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Blanco County Mysteries #1
Buck Fever
Buck Fever: It's the week before deer hunting season, as close to a statewide holiday as you get in Texas, and the locals are getting restless. Game Warden John Marlin has his hands full with poaching complaints coming in faster than he can write out-of-season tickets. Then a call of a different sort comes in. A man dressed up in some sort of deer costume has been shot at the Circle S ranch, and witnesses are reporting a massive wild-eyed buck prancing about the pasture in a lovesick frenzy. Marlin's seen a lot in his years, but this is wilder than he could have imagined: the man in the deer suit is a good friend, and the whacked-out whitetail isn't exactly a stranger either. It's the beginning of a mad, frantic weekend in Blanco County, one that will see a few more men shot, an invasion by Colombians with more than hunting on their minds, and damn near the end of Marlin's life. Ben Rehder serves it all up with a huge helping of humor in this debut comic mystery that will firmly establish him as the funniest crime writer in Texas.
288 pages, Kindle Edition
First published September 4, 2002
817 people are currently reading
1767 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 292 reviews
May 3, 2017
3.5 stars
This story is based in my home area of the Texas Hill Country, so I was pre-disposed to want to read this book!
It was chock full of stereotypes: The bumbling rednecks, the slimy sheriff, the greedy land baron, the South American drug dealers, the honest-but-under-appreciated lawman, and the lovely nurse that captures our hero's heart. Yep, this story had them all. But I still liked it, mainly because of the humor and the fast pace. It never got boring, but I had a few small issues.
I can't stand it when authors say that the leading lady, after running for her life and being kidnapped, looks as fresh as if she just stepped out of the shower. Really??? I hope he means she looks like a bedraggled cat after a bath, because that's what I would look like after being hog-tied in an air-condition-less shack in the Texas heat...
NOT HAPPY.
And I probably would not have sex with the hero while in said shack with our Columbian drug dealer captors guarding the door... Ok, maybe I would, but that's beside the point. ;D
The story was ridiculous, and campy, and funny. Enjoy it at your own risk.
This story is based in my home area of the Texas Hill Country, so I was pre-disposed to want to read this book!
It was chock full of stereotypes: The bumbling rednecks, the slimy sheriff, the greedy land baron, the South American drug dealers, the honest-but-under-appreciated lawman, and the lovely nurse that captures our hero's heart. Yep, this story had them all. But I still liked it, mainly because of the humor and the fast pace. It never got boring, but I had a few small issues.
I can't stand it when authors say that the leading lady, after running for her life and being kidnapped, looks as fresh as if she just stepped out of the shower. Really??? I hope he means she looks like a bedraggled cat after a bath, because that's what I would look like after being hog-tied in an air-condition-less shack in the Texas heat...
NOT HAPPY.
And I probably would not have sex with the hero while in said shack with our Columbian drug dealer captors guarding the door... Ok, maybe I would, but that's beside the point. ;D
The story was ridiculous, and campy, and funny. Enjoy it at your own risk.
May 7, 2013
I did not read this book past the first chapter. Thank goodness, it was a free Kindle book. Beer drinking,profanity, belching, hunting deer out of season..not my cup of tea. If those things interest you this is the book for you. To each his own. Too many books left for me to read to waste time with something so out of my element.
October 28, 2025
You have to admire an author who can write his first mystery / crime novel in a comedic voice that feels authentic and fresh. Clearly, Buck Fever was penned with tremendous affection, ceaseless originality, and a smile on his face. Some sentences just cause you to giggle or laugh out loud, despite describing a serious situation. The exposition is surprising.
John Marlin is a game warden in Texas that is preparing for the deer hunting season, when his best friend is found shot in a deer costume. The investigation takes him on a unique adventure involving drug cartels, smuggling, Columbian gangsters, a political get-together, hunting, the beginning of a brand-new romantic relationship, and a shootout climax that makes you want to read the next Blanco County Mystery.
This is a fun read that I didn't expect to enjoy due to the humor element. Not because I don't enjoy humor. I do, but I worried that this would be a slapstick romp, moving from one silly element to the next with the aspiration of a few guffaws substituting for story. That was not the case. The humor was organic and logical. Surprisingly good with the laughter bubbling forth in unexpected moments.
