodes fans will not want to miss this edition of crime and punishment in Blacklin County Texas. This one will be fun at Halloween time with its haunted house, reference to ghosts and hat tips to the Ghostbuster movie franchise. Dan Rhodes gets another 5 reading glasses, if for no other reason than he “ain’t afraid of no ghosts.”

—Benjamin Potter, October 3, 2016

Don't Wait for the Obit

Bill & Judy Crider

For some reason we always seem to wait until obituary time to write the glowing report of our friends. This time, I don't think I'll wait for the obit to say the good.

I first met Bill Crider when he was Dr. Crider teaching American Lit. at Howard Payne University. I enjoyed his teaching style so much that I took him for a J-term version of English 201 (I think it was 5 papers in 3 weeks - the one year there was snow on the ground in Brownwood, TX). During the American Lit class I stopped by and asked if he as my English professor would look over a short story I'd written. He took it and a couple of days later he gave it back with some advice about the characters and a fairly generous assessment of the story itself. He was right about the need for character adjustment, but I think he was over-generous with the story itself--I still haven't re-worked it into anything worth sharing.

Fast forward about 15 years and I found a book with Bill Crider as the author. On a hunch, I bought the book, looked up his addressed, and inquired if he had been my English teacher. He was, and our friendship became more than student/teacher. He has become a friend, mentor, and all-around encourager. He's read a couple of my stories since and has always been more than friendly in his critique.

I've become attached to his writing (I've even indulged in some of the darker stuff that appeared under the name Jack Maclane) and always enjoy looking for the newest Sheriff Dan Rhodes mystery.

This mild-mannered friend of all has a talent not only for writing, but for music (especially if you like barbershop) and for being a great encourager. Thanks for being my friend, Dr. Crider.

I'm saying all this, and trying to join the cloud of voices bringing laud to a man who deserves it, because Bill has recently run up against a dire diagnosis of aggressive carcinoma. So while I'm not going to wait for the obit to tell what a powerful encouragement, influence, and friend Bill has been to me, I am going to take this moment to send thoughts and prayers out for him and this battle he's found himself in. Godspeed, Dr. Crider, and beat this thing. I know you've got another story (or 10) to tell.

Half in Love with Artful Death – Bill Crider

© 2014 St. Martin’s Minotaur, New York

Everybody’s a critic. This is because everyone has their own opinion, and some are more inclined to share their opinions than are others (just read this on-line review journal). There’s really nothing wrong with having, or stating, an opinion about, let’s say art, until the critic turns up dead.

That’s just what happened to Burt Collins (local complainer about everything in Blacklin County Texas) when he makes his opinions noted about the art exhibit in town and the artists it has attracted.

The latest episode in the long-running Sheriff Dan Rhodes mystery series is another rip-roaring good time. With the help of his faithful force of deputies, his long-time friend and thorn in the side C.P. “Seepy” Benton, and an array of colorful characters (including an orange-haired artist), Rhodes is able not only to solve the mystery, but also a string of convenience-store robberies, some escaped donkeys, and the mystery of the naked woman at the roadside rest area. He even shuts down a local meth lab a la his fictional counterpart Sage Barton in an excitingly dangerous shoot out.

I can’t recommend this series enough. But I can especially tip my ten-gallon Stetson to the newest story in the life of Dan Rhodes. It includes art, music, and some interesting poetry along the way. I give Bill Crider another set of five reading glasses for his latest story.

—Benjamin Potter, September 9, 2014

Read but not Reviewed (Recommended Anyway)

While I like to respond to as much of what I read with a thoughtful opinion in the form of a quick review, I don't always fulfill this desire. I am a fairly slow reader because I have to digest every word. Then, I want to be truthful and thoughtful when I do write my opinions down. When life gets hectic, I find that just fulfilling the normal duties of a small-church pastor can keep me from setting my thoughts to keyboard. So, I thought I'd just give a quick recommendation concerning a few books I read in the first part of the year (and then maybe I won't feel so bad about getting to the next--freshly read--review).

Compound Murder (A Sheriff Dan Rhodes Mystery) by Bill Crider (Minataur, 2013). As with anything by Bill, and especially starring the Blacklin County Cast headed by Dan Rhodes, I heartily recommend this book. I read it around Christmas and the next installment is supposed to hit stores next month, so I thought I'd better at least mention this one (4 reading glasses).

