I love the cover of Bill Crider’s fifteenth Sheriff Dan Rhodes Mystery, Of All Sad Words. Nowadays, some authors credit the cover artist. I wish it had happened more often because I think this one is terrific. Not quite accurate, but it’s still good. My other comment is about the ongoing storylines. Before I started reading the books in order, I read and reviewed several of the more recent titles. So when I see a character introduced, such as Seepy Benton, I recognize him from later books. And, this is the mystery in which there’s a book signing for Blood Fever, the book authors Jan and Claudia wrote that features “a handsome crime-busting sheriff” modeled on Rhodes. Actually, reading a couple of the later books first added to the enjoyment of this one.
Dr. Seepy Benton, Chairman of the math department at the local community college was just one of the community members who attended the Citizen’s Sheriff’s Academy. Rhodes thought it was a good idea, but the local judge and a commissioner aren’t so sure. They suspect Seepy is a troublemaker, along with Max Schwartz, owner of a music store. They’re not the ones who stir up trouble for Rhodes, though.
Seepy does continue to tell Rhodes he suspects the brothers who own a mobile home behind Benton’s house have a meth lab there. When the mobile home explodes and goes up in flames, Seepy thinks he’s right. Rhodes finds no trace of a meth lab. He does find the body of one of the brothers, near a still that his deputy Ruth Grady discovers in the woods.
As always, Hack Jensen, the dispatcher, and Lawton the jailer, provide the comic relief in the book. Of All Sad Words is a serious mystery as Rhodes hunts for the killer of two men, tries to find out who was selling bootleg whiskey, and is haunted by a big black pickup that tries to run him down several times.
All of Bill Crider’s Sheriff Dan Rhodes books are well-written and enjoyable. But, there’s just something about Of All Sad Words that brings storylines together successfully.
The new website for Bill Crider’s books is https://www.sheriffdanrhodes.com/
Of All Sad Words by Bill Crider. St. Martin’s Minotaur, 2008. 265p.
FTC Full Disclosure – Library book
Well, Seepy actually is something of a troublemaker, but not a criminal or anything like the guy in the black pickup.
A lot of little towns have guys like Seepy and Max, who bug TPTB, and even the rest of the citizens, but that’s part of small town life.
You’re right, Glen. I remember a few from my hometown. They’re no longer around, but since I no longer live there, I’m sure there are a few more like Seepy and Max.
Now that I think about it, this could be the book where it is mentioned that Dan Rhodes was a fan of The Dixie Chicks, and I remember finding that a bit hard to believe. The Dixie Chicks sang country music for people who don’t like country music, but Rhodes very much liked country music. For some reason, that’s always stuck with me.
Not this one, Glen. I don’t know if I already read that one or not. And, hey! I loved all the old country music – Johnny Cash, Hank Williams, The Statler Brothers. And, I liked the Dixie Chicks! I don’t listen much any more.
I think part of the reason it stuck with me, is that a few books before, Rhodes claimed he didn’t like Hat Acts, or Garth Brooks type country, which was dominant at the time. I knew a few guys in the same age group as Rhodes who felt the same way, preferring the older Willie, Waylon, Merle, and Don Williams. I knew some guys a little older than that who yearned for the stuff they used to play on Rhythm Ranch. It seemed natural. The same thing happened to me when Bro Country became popular.
Then out of nowhere, The Dixie Chicks.
Probably three sentences altogether stuck with me all this time.
I have to agree about modern country music. I saw Don Williams in concert, and I loved his music. Willie and Waylon. Sounds like a country song (grin).
It’s definitely time to read a Bill Crider–I keep reading these great reviews of yours, Lesa, and not getting started. Should I start with #1 or do you recommend starting with another one?
I’d say start with #1, Kim, if you can find it. I like “meeting” the characters. If you like them, you’ll go on. If not, there’s no reason. Bill Crider continues with some of the characters from the first book. And, Rhodes’ life changes a little in the course of the series. Not much. It’s gradual, as life really is.
Glen got my comment exactly. Seepy might not be a “troublemaker” in the classic sense, but he always gets the Sheriff in trouble one way or another. Whenever he turned up in a book, you knew problems would follow.
I agree on the cover. It’s always been one of my favorites.
Just something about that cover appeals to me, Jeff. Maybe it’s because they didn’t try to portray a western lawman on the cover.
I agree with your comment about crediting cover artists Lesa. I’ve even tried hunting on the internet when I’ve found some strikingly similar covers, to no avail.
You know what genre does the best job crediting the cover artist, MM? Cozy mysteries in recent years. Sometimes, I’ve commented on the cover and artist when I like a cover.