MYSTERY
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Alligator
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Barbershop vocal harmony, as codified during the
barbershop revival era is a style of a cappella, or
unaccompanied vocal music
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BOOK
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Murder In Four Parts
Bill Crider
Murder and mysteries galore!
Clearview,
Texas might not be a huge metropolis but Sheriff Dan Rhodes certainly
has his hands full! First, an invitation to join the Clearview
Barbershop Chorus comes out of the blue, particularly since Dan Rhodes
can't really sing. Then, a call about an alligator relieves him
of investigating the motive behind that request although capturing an
alligator can hardly be called restful, especially not with the
possibility of the history of the town's chicken wars coming to the
forefront again. Not even an alligator can distract Dan Rhodes
for long. Lloyd Berry, the director of the chorus, is found
murdered. While investigating the victim's past, Dan Rhodes gets
a glimpse below the surface of battles within the chorus. Some
accuse Berry of stealing funds from the chorus. Rumors about a
singing valentine abound, rumors perhaps created by Berry
himself. As
Sheriff Rhodes investigates the murder, he must also rein in all the
small crimes, neighbor wars and small town eccentrics. Throughout
his duties, the hint of the upcoming election looms. One wrong
step might lead to a lost election.
Bill Crider's MURDER IN FOUR PARTS
is a mystery in which setting brings the reader right into the
story. The town and its inner dynamics are as much a delight as
the murder mystery puzzle. From the first few pages, Sheriff
Rhodes' humor and commentary on modern culture give this mystery a
unique flavor and depth to his sleuth's character. Some of
Sheriff Rhodes' insights into generational internet changes in book
culture and life itself add a whole new layer of reading pleasure to
this mystery. Separated from the small-town craziness before him,
Dan Rhodes is still a vital part of the local community. As
sleuth, he is the reader's perfect guide to the world of Clearview,
bringing the reader into the very heart of the community and yet just
separated enough from all the dynamics unfolding that the reader gets a
bird's eye view as well. Wonderful!
MURDER IN FOUR
PARTS is full of mystery puzzles, not only in the main murder
mystery but all the interpersonal conflicts, secrets, hidden
motivations and the strange occurrences happening in Clearview.
Interwoven threads keep the reader guessing until the last page.
Even when the murderer's identity is unveiled, Bill Crider gives the
reader several other puzzles that intrigue in the unraveling. Quite
simply, MURDER IN FOUR PARTS is a book for readers who want
more mystery in their mysteries. Each clue adds another thread to
the town's fabric. Intersections between separate sources
to the case at hand or separate mysteries in and of themselves keep the
reader wanting to return to the book when outside events prevent a
straight-through reading. Although certain clues may not lead to
the murderer's identity, Bill Crider excels in the writing of the red
herring. Nothing is superfluous or added simply to delay the
murderer's identity but rather each clue adds a richness to the whole
world
within the mystery. Each red herring is a mystery itself that
adds character and a delightful peek below the surface of the
town. The prose and dialogue has a smooth effortless reading flow
that makes a reader feel present in the scenes. Through and
through, MURDER IN FOUR
PARTS is just a joy
to read. If you are a mystery lover, Bill Crider's
Dan Rhodes Mysteries are a treat from start to finish.
Publisher: St. Martin's Minotaur (February 2009)
A Dan Rhodes Mystery
Reviewed by Merrimon,
Merrimon Book Reviews
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