The Necessary Murder of Nonie Blake: A Samuel Craddock Mystery (Samuel Craddock Mysteries)

I am a huge fan of small town sheriff mysteries set in Texas or the Southwest so I was really looking forward to reading this book by an author I had not discovered before. The story begins when a daughter of a prominent family in Jarrett Creek, Texas is released from a mental asylum after serving twenty years for attempting to hang her younger sister. Shortly after her return Nonie is found dead in a pond on the family property. The plot revolves around who killed the woman and why is the family seemed to be hiding so many secrets from the good sheriff Samuel Craddock.

The story line creeps along at a snails pace as the bumbling sheriff chases one line of inquiry after another while constantly asking himself questions as if the reader has not already done so and does not need reminding.... a very annoying part of this rather mundane "mystery". There is no character development whatsoever and no sense of place as you usually find in stories of this genre set in the Southwest. This book could have taken place in North Dakota and it would not have made any difference. Finally, the dialogue is flat out corn pone silly and laughable most of the time. Needless to say I will not be reading any more books in this series despite all the good reviews it receives......each to his own but this is a loser!!!

Beginning with the first Samual Craddock book, this series by Terry Shames has the feel of a classic. The key ingredients are her sure writing style, the inherent morality and competence of her retired sheriff sleuth as he’s drawn back into service, and the verisimilitude of the small Texas town. We feel these are real people – largely unpretentious, admixtures of foibles and kindnesses and selfishness. As in the classic mysteries of yore, evil has invaded a small village of good people and a hero is needed to evict it and effect justice. That hero is Craddock, who, though he now has a cell phone and uses the internet, largely solves crimes the old-fashioned way, by talking to people, by shrewdly seeing past their masks and lies. In this latest book, the mystery centers around a family, its secrets, its mysterious wealth and a decades-old crime. Fortified by his neighbor’s sweet rolls and, seemingly gallons of coffee and the occasional enchilada, Craddock once again solves the mystery with both acuity and humanity. Highly recommended for people who like classic, or traditional, mysteries and those, who, like me, strongly prefer a single viewpoint, so that the reader feels she has all the information the sleuth possesses with which to solve the mystery, no more, no less – truly ‘fair play

If I could, I'd give the characters in this novel five stars. Police Chief Samuel Craddock is great, and the people who live in the small, poor Texas town of Jarrett Creek are well-developed. The crime itself is where I started to have some issues, although I still think it rates a solid 3.5.

This novel takes a subject that has been done before (a family member who tried to kill returns home after years in an institution) and switches the outcome around. Instead of another killing or attempted murder than implicates the newly-returned family member, the returnee is the one assaulted. The Sheriff investigates the case in a logical manner but at a leisurely pace, and the big surprises aren't all that surprising if you've read closely. Unfortunately I found it hard to care much about some of the wronged parties, which left me without the pleasant feeling that justice has been done that is so much a part of why I enjoy a good mystery. Still, it was a pleasant read, and I will look forward to reading more about Sheriff Craddock.

I'd like to edit this review to note that every single less-than-five-star review on this book has been heavily downvoted. The downvoted reviews are in no way unhelpful and in fact seem quite honest. Voting down negative reviews out of fan loyalty is not helpful behavior and certainly doesn't reflect well on the author's skill - I'm sure she would prefer to have her work evaluated fairly.

I'm rating this book three stars, not because it was a rough read or poorly executed, but just because it doesn't really have anything to recommend it. It offers an interesting premise, a young girl deemed mentally unstable at an early age, a failed murder, and a mysterious woman who may or may not be the same young girl showing up after twenty years missing. However, the pace is so very, very slow. Craddock spends a majority of his time with the neighbors, who are fairly well portrayed, but not too compelling. The family themselves are flat and uninteresting. We never see why any of them should attract us, or even really repel us. The father is in the grip of a degenerative disease, the mother a liar - and not a creative liar either, just an obstructive liar who serves to draw ... the.. plot... out.. even.. further; the sister is weirdly alright with her would-be murderer's return and we never really understand what went wrong with Nonie in the first place.

