Sheriff Dan Rhodes has learned a little in Bill Crider’s Murder in Four Parts. The Blacklin County sheriff never seemed to physically get the best of the bad guys. By the time the sixteenth mystery rolls around, he’s learned to defend himself, and it makes his occasional fights a little more entertaining.
Rhodes is curious as to why he was invited to join the Clearview Barbership Chorus. He knows he can’t sing a note. Before he can question the chorus director, Lloyd Berry, he’s called to Berry’s florist shop where the man has been murdered. Now, he has to question everyone involved with Berry. Of course, he has to run a disjointed murder investigation while trying to trap an alligator, settle a dispute between warring neighbors, and deal with the manager of a gambling joint. Then, there is the climatic chase scene when Rhodes becomes a movie hero right out of his favorite films.
Crider always mixes topics that were current at the time the books were written with the jobs and humor at the jail. This time, geocaching was catching the attention of local residents. However, readers returned time after time for the humor in the daily occurrences with Rhodes, his wife, Ivy, and the staff in the sheriff’s department, Hack Jensen, Lawton, Deputy Ruth Grady, and the other deputies. This time, Rhodes doesn’t have interference from the local commissioners, but they’ve had their own problems in previous books.
Murder in Four Parts gives Sheriff Dan Rhodes the time to investigate the murder while handling the humorous incidents of his day-to-day job.
Bill Crider’s website is https://www.billcrider.com/
Murder in Four Parts by Bill Crider. Minotaur Books, 2009. 279p.
FTC Full Disclosure – Library book
One little tidbit that I doubt many (any?) of the people here know: Bill was actually in a barbershop quartet! There is a video online somewhere of him and his group singing “Wimoweh,” which, of course, later became a #1 song in 1961 called “The Lion Sleeps Tonight.” I wish I could find it, but a LOT of groups did that song, and I can’t remember if the group had a name.
I found it! Of course, Bill is in the back behind the guy in the wheelchair.
Wimoweh.
Darn. Says it is not available anymore. Go to the site below. It’s there.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P3AgtIEb9TY
There are several YouTube videos of Bill performing with “The Fabulous G-Strings,” at Alvin Community College. Some of their songs were sly takes on popular songs, with an educational twist. Great fun!
Thank you Jerry. I have to check them out.
I had the feeling he might have been in a barbershop quartet, Jeff, only because he dedicated the book to a local group. Now, I have to watch “Wimoweh”. Thank you!
Love it when humor is added to the mystery!
I do, too, Carol.
Another good novel from Crider.
I liked this one even more than some of the others, Glen, since Rhodes defended himself.
Thank you, Lesa, for your thoughtful review. I once got to see Dad’s barbershop group in person and it was a real treat!