For some reason, I chose to go back and start Bill Crider’s Sheriff Dan Rhodes mystery series from the beginning. I read scattered ones in the later series. Too Late to Die introduces Rhodes, the Sheriff of Blacklin County, Texas, and the quirky cast at the jail, Hack Jensen, who has been helping out as dispatcher since his retirement, and Lawton, who has worked for the county for over forty years. Rhodes’ wife, Claire, died eighteen months earlier, and his daughter, Kathy is still living with him after Claire’s death. Kathy is a teacher dating Johnny Sherman, one of Rhodes’ deputies.
It’s an election year, and Rhodes knows he won’t get Hod Barrett’s vote. Hod is a grocery store owner in Thurston, and Rhodes is there investigating a break-in when he learns about a worse crime. Jeanne Clinton is dead, murdered at her house. As Rhodes asks questions, he learns Jeanne was quite popular during the night when her husband, Elmer was at work. But, every man in Thurston who was forced to admit he stopped by to see Jeanne, also insisted he only stopped by to talk with her.
Now, Sheriff Rhodes has some problems on his hand. There’s the murder and break-in in Thurston, an accusation that one of his deputies attacked two men in a bar parking lot, and a man who has a few mental issues is suddenly afraid of Rhodes, for some reason. It’s not the best time to run for re-election.
Too Late to Die sets the scene for the entire series, introducing the cast and setting for the mysteries. Terry Shames’ Samuel Craddock reminds me of Sheriff Dan Rhodes, another small-town lawman in Texas. Rhodes is a man who believes in his instincts. He likes to talk with people, and thinks he’ll eventually find the solution to his investigations by listening. Craddock is the same type of lawman.
It will be a while, but I plan to read through the entire Sheriff Dan Rhodes series. There aren’t too many books like these satisfying mysteries anymore.
Too Late to Die by Bill Crider. Walker and Company, 1986. ISBN 9780802756503 (hardcover), 183p.
FTC Full Disclosure – Library book
Such a great series.
Lesa, I love this book. I have read the first seven books in the series and so far the first is my favorite although they are all good. I hope to read book 8 this year. I have a good number of his later books but I want to read the series in order.
I have the whole series.
This sounds like a good series. I was quickly reading your review and at first read “introduces the quirky cat at the jail”! I had visions of an Andy of Mayberry vibe.
Have a good weekend Lesa. I somehow missed the Thursday post so I’m reading it now with my browser open to my library’s catalog.
Actually, Susan, at times there is an Andy of Mayberry vibe, especially with the “cast” at the jail. But, these have their violent moments. Poor Sheriff Rhodes!
And, Susan? I love that you’re reading Thursday’s post with the library catalog open!
Of course, I’ve read all the books from the beginning – one of them was dedicated to me – and I always got a kick out of the little things Bill threw in that people who knew him well got, like the Sheriff naming his dog “Speedo” (after Earl “Speedoo” Carroll of The Cadillacs, and the song “Speedoo”). He gave the Sheriff his own love of Dr Pepper. And the antics of the Abbott & Costello-like Hack and Lawson never fail to amuse.
I really miss Bill.
I imagine you do miss him, Jeff. You knew him even before this series. We all miss him. He was a gentleman in the mystery field. But, you have even more reasons to miss your friend.
I want to read this series! I looked up his books on Amazon and found the print one in Japanese, added his books for my library hunt as soon as it gets warm enough to go there!
This is such a terrific series. I know some of. you will enjoy it; some of you already have. The books are consistently good.
Oh, what a good idea!
Bill Crider is missed by many.
You’re right, Kaye. As a matter of fact, when I was putting together this review, I stumbled across a post he did for you on Meanderings and Muses. Such a kind man.
“Satisfying mysteries,” that sums up the Dan Rhodes series pretty succinctly but doesn’t go anywhere near far enough. I’ve often thought Bill deserved to be named a MWA Grand Master while he was alive on the basis of this series alone. Required reading.
Jerry, You’re right. I’m reviewing the second in the series next week, with a little more to say about Sheriff Rhodes as a character. You’re so right.
What a great series, I have read them all. I have,also read parts of his other series.. I am late to the blog today.