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Blanco County Mysteries #11
Last Laugh
When a Blanco County hog hunter goes missing after a fight with his girlfriend, it’s not a laughing matter—even when one of today’s hottest blue-collar comedians is a suspect. Game warden John Marlin joins forces with the sheriff’s department once again to root through the clues and discover the truth. Meanwhile, two of the county’s most notorious poachers—Red O’Brien and Billy Don Craddock—decide to launch an investigation of their own, and the cops are not amused.
241 pages, Paperback
First published September 28, 2017
302 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Ben Rehder
76 books277 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!
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
December 10, 2017
Ben Rehder may be the best voice in modern mystery fiction at this moment. I consume his fiction like popcorn, anxiously awaiting the next handful. This book, the 11th in the Blanco County Mysteries, is no different.
Start at the beginning. Treat yourself to a true craftsman.
Start at the beginning. Treat yourself to a true craftsman.
October 22, 2020
This is book eleven in the Blanco county series and it is still as good as the first. This is because I like the characters and I enjoy listening to the trouble they get into especially Red O'Brien and Billy Don Craddock, who should be have been arrested long ago, even so you can't help but like them. The mystery was interesting and contained plenty of suspects to keep you guessing. The only thing I didn't like was the comedian, he wasn't funny just insulting and rude but then again maybe it is an American thing and I just didn't get the jokes. Other than that it was fun.
A big Hunter goes missing after an argument with his girlfriend. The only clue found is a puddle of blood on the side of the road. Was it an accident or something a bit more premeditated? Game warden John Marlin is once again called in to help investigate. The man had, had a number of run ins with people in the last couple of days, including trying to sue Red O'Brien for a back injury while building the poachers free house. This causes Red and Billy Don to run there own investigation because they can't trust the cops when they say he isn't really a suspect. Who will get to the bottom of the disappearance? And will they find him alive or dead? With a famous face in the county who isn't returning there calls the investigation may prove to be Marlins most difficult case yet.
He narrator was okay but he does have quite a deep gruff voice which tends to make some of the characters sound the same.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
A big Hunter goes missing after an argument with his girlfriend. The only clue found is a puddle of blood on the side of the road. Was it an accident or something a bit more premeditated? Game warden John Marlin is once again called in to help investigate. The man had, had a number of run ins with people in the last couple of days, including trying to sue Red O'Brien for a back injury while building the poachers free house. This causes Red and Billy Don to run there own investigation because they can't trust the cops when they say he isn't really a suspect. Who will get to the bottom of the disappearance? And will they find him alive or dead? With a famous face in the county who isn't returning there calls the investigation may prove to be Marlins most difficult case yet.
He narrator was okay but he does have quite a deep gruff voice which tends to make some of the characters sound the same.
I was given this free review copy audiobook at my request and have voluntarily left this review.
February 26, 2024
When Dub Kimble, who liked to hunt wild pigs at night, disappears, Blanco County game warden John Marlin has another opportunity to work with the sheriff's office on a case. Blood found on a sparsely-used county road near Dub's trailer indicates that Dub might not be found alive.
As the investigation proceeds, no one admits to knowing anything about what happened to the missing hunter, but it's clear that some of them are hiding something, and their attempts to conceal the truth ultimately backfire. (As Moses once said, "be sure your sin will find you out.") This is one of Marlin's strangest and most hilarious cases.
As the investigation proceeds, no one admits to knowing anything about what happened to the missing hunter, but it's clear that some of them are hiding something, and their attempts to conceal the truth ultimately backfire. (As Moses once said, "be sure your sin will find you out.") This is one of Marlin's strangest and most hilarious cases.
February 18, 2021
Format: audiobook
Narrator: Johnny Peppers
Red is convinced that he is yet again a suspect in a murder so in true Red fashion sets out to prove his innocence with his long suffering but trusted friend Billy Don.
Saddle up for this well constructed tale with twists and turns, a shootout and an abundance of sarcasm.
I never get bored with this series there’s plenty of amusement and the characters are terrific.
Narrator: Johnny Peppers
Red is convinced that he is yet again a suspect in a murder so in true Red fashion sets out to prove his innocence with his long suffering but trusted friend Billy Don.
Saddle up for this well constructed tale with twists and turns, a shootout and an abundance of sarcasm.
