Murder in Four Parts

Sheriff Dan Rhodes #16

by Bill Crider

When Sheriff Dan Rhodes is asked to join the Clearview Barbershop Chorus, he suspects that there's an ulterior motive, mainly because he can't sing a note. He's momentarily distracted by a rogue alligator on the loose, but shortly afterward, Lloyd Berry, the director of the chorus, is murdered. Berry is suspected of embezzling money, and he's leaked the information that a member of the chorus ordered a singing valentine for a woman who isn't his wife. Later, Rhodes discovers that Berry has been gambling on eight-liners at Rollin' Sevens, a barely legal operation in a strip center on the outskirts of town.
Rhodes also must deal with the usual assortment of small-town crimes: a man dressed in his underpants and cowboy boots picketing a law office, dogfood theft, and attempts on the life of a man who likes to root through garbage. Rhodes sorts through clues that involve geocaching and barbershop singing with the help of a few oddball local characters before he solves the crime.

Genres: Mystery, Humor, Fiction, Procedural, Cozy

279 pages, Hardcover

First published February 17, 2009

About the author

Taught 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.

Reviews

[Karl · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sheriff Dan Rhodes claims he can't join the Clearview Community Barbershop Chorus because he's too busy “busting crime twenty four hours a day”. Now that in itself is funny. Then Lloyd Berry, the chorus director and local florist, whose head somebody bashed in with a pipe cutter wrench is discovered in his flower shop in a strip mall. To make matters worse a large alligator is discovered in a drainage ditch surrounded by copious amounts of chicken feathers. Thus begins Bill Crider's sixteenth entry in the series, this one titled "Murder in Four Parts".

To add spice to the whole crazy situation a naked man is reported doing jumping jacks downtown in front of a local lawyers office (he is wearing panty hose and a cowboy hat).. Such is a day in the life of Sheriff Rhodes in his small Texas town filled with more eccentric character than one could possibly imagine. And things are not as they seem at first blush.

As the series progresses the odd ball players in this series of fast moving mysteries begin to feel like a reunion of old friends and a gathering of wacky relatives as Mr. Crider displays his ability to tell a good story and keep the interest of the reader.

[LInda L · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a cute, light-hearted mystery. Dan Rhodes is a laid back kind of sheriff who wants to have some time to fish, but seems to attract bad people to his little town. The dispatchers are a hoot, the neighbors who hate each other are another hoot, and Seepy is as well. This was only my second of Crider's books and I enjoyed both of them. I think the library has 2 more, so I'll read at least that many. Sometimes I hardly have time to read the books for two Book Clubs, but so far, I manage. Looks as if most of the reviewers have enjoyed Crider as well. Keep them coming, Bill !!

[Glen · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bill Crider's 16 book in this series had Sheriff Dan Rhodes dealing with the usual small town hi-jinks, and the murder of a barbershop quartet singer. Pretty good stuff. Seepy Benton and Max Schwartz are starting to play bigger roles. Rhodes is more of a man of action in this book. Maybe after getting beaten up for 15 novels, he's started toughening up. In another departure, there are a number of subplots that never quite get resolved.

Still, I really enjoyed it.

[Iris · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this book. It kept me guessing. I had figured part of the mystery out early on and since the sheriff kept not getting it, I thought I must be wrong. Nicely though the author left it until the end and then had a nice trap and the "who" was a big surprise for me!

I look forward to reading more Dan Rhodes mysteries.

[Justin Partridge · Rating 4 out of 5]

“If we’re lucky,” Rhodes said, “someone will come alone and pick us up.”

“What if we’re not lucky?” Fulton said. “I haven’t had a lot of luck lately.”

“Sure you have,” Rhodes told him. “It’s just all been bad.”

Well, it started with the argument over the chickens.

Well, no, actually it started with the thrown chair at choir practice.

But REALLY it started with the alligator…

Sakes alive, these continue to be such a treat. And precisely the sort of thing I wanted to be digging into, both tonally and mechanically. As charming and as character forward as these are, they also function as pretty boss little mysteries and I always been much appreciating that as I get deeper into these.