Mere Christianity by C. S. Lewis (Harper Collins, 2000 edition). I finally got a chance to give this classic defense of the Christian Faith a good solid read and found it to be timely and quotable. This is a book anyone should read. It has my highest recommendation (five reading glasses).

Too Busy Not to Pray by Bill Hybels (IVP Books, 2008, 20th Anniversary Edition). This one is a modern classic on prayer, It is another challenging read with much advise. I recommend it for the Christian who wants to dive deeper into their own prayer life. (4 reading glasses)

I'm Behind on My Reviews

Since Christmas, I've continued to read, but haven't found the time to do much reviewing, so here's a sampling of what I've read, and if I get a chance to get back to reviews, maybe I'll catch up.

Bill Crider's latest Dan Rhodes book Murder of a Beauty Shop Queen (2012, St. Martin's). Fans of small-town murder mysteries and Crider's characters and writing style will be well-pleased with this new installment. (5 out of 5 reading glasses).

Reckless Faith by Kevin Harney (2012, Baker). This book seems to be challenging, but has some struggles along the way (I really do need to get a review done of this work). (3.5 out of 5 reading glasses)

Calico Joe by John Grisham (2012, DoubleDay). I've read Grisham's efforts at writing fiction about football and enjoyed them enough. Here's one set on the baseball diamond. Baseball fans will like it - I did. (4 out of 5 reading glasses)

The Names of God by Ken Hemphill (2001, B&H). This is an excellent devotional read based on a series that Dr. Hemphill has preached a number of times. Read it for the devotional content. (4 out of 5 reading glasses).

The Wild Hog Murders – Bill Crider

[note: for a special treat keep reading after the review for a special interview with award-winning author Bill Crider]

© 2011 St. Martin’s Minotaur, New York

Bill Crider just can’t stop cranking out good stories. And all his readers are glad of it. July was the release date of the latest in the escapades of Sheriff Dan Rhodes with his deputies, Ruth Grady, Buddy, and Duke, and his jailhouse staff, the laughable Hack and Lawton. With Ivy and the dogs (plus a cat) at home, Sheriff Rhodes is living the dream life. I always know I’m in east Texas when I’m reading a Sheriff Dan Rhodes story—and this one took me back early on when even the high sheriff said the criminal was “off in the woods somewhere.”

Or so it would seem if convenience-store robbers wouldn’t wind up dead in the middle of the woods where hog hunters are stirring up a whole herd of feral hogs. This isn’t the first time these wild hogs have played into an investigation, and as prolific as they are, I suspect Rhodes will encounter them again someday. In the course of his investigation of an imported (from Arkansas) criminal named Baty (our dead body), the famous television bounty hunter fugitive recovery agent, Hoss Rapinski, hits the scene and almost immediately joins Baty at the funeral home that is the county morgue.

Included with all the colorful characters are some repeat offenders in Blacklin County. The Eccles cousins find themselves suspected again. Rapper and Nellie, the two-man motorcycle gang that repeatedly gives Rhodes problems put in an appearance (and we even learn more details about Rapper—read the book to find them out for yourself). And county commissioner Mikey Burns continues to hound Rhodes with worthless ideas—like employing “Robin Hood” to rid the county of the incessant feral hogs.

Climb out on the porch, pull up a rocker and a nice big glass of sweet tea (or better yet Dr Pepper from Dublin, Texas, where they still use sugar as sweetener), grab your copy of The Wild Hog Murders, and enjoy. Five reading glasses for a fine story.

—Benjamin Potter, August 8, 2011

And now for that interview:

I first met Bill Crider in English class--he was one of my early college professors at Howard Payne University. After we had both moved on, I found out he  had started publishing books. I started reading and haven't stopped since. So, let's let the man speak for himself --

An interview with insert author's name here Bill Crider

Benj-O: Let's start with a little background. How long have you been writing? And do you have a routine?

    

 BC:  I used to have a routine.  When I was teaching, I'd usually write from 7:00 P. M. or so until around 10:00.  Now that I've gotten old and lazy, I don't follow the routine so well.  I still prefer to write in the evenings, though.

 

Benj-O: Your talent seems to work equally well with both short fiction andnovels. How are these two formats different when writing (besides length,that is)?

