Dead Man Blues: A Novel

by S.D. House

Two grisly murders. A disgraced former mayor. A tranquil town on the verge.

This gripping historical crime novel set in the South pulls the past into the present, perfect for fans of Attica Locke and Wiley Cash.

Dave Hendricks was once a respected man in Shady Grove, a tiny town on the Kentucky-Tennessee border. But after his wife leaves him for his best friend, he also loses his job, and his reputation is left in shambles. With nothing but his houseboat and his dog left, he’s working odd jobs and listening to the blues. But when murder strikes their peaceful town, Dave finds himself compelled to team up with Sheriff Victor Burns, the man who betrayed him and took his wife to find the killer.

Two bodies are found on Cedar Lake, and both murders strike fear in the tight-knit community. Old friends and foes draw back into Hendricks’ life in the investigation, and he’s forced to finally come to terms with what is and what was—or see justice die in the process.

Powerful and intriguing at every turn, Dead Man Blues asserts S. D. House as a knife-sharp voice in the crime genre.

Genres: Mystery, Historical Fiction, Fiction, Thriller, Book Club, Mystery Thriller, Suspense

288 pages, Hardcover

Published September 30, 2025

Reviews

[Seeraaa ♡ · Rating 4 out of 5]

𓍯𓂃𓏧♡ "𝘈𝘙𝘊 𝘙𝘦𝘷𝘪𝘦𝘸"
"𝘓𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘰𝘳 𝘭𝘰𝘷𝘦".
"𝘠𝘰𝘶'𝘳𝘦 𝘳𝘪𝘨𝘩𝘵. 𝘐𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘤𝘢𝘴𝘦 𝘪𝘵 𝘸𝘢𝘴 𝘣𝘰𝘵𝘩".




A quiet Southern town in the 1950s — Shady Grove — two brutal murders, and a man with nothing left to lose. Dave Hendricks is forced to work with the sheriff who betrayed him to uncover the truth — but digging into the past may cost more than he expects. Dark secrets, old grudges, and danger around every corner. 🌙🔍

• 𝘛𝘳𝘰𝘱𝘦𝘴:
Small-town secrets 🏘️
Former friends turned enemies ⚔️
Reluctant partnership 👥
Personal redemption arc 🔄
Past coming back to haunt you 👻
Who is the Killer 💀

• 𝘊𝘰𝘯𝘵𝘦𝘯𝘵 𝘞𝘢𝘳𝘯𝘪𝘯𝘨𝘴 (𝘊𝘞):
Murder and violence ⚠️
Kidnapping 🚨
Infidelity 💔
Alcohol use 🍺
Betrayal and revenge themes 🔪

• 𝘔𝘺 𝘛𝘩𝘰𝘶𝘨𝘩𝘵𝘴:
This book had me hooked from page one — I couldn’t stop reading until I found out who the killer was. The plot had a lot of names and a messy past, so I was worried I’d finish confused, but everything tied up clearly in the end.💙

I loved playing detective 🔍, even though my guesses were wrong (as always 😅). The motive made sense, but the full picture completely fooled me 🤯.

Dave was surrounded by strong, smart women 💪🏻 — Vashti, Sheila, even his first love Nina ❤️ — so how did he end up marrying Janet? She was awful! 😤 He never even loved being sheriff, he just did it for her, and then she betrayed him with his best friend. Honestly, I didn’t want him to forgive that friend — regret isn’t enough when you stab someone in the back. 💔

This case helped Dave understand so many parts of his life — to accept them, make peace with them, and finally move forward. The investigation was exactly what he’d always longed to do, something he’d truly missed, and it reignited his old passion while proving he was still sharp, capable, and in control. 🧠

• 𝘖𝘷𝘦𝘳𝘢𝘭𝘭: Fast-paced, twisty, and full of secrets 💙🔪







╰┈➤ˎˊ˗ 𝐏𝐫𝐞-𝐫𝐞𝐚𝐝
Got an ARC of this one! Thanks to NetGalley, excited to dive in before release day! 💙🕵🏻‍♀️

[Barry · Rating 2 out of 5]

This one I didn’t like,the characters had nothing to like about them they had no personality and definitely weren’t entertaining,the story itself felt like any other mystery you’d probably read a million times it lacked suspense and substance and I thought it was boring and it was a story only 270 pages long I suggest skipping this one you won’t regret it.