I never get bored with this series there’s plenty of amusement and the characters are terrific.
November 12, 2017
It was nice to be back in Blanco County. Rehder's characters are terrific...he paints a picture of life in the rural south without being disrespectful or demeaning. Last Laugh has an interesting plot and just the right amount of humor. I love Rehder's books. I just wish his wife were more involved in the story.
March 25, 2018
Red and Billy Don figure pretty early in this one. A wild hog hunter goes missing and it so happens he threatened Red with a law suit. You know Red isn't one to sit around on his thumbs waiting for the sheriff to pin this on him. What do you expect from a Blanco County Mystery, humor? Got it. Action? Check. Enough fooling around to make it interesting? Try and keep up.
October 2, 2017
Spoiled Me...Another Soon, Please!
This Blanco County mystery is every bit as great as its predecessors. I thoroughly enjoyed this latest adventure involving Marlin, Garza, and those rapscallion rednecks, Billy Don and Red. Outstanding!
This Blanco County mystery is every bit as great as its predecessors. I thoroughly enjoyed this latest adventure involving Marlin, Garza, and those rapscallion rednecks, Billy Don and Red. Outstanding!
May 31, 2018
Enjoyed reading this book it kept my interest and it is the second book of his i have read.
Enjoyed reading this book it kept my interest and it is the second book of his i have read. I will try another.
Enjoyed reading this book it kept my interest and it is the second book of his i have read. I will try another.
November 1, 2020
Dub Kimble's girlfriend reports him missing, after they had a fight. Is he dead? There are many suspects and a murder of another man. Once again, this is an excellent read with lots of action. mystery, humor and sex. Ben Rehder never disappoints!
May 5, 2021
There are always so many twists and turns for these books in this series and this one is not any different. The characters are great.... sometimes stupid but always funny and the way so many things can all wrap up at the same time always gives me a fun listen.
March 18, 2023
Last Laugh was one of the less enjoyable books in this overall entertaining series. The ending came together but it was a tad slow getting there. The humor with Red and Billy Don is always a treat. This was a low 3 star but the next one is already on my to read list.
October 31, 2017
Love Ben Rehder, both the Blanco County books and the stand alones. The Chicken Hanger should be required reading.
November 20, 2017
Hilarious characters Red and Billy Don are once again in the middle of murder and mayhem. Very good book and laugh out loud funny.
December 6, 2017
Great book
Funny good plot, well paced. Excellent characters. Love the series. Start at the beginning of the series for the full enjoyment.
Funny good plot, well paced. Excellent characters. Love the series. Start at the beginning of the series for the full enjoyment.
December 31, 2017
There's never been a bad Blanco County or Ben Rehder book! Seriously one of my fav authors!
April 11, 2018
This a series that should never end.
April 18, 2018
Purty durn good! I'd like even more laughs, but Rehder's characters provide some good ones.
May 30, 2018
Truly funny mystery!
A truly funny mystery, I can see why he sells a lot of books and gets awards! Keeps you guessing to the end!
A truly funny mystery, I can see why he sells a lot of books and gets awards! Keeps you guessing to the end!
June 1, 2018
Issued this bunch of Texas red necks. Rehder keeps the punch line and the solution up his sleeve till the end.
Read
December 29, 2021Excellent read.
May 13, 2022
Last laugh.
Enjoyed it. His books are fun to read with some excitement and mystery thrown in. Red and Billy Don just tickle me to death.
Enjoyed it. His books are fun to read with some excitement and mystery thrown in. Red and Billy Don just tickle me to death.
October 6, 2023
The usual? Hi drinks with our cast of characters. Fun reads.
April 14, 2025
Another tantalizing tale
Good story, excellent writing and damned if Blanco County isn't full of thugs, no goodniks and downright criminals. Excellent book
Good story, excellent writing and damned if Blanco County isn't full of thugs, no goodniks and downright criminals. Excellent book
August 14, 2025
More Blanco County horseplay. Marlin’s gotten more domestic over the past couple visits but the denizens of the county are just who we expect to meet up with once more. Rehder makes me smile.
November 20, 2018
Not as many laugh-out-loud moments as previous novels in this series, but still good fun. Once again, Red & Billy Don steal the show. :)
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews