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Blanco County Mysteries #3
Flat Crazy
"You'd have to be Flat Crazy to miss a Ben Rehder book. This guy is the funniest, freshest voice in Texas mystery writing today."—Rick Riordan, #1 New York Times bestselling author of The Lightning ThiefFlat unidentified wild creature is on the loose in Blanco County, and, over the protests of game warden John Marlin, the locals have convinced themselves they're dealing with a mythical vampirish beast called a chupacabra. It doesn't help Marlin's cause when a dead body turns up with a fang-like wound in its neck. Then things really get out of tabloid news programs invade Blanco, good old boys Red O'Brien and Billy Don Craddock develop a cockamamie get-rich-quick scheme involving the animal, and everyone is a little surprised at the booming population of voluptuous Chinese dwarves who've turned up in town. If anyone can make sense of the strange events, it's John Marlin, who's well-versed in the intricacies of small-town life, Texas style. But can he do it before another body turns up?REVIEWS FOR FLAT “Murderously funny…[Game Warden] Marlin’s job, as usual, is to keep a cool hand on a dangerously fraught situation. Rehder’s job, performed with similar skill, is to stand back and let it all work itself out.” —Chicago Tribune“Another of Rehder’s relentlessly twisted tales. Outrageous fun.” —Kirkus Reviews (Starred Review)“Down-home humor that is both intriguing and entertaining.” —Dallas Morning News“The odd cast of characters and bizarre plots and subplots make for a rollicking good read.” —Houston Chronicle“The third and cleverest installment of Austinite Ben Rehder’s Blanco County Mystery series. Flat Crazy is pure, guilt-free pleasure for those who like their mysteries with a side order of weird.” —Texas Monthly“Rehder has a stable of characters and critters guaranteed to create havoc. Marlin’s quiet competency adds to the enjoyment, as he puzzles out this confounding mystery.” —Publishers Weekly“Rollicking good fun.” —San Antonio Express-News“Rehder’s clever storytelling skills, his expert comic timing and flair for characters have made this series shine. Rehder’s series works for both those readers who despise hunting as well as those who indulge in the sport. Rehder’s dark sense of humor serves him well as Flat Crazy has many laugh-out loud moments, punctuated by sharp dialogue and odd but believable characters. Flat Crazy‘s ending is the perfect mix of absurd humor and suspenseful action. Rehder doesn’t just write niche mysteries, he’s proving to be one of the genre’s rising talents with his twisted tales.” —South Florida Sun-Sentinel“Ben Rehder is back with the third installment of his Blanco County mystery series, and, once again, he’s brought the funny…well-drawn characters, genuine plot surprises, and ironic social commentary lift the series well above the connect-the-dots level. Flat Crazy is flat-out funny, and I can’t wait to see what [Game Warden] John Marlin gets into next.” —Austin Chronicle
320 pages, Kindle Edition
First published January 1, 2004
134 people are currently reading
318 people want to read
About the author
Ben Rehder
76 books276 followersBen Rehder wanted to become a writer ever since he was dropped on his head as a toddler. As he grew into a young adult and the vertigo gradually dissipated, his passion for literature grew. Ben longed to craft the type of soul-stirring prose that would touch people’s lives and help them explore new emotional horizons. But he went to work at an ad agency instead.
Throughout his rewarding and fruitful career in the ad business, Ben has been known to write such imaginative and compelling phrases as “Act now!,” “Limited-time offer,” and “Compatible with today’s rapidly changing network environment.”
However, there eventually came a time when, as unbelievable as it sounds, writing brochures and spec sheets simply wasn’t enough to satisfy Ben’s creative urges. Ben knew: It was time to write a novel.
“But what kind of novel?” Ben asked himself, drawing stares from passersby.
A mystery? A thriller? A work of suspense? Ben had read hundreds of books in these genres and loved them all. But nothing had sparked his creative juices enough to try it himself.
Fate played a hand one day when Ben’s father-in-law tossed him a copy of a Carl Hiaasen novel. And then it hit him. It literally hit him, right in the forehead. When the swelling went down and Ben had a chance to read the book, he discovered a type of fiction he had never experienced before—the comic crime novel! He loved the wacky characters, the zany plots, the interesting writing that threw a good deal of humor into the mix.
