I don't remember reading a Dan Rhodes Mystery before even though I have read two Bill Crider westerns from the Brash reissue collection.

Dan Rhodes is a sheriff in a small community and the book is as much about the conventions of small-town life as it is about a crime. Dan has to do his job but he also has to live where he works, and this means he juggles a lot of people's needs – personal and political.

Dan's a good guy and a smart guy and a good sheriff. The book, and probably the whole series, is a warm look at small town USA with an overlay of crime. I enjoyed it but don't rank it among the best-ever detective novels.

I received a review copy of "Dead, to Begin With: A Dan Rhodes Mystery" by Bill Crider
St. Martin's / Minotaur) through NetGalley.com.

I received a copy of this book from the publisher through NetGalley to read and review.

DEAD, TO BEGIN WITH is the 24th book in the ‘Sheriff Dan Rhodes’ series, and opens with Dan being called out on a disturbance involving a local woman off her meds wielding an eight-pound sledgehammer, who is on her way to the beauty salon to get revenge for what she feels is a bad haircut.

Before leaving the scene, he receives a radio call informing him that Jake Marley, the local rich and reclusive man who’s recently resurfaced to restore the local opera house for a Texas adaptation of ‘A Christmas Carol’, has been found dead at the opera house from an apparent fall from the rafters.

Soon thereafter Rhodes is investigating the death as a potential homicide after receiving the ME report, and as expected there turns out to be several possible suspects.

Questions arise as to why Marley came out of seclusion to buy the opera house and put on the production, but no one seems to be willing or able to provide an answer.

Rhodes begins to consider the possibility that the murder might be connected to the death of Jake’s older sister several years ago, and her friends from that time period become potential suspects, even as they are older citizens of the small town and much time has passed since their reported wild youth.

Several hilarious exchanges take place between Rhodes and his staff, as well as many of the locals, and combined with the well written mystery, this book is a relaxed paced yet thoroughly enjoyable read, and after reading this along with the recommendations of my Goodreads friends Karl and Still, I’m planning to go to the beginning of the series and start with ‘Too Late to Die’.

5 stars.

Princess Fuzzypants here:
Bill Crider is a funny guy. I have read a number of his cat inspired short stories and enjoyed them immensely. This is the first full length novel I have read and I am planning to read more. I realize this is a long running series but I had no problem getting right into the book so do not let it stop you if you haven't read his books before.
Sheriff Rhodes is a laconic lawman who is surrounded by goofy assistants, an adoring public thanks to a local website that seems to catch him at his most heroic, a patient wife and a penchant for foods that are far from healthy. He is also a very good cop. When a local hermit turned philanthropist falls from the catwalk of a theatre he is refurbishing, Dan must decide if it is accidental or murder. The man's will and his autopsy indicated it is nothing short of murder. But who would want him dead and why? The investigation leads Dan to uncover a tragic death decades earlier. Is that the motive? I am not going to tell. You will just have to read the book- which is what I recommend.
I give it five purrs and two paws up.

This is a great book with a wonderful story and well developed characters. The story flowed very well and was very enjoyable. This book will keep you reading long into the night and you will not want to put this book down until you finish. This was such a great read and full of surprises. I voluntarily reviewed an advanced reader’s copy of this book. The free book held no determination on my personal review.

Sheriff Dan Rhodes is a police officer to really like. This installment in the series is a great mystery. Even though this "Dead, to begin with" is my first time with the main character I was pleased. The story read like a "First in series". I love how the title finally makes sense in the end. If we only pay attention to the beginning details. However the whole story is written with a great look into life in small town Texas. The characters are enthralling. Though Rhodes and his slight bald spot can tend to speak rather blunt. The idea of "A Christmas Carol" theme to the opening of the Opera house leaves me wanting to actually see the "Texas-Style" show. If I could give stars, this is a solid 4.5.