The Prairie Chicken Kill

Truman Smith Private Eye #4

by Bill Crider

That Truman Smith was sitting in a frayed lawn chair reading an old paperback copy of Tobacco Road was not remarkable. And strange as it sounds, it wasn't particularly noteworthy that someone wanted Smith to look into the murder of a prairie chicken; after all, he'd investigated and solved the murder of an alligator, hadn't he? The Attwater's Prairie Chicken isn't really a chicken, it's a grouse. And there are only about 108 of them in the world. The murdered bird was on Lance Garrison's land, and part of his deal with the government was that the small flock would be protected. Garrison's wealth - and his radio station - made him a likely target for trouble, but this was unexpected. Also unexpected was the reason the prairie chicken was killed ... and all the deaths that were to follow, and not of other endangered species. Some people in Picketville, Texas, had decided that Truman Smith endangered them and that he had to be stopped. The result was a deadly game of chicken, with Smith everyone's favorite target.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Humor

208 pages, Hardcover

First published July 1, 1996

About the author

Taught 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.

Reviews

[Ben Boulden · Rating 4 out of 5]

Pure fun. The characters are odd and nicely drawn. The prose is smooth. The suspense builds nicely into the climactic scene and the humor is perfect and subtle.

[Kevintipple · Rating 5 out of 5]

When you solve the murder of an alligator as well a few other things you get a reputation for getting things done. Truman Smith might prefer to sit at the house on Galveston Island, but Dino comes to drag him into yet another fine mess. Though, at first, it doesn’t appear to be that big a deal. At least not like last time with the hunt for Outside Harry.

According to Dino, Lance Garrison wants to see Truman. Because of their past history dating back to High School and a broken nose he contacted Dino to spread the word. Not only has he made a decent amount of money for Dino, Lance did all right for himself as he made plenty of money on the stock market while working for a brokerage firm there. He had a gift, made a ton of bucks, and came back to build and live in a fancy house with a view of the bay. If a major storm comes churning through the Gulf the house will be toast, but in the meantime the views of the sunsets are spectacular.

So too is the sight of Anne who is sitting a couch in Lance’s house when Dino and Truman arrive. Anne was a special love in High School long ago. The sight of her rattles Truman to the core as he still has incredible feelings for her. She is married now and older, but she still has Truman in ways he can’t fully explain. According to Anne, her father-in-law asked for Truman specifically and Truman still would like to make Anne happy if he can.

Out in the Eagle Lake area north of Houston near a little town called Picketville, Red Hineman (Anne’s father in law) manages quite few acres for Lance Garrison. Thanks to government program the land is a natural habit for water fowl and other birds. One of those is the Atwater Prairie Chicken also known as a grouse. With only 108 or so in the world, including forty or 50 in captivity, the bird is a very endangered. Now, somebody has killed one by shooting it. The dead bird was placed in such a way to make a clear statement. The government sent somebody to investigate, but all he did was massively annoy Red. Lance is involved in the bird project and wants Truman to go poke around and see if he can figure out what happened before the Feds impose penalties and take other actions.

Lance is a jerk always has been and always will be, but he is willing to pay $500 a day plus expenses. Not only is it a chance to make Lance pay for his help, it is also a way for Truman to spend at least a little time with Anne. So Truman agrees and before long is dealing with a cast of suspects including a possibly crooked sheriff, the local militia, a radio host sure the government is about to attack any minute, small town politics, and more in The Prairie Chicken Kill: A Truman Smith Mystery by Bill Crider.


Fourth in the series that began with Dead on the Island this read finds Truman Smith once again in a strange case as he moves around Southeast Texas. As this was first published in the mid 90s, it does not follow the current fad of dropping a body during the first three pages or feature an incredible hook in the opening sentence. Instead of the current gimmicks all the rage, it features a read that opens with introducing the characters and their relationship, the premise or initial mystery, and then builds slowly and steadily from there as events make things more and more complicated. A little darker in tone than most of the Sheriff Dan Rhodes series, Truman drinks his Big Reds and gradually puts the clues together in a case where nearly everyone is a suspect. Plenty of twists and turns fill the read making The Prairie Chicken Kill: A Truman Smith Mystery by Bill Crider another very good read.

The Prairie Chicken Kill: A Truman Smith Mystery
Bill Crider
http://www.billcrider.com
Walker And Company
http://www.bloomsbury.com
July 1996
ISBN# 0-8027-3282-8
Hardback (also available in audio and e-book formats)
208 Pages
$20.95


Material supplied by the good folks of the Plano Public Library System.