So Ben set out to write his own novel. After many grueling minutes in front of a computer, Ben was proud to present Buck Fever. Like many best-selling classics, Buck Fever has lots and lots of verbs, prepositions, adjectives, and the occasional gerund. It was even nominated for the Edgar Award for Best First Novel!
Next came Bone Dry, Flat Crazy, Guilt Trip, Gun Shy, and Holy Moly. Best of all, Ben is now releasing the earlier novels in ebook format at the low low price of just $2.99. What a deal!
Throughout his rewarding and fruitful career in the ad business, Ben has been known to write such imaginative and compelling phrases as “Act now!,” “Limited-time offer,” and “Compatible with today’s rapidly changing network environment.”
However, there eventually came a time when, as unbelievable as it sounds, writing brochures and spec sheets simply wasn’t enough to satisfy Ben’s creative urges. Ben knew: It was time to write a novel.
“But what kind of novel?” Ben asked himself, drawing stares from passersby.
A mystery? A thriller? A work of suspense? Ben had read hundreds of books in these genres and loved them all. But nothing had sparked his creative juices enough to try it himself.
Fate played a hand one day when Ben’s father-in-law tossed him a copy of a Carl Hiaasen novel. And then it hit him. It literally hit him, right in the forehead. When the swelling went down and Ben had a chance to read the book, he discovered a type of fiction he had never experienced before—the comic crime novel! He loved the wacky characters, the zany plots, the interesting writing that threw a good deal of humor into the mix.
So Ben set out to write his own novel. After many grueling minutes in front of a computer, Ben was proud to present Buck Fever. Like many best-selling classics, Buck Fever has lots and lots of verbs, prepositions, adjectives, and the occasional gerund. It was even nominated for the Edgar Award for Best First Novel!
Next came Bone Dry, Flat Crazy, Guilt Trip, Gun Shy, and Holy Moly. Best of all, Ben is now releasing the earlier novels in ebook format at the low low price of just $2.99. What a deal!
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews
April 20, 2023
Put together a mythical beast hunt, an out of control hunt guide, a playboy millionaire, a Chinese dwarf porn star and a sexy out-of-town news reporter and you've got the making of a dangerous end to the hunting season. Life in Blanco County, Texas should be quiet, but for the 3rd book in succession proves that this is not so. Flat Crazy is a mixture of good humour and heart-stopping danger told at a cracking pace.
When a Mexican labourer witnesses a strange-looking animal devouring a goat in the woods his terrified conclusion is that he had just seen the dreaded chupacabra. The chupacabra is supposedly a mythical beast that wanders around feasting on the blood of its victims. The news sends something of a shiver through the citizens of Blanco County, to think that this ungodly creature should be roaming around out there.
John Marlin is the game warden for Blanco County and the protagonist of the series, an all around nice guy who works closely with the sheriff's department, so he's drawn into some pretty interesting investigations. As Flat Crazy opens he is run off his feet with the end of hunting season nearing and the hunters doing a mad scramble to make the most of the last few days. The last thing he needs is the fear of an unknown animal, mythical or otherwise, roaming in the woods. Making things worse is the presence of a news team who have picked up the story and have caused a rush to the area of every half-baked would-be thrill-seeker who thinks it would be fun to capture a chupacabra.
In the course of searching for the animal that may or may not be real, the intrigue is kicked off in earnest when the first body is discovered on a vacant property. It's obvious that the death has been caused by a human, not a chupacabra so what is to become a perplexing and ultimately extremely dangerous investigation begins.
Flat Crazy is the kind of mystery where we the readers know all the details, who the murderer is, how and why the murder was committed. The satisfying aspect of the book is watching to see just how he is going to be caught, who else he might take out along the way and how the vast array of seemingly unrelated sub-stories are going to have an effect.
Ben Rehder has the admirable quality of keeping the story paced consistently throughout and shows a remarkable flair for displaying a wickedly dark humour. He drew me in with a definite light-hearted feel about the story and then, before I knew what was happening through some very serious moments into the mix. It has the effect of throwing you off balance and makes you hesitant as to what the tone is going to be next.
The off-beat characters that consistently make appearances in the Blanco County series are present again in Flat Crazy and adds another dimension of appeal to the book. The air of unexpectedness hangs over every scene thanks to the skewed thinking of the Blanco County regulars. It keeps the story very fresh and throws up some very enjoyable surprises.