BC:  Oddly enough, the difference is time.  It takes me a lot longer to write a page or two of a short story than it does for me to write a page or two of a novel.  I'm not sure why.  Maybe it has to do with the compression of everything: time, character development, plot.  When you have as many pages as you need, you can be extravagant.  When you have 20 or 25 pages, you  have to condense everything and still tell a good story.  It's tough.

 

Benj-O: You've created a host of loveable characters to star in your stories (Sheriff Rhodes, of course; Sally Goode; Truman Smith; Carl Burns (mypersonal favorite), among others). Do you prefer one to another?

BC:  I like them all about the same, though I liked writing the Truman Smith series because it was in first person, which I enjoy.  Carl Burns was great fun because I got to write about things I knew about.  Sally Good was fun for the same reason and because she was the only female lead I ever got to do.  And of course Sheriff Rhodes was the first character I developed on my own, and he's the one who's still going.  I know that doesn't answer the question, but it's the best I can do.

 

Benj-O: So, let's get down to these wild hogs. Why do animals often play so heavily into your stories? Is there something we need to know?

BC:  The truth is, I never really thought about it.  I know that the Rhodes books have a lot of animals in them, and Truman Smith investigated the murder of an alligator and a prairie chicken.  Sally Good had her cat.  I guess the Burns books have fewer animals than the others, but I have no idea why.

 

Benj-O: Early in the Dan Rhodes series, I believe it was book one, Rhodes' daughter was bowing out of the scene to make room for Ivy. Do you thinkwe'll ever see her again?

 

BC:  That was in the first book, and she's never been mentioned again.  Or if she has I don't remember it.  I think about her all the time, however, and I wonder if there's a way to bring her back.  It could happen. 

 

Benj-O: When those Hollywood moguls finally take notice of Dan Rhodes, will you sell them the rights outright, or do you plan on being hands on in the process of bringing Dan and the gang to the silver screen?

BC:  If that ever happens, I probably won't still be around to see it.  So I'm selling them the lock, stock and barrel.

 

Benj-O: And finally, what's next for Bill Crider? Will we be seeing more of Blacklin County's finest, visiting some of our old friends from colleges past (they know who they are), or will we get to encounter entirely newcasts of characters?

BC:  The next sheriff book, tentatively titled THE MURDER OF A BEAUTY (SHOP) QUEEN had been turned in, so that'll be out next year.  I have one sheriff book left on the current contract.  After that, who knows?  I'm writing novels for the e-book RANCHO DIABLO series (DEAD MAN'S REVENGE is currently available for Kindle), and I'm supposed to write a DEAD MAN novel for Lee Goldberg's e-book series.  There'll be more of the RANCHO DIABLO books down the road.

As always Bill, thanks for playing!

Murder in the Air – Bill Crider

© 2010 St. Martin’s Minotaur, New York

If you are like me, you always look forward to a trip to Blacklin County. One reason is that it reminds you so much of your home in East Texas. Another is that the characters and stories that emanate from the mind of Bill Crider are endearing, funny, and readable. And yet another trip to Clearview, the county’s seat, brings another tear to your eye—whether from nostalgia, laughter or allergy, I’m not saying.

Dan Rhodes faces another intriguing case when the county’s most despised man surfaces face down in a local fishing hole apparently drowned by accident. The problem is, the case is too easy to be closed this way, and something keeps niggling at Rhodes’s brain. As it turns out the local chicken baron (Lester Hamilton, also known as the deceased) has met with fowl play (puns always intended in Blacklin County). The local character/fisherman Hal Gillis who found the body, also becomes one because he knows too much. And now Rhodes has two murders to solve—with the help, of course, of ace deputy Ruth Grady, comic relief Hack and Lawton at the jailhouse, and the Carl Burns imitator CP (Seepy) Benton who actually teaches math at the local college (instead of English as Burns does). And they do it all without an M-16 (go read the book).

Interesting notes on this installment of the Dan Rhodes mysteries is the reference to Nick Carter instead of the 87^th Precinct boys at the hands funeral director Clyde Ballinger, and the pubisher’s final decision for title of the book which seems less appropriate than the author’s own choice, which you’ll have to drag out of Bill.

Fans of serial murder mysteries will want to grab a copy of this one fast. And while you’re reading you’ll want to keep an eye opened for the references to nostalgic pop culture like Zero and Dr Pepper, and the book and movie titles and descriptions thrown in for good measure. Another five reading glasses, Bill. Keep them coming. (Of course if it’s up to the publishers, then tell them I said so.)

