She Needed Killing

Needed Killing #3

by Bill Fitts

Crawford had never considered taking his cat to the local folk festival. But when a friend wants The Black for a photo shoot, he obliges. That a snake will be part of the shoot is just the first surprise in store for him and his pets. Snakes, fortune tellers, arsonists, blackmailers . . . this festival will be unlike any other in the history of Jemison County.

Genres: Mystery

ebook

First published July 16, 2013

About the author

I used to say that I grew up in Tuscaloosa, Alabama, when, in truth, I only started growing older there. After nineteen years I left to go to college and, for the most part, spent the next twenty years aging somewhere else—New Jersey, Florida, Panama Canal Zone, Massachusetts, and Georgia. Then I returned to Tuscaloosa and continued the maturation process for another twenty-six years. In 2015 my wife and I moved to Vero Beach, Florida, where I hope to continue growing older for a good long time.

The locations I’ve lived in have had more influence on my mystery novels (the Needed Killing Series) than on the fantasies (Song of Narne). The town of Shelbyville in the NKS is based in large part on Tuscaloosa with some wrinkles from other locations thrown in to keep things interesting—and keep the inhabitants guessing. That’s not to say that the places I’ve been aren’t reflected in the fantasies—but most of the geography of Narne is imaginary.

While growing older, I’ve tried my hand at a number of jobs—newspaper collator, darkroom technician, farmhand, factory worker, sailor, salesman, underwriter, account executive, accountant, systems administrator, information specialist--and professional writer. As an author I find that those earlier experiences contribute to what happens in my novels—again more in the not-as-fictional mysteries than in the fantasies. There’s just not enough magic in the real world.

Interestingly, the event that crystallized my decision to start writing full-time is one that I haven’t used in any of my novels. The tornado that ripped through Tuscaloosa on April 27, 2011, destroying an eighth of the town—including the back half of my house—hasn’t made it into any of my novels. Shelbyville and Narne have both been spared.

On the other hand, the support, encouragement, and editorial assistance my wife provides have been part of every novel since the beginning.

I hope you enjoy reading my books as much as I enjoy writing them.

For more information about my writing, visit my website http://www.billfittsauthor.com/.

Reviews

[Susan Ferguson · Rating 5 out of 5]

These books are just addictive - not sure why, but I really enjoy them. Maybe the fact that Crawford gets along and works with the police. In fact, the head of homicide in Shelbyville is a good friend who helped him deal with his wife's death in an accident. And his dog Tan and cat TB (The Black) are still working on helping him solve mysteries. Tan plays a big part in uncovering the murderer.

[Audrey Driscoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

The third book in the Needed Killing Series takes the action away from the university campus to a folk art and music festival in a nearby community. An accusation of blackmail against the unpleasant director of the festival eventually becomes a murder investigation. Crawford mulls a colourful mixture of clues while enjoying the attractions of The Festival in the company of Bobby Slater and some new friends.

I particularly enjoyed reading about The Festival and its traditions, learning about different kinds of snakes, and vicariously enjoying a lot of food and many adult beverages. Crawford's repartee with various representatives of law enforcement added some humorous spice to the reading experience.

This was a re-read for me; I first read this book several years ago but neglected to review it at the time. Having recently read the latest book in the series, I decided to revisit it from the beginning and have not regretted that decision.

[IMHO · Rating 5 out of 5]

The best of the series, "She Needed Killing" follows
Crawford as he gets his PI license and solves the
question of who planned the murder in an apparent
accidental death.

A MUST READ SELECTION

[Kristi Lamont · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not as good as the second book in this series, but still interesting to me as someone who lives in the area where the stories are set. This one went on a little too long; as someone who used to write for small-town newspapers, I can recognize "padding" when I see it. But, hey, as always -- this person wrote a book! So good for him even if this one didn't rock my particular little world. And, I am glad the fourth book is not out yet -- otherwise I would feel compelled to read it instead of going on about my life for a little while. :-)

[Ro Ford · Rating 5 out of 5]

Recommended. Read comments.

[Jan Mage · Rating 4 out of 5]

very much enjoying this series. Writing is tighter with each book. Characterization and story lines have been top notch from the get go.