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Sheriff Dan Rhodes #6
Booked for a Hanging
The versatile mystery novelist Bill Crider has created a pantheon of marvelous characters, but none is more real, warm, and thoroughly delightful than Sheriff Dan Rhodes of Claflin County, Texas. In his sixth adventure, Rhodes is confronted with what seems at first to be a suicide: the body of a man newly arrived in the county is found hanged in the dilapidated building he has taken over for his business. Simon Graham was a rare-book dealer. If it seems unlikely to find such an arcane entrepreneur in this extremely rural and sparsely populated part of Texas, it becomes less strange when it turns out that Graham was more con man than bibliophile. The presumed suicide begins to look more and more like murder when several newcomers swoop down on the scene and try to beat out one another to find a reputedly valuable rare book that Graham was rumored to have among his collection of hardly worthwhile items. Although Rhodes's two attenuated and eccentric jailhouse employees have gone overboard for the magic of the department's new computer, the steady, if put-upon, Rhodes and his clear-eyed observations of human nature have invariably been more useful to the solution of a crime - and that is still true in the case of the hanged book dealer.
202 pages, Hardcover
First published October 1, 1992
20 people are currently reading
104 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 - 19 of 19 reviews
September 23, 2015
Books, The topic and theme running through this installment of The Sheriff Dan Rhodes series and a clever use of the topic in the title of the book.
The first problem to be brought to the sheriff's office is from the town librarian who is enraged that one of his patrons is checking out books and whiting out all the bad words in the books.
Next we need a crime. The first murder in "Booked for a Hanging" comes from the search for a stolen rare Edgar Allen Poe book called "Tamerlane" worth about a quarter of a million dollars supposedly held by a new book seller who moved to town.
Books always play a part in the Dan Rhodes series, usually old pulp books read by the local funeral home director such as Jim Thompson or the 87th precinct books and a host of other authors in the mystery book publishing world.
A great entry to the series.
The first problem to be brought to the sheriff's office is from the town librarian who is enraged that one of his patrons is checking out books and whiting out all the bad words in the books.
Next we need a crime. The first murder in "Booked for a Hanging" comes from the search for a stolen rare Edgar Allen Poe book called "Tamerlane" worth about a quarter of a million dollars supposedly held by a new book seller who moved to town.
Books always play a part in the Dan Rhodes series, usually old pulp books read by the local funeral home director such as Jim Thompson or the 87th precinct books and a host of other authors in the mystery book publishing world.
A great entry to the series.
May 4, 2022
Sheriff Dan Rhodes finds a rare book dealer dead, an apparent suicide, but he suspects murder. He pokes around, and between dealing with the usual trials of a sheriff, and solving another case of stolen cows, manages to find out whodunnit. Rhodes takes a beating, but keeps getting up after he's knocked down, which is how he wins most of his fights. We meet some characters involved in later books in the series as well.
Good stuff. This is one of the more important world building books inthe series.
Good stuff. This is one of the more important world building books inthe series.
May 16, 2011
BOTTOM LINE: #6 Sheriff Dan Rhodes, Claflin County, Texas; cosy police procedural/gentle satire. This is a quietly funny and well-plotted tale of a scurvy bookseller with lots of enemies. Crider has a gentle, smooth way with words, the plotting is predictable but fun to watch unfold, and I always enjoy "meeting" Sheriff Dan and his cohorts again. Good stuff.
A local bookseller-cum-conman gets himself bumped off, or maybe he committed suicide because his creditors were catching up to him; either way, lots of folks were quite happy to find out he was dead. Now there's just the problem of the Very Important Book he was reputed to have hidden in his new shop - lots of strange characters show up looking for it and generally cause mayhem, something that Sheriff Dan doesn't like much.
Another good entry in this comfortable and long-running series about nice-guy Dan Rhodes, local sheriff, mixed with just a touch of biblio-lore, in a perfect balance from this veteran author. Just enough homey-folksiness, a touch of esoteric book stuff, creepy and sleazy characters plus the crazy locals, and Dan's staff at the sheriff's office - strange and wonderful folks all.
A local bookseller-cum-conman gets himself bumped off, or maybe he committed suicide because his creditors were catching up to him; either way, lots of folks were quite happy to find out he was dead. Now there's just the problem of the Very Important Book he was reputed to have hidden in his new shop - lots of strange characters show up looking for it and generally cause mayhem, something that Sheriff Dan doesn't like much.
Another good entry in this comfortable and long-running series about nice-guy Dan Rhodes, local sheriff, mixed with just a touch of biblio-lore, in a perfect balance from this veteran author. Just enough homey-folksiness, a touch of esoteric book stuff, creepy and sleazy characters plus the crazy locals, and Dan's staff at the sheriff's office - strange and wonderful folks all.
May 8, 2025
“Booked for a Hanging” sees Sheriff Dan Rhodes investigating the death of a shady book collector and rare book trader.
Simon Graham was found hanged and, at first it looked like a suicide.
But where is the first edition copy of “Tamerlane & Other Poems” by Edgar Adam Poe which Graham was selling to pay off at least some of his debts.
Published in 1827 there were only 50 copies printed and an original in fair condition could raise $250,000 or more.
Some of his business acquaintances are determined to find it, whether or not they have any legal right.
