The Deacon Needed Killing

Needed Killing #4

by Bill Fitts

“Howdy. Find the sword you’re looking for?” The policeman eyed me carefully. “Who said anything about a sword?” I pointed behind me at the house with my thumb. “The guys inside found and tagged a bunch of swords right off the bat.” I’d stirred up his curiosity and like a good policeman he was going to satisfy it. “Mister, just who the hell are you and what the hell are you doing here?”

Genres: Mystery

249 pages, ebook

First published February 18, 2014

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]

Still addicted. This time Crawford does his work in Tennessee for Bobby's friend, Bex. Bex is suspected in the death of a deacon - who is decidedly unpleasant and almost universally disliked. They are in Tennessee for the wedding of Bobby's friend Bunny's niece at a Catholic summer camp. Crawford finds the deacon's body when he goes for a stroll before the wedding, accompanied by the camp's cat, Friar Cat. TB and Tan are not there, but he does talk to them over the phone through the courtesy of the pet/house sitter.

[Audrey Driscoll · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another thoroughly unpleasant person is murdered, and private investigator James F. Crawford must figure out who the murderer is, in order to prevent a good person from becoming a suspect. This time the location is a Catholic church camp and the city of Cranbury, Tennessee. A wedding and funeral provide opportunities for Crawford to observe and think about such ceremonies while noticing and overhearing things that eventually help him to solve the mystery.
Along with the whodunit aspect of these stories, I always enjoy the details about the way of life in the US South, especially food and etiquette. This book also introduces some memorable new characters, specifically deputy sheriff Ross Howard and an energetic antiques dealer/realtor named Rick Mann.
This is another of the Needed Killing books that I read a few years ago but didn't get around to reviewing. I've just re-read it and recommend it to readers who enjoy substantial cozy mysteries.

[Debra · Rating 5 out of 5]

I think this series gets better with each book . I like the characters and I like the way that, if you pay attention, clues are given throughout the story. The last chapter made me feel like I was sitting at the table having a good time over a game of twenty questions and now I'm hungry for chicken wings, too!

[Kristi Lamont · Rating 3 out of 5]

Enjoyed this one much more than No. 2 in the series; seemed to flow a lot more smoothly. Have to admit I was disappointed that the murdered deacon in question was not affiliated with A Major Episcopal Church Frequented By The Important in "Shelbyville," but thought the author (whom I have to come to know and like personally) did a good job of throwing in just enough hometown stuff for the continuity of the series. Did get aggravated at what seemed to me to be just brainless oversights on the part of our main protagonist; I mean, dude, law enforcement is talking stabbing death and you don't think to mention to them that one dude sharpened some knives without being asked and another bought some sort of cane with a retractable sword in it? Please. You seem smarter than that. Looking forward to when the next one is back at the library and I can check it out!