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Sheriff Dan Rhodes #12
Red, White, and Blue Murder
An Anthony Award-winning Author There hasn't been any rain to speak of in Sheriff Dan Rhodes's Texas county for nearly two months. Rhodes does see a good side, He hasn't had to mow his yard in weeks, and the coming Fourth of July fireworks have been canceled. Besides, one spark in the wrong place in this weather, and the whole county could go up in flames. Although the county survives, a wooden shack does burn to the ground with the owner's body inside -- and not even a sparkler was anywhere near the premises.
293 pages, Hardcover
First published October 24, 2003
6 people are currently reading
107 people want to read
About the author
Bill Crider
241 books236 followersTaught English at Howard Payne University in Brownwood, Tex., and went on to become the chair of the Division of English and Fine Arts at Alvin Community College in Alvin, Tex.; prolific writer of mystery, science fiction, western, horror, and children's books, not to mention short stories, articles, reviews, and blog posts; perhaps best known for his Sheriff Dan Rhodes mystery series.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews
December 17, 2015
An Excellent addition to the series, and quite enjoyable.
Sheriff Dan Rhodes, the local sheriff and the small Texas county are suffering a July heat wave. In fact it's so hot that the annual fireworks may have to be called off due to the fire hazards. However, to make matters worse there is a murder local fellow, who gets clobbered in the head and gets set on fire.
If that isn't enough the local town news paper has just hired,a, lets call her perky, young investigative reporter who enjoys following the sheriff around to get some scoops. And of course a couple more of the local towns folk die under some extra ordinary circumstances.
Rhodes delves into local corruption, enters into a barbecue rib eating contest, thinks he kills his top competitor in that contest (The first person he has ever killed) , and romps with his two dogs in this quite satisfying mystery.
Sheriff Dan Rhodes, the local sheriff and the small Texas county are suffering a July heat wave. In fact it's so hot that the annual fireworks may have to be called off due to the fire hazards. However, to make matters worse there is a murder local fellow, who gets clobbered in the head and gets set on fire.
If that isn't enough the local town news paper has just hired,a, lets call her perky, young investigative reporter who enjoys following the sheriff around to get some scoops. And of course a couple more of the local towns folk die under some extra ordinary circumstances.
Rhodes delves into local corruption, enters into a barbecue rib eating contest, thinks he kills his top competitor in that contest (The first person he has ever killed) , and romps with his two dogs in this quite satisfying mystery.
November 7, 2015
Can't believe this series and it's protagonist, Dan Rhodes, have been around for so long without hearing about them. Really enjoy the subtle humor although there isn't much depth. The mystery takes second place to the characters. Fun read.
April 9, 2020
Sheriff Dan Rhodes is the local sheriff in a small Texas county who is dealing with the July heat wave. The town calls off it's annual fireworks show due to the fire hazards caused by the heat. To make matters worse there is a murder of a local man, who gets hit in the head and is set on fire.
The local town news paper has just hired, a young investigative reporter named Jennifer Loam who likes to follow the sheriff around to get her scoops. She accuses the sheriff of corruption and some of the county commissioners as well. The sheriff manages to clear himself and investigate the other members. Some of the other local towns folk die under some extra ordinary circumstances.
Rhodes dives into the local corruption, he enters into a barbecue rib eating contest, and he thinks he kills his top competitor in that contest.
I enjoyed the cozy mystery with it's quirky, funny characters. The humor was a bit dry but still caused me to chuckle.
The local town news paper has just hired, a young investigative reporter named Jennifer Loam who likes to follow the sheriff around to get her scoops. She accuses the sheriff of corruption and some of the county commissioners as well. The sheriff manages to clear himself and investigate the other members. Some of the other local towns folk die under some extra ordinary circumstances.
Rhodes dives into the local corruption, he enters into a barbecue rib eating contest, and he thinks he kills his top competitor in that contest.
I enjoyed the cozy mystery with it's quirky, funny characters. The humor was a bit dry but still caused me to chuckle.
