The Night of the Dance

Rating:
Summary: Fine mystery.
Review: Gripping mystery in gritty small-town Texas setting. Fine characterizations, authentic racial and sexual conflict, and smooth present-tense writing. Dialogue is perhaps a little hokey, but the story easily pulls the reader along so quickly that there is no need to dwell on a few too many down-home similes. I'd like to read more by this author.

Rating:
Summary: A great first novel; a new mystery writer to watch
Review: 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.

Rating:
Summary: Thing are not what they seem in small town Texas
Review: 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