A Killing at Cotton Hill

Samuel Craddock Mystery #1

by Terry Shames

The chief of police of Jarrett Creek, Texas, doubles as the town drunk. So when Dora Lee Parjeter is murdered, her old friend and former police chief Samuel Craddock steps in. He discovers that a lot of people had it in for Dora Lee. The conniving rascals on the farm next door want her land for nefarious purposes; her estranged daughter could be seeking vengeance; her grandson wants money for art school; and then there's that stranger Dora Lee claimed was spying on her. Does Craddock still have what it takes to find the killer? In this debut novel, the strong, compelling voice of Samuel Craddock illuminates the grandeur and loneliness of the central Texas landscape and reveals the human foibles of the residents in a small Texas town-their pettiness and generosity, their secret vices and true virtues.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Cozy Mystery, Mystery Thriller, Crime, Thriller, Suspense

231 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 2013

About the author

Terry Shames is the award-winning, best-selling author of eleven Samuel Craddock mysteries. Her first book, A Killing at Cotton Hill won the Macavity Award for Best First novel Her books have been shortlisted for the Strand Critics Award, Lefty awards, and won the RT Reviews Critics award. The eleventh in the series, The Troubling Death of Maddy Benson, October, 2024, was an Amazon Editor's Pick and won a starred review in Library Journal.

In 2024, she debuted the Jessie Madison thriller series, with Perilous Waters. In March, 2025, she published Out of Control, a suspense novel.

Terry is a member of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and International Thriller Writers.

She lives in Southern California with her husband, her dog Monty and her cat Max.
For more visit her website at www.Terryshames.com.

Reviews

[LJ · Rating 4 out of 5]

First Sentence: I watch Loretta Singletary hurry up the steps to my house.

Dora Lee Parjeter wasn’t particularly well liked by her neighbors or her estranged daughter, but that’s no reason to kill her. When the less-than-conscientious chief of police, who also happens to be the town drunk, immediately arrests Dora’s live-on grandson, Samuel remembers that Dora claimed someone was spying on her, and wants to be certain the real killer is arrested.

Shames has a delightful voice. She brings her characters to life and perfectly captures life in a small town. No matter which state someone may be from, anyone from a small town will easily recognize the characters and traits, good and bad, of the characters, including cats…”They are careful to keep their priorities straight. Feed me, give me a warm dry place to sleep, pet me when I tell you to, then leave me to my own devices.”

Samuel Craddock is a wonderful protagonist; intelligent and capable. He is very likable, but with just a hint of an edge that keeps him from being a bit too perfect. I particularly appreciated that he is still grieving for his wife and not looking for a new partner, and the way Shames included that relationship in the explanation as to why a small-town sheriff would have an extremely valuable art collection.

The flow is very; one is never tempted to put the book down. The plot is well done with plenty of suspects, a couple of good red herrings and, unfortunately, one large coincidence. This is perfect a perfect book for those who like they’re mysteries “squeaky clean,” but don’t mistake it for a cozy. It is a true traditional mystery and, by no means, insipid or twee.

“A Killing at Cotton Hill” is a very well-done mystery with a solid plot and excellent characters. There is enough edge to keep the story realistic and compelling.

A KILLING AT COTTON HILL (Trad. Mys-Samuel Craddock-Texas-Contemporary) – VG
Shames, Terry – 1st in series
Seventh Street Books – July 2013

[Kim Kaso · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this book, especially the parts that discussed art, and some of the small town Texas life. It was an easy, fun read and provided a nice break from some of the more emotionally draining books I've read as of late. The main character is very likeable, & it is refreshing to have someone who is not an alcoholic, addict, or emotional basket-case as the narrative voice. I look forward to reading more in this series. 3.5 stars rounded up to 4. Recommended.

[Mark Pryor · Rating 4 out of 5]

I read this book in three days, over a very busy weekend. I chose to read it rather than watch sports yesterday, just so I could finish it and find out whodunnit.

So, yes, it's a good mystery, the kind that even half-way through you're thinking, "I have no clue who the killer is." Additionally, all suspects seem equally plausible, I didn't feel like any were thrown in just to confuse the reader and that takes some pretty nifty writing. And you read on, because you really do want to know what happened and why.

Which brings me to the writing style: it's so easy, so flowing, that you will hit that half-way point before you know it. The plot is easy to follow, she doesn't get bogged down with narrative description, and the dialogue is spot on.