Most of the other out-of-towners are very dull and very hostile. I don't think I read a single interaction that was really a pleasure to read. However, the writing is fine, not particularly bad and the general tone of the book is pleasant. Nothing very gross or over the top, but nothing to really grab your attention either, in terms of riveting prose or plot.

Terry Shames’s THE NECESSARY MURDER OF NONIE BLAKE is a mystery set in the small town of Jarrett Creek, Texas. Chief of Police Samuel Craddock finds himself trying to unravel the truth behind the murder of 34-year-old Nonie Blake, whose body was found floating in a pond on the family ranch with her head bashed in. Since Nonie had been institutionalized for the past twenty years after the attempted murder of her younger sister, no one in Jarrett Creek really knows her. But the more Craddock finds out, the more obvious it seems that the Blake family knows more than they’re saying. Ultimately, it takes a lot of detective work – and the help of Craddock’s new assistant, a smart and sassy Hispanic woman – to figure out what really happened.

This may be a murder mystery, but it’s not exactly an exciting read. Craddock, who narrates the story, is an old coot who spends as much time gossiping with the lady next door as he does tracking down leads. The book has an “Andy of Mayberry” vibe to it; it’s slow as molasses, with a small-town feel that permeates everything that happens. You won’t find any inappropriate language here, there’s no actual violence, and when the murderer’s identity is revealed, it all feels very expected.

That said, you can’t help but like Craddock and his friends and neighbors – I can imagine sitting on the front porch with them, drinking iced tea and eating sugar cookies. And the mystery itself was interesting enough to keep me reading. But this is definitely more a down-home character piece than it is a traditional murder mystery. What works best are Shames’s characters, who are believable and identifiable. If you’ve ever spent time in a small, rural town, you’ll recognize the types. And by midway through the book you’ll feel you’re really there, interviewing witnesses alongside Craddock, puzzling out the clues.

Bottom line, THE NECESSARY MURDER OF NONIE BLAKE is an interesting, if slow-paced, novel about secrets in rural America. I can’t say it’s a gripping read, but it was a pleasant experience sharing a few hours with Craddock and his country cronies. There are apparently four previous Samuel Craddock mysteries, but I can attest that not having read them won’t matter in reading this one. It reads like a stand-alone novel, which is a very good thing. If you like character driven mysteries with a wholesome down-home feel, give this one a try.

This is the most recent in a series I have grown to love and anticipate the next one coming out. It was very hard to put this book down to actually live my life while reading it! I hope Terry will have a new one out very soon. These characters are superb and well developed. The locale is friendly with interesting characters that move from one book to the next, with new ones introduced each book. What a wonderful series she has created! No wonder she won a MacCavity Award for Best New Mystery!

Another good one.

The Necessary Murder of Nonie Blake: A Samuel Craddock Mystery (Samuel Craddock Mysteries): Terry Shames

In a small town called Jarrett Creek a young girl comes back into town unnoticed. A family that seems distant and close-knit yet in reality each one harboring their own secrets and thoughts as a member of their family unexpectedly arrives causing a chain of events that would change their lives forever. Why was Nonie Blake sent home from a mental institution with her suitcase in hand and no notice to anyone that she was about to arrive? For 20 years she was housed in this institution for trying to kill her young sister Charlotte by hanging her. The fact that she was returning frightened the residents and living with her family again brought back memories they chose to forget. Difficult to handle, not sociable at all and distant from her family, Nonie was not exactly welcomed with open arms upon her return. But, someone did not want her there. Someone made sure her stay was short as within one week she was brutally murdered. Why?

Enter Chief Samuel Craddock called to the scene and never expecting to be handed the case. Knowing the family and interviewing them did not bring much to light at first as he soon realizes that someone close to her wanted her out of the way. A family divided in their allegiances and their feelings, a father who is battling with dementia and a mother who seems aloof to the truth about her daughter, this family has secrets that they do not want revealed. But, Sam is smart and his techniques might not meet the standards of a big city police chief, he enters into this with his eyes wide opened and enlists the help of his limited staff, Nonie’s teacher, therapist and a lawyer friend close to him in order to learn more about her, how she fared in school, why she was so obstinate and sought attention in different ways and why someone wanted her gone.

