"Solid police procedural"
Ten years ago Sissy Fletcher, a twenty-five year old
beautiful and wild woman, disappears after last being seen
at the Rodeo Dance. Everyone thought she went to the big
city to start a new life for herself but that theory is
disproved in the present when a construction crew digs up
the remains of Sissy. The sheriff of Washington County,
Texas Clyde Thomas knows he's not equipped to deal with a
murder investigation so he asks retired Texas Ranger
Captain Jeremiah Spur to help him. Even though his daughter is dying in a Houston hospital,
Jeremiah agrees to help but Sissy's brother Martin is
disturbed that her bones were recovered and along with his
friend Did (an appropriate name) start a two man crime
wave. Believing he is God's messenger, he robs a grocery
store killing a black man and his mother. He also intends
to blow up the courthouse so that all the law enforcement
people die. Sissy's investigation has to be put on hold
while innocent men and women are at the mercy of an insane
killer. This is James Hime's debut novel and it is a solid police
procedural, but even better crime as a thriller. Readers
are left to wonder why the discovery of Sissy's remains set
off her brother and the answer rings true even though it is
shocking. The hero of this novel is the Texas Ranger
(retired) who bends a few rules to see Justice prevail. He
keeps his head while everything he cares about seems to be
falling apart. THE NIGHT OF THE DANCE is a strong debut
novel. Harriet Klausner
Reviewed by PNR Group Member
Posted April 10, 2003
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