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Melt Down
When Blanco County game warden John Marlin pursues a poacher at a nearby state park, he’s lucky to walk away unscathed, and the man he hauls to jail refuses to identify himself. But it doesn’t take long for Marlin to realize the man is connected to a recent murder in Blanco.
The poacher claims to have inside information, but maybe he’s trying to swing a deal for himself and avoid a lengthy prison sentence. Meanwhile, local rednecks Red O’Brien and Billy Don Craddock discover that Red’s girlfriend Mandy has a past with both the poacher and the murder victim.
They dig a little deeper and learn the killing might not be over just yet, and Mandy could be the next victim.
The poacher claims to have inside information, but maybe he’s trying to swing a deal for himself and avoid a lengthy prison sentence. Meanwhile, local rednecks Red O’Brien and Billy Don Craddock discover that Red’s girlfriend Mandy has a past with both the poacher and the murder victim.
They dig a little deeper and learn the killing might not be over just yet, and Mandy could be the next victim.
246 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 30, 2026
About the author
Ben Rehder
42 books288 followersBen Rehder wanted to become a writer ever since he was dropped on his head as a toddler. As he grew into a young adult and the vertigo gradually dissipated, his passion for literature grew. Ben longed to craft the type of soul-stirring prose that would touch people’s lives and help them explore new emotional horizons. But he went to work at an ad agency instead.
Throughout his rewarding and fruitful career in the ad business, Ben has been known to write such imaginative and compelling phrases as “Act now!,” “Limited-time offer,” and “Compatible with today’s rapidly changing network environment.”
However, there eventually came a time when, as unbelievable as it sounds, writing brochures and spec sheets simply wasn’t enough to satisfy Ben’s creative urges. Ben knew: It was time to write a novel.
“But what kind of novel?” Ben asked himself, drawing stares from passersby.
A mystery? A thriller? A work of suspense? Ben had read hundreds of books in these genres and loved them all. But nothing had sparked his creative juices enough to try it himself.
Fate played a hand one day when Ben’s father-in-law tossed him a copy of a Carl Hiaasen novel. And then it hit him. It literally hit him, right in the forehead. When the swelling went down and Ben had a chance to read the book, he discovered a type of fiction he had never experienced before—the comic crime novel! He loved the wacky characters, the zany plots, the interesting writing that threw a good deal of humor into the mix.
So Ben set out to write his own novel. After many grueling minutes in front of a computer, Ben was proud to present Buck Fever. Like many best-selling classics, Buck Fever has lots and lots of verbs, prepositions, adjectives, and the occasional gerund. It was even nominated for the Edgar Award for Best First Novel!
Next came Bone Dry, Flat Crazy, Guilt Trip, Gun Shy, and Holy Moly. Best of all, Ben is now releasing the earlier novels in ebook format at the low low price of just $2.99. What a deal!
Throughout his rewarding and fruitful career in the ad business, Ben has been known to write such imaginative and compelling phrases as “Act now!,” “Limited-time offer,” and “Compatible with today’s rapidly changing network environment.”
However, there eventually came a time when, as unbelievable as it sounds, writing brochures and spec sheets simply wasn’t enough to satisfy Ben’s creative urges. Ben knew: It was time to write a novel.
“But what kind of novel?” Ben asked himself, drawing stares from passersby.
A mystery? A thriller? A work of suspense? Ben had read hundreds of books in these genres and loved them all. But nothing had sparked his creative juices enough to try it himself.
Fate played a hand one day when Ben’s father-in-law tossed him a copy of a Carl Hiaasen novel. And then it hit him. It literally hit him, right in the forehead. When the swelling went down and Ben had a chance to read the book, he discovered a type of fiction he had never experienced before—the comic crime novel! He loved the wacky characters, the zany plots, the interesting writing that threw a good deal of humor into the mix.
So Ben set out to write his own novel. After many grueling minutes in front of a computer, Ben was proud to present Buck Fever. Like many best-selling classics, Buck Fever has lots and lots of verbs, prepositions, adjectives, and the occasional gerund. It was even nominated for the Edgar Award for Best First Novel!
Next came Bone Dry, Flat Crazy, Guilt Trip, Gun Shy, and Holy Moly. Best of all, Ben is now releasing the earlier novels in ebook format at the low low price of just $2.99. What a deal!
Ratings & Reviews
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Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews
June 30, 2026
I’ve probably written this before, but the only problem with Rehder’s books is that they are so well-written that I read them too quickly and have to wait for the next one.
August 21, 2026
Meltdown
Superb story line. The Blanco county series by Ben Rehder are so enthralling into believe you are there with them. It's like you are living it with them the characters are all fantastic from Mar
Line doing his job to Red Nad Zbillly do. Seeing what trouble they can get in to. Great read Good job Ben!
Superb story line. The Blanco county series by Ben Rehder are so enthralling into believe you are there with them. It's like you are living it with them the characters are all fantastic from Mar
Line doing his job to Red Nad Zbillly do. Seeing what trouble they can get in to. Great read Good job Ben!
August 30, 2026
too many cliff hangers
What finally happened to the bad guy? What did Red decide? Did John Marlin go for lesser charge?
I’ve always gotten a dig kick out of this series but not so much this time.
Maybe this series has run out of steam.
I don’t like the Roy Ballard series at all. I guess it’s time to take a break from Mr. Rehder. Awwwwwwwww . . .
What finally happened to the bad guy? What did Red decide? Did John Marlin go for lesser charge?
I’ve always gotten a dig kick out of this series but not so much this time.
Maybe this series has run out of steam.
I don’t like the Roy Ballard series at all. I guess it’s time to take a break from Mr. Rehder. Awwwwwwwww . . .
June 14, 2026
Another Bullseye!
The Blanco County mysteries are my favorites. I read it in a couple of sittings, delighted to be pulled back into the familiar hill country adventures, featuring the ever sharp game warden and his loveable hillbilly poachers.
The Blanco County mysteries are my favorites. I read it in a couple of sittings, delighted to be pulled back into the familiar hill country adventures, featuring the ever sharp game warden and his loveable hillbilly poachers.
June 5, 2026
Another great one!
Please read this series if you love to be amused. Every book in this series is laugh out loud funny and well written.
Please read this series if you love to be amused. Every book in this series is laugh out loud funny and well written.
June 8, 2026
Always fun books.
June 9, 2026
Another great read
Another great one from Mr. Reader. I've read all his novels, and this one matches his excellence as an intriguing author.
Another great one from Mr. Reader. I've read all his novels, and this one matches his excellence as an intriguing author.
June 11, 2026
You can always count on Ben Rehder to write an entertaining novel. It’s fun spending time with characters you’ve come to know and enjoy.
June 17, 2026
Always a good read, always. Love these guys!
June 20, 2026
Really enjoy all his books. Great plots and characters. This has the usual cast of characters and a real villain. Engaging and enjoyable
July 5, 2026
Always a pleasure to return to Blanco County and it's residents, another humorous and well written mystery, could have been more fleshed out for me
Displaying 1 - 11 of 11 reviews