The Night of the Dance: A Mystery

Ten years ago a preacher's daughter disappears on the night of a rodeo dance. After her body is discovered an investigation ensues conducted by a good ole boy Sheriff, a retired Texas Ranger, and the rural town's only black Deputy Sheriff. This is a highly unlikely threesome-as different from each other as they can possibly be. They add their own unique personalities and viewpoints to the story. In the course of the investigation a lot of the town's skeleton's come tumbling out of the proverbial closet. James Hime has written a very strong debut novel. Several times I thought I knew the outcome, but each time I was wrong. Intricately plotted, there is a twist at every turn. A very atmospheric novel which conveys the feeling of small town rural Texas both the good and the bad. I look forward to the author's next book

I'm not typically a mystery reader but this book is special. It's engaging, all the way and keeps you guessing, right up to the end. I'm giving this book as my 'Christmas book' for 2003 but not waiting until Christmas to do it. I am sure that James Hime will be heard from again but for a first novel this is excellent.

James Hime's first novel The Night of the Dance is an excellent murder mystery. Hime succeeded in keeping me fascinated from the first through the last page because he comes out the gate with a fast pace and sustains his intensity through the last word. The characters are tremendously enhanced through Hime's obviously intimate knowledge of Texas dialect and colloquialisms. The Night of the Dance has an excellent and exciting plot with numerous unexpected and intriguing twists that will keep you guessing. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who loves a well-written, fast paced murder mystery. I am looking forward to the future adventures of Jeremiah and Clyde.

Hime's first novel reminds me of Texas - strong characters, great dialogue, terrific plot. I'm waiting for a follow-up already. Jeremiah Spur is in the vaunted tradition of the great Texas Rangers (eg, Lonesome Dove).

Ten years ago Sissy Fletcher, a twenty-five year old beautiful and wild woman, disappears after last being seen at the Rodeo Dance. Everyone thought she went to the big city to start a new life for herself but that theory is disproved in the present when a construction crew digs up the remains of Sissy. The sheriff of Washington County, Texas Clyde Thomas knows he's not equipped to deal with a murder investigation so he asks retired Texas Ranger Captain Jeremiah Spur to help him.Even though his daughter is dying in a Houston hospital, Jeremiah agrees to help but Sissy's brother Martin is disturbed that her bones were recovered and along with his friend Did (an appropriate name) start a two man crime wave. Believing he is God's messenger, he robs a grocery store killing a black man and his mother. He also intends to blow up the courthouse so that all the law enforcement people die. Sissy's investigation has to be put on hold while innocent men and women are at the mercy of an insane killer.This is James Hime's debut novel and it is a solid police procedural, but even better crime thriller. Readers are left to wonder why the discovery of Sissy's remains set off her brother and the answer rings true even though it is shocking. The hero of this novel is the Texas Ranger (retired) who bends a few rules to see Justice prevail. He keeps his head while everything he cares about seems to be falling apart. THE NIGHT OF THE DANCE is a strong debut novel.Harriet Klausner