There’s even a fun Joe Bob shoutout in this one! Crider was a real one.

[Monica Willyard Moen · Rating 4 out of 5]

The books in this series are a lot of fun to read, and this book is no exception. It is full of the humor, tragedy, and drama of law-enforcement in a rural county in Texas. I particularly like the main character, Sheriff Dan Rhodes, and the down to earth way he is portrayed in these stories. He isn’t like superman, and he doesn’t have a top notch CSI lab. What he has are good observation skills, good people skills, and the ability to think outside the box. The old movie references in this series are icing on the cake.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sheriff Dan Rhodes is surprised when he's invited to join the local chorus, since he can't sing at all. When the chorus director, a local florist, is found murdered, Rhodes reconsiders the invitation. Maybe he was supposed to break up the feuds that small-town life can engender. Meanwhile, his deputies are surprised to find a large alligator in a ditch, and a nearly-nude man picketing the local lawyer. Another gently-humorous look at Texas life.

[Ruth · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like the way Bill Crider writes. He manages to be funny and literate. I like his Dan Rhodes mysteries and also his ones about academia. One of the early academic ones, has these profs sitting around in the "smoking lounge", essentially a closet and though I read it years ago it still makes me smile.

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. Sheriff Rhodes is a favorite of mine anyways and this book was up to his usual standards. There were several mysteries involved and I love how Author Bill Crider tied them neatly together.

I am going to explore his other series now.

[Mascanlon · Rating 3 out of 5]

A solid read featuring Dan Rhodes.

[Michael Brown · Rating 3 out of 5]

Chief Rhodes is a plodder. He plods along, asking questions, studying the crime scene, asking more questions and putting up with the comic team of his jailhouse deputies. And as with the last few books in the series, animals are featured. Chickens both dead and alive, a guard dog named Bruce and an alligator. A few other stray animals keep the force busy while Rhodes plods through all the lies and false leads he has been given to once again get his man. He is one of those officers who will use technology (have others do the work) to answer some questions and then has his eureka moment when it all comes together. Unlike many detectives in print today, he just plods along till it all comes together. He is smarter than the average character in so many books.

[Ken Finlay · Rating 3 out of 5]

The 'Sheriff Dan Rhodes' books almost always contains a paragraph along the lines of:- “(He) couldn't help feeling he'd missed something important. The pieces of the puzzle were … right there in front of him, but he could make any of them fit together the right way.”
Usually, not long after, the pieces do come together.
“Murder in Four Parts” sees Dan investigating the murder of local shop owner Lloyd Berry who was bludgeoned to death.
He may have been having an affair with a married woman.
But, getting any information is like pulling hen's teeth.
There's also a side investigation into possible illegal gambling and Dan, who is notoriously shy of technology, learns more than he cares to about geocaching.
As always, time spent with Dan is time well spent.
3 Stars.

[Jan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Oh, the unique people--truly characters and critters! Oh, the exploits Sheriff Rhodes encounters to catch his prey. (Charles Bronson and Tom Cruise set a high standard. So does his later ego Sage.) His laundry bill is still high, and he might need some new uniforms! But...he gets his evil doer. Just watch out for barbershop quartets....

[Ila Jean · Rating 3 out of 5]

I occasionally take a break from other novels and visit Sheriff Dan Rhodes who patrols Blacklin County, Texas, keeping the citizens safe from burglars, petty thieves, occasional murders, and sometimes feral hogs or (as in this book) a roaming alligator. There is always a couple quirky characters and some humor. A quick, relaxing read and visit with small town folks.

[Teri Pre · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've read this series up to this but, but could only find this book on audio. George Guidall did a great job with Dan's voice. I really enjoy this series. And while there's always a bit of murder and mayhem, the books are so much fun to read. If Dan could quit getting knocked out and thrown in the mud, I'd be a happy camper.