John Marlin is a game warden in Texas that is preparing for the deer hunting season, when his best friend is found shot in a deer costume. The investigation takes him on a unique adventure involving drug cartels, smuggling, Columbian gangsters, a political get-together, hunting, the beginning of a brand-new romantic relationship, and a shootout climax that makes you want to read the next Blanco County Mystery.
This is a fun read that I didn't expect to enjoy due to the humor element. Not because I don't enjoy humor. I do, but I worried that this would be a slapstick romp, moving from one silly element to the next with the aspiration of a few guffaws substituting for story. That was not the case. The humor was organic and logical. Surprisingly good with the laughter bubbling forth in unexpected moments.
June 6, 2015
A comic mystery in the vein of Hiassen,Evanovich, and Kinky Friedman. I admit it. I am a Texan and I like to read novels set in Texas. Rehder's characters ring somewhat true to people I have known.I enjoy any book that can have a line like "...but what does a stripper know about stealing a deer?"
May 12, 2009
This is a mystery by an Austin TX author. He sets his stories in Blanco County, which happens to be where Bob and I have a home. I enjoyed the book. He managed to keep his plot moving and his characters bizzare, which makes for a fun read. I liked the local touches, although I can see where you might need to be from the area to really get into it.
The story involves deer hunting, drug smuggling, and good-old-boys vs slick political types. Fun stuff for a quick read.
The story involves deer hunting, drug smuggling, and good-old-boys vs slick political types. Fun stuff for a quick read.
December 1, 2018
Easy read, not too complicated and just plain fun! Rehder’s characters are as outrageous as Dorsey’s or Hiaasen’s but takes place in Texas, that other state where crazy things happen. And it was Free on Kindle too!
May 22, 2014
This book was so funny in spots, I live in Texas and it reminded me of people I have met.
January 16, 2010
If you are a fan of Carl Hiaasen you will probably enjoy this book, essentially a Texas version of that genre.
June 21, 2015
This was very well written, fast moving mystery. It is not a style I really enjoy, but I thought the author did a great job with keeping a sizable cast of characters clear, keeping things moving with relatively quick 'visits' with different characters, and building in just enough back story along the way to make the characters come to life.
The tale is too full of people I don't like for me to really like it. And, while I'm not a fan of this type of writing (it reminded me a bit of Tim Dorsey's style) he kept things moving quickly enough that I didn't have any trouble reading through the book. There is a lot of humor, it's just not the type of humor I like. However, I expect many would laugh out loud many times through the book. There are the bumbling and greedy Bubba-types, the corrupt officials, shady rich men, honest officers, and a number of characters. It was a rich cast, and the only reason I didn't give the book more stars is just that it doesn't fit my style preference.
The tale is too full of people I don't like for me to really like it. And, while I'm not a fan of this type of writing (it reminded me a bit of Tim Dorsey's style) he kept things moving quickly enough that I didn't have any trouble reading through the book. There is a lot of humor, it's just not the type of humor I like. However, I expect many would laugh out loud many times through the book. There are the bumbling and greedy Bubba-types, the corrupt officials, shady rich men, honest officers, and a number of characters. It was a rich cast, and the only reason I didn't give the book more stars is just that it doesn't fit my style preference.
September 8, 2007
BUCK FEVER – G+ - if it’s your kind of thing
Ben Rehder – 1st book
County game warden John Marlin and Sheriff Herbert Mackey lock horns when two dumb-and-dumber poachers accidentally shoot another idiotic guy wearing a deer costume. The poachers also wound a particularly rambunctious big-antlered buck, which just happens to be Marlin's former pet. Elsewhere in the county, a body is discovered beneath a shoddily repaired bridge, and a slick, drug-dealing Colombian comes looking for a game, ranch-owning, crooked lobbyist.
This was a hard book for me to rate. It is very well written with interesting characters (a couple of the sadly pathetic) and I can see why it was selected as a Publishers Weekly Best Mystery of the Year, but I think it would help if you were a hunter.
Ben Rehder – 1st book
County game warden John Marlin and Sheriff Herbert Mackey lock horns when two dumb-and-dumber poachers accidentally shoot another idiotic guy wearing a deer costume. The poachers also wound a particularly rambunctious big-antlered buck, which just happens to be Marlin's former pet. Elsewhere in the county, a body is discovered beneath a shoddily repaired bridge, and a slick, drug-dealing Colombian comes looking for a game, ranch-owning, crooked lobbyist.