Like the earlier books in the Blanco County series ( Buck Fever and Bone Dry ), Flat Crazy is an extremely satisfying read, recommended to mystery lovers who prefer their stories to be on the humorous side. That's not to say that there isn't a darker side to this story, it has an intensity that commands you to keep reading.
And as for the Chinese dwarf porn star? Well, if your curiosity as to how he comes into the story hasn't been aroused *ahem* then you're just not trying.
When a Mexican labourer witnesses a strange-looking animal devouring a goat in the woods his terrified conclusion is that he had just seen the dreaded chupacabra. The chupacabra is supposedly a mythical beast that wanders around feasting on the blood of its victims. The news sends something of a shiver through the citizens of Blanco County, to think that this ungodly creature should be roaming around out there.
John Marlin is the game warden for Blanco County and the protagonist of the series, an all around nice guy who works closely with the sheriff's department, so he's drawn into some pretty interesting investigations. As Flat Crazy opens he is run off his feet with the end of hunting season nearing and the hunters doing a mad scramble to make the most of the last few days. The last thing he needs is the fear of an unknown animal, mythical or otherwise, roaming in the woods. Making things worse is the presence of a news team who have picked up the story and have caused a rush to the area of every half-baked would-be thrill-seeker who thinks it would be fun to capture a chupacabra.
In the course of searching for the animal that may or may not be real, the intrigue is kicked off in earnest when the first body is discovered on a vacant property. It's obvious that the death has been caused by a human, not a chupacabra so what is to become a perplexing and ultimately extremely dangerous investigation begins.
Flat Crazy is the kind of mystery where we the readers know all the details, who the murderer is, how and why the murder was committed. The satisfying aspect of the book is watching to see just how he is going to be caught, who else he might take out along the way and how the vast array of seemingly unrelated sub-stories are going to have an effect.
Ben Rehder has the admirable quality of keeping the story paced consistently throughout and shows a remarkable flair for displaying a wickedly dark humour. He drew me in with a definite light-hearted feel about the story and then, before I knew what was happening through some very serious moments into the mix. It has the effect of throwing you off balance and makes you hesitant as to what the tone is going to be next.
The off-beat characters that consistently make appearances in the Blanco County series are present again in Flat Crazy and adds another dimension of appeal to the book. The air of unexpectedness hangs over every scene thanks to the skewed thinking of the Blanco County regulars. It keeps the story very fresh and throws up some very enjoyable surprises.
Like the earlier books in the Blanco County series ( Buck Fever and Bone Dry ), Flat Crazy is an extremely satisfying read, recommended to mystery lovers who prefer their stories to be on the humorous side. That's not to say that there isn't a darker side to this story, it has an intensity that commands you to keep reading.
And as for the Chinese dwarf porn star? Well, if your curiosity as to how he comes into the story hasn't been aroused *ahem* then you're just not trying.
July 19, 2013
The third Blanco Country mystery. In this episode of game warden John Marlin’s adventures in law enforcement, a corrupt hunting guide named Duke Waldrip kills an angry client who demands a refund after discovering his mounted head was faked; the country goes loco after a chupacabra sighting makes national news thanks to a less-than-dignified gossip show’s attention; loveable redneck crooks Billy Don and Red try to catch the goat-sucker with typically amateurish planning; a man specializing in Asian midget porn procures some deer antlers as an aphrodisiac for an unconfident star; and someone has been illegally shipping in and shooting exotic animals (which just might explain the chupacabra sightings).
It’s another strong entry in Rehder’s series – not actually a mystery, since the murderer is known from the beginning (except for a small twist at the end) and it’s pretty clear what the chupacabra actually is – but it’s a great amount of fun. The criminal is both dumb and devious; the hillbillies are self-centered, goofy and endearing; Marlin is an everyman, unlucky in love but optimistic, who doesn’t want to solve homicides but deep down enjoys the thrill. As Rehder brings the disparate plot lines together and apart and together again in brief, staccato flashes of drama and chaos (the porn plot thread impacts the case only tangentially but quite viscerally), the madcap energy keeps the pages turning. Comic madness plus suspense equals enthralling.
