Customer Reviews

The Night of the Dance: A Mystery

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

All seems quiet in the Texas town of Brenham until some men digging a well find the body of Sissy Fletcher. She's the Preacher's daughter who disappeared ten years ago.

The Sheriff knows that his investigatory skills are nonexistent and he has been informed that he better solve this case or there will be someone elses name on the ballot for sheriff in the next election. He asks ex-Texas Ranger Jeremiah Spur for help.

Jeremy has only been retired for six months and is spending his time in his farm, praying for rain, and thinking about his daughter who is dieing from cancer.

Martin Fletcher, the Preacher's son is a military enthusiast and redneck. He and his friend, Dud Hughes rob a liquor store as practice for something bigger. Complications happen and they kill the black manager and the manager's mother, who came to drive her son home.

The town's best cop is Clyde Thomas, a black deputy who was a Dallas policeman. He and Jeremiah and Clyde's girlfriend, assistant district attorney Sonya Nichols team up to solve the case.

The story is told with humor and empathy for the way of life in a small Texas town that has suffered from an epidemic of blackmale, illicit sex, bigotry and dirty politics.

Hime writes the story with such talent that he brings the reader into the action as if the reader was sitting on the bench in front of city hall, watching the events as they unfold.

The characters are well developed. Jeremiah Spur is an excellent protagonist in the strong, silent Texan type and Clyde reminded me of Sidney Pottier in the 1967 movie "In The Heat of The Night" with his prideful but powerful manner and professionalism.

The novel was nominated for an Edgar Award for the Best First Mystery Novel.

James Hime's first novel The Night of the Dance is an excellent murder mystery. Hime succeeded in keeping me fascinated from the first through the last page because he comes out the gate with a fast pace and sustains his intensity through the last word. The characters are tremendously enhanced through Hime's obviously intimate knowledge of Texas dialect and colloquialisms. The Night of the Dance has an excellent and exciting plot with numerous unexpected and intriguing twists that will keep you guessing. I strongly recommend this book to anyone who loves a well-written, fast paced murder mystery. I am looking forward to the future adventures of Jeremiah and Clyde.

Ten years ago a preacher's daughter disappears on the night of a rodeo dance. After her body is discovered an investigation ensues conducted by a good ole boy Sheriff, a retired Texas Ranger, and the rural town's only black Deputy Sheriff. This is a highly unlikely threesome-as different from each other as they can possibly be. They add their own unique personalities and viewpoints to the story. In the course of the investigation a lot of the town's skeleton's come tumbling out of the proverbial closet.

James Hime has written a very strong debut novel. Several times I thought I knew the outcome, but each time I was wrong. Intricately plotted, there is a twist at every turn. A very atmospheric novel which conveys the feeling of small town rural Texas both the good and the bad. I look forward to the author's next book

I'm not typically a mystery reader but this book is special. It's engaging, all the way and keeps you guessing, right up to the end. I'm giving this book as my 'Christmas book' for 2003 but not waiting until Christmas to do it. I am sure that James Hime will be heard from again but for a first novel this is excellent.

James Hime has created characters and a place as well-drawn as any I've read in quite awhile, with a great deal of dry wit and a satisfying mystery as well. The novel *feels* like Texas, hot and dry and feels like a small, rural town -- with real people living their secret lives. Hime does a beautiful job of capturing their language and their attitudes, while providing a solid story. I look forward to reading more from him.

For a mystery with clever twists and turns and filled with people with interesting personalities, this is a good read. The plot moves fast with unpredictable consequences. I fell in love with Jeremiah Spur and want to know more about his life. In the end it seemed that I had known each person personally and hated to see the book end. Let us have the sequel soon.

I liked this book. I normally feel smug when I guess whodunnit within the first 20 pages but missed twice in this book; fairly unsure of those two guesses.

As a Texan I know some of these characters, some of the rascism,and some of the homophobia. This book accurately portrays the lack of horizon many small-town folks across America endure. These (well-developed) characters couldn't fathom a black deputy that came all the way from Dallas or a local girl who would dare go all the way to California.

I urge you to check out this book. You will be rewarded with great characters, unflinching dialogue, and a plot of 30-'06 caliber.

Hime's first novel reminds me of Texas - strong characters, great dialogue, terrific plot. I'm waiting for a follow-up already. Jeremiah Spur is in the vaunted tradition of the great Texas Rangers (eg, Lonesome Dove).

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 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

I was amazed that this is the author's first novel! Apparently, bestseller Harlan Coben agrees. My local mystery book store is publicizing a quote from Harlan:

"There's a new sheriff in town when it comes to Texas crime writing, and his name is James Hime. The Night of the Dance is a fine debut and destined to be both a mystery lover and Lone-Star favorite." -- Harlan Coben

The Night of the Dance has everything you'd hope for in a great read. There are a bunch of wonderful characters, each with a distinctive voice and well-developed personality. The Texas hill country setting is convincing, from local traditions to interactions between differing social strata. There are healthy doses of humor in the book, although I'd put its overall tone somewhere between the soft- and hard-boiled traditions (it's not a jokey Carl Hiaasen-type mystery). The author layers on several different plot lines and keeps them all running smoothly.

I read everything by Michael Connelly, Robert Crais, Harlan Coben, Dennis Lehane, Lawrence Block, James Lee Burke, Jonathan King (recently received the Edgar for Best First Novel), and I really think that anyone who likes those authors will enjoy reading James Hime's first book as well. I think we'll be hearing a lot about this author in the coming years.