Murder Among the OWLS (a Sheriff Dan Rhodes Mystery) by Bill Crider

OWLS, a black cat, a book club, metal detecting club, red hats and more --- who killed Helen Harris?

When Helen Harris's black cat walks into Sheriff Dan Rhodes' kitchen, somethng just doesn't feel right. Rhodes goes to check on his neighbor only to find her dead. She might have fallen off a stool, but accidental death just doesn't feel right. An investigation into Helen's activities reveals the underlying conflicts in Helen's groups: the OWLS (Old Women's Literary Society), the Red Hats, and her metal-detecting club. Love interests and a chainsaw packing angry man and more. Small towns are not always so quiet below the surface.

I wanted a change of pace in my reading so I went to my Mystery subscription. Nice sense of humor, including the chainsaw scenes (nothing like The Texas Chainsaw Massacre, I imagine, though I have never seen that one and have no desire to see it.). No real gore here, just a fun look at a small town mystery with some fun characters. I loved the prim, proper and mannered woman. The sheriff's relatioshio with the black cat is amusing and tender at points. Some surprises. Last year someone did a very nice blog of Bill Crider's A Mammoth Murder. I can't emember who did the blog but I would second her blog about this author and glad I have that one unread still in my TBR. A very pleasant read.

I am not exactly in a reading slump but I ust haven't been able to really feel inspired lately to choose one book or another. I have been really tired. We had 75-105 mph gusts of wind one night that kicked up all kinds of stuff in the air and triggered some asthma. Then last night we got an unexpected, not orecast 5+ inches of snow during drive time that blew a hole in our evening plans. I am thankful Glenn made it home safely but another late night. I picked up this mystery mostly for a change of pace and to fuel up for my next read. Very nice choice. My blog might not sound as inspired as usual since I am running on empty but it is not the book. I would add this to my list of my favored Worldwide Mystery reads. If I can keep up with my incoming mysteries, i would choose this author first in the mystery TBR. I very much like the character of Sheriff Rhodes.

Love this book cover. The Worldwide Mystery books sure have some great cover illustrations! 

AKA Merri
Family Challenge Team: The Spine Breakers with my dh Glenn AKA Phaedrus