Best of all, for me, was the cast of characters. The central figure, Samuel Craddock, is utterly original and immensely likeable, which is key for a mystery. And Terry has done a great job with all her characters, who are real, interesting, original, and layered. It's absolutely, the kind of book that cries out to be a series, which it will be (this was the first). A really, really, good book and I highly recommend it. - See more at: http://www.daconfidential.com/#sthash...

[Jim · Rating 5 out of 5]

Having previously read the prequel to author Terry Shames iconic Samuel Craddock series, ("An Unsettling Crime for Samuel Craddock"-Book # 6), I was eager to start the series at it's first book. "A Killing At Cotton Hill", features retired police chief of Jarrett Creek, Texas, Samuel Craddock now in his early 60's. After serving for sixteen years on the job when it was an elected position Craddock has lost his wife Jeanne in the past year, and he seems to be like a county fair prize for the older singles ladies who seem to run this town. Yes, the peacocks love to strut for Craddock. Appointed police chief Rodell Skinner is a fall down drunk most days and is usually not very presentable as a law enforcement official. Craddock finds out one morning that widow and very close friend Dora Lee Parjeter has been murdered having been stabbed in the chest several times. Dora's grandson Greg who lives out in the shed in Dora's back yard is the only know relative to be found. Of course Rodell wants to run Greg in for murder on the spot. Craddock makes it his mission to sort out Dora's affairs and notify relatives who live a distance away. Since Dora had a sizable lot of land her greedy long lost relations come to grab what they can. Dora however hasn't left as much as a cookie to inherent. Deep in debt Dora's "family" all seem to be at each other throats. But as Craddock looks out for Greg who is a very aspiring artist, the killer must be found. Coming in at just over 230 pages (Kindle), this one is well thought out and clever in it's plot twists for Craddock to overcome. Some unique and quirky characters give this yarn a well rounded feel for a special who-done-it. Five stars out of a possible five stars for author Terry Shames, "A Killing At Cotton Hill". I hope to get to the second book in the Craddock series soon. This series has the makings of being very special.

[Anastasia Hobbet · Rating 5 out of 5]

First off, full disclosure: Terry Shames is an old friend. To counter that, however, I want to say that I'm not a big fan of mysteries and don't generally seek out the genre--so the fact that I thoroughly enjoyed this novel is remarkable.

This is the foundation novel in a coming series. It's written in present-tense first-person POV, and the gentle, wry voice is that of Samuel Craddock, a graying small town Texas widower who is also a former chief of police. Just one chapter in, I began to see him as a sort of older James Garner of The Rockford Files. Craddock's not quite so comic, but his touch is light and his speculative, easy-going manner is much the same. As he goes around town figuring out who killed his old friend Dora Lee, his past is gradually revealed (though not all of it) and he becomes a man I'd like to know: real and likable and restful to be around. His wife, Jeanne, has recently died, and through his reminiscences of her, I feel sure I'd like to know her too. In fact, I'm hoping that the part of Samuel's past that Terry hasn't revealed will be the makings of a future book, a prequel. Then I can meet Jeanne.

A future romance for Samuel is just barely hinted at--with a subtlety I appreciate--and the woman of note, a local lawyer named Jenny, would make a great partner in Samuel's future cases. Samuel's friend Loretta, is a ridiculous old busy-body at the beginning of the book, but she has her charms and talents--of which tolerance for other women in Samuel's life is not one. The town of Jarrett Creek, Texas, where Samuel lives, is the other main character, and it draws me too. I can see it in my mind's eye and nearly walk its dusty streets.

This is not a fast-paced, noisy story filled with vivid scenes of violence and mayhem. Instead it's about the quiet desperation that lies just below the surface of civility. It's also about the few people among us whose civility goes right down to the bone. That's Samuel.

