The Wild Hog Murders
Ratings1
Average rating4
15
Ratings1
Average rating4
Like most of the rest of Texas, Blacklin County is being overrun with feral hogs that destroy farmland and crops. There’s hardly any defense against these pests, but they haven’t been the cause of murder. Until now. A mother and son have opened an animal shelter in the county and they welcome even feral hogs. Someone’s threatened them by slaughtering one of their animals and leaving it on their doorstep. Then Sheriff Dan Rhodes and Deputy Ruth Grady stumble across a dead man while searching the woods for a convenience store robber. The investigation into the man’s death is complicated by angry hog hunters, a crusading talk-show host, a bounty hunter named Hoss, conflicts with the county commissioners, and the reappearance of Rapper and Nellie, the inept two-man motorcycle gang that’s caused Rhodes considerable trouble in the past. By the time he’s sorted through all the clues, Rhodes discovers that quite a few people aren’t who they seemed to be, including those he’s known for a long time. And some of them are killers. Award-winning author Bill Crider has written an endearing and consistently entertaining series, and The Wild Hog Murders offers a fresh new chance to get in on the fun.
Reviews with the most likes.
It has been a long time since I've read a Bill Crider mystery. According to the reading log I keep at Goodreads, it has been since 2003. That's too long.
It should be noted that I am not a good mystery reader. A good mystery reader carefully follows the plot of a mystery, especially the small twists and loops. While reading mysteries, I often miss parts of the plot that turn out to have great ultimate significance.
And I, a natural skeptic, am always annoyed when small towns (mysteries—who knows why?—often take place in small towns) experience frequent casual murders.
That said, I loved this mystery. No, I didn't follow the plot very well and, yes, two wild-hog-related-murders took place back-to-back in this little town, but, for me, the ultimate test of a good book is the characters and the characters in this story were fabulous. The character of Soppy Benton, in particular, seemed so real that I almost feel like he is someone I know personally.
Delightful story.
Featured Series
16 primary booksSheriff Dan Rhodes is a 16-book series with 16 primary works first released in 1986 with contributions by Bill Crider.
