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This is an exciting new series by J. A. Jance, featuring a lady whose husband is killed and she then runs for Sheriff in an Arizona city. First in the series is DESERT HEAT and I have read TOMBSTONE COURAGE and PARTNER IN CRIME and enjoyed both very much. The latter featured both Sheriff Joanna Brady and Special Investigator J. P. Beaumont. He travels to Arizona to monitor the inquiry into the death of a lady who was in the Washington state witness protection program. In this particular book, I found him the more likable of the two characters. 
From the author of the highly successful J.P. Beaumont novels comes an ambitious debut of a new mystery series. When honest Andy Brady, who was also a candidate for sheriff, dies under mysterious circumstances, the police brass say it was suicide. But his strong-willed wife Joanna knows a cover-up when she sees one and sets out to clear his name--and find his killer. |
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By Barbara Moore Dr. Gordon Christy is a full time veterinarian and part-time sleauth from Vail, Colorado. His companion is a Doberman named Gala and together they journey to a Navajo Reservation in New Mexico to investigate rumors of a huge, white killer wolf. The local ranchers even believe it may be a werewolf...but things are never what they seem in a well-plotted, suspenseful mystery. There is also an abandoned stray dog in this story and his plight alone would have kept me reading without the who-dun-it. |
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In the sub-category of Southwestern, one of my favorite authors is Walter Satterthwait. He writes a series, set in modern New Mexico, with a Private Detective named Joshua Croft and Rita Mondragon, his employer and close friend. Rita was paralyzed in a shooting and these stories have both the crime to solve and the growing relationship between Joshua and Rita as they cope with their feelings for each other and her disability. Highly Recommended!
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I have recently added a new series to my TBR stack...the Claire Reyneir series, which includes CONFIDENCE WOMAN and VANISHING POINT. I like this new lady...she works at a University and is not a detective...instead she just gets caught up in the happenings. Rare book librarian Claire Reynier retrieves a batch of particularly valuable Southwest titles from a remote ranch (whose owner dies that night), only to have someone steal them from her truck. Ms. Van Gieson also writes a series set in new-age New Mexico with a tough-minded female Private Detective named Neil Hamel. The stories are fast-paced and well- plotted. Neil has a boy friend called The Kid who brings spice into her life as she investigates crime. The locale is depicted well in these books and the characters are interesting as Neil digs out the secrets of the southwest. I discovered Neil with the first book, THE OTHER SIDE OF DEATH, and have enjoyed every one since.
 In THE WOLF PATH, Neil tackles the deadliest animal of all ...man ...in this story concerning the reintroduction of wolves into Soledad border country. Neil leaves Albuquerque and her small law practice to help a friend, who has his own wolf, Sirius. Some Indian cultures believed the wolf came out of the spirit world nightly and crossed the Milky Way...the Wolf Path. Good Book! |
 Probably the best-known author of
Southwestern mysteries is TONY HILLERMAN, who writes
the series featuring Jim Chee and Joe Leaphorn, both
Navajo Tribal Policemen. Mr. Hillerman has scores of
enthusiastic fans who eagerly await each new book,
including me!
HUNTING BADGER 
Here is a quote from a couple of authors about Mr. Hillerman's books:
"For the person heading for the Southwest--take along your favorite
Tony Hillerman books and visit the places in the stories. The great
thing about Tony's writing is that all the places are real and there. I
drove my husband mad when we toured Navajo country a few years back and
I kept jumping up and down, pointing out the very field where the cattle
rustlers lifted the fence or the convenience store where Jim Chee
stopped for a soda. If you know the books well it's like visiting places
that relatives have told you about and are part of your subconscious
history." |
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By Aimee & David Thurlo The third mystery in the Ella Clah series is called BAD MEDICINE. In this story, Navajo Investigator Ella Clah places everything on the line when her friend is accused of murder. Stories on the Rez suggest that the lady was contaminated by the earthbound spirits of the dead--the chindi, and is spreading this contamination to The People. Ella must prove her friend is innocent before attempts to kill her finally succeed. |
MITCH BUSHYHEAD MYSTERIES THE GRANDFATHER MEDICINE ............1989 NIGHT WALKER ........................1990 GHOSTLAND ...........................1992 THE FIRE CARRIER ....................1996 MASKED DANCERS ......................1998 MOLLY BEARPAW MYSTERIES RAVENMOCKER .........................1992 THE REDBIRD'S CRY ...................1994 SEVEN BLACK STONES ..................1995 THE SPIRIT CALLER ...................1997 Jean Hager graduated from high school at Pawnee, attended Oklahoma State University, and graduated from the University of Central Oklahoma. She is a member of Sisters in Crime, American Crime Writers, Mystery Writers of America, and the Oklahoma Mystery Writers. |
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