He Needed Killing Too

Needed Killing #2

by Bill Fitts

The director of the University Press was often characterized as a man who needed killing. The Press’s authors and employees certainly wouldn’t disagree--even Peter the Gray, the office cat, detested him. So when someone puts a bullet through Philip Douglas’s head, Crawford has plenty of suspects to consider when he is once again thrust into the role of detective.

Genres: Mystery

276 pages, Kindle Edition

First published November 12, 2012

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

[Audrey Driscoll · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the cleverly titled second novel in the "Needed Killing" series by Bill Fitts, featuring James Crawford, a retiree who unexpectedly becomes a private investigator. This time the victim is an unpleasant, rifle-loving fellow who runs the University Press. The story leads readers through the world of academic publishing and the personalities associated with it, some of whom are suspects and one who turns out to be the murderer. Like the first book, this is a leisurely yet engrossing read. Occasional diversions into topics such as food, football and firearms, along with the intricacies of campus computer networks and relational databases add texture and interest.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

OK, I’ll admit it – the title of the first book in this series, He Needed Killing, hooked me right from the start... and the gorgeous black cat made it irresistible :) There are so few older male main characters in cozy mysteries, so that was an added bonus. I liked the book enough to look for the remaining books in the series, and am determined not to let them languish on my to-read shelf.

Anyone familiar with major colleges in the American South, especially those who follow college football, will recognize the setting for these books and will understand that traditions that go along with college game day at a football powerhouse. The focus of this book, though, is the University Press associated with said college, something not many of us know much about.

I like the Jim, the MC, and his friends, but especially his pets – his dog, Tan, and his cat, The Black, TB for short. He talks to them as he tries to work out problems, and TB almost seems to understand. I was surprised that the police actually asked Jim to assist in their investigation into the murder, but appreciated that he worked *with them, reporting his findings to them rather than going off on his own tangent. I hope he *does pursue a PI license – and that he finds just the right design for his business cards :)

The murder victim was not very well-liked, even among his peers, so there were plenty of suspects to consider. As Jim and the police learned more, my list of possible killers grew smaller, but I still hadn’t quite narrowed it down to just one person, let alone a motive for that person.

Once again, the way this book ended seems to lead directly into the next book in the series, so I’m glad I have it in my Kindle library to read soon.

[Kristi Lamont · Rating 3 out of 5]

Mr. Fitts' writing (and/or the editing of his writing) improved a great from book one to book two. Again, my favorite part of reading one of his books was trying to match fictional locales to real-life ones in Tuscaloosa. But this time the story went a little more smoothly. Still very much in the cozy genre, which -- if one will pardon the pun -- can be my cup of tea now and then. Definitely going to read all of these that he writes. In no way would recommend them to someone who had never lived here in the '90s and early 2000s -- just don't think they would make as much sense.

[MiniMe · Rating 2 out of 5]

Once again I read a series out of order. In this case, I think it would have helped to read the first in the series, even though this book is a standalone. Fitts did a good job depicting southern living and campus culture. His relationship with his dog and cat was charming. The murder mystery unfolded too slowly for me and then the big reveal happened all at once in the final pages. That's a pretty standard format, but I think I would have enjoyed this book more with less of the lifestyle and relationship narrative and more build-up to whodunit.

[Gary Updegraff · Rating 5 out of 5]

Victim worthy of book title.

I could easily visualize the story taking place and it could've been authentic. Multiple characters with designed personalities that went well with the scenes. I personally like the animals portrayed since I relate "talking" to my loved dog companion. Murder mystery with an obvious perpetrator always has a twist... or two! Hard to put down but easy to reenlist to the story. Good read!

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This detective, a retired media expert, is presented as a well rounded person who is able to use the knowledge gained in his prior career to solve crimes committed on his old turf at the university. The solving of the crimes is enjoyable to read but just as satisfying for me are the descriptions of his pets The Black and Tan, his conversations with them and the descriptions of his daily life, including cooking and dating.

[Marcella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Great fun!

Not the deepest most hard hitting mystery but lots of fun to read. Living in the real life counterpart to Shelbyville, my husband and I enjoy figuring out who and where the people and restaurants are carefully not based on.