Cathy C. (cathyskye) - , reviewed on 5/15/2014 + 2307 more book reviews

The main reason I picked up this book to read was because of the setting. I lived in Utah in the mid-1970s, and my weekend ghost town explorations led me through this area many times. Author Chinle Miller brought back some very good memories with her description of this part of the San Rafael Swell and towns like Price, Helper, and Green River. I even picked up some local history as I rode shotgun with Bud on his many trips from one spot to the next. (He should get paid by the mile.)

But as good as a setting can be, I'm not going to keep reading if the story or the characters are bad. Fortunately the mystery has as many twists and turns as some of the trails Bud has to drive, and the characters are quite engaging. Bud knows how to keep his sense of humor around the local government penny pinchers, and most especially with his new deputy, Howie, who could try the patience of Mother Teresa. Bud's got a sharp eye for detail, too.

Yes indeed, Chinle Miller's skill with her setting, story, and characters exceeded my expectations, and I know I'll be riding shotgun with Bud again in the future. If you like an intriguing mystery that's set out in the wide open spaces and filled with colorful characters, you should ride along, too.

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