[Bonnie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bill Crider says in his introduction to Terry Shames: "Readers are going to love Samuel Craddock and they'll want to visit him and Jarrett Creek, Texas often". Truer words were never spoken to use an old cliché. I started reading A Killing at Cotton Hill today about 3:00 p.m. and just finished it at 12:51 a.m. I literally could not put it down. Samuel Craddock is a retired Chief of Police but is still sharp enough to solve the crimes of murder, arson, and art theft. He likes to drink, but when Dora lee Parjeter is murdered her old friend steps in. He discovers that a lot of people have reason to kill her--the people on the farm next to hers, her estranged daughter who has good reason to have moved away and never returned, or her live-in grandson. Dora Lee had complained to Samuel that someone had been spying on her for several days, but he does nothing about it. Now, he feels guilty for not taking her seriously and vows to find her killer. She had a painting that she claimed would make her a lot of money when she needed it for retirement. She never gets to sell it because someone killed her and stole the painting. Ironically, her grandson is a painter and when Samuel sees his work for the first time, he realizes he is gifted.
Shames does a wonderful job at describing the small Texas town and its citizens. There is pettiness and secret vices, but also generosity and steadfast friendship. Samuel is such described with such delineation that the reader feels as if they know him personally.
This is her first novel and I plan to read the rest of them. I loved this book and her voice is magical. Five stars and my highest recommendation.

[Sheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found another series to add to my list! When I got this I wasn't aware that it was a series. I checked it out at our library when I saw small Texas town and that was it. I really enjoyed it, the small town folksy manner of the characters. Being from a small Texas town I could relate to some of the dynamics of the story. I fell utterly in love with the Samuel's heart of gold and his kind manner with the older ladies who buzzed around him.

I was really happy that I checked it out and I look forward to reading the getting caught up with the series. I noticed that a new addition if coming out next year.

[Ann Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

Read for our monthly mystery book club.
A Killing at Cotton Hill was a VERY good book, and an enjoyable read! A nice twisty plot (LOTS of twists), which lopes along at just the right pace. The "voices" of protagonist Samuel Craddock and the other characters come through loud and clear. These are characters that I want to spend more time with. I will definitely read more in this series.

[Diane Vallere · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a spectacular first in series. Terry Shames knows her protagonist very well and it shows. It will be interesting to follow Samuel Craddock through the series!

[Harvey · Rating 3 out of 5]

This series was recommended and I finally took the plunge.

This is a well written and well plotted traditional mystery ("soft boiled") featuring former police chief and gentleman rancher Samuel Craddock.

I really liked this main character and look forward to further adventures.

[Jazz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been wanting to sample this series for a while and happy that I finally did. It was a good experience getting to know Samuel Craddock and the residents of Jarrett Creek, none of whom struck me as stereotypes, but well-drawn characters. I especially liked Craddock, a retired lawman, having a collecting interest (and some knowledge) in art. I easily pictured Jeff Bridges, tough but intelligent with compassion, playing Craddock in a movie version. It was a smooth read, good dialogue, and a few amusing touches kept it from becoming an overly-heavy read. I look forward to other books and hopefully some continuing characters in the series.

[Catherine Woodman · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed this first book in a series, with Sam Craddock, a retired sheriff who knows when something is off and investigates. This one involves family intrigue, and a little bit about art, which I liked.

[Kmalbie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Not the tautest mystery, but an enjoyable, well written book. Murder and thievery in a small Texas town. Sam Craddock is a great character filled with curiosity, intelligence, and humanity.

[David · Rating 4 out of 5]

Outstanding first entry in the series. Samuel Craddock is a great protagonist with depth and personality. I'll be looking forward to reading the rest of the series.

[Lloyd Russell]

I am flush with books by new authors (for me) who also will be coming to the RBC. First there was here there be dragons, by Jeff Rosenplot, who will be coming to Recycle on July 12. Today's review is of A Killing at Cotton Hill. The author, Terry Shames, will be our RBC author in March (the 22nd). And I'm over half-way through If You Are There, by Susan Sherman. She will be gracing Recycle's back-of-the-store stacks in April (the 19th). It's a little risky to book an author when I haven't read the book. But in Terry's and Susan's case, I obviously made the right call. With Jeff, I read his book before I booked him. But it wasn't much of a decision. I LOVE READING GOOD BOOKS, especially by local authors. I am one lucky bibliophile.

Terry has written 6 books in the Samuel Craddock series. The 1st 5 are sequential. And the 6th one, which just came out (remember my post about her launch? No? It was only 2+ weeks ago!), is a prequel. I didn't know whether I should read the sequel 1st or book one 1st. Both Terry and her in-conversation author, Susan Shea (P.S. I just got a copy of one of her books, Murder in the Abstract, which I will place fairly high in the TBR pile), recommended I start with book 1. So I did.