This was a hard book for me to rate. It is very well written with interesting characters (a couple of the sadly pathetic) and I can see why it was selected as a Publishers Weekly Best Mystery of the Year, but I think it would help if you were a hunter.
July 16, 2008
If you like absurdity you have to read Ben Rehder. His books poke fun at both extremes of the hunting industry, gun control/NRA, environmental issues, religious extremists, crooked politicians, you name it and he skewers it. His main character is John Marlin, a game warden in Blanco County, Texas. The comic relief is provide by Red and Billy Don, who work only when they have to and spend full-time poaching, drinking and trying to figure out how to impress women and hit it big with one scam after another.
December 1, 2007
This was an unlikely read for me. A book about deer hunting...dead deer are not my cup of tea. But, a friend recommended it and I was pleasantly surprised. The premise was amusing enough and the characters were quirky enough to make me plow through it eagerly in a couple of sittings. Apparently, it's part of a series. Not sure if I'll read others - it stands alone just fine.
June 2, 2009
A coworker recommended this to me because she thought it was really funny. Well, apparently I have a different sense of humor because I didn't find it that funny. It was a good mystery so give it a try!
March 18, 2011
A pleasant novel with great characters and a fun plot. Not really an exceptionally comical book, but it had it's stabs at humor: "If you think I'm taking a rifle to a quarter-million dollars' worth of animals, you're nuttier than a squirrel's morning crap."
There are a lot of well developed and memorable characters in this book, some of which were pretty funny. I'm always a sucker for a pair of drunken hicks scheming for a better life who think days filled with Milwaukee's Best and beef jerky are their tickets to eternal happiness and wealth. That recipe always seems to provide humorous fodder for a series of bumbling adventures.
I was shocked by the ending, although it's not outside the realm of the unexpected. Not that it has a shocking ending, per se, it's just that something is revealed in the final chapter that I wasn't expecting. It makes for a very funny completion to the book.
I also liked the pace of this novel. At several points the author displayed his skill in revealing facts in a compelling manner that made me want to keep reading more. This made me pine to find out what would happen next.
I definitely plan to read more by Ben Rehder. It's good to read another humorous fiction author out of Texas besides Kinky Friedman, whom I wouldn't compare to Rehder's writing at all.
There are a lot of well developed and memorable characters in this book, some of which were pretty funny. I'm always a sucker for a pair of drunken hicks scheming for a better life who think days filled with Milwaukee's Best and beef jerky are their tickets to eternal happiness and wealth. That recipe always seems to provide humorous fodder for a series of bumbling adventures.
I was shocked by the ending, although it's not outside the realm of the unexpected. Not that it has a shocking ending, per se, it's just that something is revealed in the final chapter that I wasn't expecting. It makes for a very funny completion to the book.
I also liked the pace of this novel. At several points the author displayed his skill in revealing facts in a compelling manner that made me want to keep reading more. This made me pine to find out what would happen next.
I definitely plan to read more by Ben Rehder. It's good to read another humorous fiction author out of Texas besides Kinky Friedman, whom I wouldn't compare to Rehder's writing at all.
December 8, 2014
Being originally from Texas and a huge fan of Lansdale, I went into this with high hopes. Made it as far as the first chapter or so before giving up.
Any writer who cannot maintain a consistent point of view, who has to jump into another character's head for two sentences then jump back out isn't worth my time. Too many good authors writing good books to waste time with hacks.
Oh yeah, and there was also the 'perfection' of the main character. Handsome, intelligent, kind, caring, and a dead shot--oh yeah, and very tall to boot. Blech. Save me from clichés!
Any writer who cannot maintain a consistent point of view, who has to jump into another character's head for two sentences then jump back out isn't worth my time. Too many good authors writing good books to waste time with hacks.
Oh yeah, and there was also the 'perfection' of the main character. Handsome, intelligent, kind, caring, and a dead shot--oh yeah, and very tall to boot. Blech. Save me from clichés!
November 4, 2016
Kinda disappointed. Was hoping this book would be more along the lines of Carl Hiaasen or Tim Dorsey. It did have some of the over the top humor and absurdity of those authors, but I am afraid it fell short. The absurdity fell short of being funny and just came off as bad. The characters weren't as likable or interesting. I give it praise for trying but it just didn't fell the spot I thought it would . That aside if you are reading it just to be reading it as is, it is probably an okay mystery.