[Dave · Rating 5 out of 5]

The Dan Rhodes series is a joy to me.
Bitter sweet now that Bill Crider has passed on.
Sheriff Dan Rhodes has an unusual mystery on his hands, when the director of a local Barber Shop chorus is killed.
An alligator, chickens, neighbor arguments and even a dog all play a part in a great story.

[Marsha Valance · Rating 3 out of 5]

Alligator wrestling, chicken stealing, a feuding barbershop chorus, eccentric townsfolk, chasing a murderer atop a moving train--Sheriff Dan Rhodes has to contend with all of these during a hot week in West Texas.

[Jewett · Rating 4 out of 5]

Love the gator

[Helen · Rating 4 out of 5]

A treat to read and catch up with the denizens of Blacklin County!

[Barbara · Rating 3 out of 5]

Good characters, not quite cozy but tending that way. Who killed the organizer of the barber shop choral?

[Ed · Rating 4 out of 5]

#16 in the Sheriff Dan Rhodes series.Crider continues the saga of Dan Rhodes, a laid-back lawman in a miniscule, rural Texas community. The lives of the townfolk and the banter of the jail employees are as comfortable to read as a pair of well broken-in slipper are to wear. Perhaps Rhodes is influenced by the fictional sheriff supposedly based on him; in this series entry he seems taller and more athletic.

Dan Rhodes series - When Sheriff Dan Rhodes is asked to join the Clearview Barbershop Chorus, he suspects that there's an ulterior motive, mainly because he can't sing a note. Shortly afterward, Lloyd Berry, the director of the chorus, is murdered. Berry is suspected of embezzling money, and he's leaked the information that a member of the chorus ordered a singing valentine for a woman who isn't his wife. Rhodes also must deal with the usual assortment of small-town crimes: a man dressed in his underpants and cowboy boots picketing a law office, dogfood theft, and attempts on the life of a man who likes to root through garbage.

[Jerry Jares · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is Bill Crider's 16th issue of Sheriff Dan Rhodes 'crime-bustin' stories' and frankly, it was missing something. After noticing all of the 5-star ratings this book garnered, maybe it's just me.

All the resident aggravations are present-and-accounted-for: irritated neighbors, clucking chickens, and the constant heckling between the jailer and the county dispatcher. Then a chicken-chomping alligator moves into the neighborhood and things get interesting.

The local barbershop quartet invites Sheriff Rhodes to join them, but Rhodes thinks there's an ulterior motive for the invitation. When the treasurer of the group is found dead, Rhodes starts looking for answers.

This particular story just seemed to have too many red herrings, so the tale seemed disjointed and not all that interesting (to me). However, I'm not giving up on this fun series because the humor is always fun.

[Vicki Gooding · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dan Rhodes is a small town sheriff. He's an easy going good ole boy that is astute and perceptive. Murder happens in a small strip mall, that's dying just outside of main street. He does not rush into it, he stores knowledge of words, facts and actions away in his thinking as he re-works it. He sends deputies out to collect more facts and continues to build a picture in his mind that fits what happened. The story has long time family feuds, defensiveness, but always someone who has another piece of truth to add to his growing knowledge of what happened. I truly enjoyed this easy read.

[Phyllis · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really like these light hearted mysteries. they are very relaxing after some of the books I read.
Sheriff has all the clues but I just didn't make the connections.Just the right kind of mysteries to keep me reading and to cheer me up.

[Beth · Rating 3 out of 5]

An enjoyable read.

[Judy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Although this isn't one of the best, you can't help but like Sheriff Dan Rhodes and the goings on in the small Texas town of Clearview.

[Elizabeth Owosina · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is the third or so book I've read in this series. They're starting to feel a bit monotonous.

[Cindy · Rating 4 out of 5]

I liked this one. One of the things I like about Rhodes is that he never quits. He gets dirty, he gets tired, he gets beat up, but he keeps going until he makes the arrest.

[Julie Carter · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great light-hearted mysteries. I really enjoy reading this series.

[Dru · Rating 5 out of 5]

First book that I've ever read by this author. I will probably read more but will need to do them in order.