Dead Man Blues
- Judith D Collins
- Oct 12
- 4 min read
By: S.D. House
Narrator: Kirby Heyborne
Publisher: Dreamscape Media
ISBN: 9798349113185
Crooked Lane Books
Publication Date: 10/14/2025
Format: Audio
My Rating: 4 Stars (ALC)
Two grisly murders. A disgraced former mayor. A tranquil town on the verge.
This gripping historical crime novel set in the South pulls the past into the present, perfect for fans of Attica Locke and Wiley Cash.
Dave Hendricks was once a respected man in Shady Grove, a tiny town on the Kentucky–Tennessee border. But after his wife leaves him for his best friend, he also loses his job, and his reputation is left in shambles. With nothing but his houseboat and his dog left, he’s working odd jobs and listening to the blues. But when murder strikes their peaceful town, Dave finds himself compelled to team up with Sheriff Victor Burns, the man who betrayed him and took his wife, to find the killer.
Two bodies are found on Cedar Lake, and both murders strike fear in the tight–knit community. Old friends and foes are drawn back into Hendricks’ life in the investigation, and he’s forced to finally come to terms with what is and what was—or see justice die in the process.
Powerful and intriguing at every turn, Dead Man Blues asserts S. D. House as a knife-sharp voice in the crime genre.
My Review
Introducing his debut into the crime fiction genre, Kentucky author Silas House, celebrated for his vivid depictions of Appalachian life, captivates readers under his pen name, S.D. House, with his gripping Southern murder whodunit mystery, DEAD MAN BLUES.
This enthralling narrative compels the protagonist to confront his past and grapple with lingering feelings of betrayal.
About...
Meet Dave Hendricks, a once-respected pillar of the community, now a disgraced former mayor. Stripped of his wife (by his best friend), his position, and his good name, he finds solace only in his houseboat and the company of his loyal dog, as he immerses himself in the blues. However, when a local murder shakes his quiet existence, he is thrust into action.
Once held in high regard, Hendricks becomes embroiled in a murder investigation within his small town on the Kentucky-Tennessee border, triggered by a devastating personal betrayal.
In an unexpected twist, he must join forces with Sheriff Victor Burns, the very man who betrayed him by taking his wife and contributing to his downfall.
Two Victims, One Crime
Hendricks faces the daunting challenge of collaborating with his former best friend—yes, the same Sheriff who shattered his life— to resolve two murders on Cedar Lake. Can he set aside his grievances to ensure justice prevails before the truth is lost with the victims?
To bring justice to light, Hendricks must unravel the murders while reconciling with his past.
In my view...
DEAD MAN BLUES is a compelling historical crime novel set in the 1950s, showcasing the journey of a disgraced former mayor forced to unite with his ex-best friend and rival in pursuit of solving a double homicide.
The author skillfully establishes a tense atmosphere surrounding the murder investigation in Shady Grove, a quaint town straddling the Kentucky-Tennessee border. This unlikely partnership ignites conflict as Hendricks is compelled to work alongside the man who betrayed him.
The narrative delves into the murky waters of a corrupt state representative who illicitly acquired land for the lake's construction years prior, revealing long-buried animosities and revenge as potential motives.
With the discovery of two bodies at Cedar Lake, fear envelops the community, and the investigation forces Hendricks to confront both allies and adversaries, unearthing secrets from the past.
This tightly woven plot offers an intimate glimpse into mid-century rural Southern life, enriched with complex characters. The author masterfully navigates themes of betrayal, redemption, and the burdens of history while seeking justice in a small town riddled with dark secrets.
Audiobook Experience...
The audiobook is expertly narrated by the talented Kirby Heyborne, an accomplished American actor, musician, singer, songwriter, narrator, and comedian. His authentic Southern voice breathes life into the story, its setting, and its characters, delivering an engaging listening experience.
Meet the Narrator...
Kirby has garnered numerous accolades as a narrator, including a Grammy nomination for his exceptional work on Charlotte’s Web, and he has twice received the prestigious Odyssey Award from the American Library Association. With over 2,000 audiobooks to his credit, he is widely recognized as one of the finest narrators in the industry.
Recommendations...
DEAD MAN BLUES is a must-read for enthusiasts of Southern fiction and mysteries, as well as those who appreciate the works of authors Wiley Cash, Ron Rash, John Hart, Charles Martin, Sean Dietrich, and David Joy, who possess the ability to weave intense plots with strong emotional depths.
A heartfelt thank you to Dreamscape Media and NetGalley for providing an advanced listening copy in exchange for my candid thoughts
@JudithDCollins | #JDCMustReadBooks
My Rating: 4 Stars
Pub Date: Oct 14, 2025
Praise
“[A] solid 1950s-set whodunit . . . taut suspense . . . a page-turner.”
—Publishers Weekly
“In Dead Man Blues, sins of the past have a way of resurfacing. Add in an unforgettable cast, a riveting murder investigation, and a richly complex portrait of the small-town South, and I couldn't turn the pages fast enough. S.D. House will be your new favorite mystery writer.”
—Gwenda Bond, New York Times bestselling author of The Frame-Up
“Not only a solid page-turner of a crime novel, but an intimate view into mid-century rural life. Everybody knows everybody, their secrets, their histories, and their loyalties. House is a wonderful writer and Dead Man Blues will keep you guessing until the end.”
—Chris Offutt, author of the Mick Hardin series
About the Author
S. D. House is the pen name of New York Times bestselling author Silas House, who is the author of seven novels, including his most recent, Lark Ascending, which was a Booklist Editors' Choice and is the winner of the 2023 Southern Book Prize and the 2023 Nautilus Book Award. In 2022 he was the recipient of the Duggins Prize, the largest award for an LGBTQ writer in the nation. In 2023 he was inducted as the Poet Laureate of Kentucky for 2023–2025 and became a Grammy finalist. His writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Atlantic, Time, Garden & Gun, and The New York Times. House teaches at Berea College and at the Naslund-Mann Graduate School of Creative Writing. WEBSITE