It’s another strong entry in Rehder’s series – not actually a mystery, since the murderer is known from the beginning (except for a small twist at the end) and it’s pretty clear what the chupacabra actually is – but it’s a great amount of fun. The criminal is both dumb and devious; the hillbillies are self-centered, goofy and endearing; Marlin is an everyman, unlucky in love but optimistic, who doesn’t want to solve homicides but deep down enjoys the thrill. As Rehder brings the disparate plot lines together and apart and together again in brief, staccato flashes of drama and chaos (the porn plot thread impacts the case only tangentially but quite viscerally), the madcap energy keeps the pages turning. Comic madness plus suspense equals enthralling.
March 1, 2013
What an appropriate title for the third Blanco County Mystery. This was the most humorous one so far. With the same wacky characters and a few new ones in town,the witty banter never stops. Ben Rehder is part Carl Hiaasan and Tim Dorsey, with the only difference being his flat crazy tales take place in Texas.
February 15, 2011
Even though you know 'who done it' what a delight watching the author tangle,weave, knot and then smooth all the disparate storylines together. There is a Southern sense of humor that permeates through-out. I look forward to reading more adventures in Blanco county.
October 12, 2009
think Carl Hiaasen but in Texas. He really hits his stride with this his third book. If you like humorous mysteries, pick this one up.
April 25, 2017
The possibility of a chupacabra in central Texas brings out the crazies. Unfortunately, some of them live in Blanco all the time and star in this book. Rehder's rather far-fetched plots are entertaining and humorous. John Marlin, game warden, must once again bring some sense to a ridiculous situation when a body is found. Escaped exotic game, television journalists, and Chinese dwarves who star in pornography are involved--you have to read it to understand.
November 3, 2014
In the third mystery starring Blanco County TX game warden John Marlin and Sheriff Bobby Garza, a day laborer claims he saw a chupacabra and a hunting guide makes a wrong move which leads to more wrong moves. It was a very visual adventure, which I thought would look good on TV- people going into a room while someone was surreptitiously exiting it, deputies chasing poachers who were chasing a murderer, etc. I liked this better than the previous in the series (Bone Dry)- several threads converging and diverging- did I mention the dwarf Asian porno stars?
October 31, 2007
Very cute story, a "cozy" read.
November 22, 2011
Fun 3rd book in series. Enjoy the characters.
September 8, 2020
Format: audiobook
Narrator: Robert King Ross
I didn’t recognise John Marlon in this story, this narrator made him and Garza sound more like Mafia than a game warden and police officer, infact, several characters sounded like mafia.
The narration may not have been to my liking but it was a good story, some funny sections in this book look out for the adult movie bits, the names are hilarious.
Red and Billy Don’s antics as always are always good for a chuckle.
Highly enjoyable story, I would recommend.
Narrator: Robert King Ross
I didn’t recognise John Marlon in this story, this narrator made him and Garza sound more like Mafia than a game warden and police officer, infact, several characters sounded like mafia.
The narration may not have been to my liking but it was a good story, some funny sections in this book look out for the adult movie bits, the names are hilarious.
Red and Billy Don’s antics as always are always good for a chuckle.
Highly enjoyable story, I would recommend.
August 12, 2018
This third episode of Ben Rehder's Blanco County series carries forward the doings of the habitants of and visitors to remote, rural Texas.
This one keeps up his prior practice of several plot threads that seem independent but come together as they're bound to do, abruptly and surprisingly near the end. Rehder's books are refreshers between my more usual, more grounded reading. When I need to lighten up Blanco County does it.
This one keeps up his prior practice of several plot threads that seem independent but come together as they're bound to do, abruptly and surprisingly near the end. Rehder's books are refreshers between my more usual, more grounded reading. When I need to lighten up Blanco County does it.
December 19, 2019
I picked this book up because the blurb called Rehder the "Carl Hiaasen of Texas" and they were right, in all the best ways. This is a breezy read, full of crazy characters almost all of whom are running some type of scam. Here's it's a big game hunting scam that causes the whole town of Johnson City (a real city in Texas with about 1,700 people) to believe there's chupacabras on the loose! I was laughing out loud!
July 12, 2022
This will be short. If you like the best of Hiaasen, read this. It starts strong and never lets up. As outside a premise as you can get, a secondary cast second to none. In this particular caper genre it doesn't get any better. What they say about Hiaasen with Texas accent is true. No dialogue or situation punches pulled for the cancel culture conscious. Ben Rehder nails both his plot and his population with this one.
