Reviewed By Liz

ISBN 0-312-34809-6

Murder Among the OWLS starts off with a cat. This cat walks into the kitchen of Sheriff Dan Rhodes and settles in as if it lives there. Rhodes is surprised and amused until his wife sees the cat and knows what it means. She sends him to check on their neighbor Helen Harris, who never lets the cat out of the house. Rhodes finds Helen dead on the floor of her own kitchen, but is it murder or an accident? The fact that the cat is out indicates murder.

Rhodes finds himself looking for motives and a murderer in unusual places – the OWLS (Older Women’s Literary Society), the Red Hat Society, and the Rusty Nuggets (a metal detector/treasure hunting group) are all groups that Helen Harris belonged to. He also crosses paths with a determined reporter, an angry man with a chain saw, two authors who have written a book about him, a bunch of illicit poker players, and his wife, who wants to keep the cat and insists Rhodes isn’t really allergic to it.

I enjoyed this book and found Crider’s style interesting. The overall mood of the book is very relaxed. While you might think that this would indicate a lack of plot or activity, it doesn’t, things just get done in an unhurried fashion. And contributing to this laid back mood, Rhodes seems unflappable, even when disarming a chainsaw wielding man. His big concern is hiding his torn and bloodied shirt from his wife.

Which brings us to characters. This is the fourteenth book in this series and, instead of giving us detailed backgrounds on all the people who populate this small town, Crider expands on the ones who are key to the story and gives minimal but descriptive hints to the characters of the usual players. This keeps the book on track but lets us know this town is populated by real people and gives the book lots of flavor.

Favorite character? Rhodes’ wife Ivy, who is a minor character in this book, but with whom he has an interesting relationship. Did I guess it? No. Will I read another? Yes, and I have many to look forward to.

Mystery Book Reviews by Liz at http://reviewedbyliz.com ©2007

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