—Benjamin Potter, September 20, 2010

Mississippi Vivian – Bill Crider and Clyde Wilson

© 2010 Five Star, New York

With this one, Bill Crider claims to be everywhere. So he might as well be here, too. And he is. And I’m glad. In the second outing for Ted Stephens, Crider and Wilson have another winner. Sadly, Wilson passed away after the writing but before the publishing of this novel (October, 2008). Even so, you will be glad to pick up a copy of Mississippi Vivian for your own shelves.

The setting is August, 1970, and Ted Stephens, Houston private detective, finds himself on assignment in the backwoods town of Losgrove, Mississippi. It’s in Losgrove that Ted meets the title character—one of three Vivians in town who are distinguished by their points of origin: Texas Vivian, Idaho Vivian, and Mississippi Vivian. She becomes a part-time informant for Ted as he investigates some claims fraud cases for National Insurance. What he discovers is that in Losgrove, Mississippi, his suspects are dying all over town, and the rest of the town—including the sheriff—aren’t interested in talking to him.

Filled with Crider’s trademark down-home characters, and his wry humor, Mississippi Vivian is another example of nostalgia married to an investigative procedural. One of the things to like best about Stephens is that he doesn’t really care when people put him off, he just wants to do his job. If you’re skeptical just read a page or two, and you’ll find him saying so himself. You sometimes even forget that the setting is from thirty or forty years ago, until Stephens mentions the Falcon that he rented for the job.

Thanks again for a great afternoon’s diversion, Bill and Clyde. And here’s your five reading glasses for the trouble.

—Benjamin Potter, June 1, 2010

Murder in Four Parts – Bill Crider

Crider is back with Dan Rhodes. And this one sings!

Anyone familiar with Bill Crider knows that he has a wide range of interests. He loves reading, music, and movies. Dan Rhodes stories are filled with all of these. But at the top of Crider's list is alligators. Mike Gonzo's "sewer monsters" turned out to be alligators, Galveston private eye Truman Smith encountered gators in one of his outings, and if you visit Bill's Pop Culture Magazine you won't have to scroll too far before encountering a gator link. Is it any wonder that along with the allusion to barbershop harmony in the title is accompanied by a chicken-eating gator?

This time out the victim is the treasurer of the local barbershop chorus and is found dead in his floral shop in the opening sequences of the book. Rhodes, true to his own form, spends the better part of three days plodding along finding pieces of the puzzle. In this edition you get a glimpse of the culture that is barbershop harmony, Texas gambling establishments, and a new game known as geocaching.

The characters are as entertaining as always, including original friends like Hack and Lawton and Dan's beautiful wife Ivy, and some of the newer arrivals like Seepy Benton and Max Schwartz. When I first started reading Dan Rhodes books some fifteen years ago, I thought--Mayberry! After all these years, and all these stories I see a bit of Sparta, Mississippi mixed in with the good folks of Blacklin County Texas.

Pick up a copy of Murder in Four Parts, you won't regret it. I give Dan Rhodes five reading glasses (to make up for all those pairs he loses in hot pursuit of bad guys).

– Benjamin Potter, March 30, 2009

Personal note: I think you ought to buy this book. You can click the title to find its listing at Amazon.com as always, or you can do like I did and support your local independent book seller. I got my copy at Houston's Murder by the Book (Bill signs 'em there).

Of All Sad Words – Bill Crider

© 2008 St. Martin’s Minotaur, New York

Readers of the Sheriff Dan Rhodes stories will know that this is the fifteenth feature-length novel starring the laid-back east Texas lawman since he first appeared in the Anthony Award-winning Too Late to Die in 1986. Those same readers will also be glad to note that the good sheriff is alive and well and busting crime in Blacklin County.

The newest in the series has Rhodes investigating the explosion of a mobile home, death of its owner, and related death of a local café owner. Along the way, Rhodes has to deal with possums that aren’t there, flying saucers that are probably not there, the crankiness of a county commissioner, and the exasperating banter of the beloved (?) Hack and Lawton—who are supposed to be his friends.

