A Romantic Way to Die

Death at a writer's conference as a theme is something that every author does at some point in a series. It also is a frequent theme for websites where entrants may even win a trip to the sponsoring writer's conference. It is so overdone it is clichéd. Yet, it is done because as a thematic plot setting, the idea does work and brings in a new cast of characters, albeit temporary, into a series. "A Romantic Way To Die" the eleventh book in the series featuring Sheriff Dan Rhodes uses such a device. Local author Vernell Lindsey whose recent published romance novel "Wild Texas Wind" has taken off much to the chagrin of several local folks. After a book signing at the local Wal-mart she soon will be hosting a writer's conference nearby in Obert at the former college campus. The buildings which have been the setting for a couple of novels earlier in the series are finally restored. They will be the site for the writer's conference featuring local as well as non-local authors, a famous local guy turned male model used on numerous romance covers, and a big time New York agent. Sheriff Dan Rhodes doesn't much care and thinks the whole idea of a writer's conference consisting of a bunch of authors talking about writing books is pretty much silly. That is, until the deaths start happening. Then the angst driven world of writing becomes very important as he tries to stop the killing and write his own justice filled ending. This novel in the series plows no real new ground character wise as it enjoyably works its way to a satisfying end. Rhodes still wanders around frequently without backup and at least once gets knocked silly for his efforts. He still investigates primarily by asking questions and catching folks in lies. The problem is that writers lie all the time and he has to figure out which lies lead to the truth. Much like other characters that don't seem to learn from previous episodes (not just the well known Stephanie Plum) Rhodes still goes about thing his own way. That isn't going to change. While it may make readers cringe from time to time, it can't be denied that as a plot device it works in yet another good read in the series. Kevin R. Tipple (copyright) 2009

Author Bill Crider pays homage to his fellow writers with the eleventh book in the Sheriff Dan Rhodes mystery series. The town of Obert, Texas, is the site of a small college campus that closed in the 1960s. Over the years a few speculators have dabbled with elaborate plans for its acreage and buildings but have always failed, for one reason or another. Now Thomas Chatterton owns it; and with the help of local writer Vernell Lindsey, the first big event for the newly-renovated space is a conference for romance writers. But the conference is barely underway when one of the participants is found dead in her dormitory room, presumably having fallen or been pushed into a corner of the dresser. As Sheriff Dan Rhodes proceeds with his investigation, he discovers the frustrating fact that all writers lie. At least, that's true of the ones he's been questioning. When Terry Don Coslin, the muscular male model pictured on many a romance novel cover, is pushed from a third-story window, events sure take a turn for the worst. Rhodes even has a narrow escape from death himself when an explosion rocks the same building. So who could have committed these murders? One of the successful romance writers, or one of the unpublished ones? How about Vernell Lindsey, the local girl who made it big? The New York City literary agent with the police whistle in her bag? Or maybe it was Thomas Chatterton himself, even though he claims that he was underinsured for the property damage. Rhodes has to figure things out and quickly, before good old boy Billy Quentin down the street has a chance to fire off his shotgun one more time. Not one of the stronger books in the series, but still an interesting visit to Blackin County, Texas.

Sheriff Dan Rhodes finds a traffic jam at the Clearview Texas Wallmart--all caused by a romance book signing, attended by hunk cover model Terry Don Coslin. Coslin is also the star of a writers' retreat in Clearview, an event attended by both local author wanna-be's, and well know authors from around the U.S. When one of the authors ends up dead, and the draft of her novel accuses most of the other writers of theft, cheating, and sleeping their way to the top of the publishing industry, Rhodes realizes that writers can be deadly. The only problem is, with a book like that, the list of people who might want Henrietta dead is a long one--but everyone seems to have an alibi. Rhodes' investigation into the murder is hampered by the character-filled natives of Clearview Texas, one of whom claims that Terry Don Coslin is a peeping tom while others see ghosts at the local funeral home. Still, Rhodes keeps working away at the crimes, trying to unravel the lies told by authors--generally recognized as the one group who tells lies for money. Author Bill Crider does a fine job characterizing a good-ole-boy Texas Sheriff who is plenty smart while still being a man of the people. Crider's Sheriff Rhodes approaches life with an attitude that can't help bring a smile to the reader's face. Anyone connected to the publishing industry will also enjoy the characterization of the writers' retreat, and the perpetual love-hate relationship between published and unpublished (a.k.a. prepublished) members of the writing community. BooksForABuck

Everyone in Clearview, Texas knows their neighbors on a first name basis and no one bothers to lock their car or house. The violent crime rate is extremely low, but once in a while Sheriff Dan Rhodes has to do "real" police work. Dan expects he and his staff to work crowd control with a romance writer's convention in town, but not anything else. However, that first night, someone murders an attendee in her hotel room, but no one heard any loud noises. Dan questions everyone at the conference, but they all have alibis. Soon, the culprit kills a famous male cover model. As Dan investigates the second homicide, someone tries to murder him too, but the tenacious Sheriff continues to seek the truth. Anybody who enjoys a down home country mystery or have attended a romance writer's convention will want to pick up a copy of A ROMANTIC WAY TO DIE. The plot constantly switches tempo betwixt the hilarious scenes between the romance writers and the serious police procedural without slowing down the pace of the story line. Anyone could prove to be the culprit as motives exist and false leads and red herrings abound turning Bill Crider's latest book into a fun to read mystery.Harriet Klausner