[JoJo_theDodo · Rating 3 out of 5]

I enjoyed the references to music throughout the story, it seemed to help to create a little more depth to the main character. Also, I'm finding I really like when a book can have it's own soundtrack created for it and I enjoy listening to some of the artists/songs mentioned while reading the book. The mention of cocktails made me want to make a rosemary gin and tonic, listen to some blues, and continue on with my reading. I didn't like that the author seemed to throw in a character or situation that felt more like an attempt to make this book contain something for everyone, because the way it was included seemed rushed and not really fitting to what was currently happening in the story. Sometimes the narrator seemed to drone on a little bit, but the voices for the characters in the story were well done. Overall, this was a decent adventure that I enjoyed reading.

**Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to listen to this advance copy in exchange for my honest review.

[Heather~ Nature.books.and.coffee · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a suspenseful southern crime thriller, taking place in the 50's. The main character, Dave, lives in a small town on the Kentucky/Tennessee border. He was one happy and respected, until his wife left him for his best friend, Victor. He now works off jobs, lives on a houseboat and listens to the Blues. But when two murdered bodies turn up at the lake, he feels compelled to team up with Victor, who's the sheriff, to help with the investigation. Through doing so, he has to face the past and come to terms with where his life is now. I thought this was an excellent debut. The story was written with emotion and the characters all were very distinct and complex. I thought it was quick paced and suspenseful. An entertaining read! 


Thank you to the publisher and Suzy approved book tours for the gifted copy. All opinions are my own.

[Mary McBride · Rating 4 out of 5]

First mystery by Silas House-
Well done.
Great characters. Hope this will be the first in a new series.

[Nursebookie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Dead Man Blues is a masterpiece of mood, memory, and redemption. It is a slow-burning Southern noir that hums with the rhythm of heartbreak and the low wail of a blues guitar.

S.D. House (the brilliant Silas House writing under a pen name) has given us a story that’s as haunting as it is human.

Dave Hendricks is one of those rare characters who feels so real you can almost hear his boots on the dock and his dog padding close behind. He’s broken, bitter, and bone-tired, but he’s also deeply human, still reaching for something good in a world that’s let him down. When murder shatters the quiet of Cedar Lake, House doesn’t just deliver a gripping mystery, he gives us a meditation on forgiveness, loyalty, and the ways we carry our pasts.

Every chapter sings with atmosphere: the lazy roll of the river, the ache of lost love, the tension that builds when old betrayals resurface. And yet, even through the darkness, there’s beauty everywhere and proof that the human spirit can still rise, still search for light, even in the shadows.

S.D. House’s prose is rich and lyrical, his dialogue sharp and authentic. Dead Man Blues isn’t just a crime novel, it’s a soul story wrapped in mystery, as unforgettable as the song it’s named for.

Loved it!!

[Amber · Rating 4 out of 5]

House's first foray into the crime/thriller genre was an atmospheric, slow burn that was somehow also fast-paced and surprising with his expected touches of Appalachian understanding. Dave is a disgraced, former Sheriff of Shady Grove, Kentucky, wrecking his car and his life after being betrayed by his best friend Victor and his wife. Now living on a houseboat at a local fish camp on Cedar Lake, doing odd jobs, Dave gets sucked back into police work when two grisly murders happen and Victor deputizes him to help out.