Interviewing her mother, sister and even her older brother who arrives unexpectedly, the hostility is there, the anger quite prevalent as all Sam wants to do is investigate a murder but for some reason the family would rather it lie dormant. Speaking with her teachers learning about her behavior in school, finding out about the family she babysat for and trying to understand her mental condition, there were some who cooperated and others who wanted him gone. Files would reveal that Nonie was bi-polar and yet she did not take medication. Committed by her parents to remain in the mental institution and hopefully never be released what happens when Sam learns the truth and finds out she has not been there for ten years. Did her family know? The author weaves a tale of suspense; intrigue and deception as we learn more about the inner workings of a mental institution, a mentally ill young teen and a family who wanted to make it all go away but how and why?

Speaking with the husband of a woman who died but who Nonie babysat for her kids he learns even more but the hostility comes out and speaking with a young mother she reveals that Nonie often snooped into her parent’s room and business and perhaps that is why the husband of this woman did not want him interfering in his business of life.

Reading her psychiatric file Sam learns that Nonie was smart, intelligent, you might say crafty and cunning as she claimed she knew things about her family and people in Jarrett County that no one wanted her to reveal. But, nowhere in the report did it state she was bi-polar as her mother alluded to. Added in when interviewing her father John, with dementia he seemed quite forthcoming with the fact that he did not like Nonie, claimed she was not his daughter and you begin to wonder just what this family was hiding and why.

Each member of the family provided Sam with their own version of what happened when Nonie returned but each one was hiding something. Adelaide the mother knew she was released from the mental institution yet never told Sam or anyone else. Billy her son was in contact with her and Charlotte seems to have accepted what she did but no one would admit that Nonie might have returned to blackmail him or her, threaten him or her or they even feared her return. Adelaide stated that she hoped the visit would be short but no one really had a handle on her behavior or why she really came back home. Lies, deceits, blackmail, betrayals and even more as Sam sifts through the many stories, meets with the family’s where Nonie babysat and realizes that somewhere within these stories there is a hidden truth.

Added in Maria Trevino comes to town sent by the sheriff to enhance security in this small town but she is Hispanic, Sam is not ready for her and just how she will fit in remains to be seen.

The new officer is quite astute and the information she learns about Nonie changes everything, as Sam is lead to a small town in Florida and the twist in the story you just won’t believe. Lies, betrayals, a death that was a true deception and work of someone who wanted everyone to believe one thing but it was really another. As Sam delves deeper into the murder of Nonie what is revealed is a huge cover up. Learning more about Nonie’s diagnosis he uncovers that she was narcissism, paranoid and thought people had secrets that she wanted to uncover. Possibly blackmailing others and claiming she knew things about the people in her hometown that they did not want revealed. But, yet the doctor reading her file claimed she had a conscience. Just what is the real story? Why did the family lie about her and who was it that came back to town as Nonie?

A medical examiner’s report and cross referencing it with her intake report at the mental institution reveals that Maria is quite astute as a new officer and that something is odd about Nonie’s death. With the help of Maria and the new facts he learned in Jacksonville, Sam comes back ready to question the family again, learn why they were covering up the truth and what someone hoped to gain or change. Just who was killed in their pond? Why did they create a huge lie?

Within this town there is Loretta who is Sam’s neighbor and seems to have her pulse on what is going on within the town. Gossip is her major but when asked to be discreet she is. When questioning Blake family’s financial adviser Sam hopes to learn more about their investments, their status and more about the real murder victim. As he uncovers information about both Nonie and another woman what was their real connection? Why did the family lie about Nonie being in the institution for 20 years when she was released 10 years before?

The author delves into the minds of two mentally ill young women whose goals might be the same and whose methods quite different. Just why did Nonie want to kill her sister? Why did this other girl seem threatening to the Blakes? Who would benefit from her death?