February 17, 2014
I enjoyed this book, the authors first (nominated for Edgar award). It was a funny read, good twists and turns, really good characters and “accents” throughout the book. Some of the activity was unbelievable, but at the same time I thought it just might happen that way. There was a lot of hunting, lots of drinking, and quite a bit of illegal activity. Added up, who wouldn’t have fun while hunting, drinking, and committing crimes? A fun Texas romp.
October 14, 2016
It's the beginning of deer hunting season and John Marlin, the game warden of Blanco County, Texas will be very busy keeping ahead of the poachers. Marlin is finding that all is not well on one the ranches where deer hunting is a very lucrative sport, too lucrative.
This book had everything Drug Lords, dirty cops, romance and a couple of humorous rednecks that just want to make as much money as possible.
This book had everything Drug Lords, dirty cops, romance and a couple of humorous rednecks that just want to make as much money as possible.
January 30, 2009
Listened to the unabridged version - other than the narrator having a little trouble with Texas pronunciation, loved this book.
March 25, 2010
the classic redneck mystery. Loved it!
September 24, 2020
I thought this was a fun story to read. Especially since we just moved to the Texas Hill Country in Pipe Creek. Good characters although the two knucklehead henchmen were stereotypical, cookie cutter, dumb hicks. I'll read more from this author, I like his style.
July 2, 2024
Want to read a clever tough guy book with great banter, interesting characters, grippy stories, and action? Early Crais, most Kadrey, Martha Wells, many of Hallinan's Junior Bender books, any of the old hard-boiled noir, Hiaasen, even David Wong, for a weirder take. But don't read this, nominations for Edgar awards notwithstanding.
January 9, 2012
I had never heard of this book or the author before, but I found it on Amazon for the Kindle, and the description sounded kind of interesting. It was free, so I decided to take a chance. I'm glad I did.
This is the first in a series of Blanco county, Texas mysteries. It involves deer hunting season, deer ranching, drug smuggling, and just general corruption. In some ways, it reminds me of two of my favorite authors: Carl Hiassen and Tim Dorsey. Like Hiassen and Dorsey, Buck Fever is filled with humor, violence, romance, and general dumbassery. Of course, it's set in central Texas instead of Florida, and honestly, the comedy isn't as in-your-face as Hiassen's or Dorsey's. It's not as violent, or quite as funny, as Dorsey, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I lot of readers I've recommended him to don't like his books because of the violence. This series is something I think they would enjoy. There's a brief section where one of the main characters is pontificating about the benefits of hunting (and how to do it right) which might be unnecessary, but it's short and didn't interfere with the story much at all. A lot of readers may not even notice it.
So, if you're looking for a light comic mystery, I can highly recommend Buck Fever. As mentioned, I definitely recommend it to fans of Carl Hiassen and Tim Dorsey. I look forwarding to reading more of the series.
This is the first in a series of Blanco county, Texas mysteries. It involves deer hunting season, deer ranching, drug smuggling, and just general corruption. In some ways, it reminds me of two of my favorite authors: Carl Hiassen and Tim Dorsey. Like Hiassen and Dorsey, Buck Fever is filled with humor, violence, romance, and general dumbassery. Of course, it's set in central Texas instead of Florida, and honestly, the comedy isn't as in-your-face as Hiassen's or Dorsey's. It's not as violent, or quite as funny, as Dorsey, but that's not necessarily a bad thing. I lot of readers I've recommended him to don't like his books because of the violence. This series is something I think they would enjoy. There's a brief section where one of the main characters is pontificating about the benefits of hunting (and how to do it right) which might be unnecessary, but it's short and didn't interfere with the story much at all. A lot of readers may not even notice it.
So, if you're looking for a light comic mystery, I can highly recommend Buck Fever. As mentioned, I definitely recommend it to fans of Carl Hiassen and Tim Dorsey. I look forwarding to reading more of the series.
July 17, 2012
Texas game warden John Marlin is called in about a strange-acting deer. It legally belongs to crooked mogul Roy Swank, but it’s his friend’s old pet deer, so he takes it for the night. When the deer is stolen back and his friend sent to the hospital, Marlin knows Swank is hiding something out in his ranch. With the first day of hunting season and a big hunting party approaching, Marlin tries to find out what Swank is up to, but runs up against two greedy hillbillies and a handful of Colombian assassins and is himself held prisoner. Swank is using the deer as drug mules, with a crooked drug-addled vet to get the cocaine out of the deer. But the Colombians are growing impatient, and with only one honest deputy in Blanco County, Marlin has to figure a way out on his own.