Terry Crawford is found dead away from the wreck of his mobile home. His brother who was at the Wal-mart to buy groceries seems more intent on suing the propane company (and anyone else he can think of) for wrongful death than he is about the fact that Terry is dead. The investigation turns up not one but two stills and an apparent new market for bootleg whiskey. This brings an appearance of a Texas Alcoholic Beverages Commission investigator to the county. As such goings on will do, the vermin shows up to be active in the criminal activity. In this case it takes the form of Rapper and Nellie who have confounded Rhodes on several previous occasions. Each time, Rapper gets permanently wounded (though not fatally) and then gets away. Maybe he’ll stay away from Blacklin County this time. In the words of the sheriff, “Right.”

For entertainment value, Crider throws in the news that the book loosely built around Rhodes and his crime busting career, Blood Fever, is now published and Dan finds himself roped into joining the co-authors at a book signing at the local Wal-mart. One of the new (and hopefully recurring) characters takes time to write a tribute song to Rhodes called “The Ballad of Sheriff Rhodes” and sung to the tune of “The Ballad of Davy Crockett.”

This story is written in the typical quick-paced style that Crider’s readers have come to expect in the Rhodes stories (novels and shorts alike). Crider also lets us work the puzzle with the sheriff without revealing his hand too early or broadcasting it too loudly, which is often the temptation when writing genre mysteries. In addition to a rocking cover, readers will encounter the parade of kooks and characters they know inhabit the little east Texas town. Other references will delight readers of mystery stories such as the honorable hat tip to Crider’s friend and successful east Texas writer Joe Lansdale (of course the reference might be a plug to encourage Joe’s daughter Kasey in her burgeoning singing career). If Crider had been able he would also have linked you to Hard Case Crime when he gives them a nice fat juicy plug. (I’ve done it for you, Bill; lovers of nostalgic pulp crime novels and covers will be delighted.)

Crider is on his game with Of All Sad Words. I’d have to give him 4 reading glasses. For the editors at Minotaur, I’d have to ask whose doing their research. They’ve lumped Dead Soldiers in the list with the Sally Good Mysteries in their listing of the author’s previous works. If they’d read the book they would remember that it was the long-awaited reappearance of Professor Carl Burns. Happy reading, everyone.

—Benjamin Potter, March 31, 2008

Houston Homicide – Bill Crider and Clyde Wilson

© 2007 Thomson Gale, New York

Christmas Eve brought a pleasant surprise in the mail—my autographed copy of Houston Homicide. I had been looking forward to Clyde Wilson’s debut novel for several months—ever since collaborator Bill Crider made the announcement about this Five Star offering. It delivered everything I expected.

This excellent police procedural introduces us to Detective Ted “Steve” Stephens. Steve finds himself assigned to a triple murder case already being worked by Wetsel and McGuire. Wetsel, the lead on this team, is lazy and looks for the easy answer to all his cases. The Lieutenant wants Steve to cast a more objective eye on the case. His crumbling home life doesn’t help the investigation any. To the chagrin of Wetsel, Steve turns to his friend private detective Clive Watson for help in solving the case.

Happily, Steve’s marital woes take a positive turn as the book progresses, if his relationship with Wetsel doesn’t. By the conclusion of just over 250 pages our hero has solved the case despite having to face reassignment because the case is moving to slowly and taking a self-imposed, long overdue vacation in order to patch things up with his wife.

Crider, highly recognized mystery writer who introduced us to Sheriff Dan Rhodes two decades ago, is no stranger to sharing the pen. (His first book was a collaboration on a Nick Carter spy thriller.) Unlike previous collaborations with the likes of Willard Scott, Bill Crider’s influence is not readily evident in this superb book. It appears that Bill is along in a more advisory capacity in this outing, sharing his literary acumen to this ancient novice writer (I’m sure he’ll let me know if I’ve missed this call). The voice in Houston Homicide comes straight from the retired Houston private eye—Wilson.

I’m looking forward to future offerings by this debut author, he’ll be looking out at the award audiences with his own acceptance speech if this freshman effort is any indicator. Readers will be rooting for Sgt. Steve in all aspects of his life. It doesn’t hurt that Clyde Wilson Clive Watson offers his entire organization—contacts and all—to help solve the case. I’m sure that similarities between the author and the p.i. are merely coincidental. Don’t pay any attention to that editorial hiccup on page 67.

Houston Homicide gets a whopping 4 ½ out of 5 reading glasses. If you’re a fan of Crider, you’ll want it. If you enjoyed the 57th precinct novels, this is a good addition to your library. Even if you can’t get a copy signed by both authors delivered to you on Christmas Eve, you’ll want to read this book.