Hidden secrets come out and pasts become known as one clever and smart Police Chief does not skirt around any issues digs deep into family histories and what he learns and uncovers explains more than just who murdered a young woman. Just what did Nonie find out? Just what is the family’s secret? Just what happens to the Blakes you will have to learn when you follow the investigation along with his new Deputy Maria who turns out to be quite smart, sharp and definitely what Sam needs to handle cases and keep him on his toes. What is the secret that Nonie thought Charlotte would divulge? Just who is guilty of what and why you won’t believe. The author brings to light family loyalties, betrayals, lies and the hope that no one will ever learn their deep and darkest secrets.

As Sam is ensconced in this case and his friend Ellen leaves her dog with him what happens and who saves the day when he comes face to face with the real killer you just won’t believe. But, one of my favorite parts of the book is the cooking lesson that Sam gave to Ellen. Since I am a non-cook and enjoyed listening to his rendition of how to make stew, I truly appreciated poor Ellen’s dilemma. So, besides the Five golden stars that I will give this great title I will give Ellen Five cooking lessons from Emeril or Bobby Flay and five golden mixing bowls to help prepare the meals. Author Terry Shames has a new fan in this book reviewer and Sam definitely is smart, perceptive, and astute and can take on any case as well as any big city detective.

Complex character development (and, believe me, Jarrett Creek, the location, is one of the characters) and deftly scripted prose are two hallmarks of Terry Shames' series of mysteries; and this book is no exception. I enjoy the challenge of trying to figure out "whodunit" when I read mystery novels and am frequently disappointed when I have the correct solution after only a few chapters. Shames' books, however, keep me guessing right up to the end. And after careful consideration of her endings, my response is "Of course! Why didn't I see that?" My only complaint: I wish her books were longer.

I have read all five novels in this fine series, and this new one definitely does not disappoint. Samuel Craddock, the police chief of a small, bankrupt town in East Texas, is too old to get into gun battles and fist fights. So he solves crimes the old-fashioned way: by talking to people, following up on leads and clues, and observing reactions to his questions. And when the going gets tough, he sometimes can get some backup from the county sheriff's department and the Texas Rangers. Glancing at the odd titles and rustic scenes on the books' covers, you might be tempted to jump past the Samuel Craddock mysteries and keep searching for something else to read. But give this mystery series a try. The California-based author, Terry Shames, has childhood and family ties to the East Texas area, which is a lot closer in many ways to the Deep South than the Wild West. In each of the novels, she has done a good job of capturing the atmosphere and culture of contemporary East Texas, as well as the mannerisms, mores, and speech patterns of the people who live in the region's small towns and agriculture areas. Her investigator, Samuel Craddock, meanwhile, is well versed in police procedures and puts them to good use. But he also knows -- and is known by -- most of the people in and around his struggling town. So, when something goes awry, such as the murder of one of the town's residents, he has to find the facts within the rampant rumors that break out. Or, he has to get past the stonewalling by family and friends of the victim, as they try to protect the deceased's reputation or grieving relatives or long-hidden secrets. In "The Necessary Murder of Nonie Blake," Chief Craddock also has another distraction to deal with. The county sheriff has loaned him a young deputy, Maria Trevino, to help get Jarrett Creek's law and order back in order. Of course, Deputy Trevino has gotten her training in Houston, which is in a different universe from tiny Jarret Creek. And Craddock himself has gotten used to working alone, out of necessity. So some personal clashes are inevitable as the murder investigation starts moving into high gear. Author Terry Shames does a good job of not turning every colorful character into a Texas caricature. Still, she has to walk -- or write -- a very fine line and has sometimes come close to going a swagger too far. The people in this huge state are not "bigger than life," even though many writers try to make them such. But there are distinct regional differences, and many unique and surprising personalities inhabit the small towns and isolated farms and ranches. Terry Shames skillfully brings them into play in her award-winning mystery series.

(My thanks to Seventh Street Books for sending a review copy.)