Bill Crider Books In Order

Publication Order of Sheriff Dan Rhodes Books

Publication Order of Sheriff Dan Rhodes Collections

Publication Order of Carl Burns Books

Publication Order of Truman Smith Private Eye Books

Publication Order of Mike Gonzo Books

Publication Order of Stanley Waters Books

Publication Order of Professor Sally Good Books

Publication Order of Humphrey Bogart Books

Publication Order of Ted Stephens Books

Publication Order of Ellie Taine Books

Publication Order of Standalone Novels

Publication Order of Short Stories/Novellas

Publication Order of Short Story Collections

Publication Order of Adventures of Wishbone Books

Publication Order of The Dead Man Books

Publication Order of MX New Sherlock Holmes Stories Books

Publication Order of Nick Carter: Killmaster Books

Publication Order of Anthologies

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About Bill Crider

American author Bill Crider wrote crime fiction and other books. He won an Anthony Award for his Sheriff Dan Rhodes series, which includes titles like Red, White, and Blue Murder. Another popular series featured Professor Sally Good, with books such as A Knife in the Back. His short story Cranked, published in Damn Near Dead, was nominated for an Edgar Award.

Crider had a talent for writing characters that felt real and interesting. His protagonists, like Sheriff Rhodes and Professor Good, were engaging and easy to root for. The stories he created were fun to read, with plots that kept readers hooked. He knew how to balance humor and suspense in a way that made his work stand out.

Readers enjoyed his books because they were well-paced and full of life. His storytelling was sharp, with just enough twists to stay exciting. Whether writing about small-town sheriffs or college professors, he made ordinary settings feel fresh. His work remains a great choice for anyone who likes clever, entertaining mysteries.

His books found fans across the globe because they were easy to enjoy. His mysteries mixed humor, suspense, and everyday life in a way that felt genuine. Whether writing about a small-town sheriff or a sharp-witted professor, he kept things relatable. Readers everywhere connected with his down-to-earth style and likable characters.

He stayed true to his own voice, never forcing trends or gimmicks into his work. His stories reflected his love for classic mystery setups with a modern, personal touch. Even as his books entertained, they never lost their authenticity. That honesty made his writing stand out in a crowded genre.

Fans appreciated that his books were fun without being shallow. He crafted clever plots but always kept the focus on characters and their quirks. His ability to blend lighthearted moments with solid crime-solving made his work widely appealing. That balance is why his stories remain enjoyable years later.

Bill Crider’s books continue to attract new readers who appreciate well-crafted mysteries. His memorable characters and engaging storytelling ensure his work stays relevant. Fans still revisit his series for their wit, charm, and clever plots. His influence remains clear in the crime fiction genre he loved.

Early and Personal Life

Bill Crider was born in Mexia, Texas, in 1941. He developed a love for reading and writing early on, which led him to earn a Master of Arts degree at the University of North Texas. His passion for storytelling and literature shaped his future as both a teacher and an author.

After teaching English at Howard Payne University, he pursued a Ph.D. at the University of Texas at Austin, where he studied hardboiled detective fiction. This research deepened his appreciation for crime writing and influenced his own work. Later, as Chair of the Division of English and Fine Arts at Alvin Community College, he balanced teaching with writing before retiring in 2002 to focus on his books.

Crider wrote across multiple genres, including mysteries, westerns, and horror, under his name and a pseudonym. His popular series, like the Sheriff Dan Rhodes mysteries, showcased his skill for engaging plots and relatable characters. Though he passed away in 2018, his books remain a testament to his dedication to storytelling.

Writing Career

Bill Crider built a successful career writing mystery novels, most notably his long-running Sheriff Dan Rhodes series. The first book, Too Late to Die, won the 1987 Anthony Award for Best First Novel, launching a beloved series that spanned over 20 novels. He also created other memorable detective series, including the Carl Burns mysteries, the Truman Smith P.I. novels, and the Professor Sally Good books, showcasing his versatility in the genre.

Beyond mysteries, Crider wrote westerns, horror novels under the pen name Jack MacLane, and contributed to the Stone: M.I.A. Hunter series as ‘Jack Buchanan.’ He also penned young adult books, such as A Vampire Named Fred and the Golden Duck Award-winning Mike Gonzo and the UFO Terror. His short stories, collected in The Nighttime is the Right Time, further demonstrated his skill in crafting engaging, fast-paced fiction.

Murder Among the OWLS

Bill Crider’s Murder Among the OWLS was published on January 9, 2007, by Minotaur Books. It is the fourteenth installment in his popular Sheriff Dan Rhodes mystery series. The novel continues Crider’s tradition of blending small-town charm with engaging crime-solving.

Sheriff Dan Rhodes knows something’s wrong when his neighbor’s cat, never allowed outside, darts into his house. Finding Helen Harris dead on her kitchen floor, Rhodes questions if her death was truly accidental. Helen was active in the Older Women’s Literary Society (OWLS) and often searched for buried treasures with friends, occasionally finding valuable items. The case grows complex as Rhodes discovers Helen had multiple suitors while dealing with a persistent reporter chasing the story.

This Sheriff Dan Rhodes mystery delivers an engaging small-town case with just the right mix of curiosity and charm. Readers will enjoy following the clever feline clue that kicks off this satisfying investigation. The story balances local color with genuine mystery as Rhodes pieces together the puzzle. Fans of cozy crime novels will find this installment thoroughly entertaining.

When Old Men Die

Bill Crider’s When Old Men Die was published on January 1, 1994, by Walker & Company. It is the third installment in his Truman Smith Private Eye series. The novel continues Crider’s tradition of blending hardboiled detective fiction with Texas-set crime storytelling.

Truman Smith reluctantly agrees to help his friend Dino search for a missing man named Outside Harry, despite bad experiences with past missing person cases. His investigation turns dangerous when the first person he questions is murdered and someone shoots at him. These events remind Smith why he dislikes such cases, but he’s now determined to see it through. He vows to uncover Harry’s secrets before it’s too late, committed to protecting the old-timer’s life.

Crider delivers another satisfying Truman Smith mystery with tight pacing and authentic Texas atmosphere. Readers will enjoy the reluctant PI’s dry humor and dogged determination as the case grows more dangerous. The escalating stakes create genuine tension while maintaining the series’ hardboiled charm. Mystery fans will appreciate this solid entry in the private eye genre.

3 Responses to “Bill Crider”

1. Pat France: 4 years ago

   I just finished my first Bill Crider book “Dead, to begin with”. Sherriff Rhodes mystery. Totally enjoyed and intend to find more of Bill Crider’s books to enjoy!

   Reply
   • Angela Crider Neary: 3 years ago

     So glad you enjoyed it, Pat!

     Reply
2. Susan Frank: 7 years ago

   Bill Crider died of cancer in February 2018. His last Sheriff Dan Rhodes book, That Old Scoundrel Death, was published in February 2019.

   Reply