The 1950s setting is well executed from the food and music to the crime investigation techniques, and I kept guessing who could possibly be the murderer, as all suspects seemed to have some sort of connection to the lake and the shady land grabs that happened when it was made, forcing locals off their homesteads. I enjoyed all the smart, complex women in this novel, from Dave's childhood friend Nina, who is back in town as a reporter for the local paper, and Vashti, the African American medical examiner. House always writes with a deep connection to the land and the people, and there's an emotional depth present as Dave reconciles his deep hurt and humiliation at his best friend's betrayal while solving this case. I also liked that Dave isn't a cut and dry straight character, but admittedly, I wanted more of that...not just a paragraph admission to the reader swirled into the plot. But I get that the time period itself certainly prohibits Dave from being his true self.

People who enjoy film noir, Tana French, or Jane Harper books will enjoy this one, and I look forward to whatever else House publishes in this genre. I have his recent poetry book to get through soon, too!

Thank you to Netgalley & Crooked Lane Books for the e-ARC! This one is out today, Sept. 30, 2025.

[Kyle Beth · Rating 2 out of 5]

2.5⭐️. Somewhat boring, struggled to get through it, unremarkable, just ok.

[Angela · Rating 4 out of 5]

Overall, I'd give this book 3.5 stars, I enjoyed Dave's personal drama more than the actual crime solving. The side characters were all really well developed, Rex was my favorite.

Format: audiobook (narrated by Kirby Heyborne)

Thank you NetGalley, S.D. House, and Dreamscape Media for the ALC!

[Danielle B · Rating 4 out of 5]

DEAD MAN BLUES had me glued to the pages! The storyline was great and the tension was high, since the main character had to work with someone they really didn’t like. I found myself rooting for the underdog throughout the story. Highly recommended!

Many thanks to S.D. House for my gifted copy.

This review will be shared to my Instagram account (@coffee.break.book.reviews) in the future.

[3rian · Rating 2 out of 5]

It started out great, but lost me as it went on. The lead character was likeable enough, but the setting and mystery didn't exactly reel me in. Further undermined by some bizarre narrative threads that went nowhere.

Spoilers for those threads if you care:



Vague unexplained references to a horrible crime that our hero solved a while ago (this novel is not part of a series).

A really bad and unnecessary sex scene. Yeesh.

The lead's love interest (later downgraded to friend for no clear reason) becomes a suspect. He questions her right before they meet another friend for dinner. She's understandably upset, immediately disappears from the narrative, and pops up at the end to say "we're good."

The lead reflects on time in the Army and might be closeted about his bisexuality? No bearing on the story, never comes up again.

A Black woman coroner (this novel is set in 1950s Tennessee) whose accomplishments and working relationships with colleagues are ignored, is left to do nothing to meaningfully advance the plot, but she explains the realities of racial dynamics to the white lead when he asks her out on a date. She turns him down then disappears from the book, only to suddenly show up at the very end in a sundress to take him up on that drink invitation. WTAF.



It's the book equivalent of a Chips Ahoy cookie. Nothing wrong with it and it'll do in a pinch, but we all know we can do better.

[Jennifer · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love this book! Vivid, beautiful descriptions of the natural area and the lake. Great characters. I enjoyed how the story captures the language and ways of the region and the time period. And of course, a great mystery story.
Well done!

[Liz · Rating 5 out of 5]

I couldn’t put this one down.

[Nancy · Rating 4 out of 5]

Set in the 1950s on the Kentucky/Tennessee border, Dave Henricks is a disgraced former mayor who is licking his wounds after his wife left him for his best friend. But a double murder on the local lake at a fishing camp pulls him out of his reverie, and he is deputized by his former friend to help solve the crimes. While there is a limited amount of sex and violence in the story, it gave me a cozy mystery vibe.