January 27, 2018
I enjoy reading about Sheriff Rhodes and the other residents of Blacklin County, TX. Rhodes is a commonsense small town law officer who solves crimes and quells disturbances by asking questions, watching, and listening. It's dry, humorous story telling and small town schemes, quirks,and characters. This is my fourth book in the series so I'm getting to know Sheriff Rhodes quite well. Easy, enjoyable read.
September 23, 2012
#12 in the Sheriff Dan Rhodes series. It's amazing that laid-back Sheriff Rhodes has lasted this long with his penchant for getting beat-up and knocked-out. This entry which turns on a young reporter's attempt to come up with a big story of corruption by county officials is a quick moving, enjoyable read and an above average series entry.
Dan Rhodes faces accusations of corruption from reporter Jennifer Loam. Loam's source also fingers some of Blacklin County's commissioners. Rhodes clears himself, but takes a look at Loam's other allegations when her source, Grat Bilson, turns up murdered in a burned-down house. Suspects include commissioner Jay Beaman and contractor Ralph Oliver, who supposedly bribed Beaman. Rhodes further learns that Bilson's wife, Yvonne, had been fooling around with Beaman while Bilson, in turn, had been seeing ex-con arsonist Linda Fenton on the sly.
Dan Rhodes faces accusations of corruption from reporter Jennifer Loam. Loam's source also fingers some of Blacklin County's commissioners. Rhodes clears himself, but takes a look at Loam's other allegations when her source, Grat Bilson, turns up murdered in a burned-down house. Suspects include commissioner Jay Beaman and contractor Ralph Oliver, who supposedly bribed Beaman. Rhodes further learns that Bilson's wife, Yvonne, had been fooling around with Beaman while Bilson, in turn, had been seeing ex-con arsonist Linda Fenton on the sly.
June 1, 2012
Good mystery set in Texas. The main character, Sheriff Dan Rhodes, is a no nonsense crime solver who uses his instincts rather than crime labs to solve murders. The series has a great cast of characters that assist or detract him in his efforts to solve crimes.
January 1, 2011
Fun and entertaining a great series
December 25, 2012
An interesting main character with a self depracating humor that he uses on himself. Likable, interesting twists, set in small town Texas.
August 25, 2023
Its dry and hot in Blacklin County, Texas and Dan Rhodes is glad the fireworks for the Fourth of July have been canceled. When a local man, Grat Bilson, who was feeding some information about one of the County Commissioners to a local reporter, is killed in a fire, Rhodes has his hands full trying to find out what happened. When the murdered man's wife goes to a local fireworks stand to confront the woman who is dating her lover, sparks fly and a fire starts. The local woman at the fire stand, Linda Fenton, is a convicted arsonist dating Jay Beaman. When Jay Beaman dies at the fourth of July celebrations because he attacked Dan and dies, Dan discovers he did not kill him and is relieved but now has to discover Jay's killer. How the mystery is solved makes for a great story. Another great addition to the series.
June 24, 2025
*Griffen Newman voice* prettttttttyyyyy chaaaaaaaaaarmmmmmminggggggggg.
And I think another great example of how the mysteries of these are kinda incidental to the charm and quiet grace of Blacklin County and its denizens. In particular the connection between sheriff Dan and Ivy, who really gets some tremendous focus and stage time here.
But it’s like…I’m so engaged with what’s happening in this weird little town and genuinely worried about this citizens that I was disappointed when it finally reveals who killed who and why.
It’s kinda of marvelous that these can be so functional AND so textured beyond just the fun of seeing a kind of dumb but well-meaning guy solve crimes. Extremely happy I have at least a dozen more of these to go because I think at least a dozen more of these would probably be pretty fun.
And I think another great example of how the mysteries of these are kinda incidental to the charm and quiet grace of Blacklin County and its denizens. In particular the connection between sheriff Dan and Ivy, who really gets some tremendous focus and stage time here.
But it’s like…I’m so engaged with what’s happening in this weird little town and genuinely worried about this citizens that I was disappointed when it finally reveals who killed who and why.
