In this, the fifteenth book of the Sheriff Dan Rhodes mysteries, the author puts the focus on a motley collection of new people who have taken up residence in Blacklin County, TX. The town elders think they have a grasp on the nature of these new citizens; they are not impressed. The city fathers also have definite ideas about what the sheriff's job should be; they do not hesitate to inform Rhodes of this on a regular basis.
Like many police departments in small towns, Sheriff Rhodes has organized the Citizens' Sheriff's Academy. Regular citizens who take the course learn about the complexities of an officer's job. Rhodes thought it was a great idea until a mobile home in the county explodes, and the suspects are some of the graduates of the CIitizens Academy.
Rhodes worries that some of these interested citizens may have become vigilantes after they've seen firsthand the obstacles law enforcement faces while trying to bring criminals to justice.
The humor is always there and George Guidall's narration is superb. As usual, Rhodes doesn't need CSI or a forensic team to show him the way to a solution.
FYI: The quote used in the title comes from the poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, 'Maud Muller'. The whole phrase is: "Of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: It might have been!'" The poem was written in 1856.
Like many police departments in small towns, Sheriff Rhodes has organized the Citizens' Sheriff's Academy. Regular citizens who take the course learn about the complexities of an officer's job. Rhodes thought it was a great idea until a mobile home in the county explodes, and the suspects are some of the graduates of the CIitizens Academy.
Rhodes worries that some of these interested citizens may have become vigilantes after they've seen firsthand the obstacles law enforcement faces while trying to bring criminals to justice.
The humor is always there and George Guidall's narration is superb. As usual, Rhodes doesn't need CSI or a forensic team to show him the way to a solution.
FYI: The quote used in the title comes from the poem by John Greenleaf Whittier, 'Maud Muller'. The whole phrase is: "Of all sad words of tongue or pen, The saddest are these: It might have been!'" The poem was written in 1856.
Latest of a series about a small town Texas sheriff who has to deal with a lot of small town difficulties, along with an occasionally complex homicide.