Written by my favorite author, Silas House, who is going by SD House for his first mystery novel, I was surprised at how lackluster it was. He typically writes about Appalachia in a deep and lyrical manner, but this thriller felt formulaic. This was far from a bad book, but it didn't feel true to what House is known for. I believe this might be the first in a series, and if so, I am still willing to pick up the next one and hope that he hits his stride while writing this new genre for him. (Actual review 3.5/5)

[Sibby Duff · Rating 4 out of 5]

Silas House’s debut mystery novel introduces Dave, a retired cop and mayor, whose wife has left him for his best friend. Dave finds himself entangled in a perplexing double homicide unfolding on the banks of a fictional lake that straddles the Kentucky-Tennessee border. The novel boasts solid character development and delves into the historical context of the community’s impact on man-made lake development. It serves as an excellent starting point for what I hope will become a mystery series by this Kentucky author.

[Emily · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this story! The characters and setting were well-developed and it was easy to picture this small lake town. It felt in the right place for me between cozy mystery and bloody thriller. Yes there were 2 murders but the story wasn’t gory and the pacing was comfortable but not cheesy. Silas House is a Kentucky treasure and I can’t believe it took my so long to read one of his novels.

[Jayna · Rating 3 out of 5]

Dave is a bit lost. He was the mayor with a beautiful wife. His wife left him for his best friend. Then he drunkenly crashed his car in the aftermath. Now he is single, jobless, living on a houseboat. When he happens onto a crime scene where a local man was murdered, the sheriff (also his former best friend) deputizes him. And then another body appears. He finds himself busy trying to fact out who is killing people and why.

While this is set in the 1950s, it doesn't really feel like it very much. The decade is needed for the plot, but other than the lack of cell phones, internet, and a few other details, it mostly feels like it could be set in the present.

I liked the characters but they could have been more developed. I do not see where anything indicates this will be a series, but it is certainly set up to be one.

My biggest complaint is with a random, throw away memory of Dave's. It felt completely forced into the story to check a box. Nina mentions her male friend is not attracted to women and that Dave may not understand that. Suddenly, Dave has a memory of a man he served with whom he was attracted to, acted on the attraction, and thinks about. This did nothing for the story and was out of left field. I have NO problem with same sex couples, but it felt like it was thrown in there just to have some gay representation. Yet, Dave sleeps with Nina two days after seeing her for the first time in decades and lusts after the ME, Vashti. Both female. It is all weird to me and doesn't fit the story. The three attractions, I guess I will say. Pick someone. And don't make him bi just for 'representation'. Make it go somewhere.

Kirby Heyborne narrates the audiobook.

I received an advance audio copy in exchange for an honest review.

[Chris Conley · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a terrific book! Dave is an interesting character with a lot of life lessons that are making him who he is. The mystery is delightfully complex. The solution majes good sense in an “icky’ way. 😊

I hope there might be more ‘Dave’ stories to come.

[Anna Marone · Rating 2 out of 5]

Coulda went my whole life without this

[Taylor Baker · Rating 3 out of 5]

Love a thriller. This a good one. Loved that it really followed the timeline of a true investigation. Ending was a mild twist. Really really like the main character

[Hayley Hoerner · Rating 3 out of 5]

Why were everyone's bones popping so much? Seemed unnecessary to mention it every time anyone stretched

[Monica · Rating 5 out of 5]

That was great! Silas House’s beautiful prose and engaging characters—with a mystery.

[Chelsea Brislin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Retired cop Dave is ready for retirement on the lake until a grisly murder at the nearby fishing camp forces him to team up with his ex best friend and town Sheriff, Victor. Deeply atmospheric with a dash of noir, this novel will keep you guessing while showcasing the important cultural history of Appalachia. A must read for fans of Tana French, as S.D. House shares the same characteristic slow burn where decades of family histories slowly unravel and make everyone a suspect....

[Carrie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book.

Dave is feeling a bit down about his life (no spoilers). For now, he's living in a houseboat, enjoying the sunsets over the water and giving belly rubs to his sweet dachshund. When a murder happens across the lake from where he resides, Dave is deputized to assist in the investigation to find the killer.

This was such a good read for me and oddly enough I can't quite narrow down why.