It’s kinda of marvelous that these can be so functional AND so textured beyond just the fun of seeing a kind of dumb but well-meaning guy solve crimes. Extremely happy I have at least a dozen more of these to go because I think at least a dozen more of these would probably be pretty fun.
March 1, 2018
I have read Bill Crider's books in a rather haphazard manner over the years--when I found them in libraries or in bookstores. I was so pleased to find this title, that I had no read before, and to again enter the very familiar world of Blacklin County, Texas. It is very familiar to me because it is modeled after Limestone County, Texas, where both Mr. Crider and I grew up. I recognize the places even though they are fictional, and I certainly recognize the characters as people like friends and acquaintances in my life. I highly recommend Bill Crider's books--as easy reads that are full of humor, yet still pretty good mysteries. This is one of the good ones.
May 16, 2025
“Red, White & Blue Murder”, twelfth in the 'Sheriff Dan Rhodes' series, sees Dan investigating a killing in the run up to the 4th of July.
The initial assumption was that he drank too much and set his bed on fire by falling asleep while smoking.
It turns out he had never smoked!
As is the norm only the murder investigation is a novelty - town life, his marriage, worries about his weight, Hank and Lawton making communication difficult, his eating preferences, etc. is as it always been.
3 Stars.
The initial assumption was that he drank too much and set his bed on fire by falling asleep while smoking.
It turns out he had never smoked!
As is the norm only the murder investigation is a novelty - town life, his marriage, worries about his weight, Hank and Lawton making communication difficult, his eating preferences, etc. is as it always been.
3 Stars.
May 17, 2025
I enjoyed the story. I did feel a little like the latecomer to the room as this is the first book I've read in the series. as such, it didn't really grab me too quickly.
But, there is a heck of a fist fight that was extremely well written. And another colorful antic involving a fireworks stand. And for that, I am grateful to Mr. Crider for effectively painting a couple of memorable pictures in my head.
But, there is a heck of a fist fight that was extremely well written. And another colorful antic involving a fireworks stand. And for that, I am grateful to Mr. Crider for effectively painting a couple of memorable pictures in my head.
October 20, 2019
Quick and easy read. Another early book in the series. Just wish the comedy duo of Hack and Lawton were not used so much. Normally just skim through the pages where they are filling space. I guess almost every series I like has these supporting character types that for the most ruin a good story rather than help it.
January 30, 2018
A fun read as sheriff Dan Rhodes solves a mystery as to who set fire to a man to cover murder. The book has a mildly funny humor to it. Not to be mistaken for great literature, this is just meant to be enjoyed. Recommended to anyone who wants a small break from global saving epics.
April 30, 2020
Yet another good Sheriff Rhodes mystery.
In the midst of a drought, and a heat wave, a body is found burned up in a wooden shack.
Rhodes suspects foul play...
Set against the 4th Of July, this is a fast moving story with all the regular characters.
In the midst of a drought, and a heat wave, a body is found burned up in a wooden shack.
Rhodes suspects foul play...
Set against the 4th Of July, this is a fast moving story with all the regular characters.
July 10, 2024
Fourth Of July 2024 Holiday Read
The plot is good and the story moves along.
The writing is pretty bad, juvenile but not like a young adult, more like a first attempt in desperate need of some good editing.
The plot is good and the story moves along.
The writing is pretty bad, juvenile but not like a young adult, more like a first attempt in desperate need of some good editing.
July 12, 2020
Audiobook performed by George Guidall
July 28, 2020
I am a fan of Sheriff Dan Rhodes and have been enjoying reading the series.
January 26, 2022
Unoriginal drivel
December 16, 2023
This series is very good. The characters are relatable and funny. If sheriff Dan Rhodes hears "hot enough for you?" one more time...
September 16, 2025
May be my favorite one yet. Lots of dry humor, and a nice little mystery with a twist I didn’t see coming.