The chief of police of Jarrett Creek, Texas, doubles as the town drunk. So when Dora Lee Parjeter is murdered, her old friend and former police chief Samuel Craddock steps in. He discovers that a lot of people may have had it in for Dora Lee - the conniving rascals on the farm next door, her estranged daughter, and her live-in grandson. And then there's that stranger Dora Lee claimed was spying on her. As Craddock digs to find the identity of the killer, the human foibles of the small-town residents - their pettiness and generosity, their secret vices and true virtues - are also revealed.

Let me mention a few observations about the book:
1. The writing seems like a perfect fit for the location of the book. It's plain-speak like you would expect from a small town in Texas. Since Texas is where Terry is originally from, she's obviously the right person to write this book.
2. There were 2 questions I had as I was reading the story. One was how a retired sheriff from, really, anywhere could afford a bunch of expensive art. And the other was why nobody seemed to have cell phones. Both questions were answered to my satisfaction That made me feel better.
3. Sam's wife has already passed away when the book starts. I felt like I knew and cared about his wife, Jeanne, just like I did with Ove's wife, Sonja , in A Man Called Ove. That's good writing.
4. Got another good takeaway, similar to what the support group councilor said in here there be dragons. Sam makes the statement - "...my thinking is that for someone to pull away so sharply, she must have reasons I don't know a thing about." The moral? It's just not good to judge if you haven't lived it or been there.

A Killing at Cotton Hill is a good book. And I definitely plan on reading the next one in the series.

[Britney · Rating 2 out of 5]

The book was to slooooow moving. I found myself bored most of the time.

[Shirley Schwartz · Rating 4 out of 5]

I was recommended this series by a GoodReads friend, so I picked it up. Samuel Craddock is a character that I'd like to read more I think. This is the first book in the series. Samuel is a retired small town Texas sheriff who is drawn into solving a murder when one of his oldest friends is found murdered in her home. The current sheriff in Jarrett Creek leaves a lot to be desired. He's a drunk who doesn't want to work and he always looks for the easiest solutions when trying to deal with a crime. Samuel knows that it's up to him to find out what happened to Dora Lee and why. Samuel is a down-to-earth protagonist who knows his area and the people in it very well. He is at loose ends when this book begins after recently losing his beloved wife to cancer. I love the rural setting and I love the small town residents that will be secondary characters in future books, I'm sure. This is another promising new (to me) series.

[Marcia Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

I can't say enough good things about Terry Shames' book, A Killing at Cotton Hill. The characters are so well-written that they seem a bit familiar ... easy to imagine. And Samuel Craddock is absolutely one of my very favorite 'mystery-solvers' ... at the top of the list. He's a good man, likeable, admired - and it's evident from the very beginning of this book. This can be a stand-alone, but of course if you read 'Killing at Cotton Hill', you'll be driven to read the first, 'Jack Harbin'. This book appealed to me more, just because I liked his interactions with the characters, so much. However, both are definitely 5-star mysteries, and I'm very much anticipating Terry's newest book, due in October.

I think this is the PERFECT book to gift someone, if they like mysteries, or if they just appreciate a very well-written book with down-to-earth, appealing characters.

Bravo, Terry!

[Jon · Rating 3 out of 5]

Really three and a half stars, I guess. This series came strongly recommended, but this first one started out with about four strikes against it for me: it's written by a youngish woman imitating the voice of a crusty old man my age, it's written in the present tense (I hate that), it's set in west Texas (I was raised in Texas, and I don't live there on purpose), and the author doesn't live there either. But she won me over fairly quickly. The voice sounds authentic, the characters talk differently from each other, the plot is quite good, the locale is vividly but economically presented, and justice is done in a fairly satisfying but not by-the-numbers way. I'll be reading the second one soon.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Retired lawman Samuel Craddock is both grieved and angered when his old friend Dora Lee is found murdered. Samuel, who learned to love art from his late wife, is also amazed at the talent of Dora Lee's grandson, who is the incompetent police chief's main suspect. Samuel can't let the boy be railroaded, and there's no one else to speak up for him. Some of the things Samuel learns about the people around him, people he thought he knew, he will regret knowing. But he also learns some good things about some of his neighbors, providing a bit of a silver lining. Even the usually irritating (to me, anyway) use of the present tense throughout the book didn't mar it for me.

[Marge · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a good mystery that had me guessing till it was revealed. When an old woman is murdered, her grandson is arrested for it. But the woman's friend, former police chief Samuel Craddock, thinks the grandson is innocent and sets out to prove it.
Set in a small town in modern-day Texas, Shames creates interesting and realistic characters rather than stereotypes. And while there is murder, the author concentrates on the story rather than any gory details.
It will be interesting to see if her sequels live up to this debut.