My feel good thoughts:
- I like that it takes place in the 1950s. It was a different time and the pace of life was slower.
- I enjoyed the soundtrack of songs that was sprinkled throughout the story. It made me a bit nostalgic. Many of the songs mentioned reminded me of my dad and my grandparents.
- The atmospheric setting added depth and dimension to the story. It was very easy to visualize the lake and the fishing cabins and the small town stores. The description of the town diner was fantastic. I could imagine it perfectly.
- The story has 3 sassy and smart female characters that definitely would have went against the grain of what was normal in the 50s. It was nice to see some of the women characters of that time portrayed in such a positive light.
- The plot was fast moving. I read this book in one day.
- Good red herrings that kept me guessing who actually would have committed the murders and why.
- I thought the MC, the sheriff, and the dynamic between them was really handled well. I don't want to give any spoilers but their complicated relationship was one of the things that kept me so invested in the story.

The things that I questioned a bit:
- The continual references to Fogtown made me feel as if this was a continuation of a series. I kept wondering if there was a prior book that I had not read.
- There were also two odd scenes that felt out of place to me. The first is the scene where Dave talks about his attraction to and intimacy with another man during the war. I have no issue with sexuality (being gay or bisexual has no influence over my thoughts here). The comment is made when Nina states that her male friend likes men. Dave then thinks to himself about the man he was attracted to during the war. It just felt forced and like a necessary addition for Dave's character to accept (and maybe connect with the idea of) someone being gay in the 50s. Also, when Dave asks the coroner out on a date, that felt off to me as well. She is smart but she is also black. The scene where he asks her out on a date is uncomfortable (and maybe that was the intent). I think the reason I was questioning the scene is because of his feelings about Nina. Anyway, these two scenes just didn't resonate with me.

Overall, I really enjoyed the book and hope that this will be the beginning of a great series to follow.

[Cassie’s Reviews · Rating 4 out of 5]

Book Review: Dead Man Blues by S. D. House
Two murders. A disgraced former mayor. A quiet Southern town on edge.
Dave Hendricks’ life has fallen apart after betrayal, but when two grisly murders shake Shady Grove, he must team up with the very man who wronged him to find the killer. Old secrets, grudges, and danger lurk at every turn in this tense, atmospheric crime novel.
Fans of Attica Locke and Wiley Cash will devour this story of betrayal, justice, and small-town suspense. S. D. House proves to be a sharp, compelling voice in crime fiction.
#DeadManBlues #CrimeFiction #MysteryBooks #ThrillerReads #Bookstagram #SouthernMystery #GrippingReads #Suspense #BookLovers #MustRead

[Jennifer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I once read that the most well-crafted murder mysteries make the reader, at one time or another, think that every character is guilty.

This author accomplished that in spades.

I loved the dog. I loved the personal growth done by the MMC. I loved the unifying theme of music. Did I mention the dog?

If this is the author’s debut thriller, I’m very much looking forward to the future.

[Sarah · Rating 3 out of 5]

2.5/3 borderline for me. I didn’t dislike it necessarily but found some of it a bit hard to follow and my interest really nose dived towards the end. But I liked the little vein of a messy love story in the background

[Paula Wright · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love reading anything from Kentucky author, Silas House… I feel at home in his books by the descriptions of the wild hollows and mountains that I grew up in.. the characters are real and he definitely knows the birds and other wildlife that make up the wild places in Kentucky…

[Mary Homan · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this book. It was the perfect length, and very immersive. This book was set in the late 1950’s on the Tennessee Kentucky border. It created a place and era that I seldom get to read in not just mystery books, but really any novels. It illustrated not only a part of the country stuck right between northern snd southern culture, but also gave interesting multidimensional characters. The author did a great job, and I will definitely read more of their work.

[Santiago · Rating 4 out of 5]

The real main character is the town, the lake and the chili buns with fries and cherry coke 😋