As always Dan manages to get beaten up (it's become a set piece by this stage), continues to banter with his work colleagues, and cover a variety of smaller crimes.
It's a light read.
3 Stars.
Simon Graham was found hanged and, at first it looked like a suicide.
But where is the first edition copy of “Tamerlane & Other Poems” by Edgar Adam Poe which Graham was selling to pay off at least some of his debts.
Published in 1827 there were only 50 copies printed and an original in fair condition could raise $250,000 or more.
Some of his business acquaintances are determined to find it, whether or not they have any legal right.
As always Dan manages to get beaten up (it's become a set piece by this stage), continues to banter with his work colleagues, and cover a variety of smaller crimes.
It's a light read.
3 Stars.
April 8, 2020
I normally like this series very much. I had some trouble getting into this one though. However, it could be that I am under a great deal of stress, and that is making it difficult for me to read much of anything with enjoyment. Still, it should say something that I was able to finish this book while I have 11 additional books sitting on my currently reading shelf for the past month that I have not been able to finish. I like the off-the-wall humor in these books, and I enjoy reading about a time I still remember well. The settings in these books seem to be the late 80s or early 90s, just as computers were beginning to be something that mattered in law-enforcement.
July 13, 2018
I love these books, but sometimes I get a little tired of reading how the sheriff always gets beat up. He still goes on! I am going to read all his Sheriff Dan Rhodes since this is all there will be written by Bill Crider, have about 5 more to read. Have to go to other libraries to find these first books of his. I usually have to get the large print ones, but the first ones are nice & easy to read.
March 9, 2021
Sheriff Dan Rhodes investigates another murder in his small, rural county in Texas. The victim, who was found hanged, was a rare book dealer. Another entertaining installment, complete with mystery and humor. A new investigative tool ( a computer) that Hack, one of the jailhouse employees has been longing for, helps in finding out information.
January 27, 2025
I just love these books! The characters are relatable and fun, the plot is coherent and easy to follow without knowing who-dunnit right off the bat and the books are easy to read. I'd live in Blacklin County for sure! I highly recommend this book and this series.
December 17, 2018
EASY READING. SUSPENSEFUL. GOOD STORY.
October 2, 2024
This book is a lot more easy going than some of the fast action packed books he's had. This has readable characters, suspects eliminated by murder, and a few surprises to make it a delightful read.
March 17, 2017
Continue to enjoy these. An easy read and very likable characters.
August 16, 2012
#6 in the Sheriff Dan Rhodes series.
Sheriff Dan Rhodes of Blacklin County, Texas, finds the body of book dealer Simon Graham hanging from the rafters of an old college building he had planned to restore. Graham's business partner, his erstwhile girlfriend and a rival book dealer all lay claim to a copy of Poe's Tamerlane, a rare collection of poetry worth $250,000, which Graham had purportedly discovered. At the same time, Rhodes deals with a rancher whose cattle has been stolen, a man who frequents a local restaurant naked, the introduction of computers to the sheriff's office and his recent marriage.
Sheriff Dan Rhodes of Blacklin County, Texas, finds the body of book dealer Simon Graham hanging from the rafters of an old college building he had planned to restore. Graham's business partner, his erstwhile girlfriend and a rival book dealer all lay claim to a copy of Poe's Tamerlane, a rare collection of poetry worth $250,000, which Graham had purportedly discovered. At the same time, Rhodes deals with a rancher whose cattle has been stolen, a man who frequents a local restaurant naked, the introduction of computers to the sheriff's office and his recent marriage.
August 18, 2014
Another Success
Compulsively likeable Sheriff Dan Rhodes is back with plenty of problems. Blacklin County has murders, mayhem and thefts to cope with and if the cases are not solved soon, the Texas Rangers will have to be called in. At the heart of the crime wave is an unattractive little pamphlet published in Boston in 1827 by a Bostonian (E. A. Poe). It is worth a lot (a copy made $662,500 at auction in 2009) and everyone wants it. But does it exist and if so, where is it? Villains understand the easygoing sheriff at their peril, he always gets his man, woman or book.
Compulsively likeable Sheriff Dan Rhodes is back with plenty of problems. Blacklin County has murders, mayhem and thefts to cope with and if the cases are not solved soon, the Texas Rangers will have to be called in. At the heart of the crime wave is an unattractive little pamphlet published in Boston in 1827 by a Bostonian (E. A. Poe). It is worth a lot (a copy made $662,500 at auction in 2009) and everyone wants it. But does it exist and if so, where is it? Villains understand the easygoing sheriff at their peril, he always gets his man, woman or book.
November 11, 2010
One of the series I am currently reading. The characters are entertaining and it is a fast enjoyable read. The Dan Rhodes series is definitely worth a look.
June 1, 2011
Another Dan Rhodes book I got from the library. Interesting story and great characters. So far, I've enjoyed every one of this series and am looking to find more.
July 13, 2011
Another Sheriff Dan Rhodes low key Texas procedural. One of my favorite comfort reads for the characters and odd ball small town happenings.
March 17, 2014
Easy, fast read. Enjoyable mystery.
March 1, 2015
A god solid mystery by bill Crider. A bit hurried, but still okay
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April 28, 2019Wow! Very intriguing storyline... different perspective! Didn't guess the end until last 5 pages!
Displaying 1 - 19 of 19 reviews