Kevin R. Tipple ©2015
https://www.amazon.com/author/kevinti...
Reviews and More http://kevintipplescorner.blogspot.com/
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[Rosa Sophia · Rating 5 out of 5]

This book is fantastic so far. But what else could you possibly expect? This is the first time I've read a Truman Smith mystery. My favorite Crider books are about Dan Rhodes, the Sherriff of Blacklin County, Texas.

[Ronald Koltnow · Rating 4 out of 5]

The 4th Truman Smith Adventure by Bill Crider. Truman Smith had previously solved the murder of an alligator (in Gator Kill), so it makes sense that he be called when someone shoots a prairie chicken, which isn't a chicken at all (it's some sort of grouse). It sounds like a silly errand but it turns out to be far more complicated. Truman had been hired by his high school nemesis and the job requires him to revisit his love for his high school sweetheart. The town where the fowlicide took place is controlled by a far-right, survivalist talk show host, whose show is broadcast by the radio station run by his ex's husband. Murder, attempted murder, and lesser forms of mayhem follow. Truman Smith runs close to characters created by Carl Hiaasen (although not as absurd) and Joe R. Lansdale (although a little more socialized). The novels are brisk, funny, insightful, and entertaining. I devoured this one and am searching for more.

[Katharine Kimbriel · Rating 4 out of 5]

There’s this lazy good old boy charm that permeates several of Bill Crider’s mystery series. I am a confirmed Sheriff Dan Rhodes fan, but I wasn’t sure about Truman Smith. Truman was always interesting, but I wasn’t sure where he was going, and I like a man with direction. In this installment of his life, we begin to see that this competent man has taken so many mental hits that he’s sitting things out for a while. His friend Dino comes up with a bizarre case for him, something to drag him away from good fiction, background checks for $$, and taking care of his cat Nameless.

Someone shot an endangered grouse, and an old enemy doesn’t think it was an accident. Truman has to leave Galveston friends behind as he shows up in Picketville to find out whether a bird was murdered—and quickly someone decides that murdering him would also be just fine.

Crider eases you along into small town Texas, convinces you that you’ve seen all these characters before, and then twists things just enough that both you and Truman aren’t sure which way is up. Smith followed an old flame into the East Texas thicket and discovered that answers depend on what the real questions might be. You want another good atmospheric mystery that plays with your expectations? Check out Truman Smith’s cases. You won’t be disappointed.

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 4 out of 5]

Private Investigator Truman Smith is approached by his buddy, Dino to come to the aid of an old high school nemesis. Truman isn't interested by decides to go see what this guy, Lance wants anyways.

Lance had heard of Truman's success with an Alligator earlier and wants to hire Truman to find out who is killing a protected species of birds, the Prairie Chicken, a grouse. Truman is not impressed until his ex-girlfriend, Anne walks out.

For Truman, it is High School days again and those pesky 'what if's' attack. What if he had ended up with Anne and what if he had never broken Lance's nose on the Football field? Against his internal dialog, Truman accepts the job.

Immediately, Truman drives into Picketville to find people listening to government conspiracies, intimidation, is shot at by crop dusting planes and on and on. There is something wrong in Picketville and the grouse is just a symptom.

This was a great story. Bill Crider, the Author is able to capture the feel of the location and dialog so you become immersed within the tale itself.

I will have to look for the other Truman Smith tales.

[Ed Napiorkowski · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another interesting story from Mr Crider on the exploits of private investigator Truman Smith. Continues to build on many of the the characters of earlier books in the series and to be honest the story line follows the same sort of evolution, plot and outcome. That's OK because if you liked the earlier stories you are most likely going to enjoy this one too. Easy reading, not too complicated in plot, and for those with a discerning mind you can deduce the outcome if you pay attention along the way. Nice work.

[Tim · Rating 3 out of 5]

The Prairie Chicken Kill was a simple mystery offering a rural Texas setting for some violence to be investigated. Truman Smith is a simple sort of detective, not as fierce or as clever with the wordplay as Marlowe, but he tries. All the characters feel like they could have been more fully formed, the setting as well, but for a quick read, it was enjoyable.

[Dave · Rating 4 out of 5]

Galveston based P.I. Truman Smith is back on the case in this fun mystery.
When a rare grouse is killed, Tru is called in to figure out who did it. Tru wants to know the 'why' as well....
Great setting, good characters, and Crider's humour thru out.

[Anita · Rating 2 out of 5]

Tried but just couldn't get into it

[Bill Potter · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great Truman Smith Mystery by Bill Crider. Regrettably I've now read them all. Dang!!