—Benjamin Potter, January 5, 2008

"The Sunshine of My Wife" -- Bill Crider

For a bit of variety today, I'll review a short story. As you can already tell, I'm a big fan of Bill Crider's writing (probably the biggest, with the exception of Bill himself). What you may not know is that, as well as being a great genre novelist, Bill is quite the accomplished short story writer as well. He's even won awards!

Bill recently participated in a writing challenge of sorts. The call was sent out for short stories that could be posted to a blog, that must be about a blog. Bill went the whole nine yards and created a story that was a blog. It's hard to describe the story without destroying the story. One thing that can be said is that you can read the story from earliest entry to latest, or in reverse (latest to earliest) and the effect is superb either way. If you're a fan of mystery stories, as I am, you will want to click here to see what I'm talking about. If you just like a good story, but don't have lots of reading time available, check the story out. It's a great puzzle story. And like any good literature, it lets you fill in all the blanks. But don't forget to read the "comments" as you read, you don't want to miss one trick in this treat.

See Bill's invitation to read the story here.

--Benjamin Potter, March 2007

Links to Past Reviews

Because I have a tendency to be lazy instead of industrious, but I did want to include these reviews here, I decided to just link to the reviews for those who would like to read them rather than cut and paste them. So here are some past reviews that I did before starting this blog:

• Murder Among the OWLS by Bill Crider
• Next by Michael Crichton
• The Great Santa Search by Jeff Guinn
• Simple Church by Thom Rainer & Eric Geiger
• Just a Simple Carpenter by Benjamin Potter
• House by Frank Peretti & Ted Dekker

Just click the links and enjoy.

--Benjamin Potter, March 2007

Blood Marks – Bill Crider

I know, I know, you’re saying, “Doesn’t he read anything besides Crider?” As a matter of fact, I was once accused by a used bookstore owner of being a “purist” in my reading. At the time I was working on completing my collection of Crider first editions that were published before I discovered that this former professor and now friend of mine was a writer of renown.

I’ve introduced you to his westerns, now I want to give you a taste of his mysteries. When looking for the “best of” an author, I tend to steer away from their series. I like Dan Rhodes (the most prolific of Crider’s characters), I’ve read all the Truman Smith private eye novels, all the Carl Burns novels (my favorite of Crider’s protagonists), and the Sally Good novels as well. I like reading Crider because his style is easy and readable, but to find his best I turn to his stand-alones.

Blood Marks follows a serial killer, at sometimes being narrated from the killer’s point of view, and at other times filling in the story. The beauty of the story is that until the “reveal” you’re kept guessing as to the identity of whose mind you see from time to time. The humor for which Crider is famous is not missing, but it takes on a darker tone in this masterpiece of a crime novel. This book is a nail-biter, terror-building, psychological thriller that will keep you up at night—at first because you just can’t put it down, and then because you can’t get it out of your mind. When you get this one from your friendly neighborhood used book seller or borrow it from the library, be sure to lock the doors and windows as you curl up for a thrilling ride.

—Benjamin Potter, March 2007

Outrage at Blanco – Bill Crider

Bill Crider is often seen as a mystery writer. He’s most famous for his award-winning Sheriff Dan Rhodes series. (You can see a review of the latest of these here.) But this retired English prof is well-versed in the writing of western stories. As a matter of fact, just a few years ago he joined a growing number of authors who are asking two key questions: (1) Isn’t the American Western novel closely related to the American Mystery novel? And (2) Whatever happened to the Western? (See his article here.)

At any rate, one of the better examples of his Old West genre writing was Outrage at Blanco. This paperback original (pbo) chronicles the actions of Ellie Taine who rides a trail of vengeance in the wake of the utter destruction of Blanco, Texas which included the murder of her husband and her own violation at the hands of an outlaw gang. Ellie discovers an inner strength usually reserved for men of her age, and seeks justice for herself, her family, and her town.

Crider’s follow-up, Texas Vigilante, another pbo featuring Ellie Taine, was chosen as a book club offering. This means it got to ride the coveted hardcover trail. I liked Outrage better as a read, but if you’re looking for good westerns, let Bill take you down memory lane. His westerns are all great for an evening of relaxing by the campfire.

—Benjamin Potter, March 2007