December 23, 2018
Ben Rehder provides humorous Texas capers featuring rednecks doing foolish things while game warden John Marlin figures out little mysteries. A good series through three books that reminds me of Carl Hiassen, Dave Barry and Laurence Shames stories where everything comes together nicely but in absurd ways.
June 5, 2021
Mindless Fun
I have been reading Obama's book and needed a break! I'd had this on my "shelf" for a long time and quickly discovered it was the perfect antidote. I must admit that sometimes the redneck language used was a bit hard to take but true to the characters. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
I have been reading Obama's book and needed a break! I'd had this on my "shelf" for a long time and quickly discovered it was the perfect antidote. I must admit that sometimes the redneck language used was a bit hard to take but true to the characters. I thoroughly enjoyed it.
May 8, 2024
Another beauty by Ben Rehder!
I've lost track of all the books I've read by this author! So entertaining, and I especially dig Red, Billy Don, Marlin and all the other eccentric characters who appear in the Blanco Country series. Once Ben gets his hooks into you, you will be unable to resist!
I've lost track of all the books I've read by this author! So entertaining, and I especially dig Red, Billy Don, Marlin and all the other eccentric characters who appear in the Blanco Country series. Once Ben gets his hooks into you, you will be unable to resist!
November 22, 2017
Complicated and Hilarious
A great plot, a truly Bad Guy, and a bunch of outrageous twists and turns that all get neatly tied up at the end. It took me a long time to go finish, but just life getting in the way, not the fault of the book at all; I enjoyed this read!
A great plot, a truly Bad Guy, and a bunch of outrageous twists and turns that all get neatly tied up at the end. It took me a long time to go finish, but just life getting in the way, not the fault of the book at all; I enjoyed this read!
May 3, 2019
Lord it
Another great Blanco County mystery. In this one you find out a hyena can't really change their spots. (Leopard) John Marlin gets tangled in another mess that doesn't completely untangle until the very end.
Another great Blanco County mystery. In this one you find out a hyena can't really change their spots. (Leopard) John Marlin gets tangled in another mess that doesn't completely untangle until the very end.
October 24, 2019
Added to my Did Not Finish list when the author chose to write a Chinese character’s dialogue as a racist stereotype. It was the Chinese version of Andy Rooney’s Mr. Yunioshi. That’s offensive and just plain lazy. A disappointment, because I’ve liked Rehder’s other books.
August 15, 2020
This is the 3rd book in the series following a Wildlife Officer and the various characters he runs into and the mysteries they are involved in.
This is a good Humorous page Turner story that are a Wounderful breakaway from intense books.
This is a good Humorous page Turner story that are a Wounderful breakaway from intense books.
September 24, 2020
I love this series! In this novel there are two murders. Who killed them and why? There is a search for a wild animal that some people think is a Chupacabra, is it? Plus lots of humor with Red and Billy Don.
October 14, 2020
So many murders and crimes in this book that my head was spinning! Watching as the craziness of this town tried to solve these mysteries was fun and the way they all wrapped up in the end was just right. I’m really liking this series so far and will be listening to more in the future.
January 9, 2021
A solid romp through the Hill Country. Not really a "mystery" because we know right away whodunnit and why. But a bunch (dozens, actually) of amazing characters, lots of silliness, and a fun, appropriately corny ending.
March 11, 2021
Enjoyable enough, but I really could have done without the phonetic Chinese - you know, 'velly good', 'erection', etc.
(Plus, everyone's a hunter in this so I couldn't care less what happened to them)
(Plus, everyone's a hunter in this so I couldn't care less what happened to them)
October 27, 2017
Not as funny as the previous two in this series, BUCK FEVER and BONE DRY, but still features some laughs. It mostly seems to be a thriller novel with some great (and often amusing) twists.
April 24, 2019
This was not my favorite Blanco County mystery. Still; Ben Rehder consistently entertains me and I rate this one 4.4 stars.
November 4, 2019
Listened to audiobook.
April 9, 2020
A very enjoyable book
January 27, 2021
A wacky good read.
March 15, 2023
good read
Displaying 1 - 30 of 62 reviews