Book Review: A Ghost of a Chance

Reviewed By: Harriet Klausner

A Ghost of a Chance     Amazon US PB Amazon US HC Amazon Canada PB Amazon Canada HC
Bill Crider
Class/Genre:   Mystery   Supernatural   Humorous
Series: Dan Rhodes # 10
St. Martin’s, Jul 2000, $23.95, 272 pp.

The sheriff of Blacklin County, Texas is not having an easy time of it because the five prisoners incarcerated in the jail insist the place is haunted. Sheriff Dan Rhodes and his employees, Hack Jensen and Lawton do not believe in ghosts, but wonder what is going on when the prisoners start studiously reading the bible.

Dan’s life becomes a bit weirder when he learns that a dead person has been found occupying a freshly dug grave in the cemetery. The grave was originally dug for Terry McCoy, but the corpse is that of Ty Berry, shot in the head with a .22. Although there are no further clues at the cemetery, Dan sees a couple of fleeting shadows out of the corners of his eyes. Soon the townsfolk begin believing that Ty haunts the cemetery. In addition to catching a mortal killer and other criminals, Dan needs to keep his fellow citizens calm and quiet while he and his staff solve the cases.

Bill Crider has so fully developed the characters in the Dan Rhodes mysteries with each new novel, readers feel they are visiting dear long term friends. Of course these buddies are quite eccentric. A GHOST OF A CHANCE, the tenth tale in this down home regional series, is amusing, interesting, and filled with local color. The hero is an amiable Texan who is everyone’s pal until he makes an arrest. Fans of the sub-genre will enjoy this visit to Blacklin County.

Harriet Klausner

Reprinted with permission. Do Not repost without permission from the author, Harriet Klausner

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