After a problem at
the nearby beauty shop resolved, Sheriff Dan Rhodes learns of a far more
serious problem as Dead, To Begin With begins. Jake Marley has been found dead on
the stage at the Clearview Opera House. The building dates back to the oil boom
days in the early 1900s and, like the rest of the former bustling downtown
area, has seen hard times and disrepair. That was going to change thanks to
Jake Marley.
Grandson of one of
the local men that had gotten very rich during the oil boom all those decades
ago, Jake Marley suddenly took an interest in the Clearview Opera House. Known
as an eccentric recluse for years, he lived a life of isolation until he
suddenly bought the place and started renovations. Suddenly, he was active in
the community and that was a good thing, as his money would really help the
town of Clearview and the surrounding area. Nobody wanted to ask him about his
reasons or his plans as just about everybody was afraid he would change his
mind and take his money away. All anyone has known these past few weeks is that
he planned to restore the opera house to its full glory and establish some kind
of community theater. The theater’s first performance was to be some sort of Texas
based vision of the classic, A Christmas
Carol.
What the death of
Jake Marley means for the local economy is one thing and not something that
Sheriff Rhodes can do anything about at all. Mr. Marley is very much dead and
Sheriff Rhodes can’t change that either. What concerns Sheriff Rhodes is the
fact that there are some signs that Mr. Marley had some help shuffling off this
mortal coil.
Found by real estate agent
Aubrey Hamilton, who had been summoned to a meeting by the deceased, she
doesn’t know what happened or why he wanted her to come by this morning. She
assumed it was a real estate issue of some type considering the nature of their
business relationship. While the Sheriff has heard rumors about Jake and
Aubrey, she denies all of it. According to her, beyond the age difference
between the two of them that would be a huge hindrance, they were not even
friends, and only had a business relationship.
Maybe he did just
fall from the overhead grid deck above the stage. That obviously could have
happened. However, if he did that, it would not explain every detail of the
scene. Seepy Benton may believe the theater is haunted, but Rhodes does not
think supernatural forces were involved either. Sheriff Rhodes has plenty of
questions as his investigation begins in Dead, To Begin With.
The latest in the
long running series featuring Sheriff Dan Rhodes and a host of characters is
another good one. As usual, the secondary characters, the humor, the
observations of small town life in Texas, are just part of an overarching
mystery. Dead, To Begin With first and foremost is another solidly good
mystery filled with plenty of misdirection, intrigue, and a few clues. Another
very good read by Bill Crider who simply can’t write a weak book. If it isn’t
already clear, Dead, To Begin With is a highly recommended read.
Dead, To Begin With: A Dan Rhodes
Mystery
Bill Crider
A Thomas Dunne Book (Minotaur Books)
August 8, 2015
ISBN #978-1250078537
Hardback (also available in e-book
form)
272 Pages
$25.99
ARC was provided by the author in
exchange for an objective review.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2017
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