This is a fun read, an almost surreal thrill ride in the style of Tim Dorsey and Carl Hiaasen, more interested in humor and mayhem than logic. The idiot hillbilly mercenaries (whose hilarious backstory is given in a late chapter) are shot and bitten by a rattlesnake; corpses are put in trunks and forgotten; an insane ex-husband stalks the Colombian drug lord, sure he is Antonio Banderas; and so on. This is another series worth continuing.
This is a fun read, an almost surreal thrill ride in the style of Tim Dorsey and Carl Hiaasen, more interested in humor and mayhem than logic. The idiot hillbilly mercenaries (whose hilarious backstory is given in a late chapter) are shot and bitten by a rattlesnake; corpses are put in trunks and forgotten; an insane ex-husband stalks the Colombian drug lord, sure he is Antonio Banderas; and so on. This is another series worth continuing.
February 12, 2013
Is Texas considered part of the Bible Belt? After reading this book, you probably will answer no. There was not one person who I would consider a "nice, law-abiding" citizen. Everyone had a vile mouth. The book was filled with violence, although the author did not go into graphic detail. Many people have read this book and thought it was humorous. I must have lost my sense of humor because I found very little to laugh about. I guess most people would think Red and his friend, Billy Don, were humorous, but I thought they were stereotypical portrayals of rednecks. What is funny about lazy, beer-guzzling hicks? Not much. The idea behind the mystery was intriguing and I was interested in seeing how the crimes would be discovered. Otherwise this would have been a one star book.
Incidentally, this is not a cozy mystery, even though the author was author of the month in a cozy mystery group in Goodreads. The author would consider this book soft-boiled which is probably a more accurate description of the book genre.
Incidentally, this is not a cozy mystery, even though the author was author of the month in a cozy mystery group in Goodreads. The author would consider this book soft-boiled which is probably a more accurate description of the book genre.
November 26, 2018
Fun read; good characters in situations that suit them.
May 5, 2017
Usually if I can read the first two pages, I'll get through the book somehow. In this case- not so much. I was almost enjoying it till about half way, not my kind of book as a rule but it's good to mix it up a bit. Then, I don't know, it just lost me. It might have been the bit where the author had his characters earnestly explain that hunting was a Good Thing. It might just have been how almost self conscious the author was with the cutesy romance. But by now I am pretty sure I could write the ending myself and honestly, I do not care any more. Life is too short to keep pushing through a mediocre book just because you can.
Giving it three stars because it's decently written and I'm sure would appeal to the right person. I am not that person.
Giving it three stars because it's decently written and I'm sure would appeal to the right person. I am not that person.
August 6, 2018
A Texas Carl Hiassen
A book about deer love starts out with some comic licks and then, as the story gets its motor going, things turn violent. Ranger Marlin helps his friend Phil Colby wrangle a pet deer named Buck, and Buck is behaving in a most peculiar manner. As the two men try to corral and protect Buck before hunting season starts, Colombian drug dealers, a crooked sheriff, a corrupt former lobbyist and a couple of really dumb rednecks heat things up and keep this Texas barbecue at a boil.
A book about deer love starts out with some comic licks and then, as the story gets its motor going, things turn violent. Ranger Marlin helps his friend Phil Colby wrangle a pet deer named Buck, and Buck is behaving in a most peculiar manner. As the two men try to corral and protect Buck before hunting season starts, Colombian drug dealers, a crooked sheriff, a corrupt former lobbyist and a couple of really dumb rednecks heat things up and keep this Texas barbecue at a boil.
January 30, 2011
Fun, FUN, FUN read. Loved it-kicks off the series-HaHa it's #1. The others I've read in the series have ups and downs but they are all enjoyable. I have a bit of a crush on the Ranger.
I lived/worked in the area for a chunk of years and it's fun to have places I know about in the story. (a side benefit for me....) But if your in the Hill Country the stories will give you an extra giggle and if not then you will want to come visit.
:)
I lived/worked in the area for a chunk of years and it's fun to have places I know about in the story. (a side benefit for me....) But if your in the Hill Country the stories will give you an extra giggle and if not then you will want to come visit.
:)
Displaying 1 - 30 of 292 reviews