April 24, 2016
I like the characters in this series a lot, Sheriff Rhodes, and his wife, Ivy, and their dogs Speedo and Yancy, in particular or I wouldn't have kept reading this series.
I don't live in Texas, where there are way more guns per capita than where I live (12.8 per thousand vs. 3.3 per thousand) so people don't shoot at the Sheriff all that often but, when they do, they can certainly count on it that he will not hesitate to shoot back. I am surprised by Sheriff Rhodes' reluctance to shoot back at the people who are shooting at him. But apparently most of the gun owners in Clearview, Texas, are the worst shots ever, since Sheriff Rhodes is still alive in book #12 in the series.
The number of times that Sheriff Rhodes gets beat up and hit in the head is getting totally unrealistic. Any person in the real world would certainly have sustained serious brain damage by now. He seems to get pounded to a pulp, on average, about 3 times per book.
On p. 215 the high crime rate, in Clearview at least, is explained: "... Rhodes was pretty sure most people never really considered the consequences of their actions. they just did what they thought would benefit them most at the time." Mentalhelp.net calls this Antisocial Personality Disorder: " Persons with this disorder don't really plan ahead and this type of reckless disregard can cause them to engage in risky behavior merely because it feels good in that one moment. They do not consider the consequences of their behavior, nor its effect on other people or themselves. This is how they end up breaking the law, getting themselves into trouble, and hurting others." And it does not affect "most people." So we must ask ourselves: What do Clearview, Texas, and Cabot Cove, Maine, have in common?
I don't live in Texas, where there are way more guns per capita than where I live (12.8 per thousand vs. 3.3 per thousand) so people don't shoot at the Sheriff all that often but, when they do, they can certainly count on it that he will not hesitate to shoot back. I am surprised by Sheriff Rhodes' reluctance to shoot back at the people who are shooting at him. But apparently most of the gun owners in Clearview, Texas, are the worst shots ever, since Sheriff Rhodes is still alive in book #12 in the series.
The number of times that Sheriff Rhodes gets beat up and hit in the head is getting totally unrealistic. Any person in the real world would certainly have sustained serious brain damage by now. He seems to get pounded to a pulp, on average, about 3 times per book.
On p. 215 the high crime rate, in Clearview at least, is explained: "... Rhodes was pretty sure most people never really considered the consequences of their actions. they just did what they thought would benefit them most at the time." Mentalhelp.net calls this Antisocial Personality Disorder: " Persons with this disorder don't really plan ahead and this type of reckless disregard can cause them to engage in risky behavior merely because it feels good in that one moment. They do not consider the consequences of their behavior, nor its effect on other people or themselves. This is how they end up breaking the law, getting themselves into trouble, and hurting others." And it does not affect "most people." So we must ask ourselves: What do Clearview, Texas, and Cabot Cove, Maine, have in common?
February 18, 2024
Sheriff Dan Rhodes never disappoints. I love his easy, determined manner. I laugh in every story, and with each situations he gets into, as well as the characters he works with. Just like the Canadian Mounty of the southwest, he always gets his man (or woman) as the case may be. Pure pleasure reading. Western mystery at it's finest.
November 26, 2015
Another Dan Rhodes Mystery. About the same as the others. The author basically writes the same story each time just different characters get killed. The Sheriff gets banged up more in this book than some. Good short book for light reading. The banter between the two old geezers at the jail begins to get tiresome.
February 27, 2014
Sheriff Rhodes' ineptitude is annoying and his ability to endure physical torment (knocked unconscious twice)beggars the imagination. There is little character development besides the 2 irritating oldsters and the rarely mentioned actual deputies are too one dimensional.
Read
April 19, 2011Cute, lightweight story that took you into the heart of summer's heat with humor and little tension.
August 20, 2014
This one is just short of a cozy which tend to annoy me in my old age, but the ending made m glad I finished it.
Read
February 17, 2015I always enjoy the books in this series. A fun escape for me.
February 15, 2016
Another Sheriff Dan Rhodes mystery. This one features a local reporter who has information about the county commissioners.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 32 reviews