[James Ziskin · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a wonderful book! Great lead character; smooth, engaging writing; and a very satisfying conclusion. Keep your eye on Terry Shames. A great new voice in crime fiction. Can't wait for the next Samuel Craddock mystery.

[Keith Raffel · Rating 5 out of 5]

The book is written in the distinctive voice of a Samuel Craddock, a retired sheriff. Easy-going, wry, friendly, he cannot help but fight for justice even when he needs a cane to walk. Terry Shames puts us right inside his head. By the time I finished the book I felt I'd made a friend.

[Robert Intriago · Rating 4 out of 5]

A surprisingly good book. A tightly woven story that keeps your interested throughout. Very good main character, but some of the other characters not fully developed. If you are looking for a fast paced well crafted mystery, this is one. I look forward to her next book in January, 2014.

[Ed · Rating 2 out of 5]

Liked the characters but movement toward the conclusion was 10 miles an hour on the highway of my expectations.........Ed

[Dorie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I have a soft spot for mysteries set in small towns, and this one features an older protagonist, a retired ex-chief of police. I've already purchased and am reading the next in this series.

[Elizabeth Garcia · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good read!

This was a good mystery with a lot of heart. Who wouldn't love Samuel Craddock? I plan to read more by Terry Shames.

[Ken Finlay · Rating 4 out of 5]

Widower Samuel Craddock is still mourning his wife Jeanna and generally pottering around his home.
Police chief of Jarrett Creek, Texas, until his retirement he still lives in the area.
When one of his neighbours, an elderly woman called Dora Lee Parjeter, is found murdered the new Sheriff (aka the town drunk) has no interest in anything but grabbing the nearest suspect to hand and pinning the killing on him.
As the relatives of the dead woman arrive they turn out to be a generally unsavoury bunch, more interested in any potential profit to be made than grieving.
Samuel, partly out of a desire for justice and also for sheer cussedness, does a little poking around and very gradually uncovers unsettling possibilities.
Art is at the heart of “Killing at Cotton Fields” - Samuel and wife wife built up a small but impressive collection during their marriage.
He's let it drift since her death but Dora's grandson, who had been living with her, turns out to be an artist who Samuel believes has serious potential.
It's nicely done with a couple of well-placed red herrings to throw readers off the scent.
The cast of characters runs the spectrum of human possibilities, from gossipy to malevolent, scarred by tragedy, and (Samuel being newly returned to the marital market) on the prowl.
4 Stars.

[Gloria · Rating 4 out of 5]

Happened to catch a review of the latest book in the series, which drove me to discover this first book. Pleasing discovery and a mystery series I will continue to explore. Took it on as a 'palate cleanser' between meatier books.

This is a debut novel that now has seven titles in the series. I am not very drawn to tales of Texas, but have discovered via this book that I am indeed drawn to a certain type of character and I have no idea why. Give me an older lawman who is a bit gruff on the outside, yet extremely wise and compassionate underneath who corrects injustice and I am hooked. Two other examples of this type of character include Louise Penny's Inspector Armand Gamache (Canadian) and Craig Johnson's Sheriff Walt Longmire (Wyoming), so it is not a Texas thing.

This is not a perfect novel perhaps, but many elements of this story work well. The author clearly understands small town dynamics that are intuited rather than spelled out. This also, in the most subtle of ways, draws attention to how we make assumptions about others. This novel that is basically a good solid mystery has some social commentary.

[Viva · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read 2 books out of order in this series and finally read book 1. And now I know why I gave the other books 5 stars. At first, I thought the book was slow and low key. But it isn't that type of book with a lot of fast action. The story builds up at its own pace. You meet the people in the little town one by one. And bit by bit you get drawn into the story. The author is a good writer, the writing is easy to read and follow. The characters are well written and well fleshed out. And meanwhile the mystery builds up in the background. Finally it hits full stride and at that time you're close to the end. And it finishes quickly with a twist or two. And now I'm writing this review. I enjoyed it and lot and I'm gonna get book 2 right away.

Summary: Sam Craddock is a retired police chief. A friend is dead and he feels obligated to investigate because the current chief is incompetent. And the story gets more complex the more he looks into it.

Even though I read the books out of order I definitely recommend reading them in order because it's a character based series and it's nice to know who everyone is.