A finalist for the 2020 Whistler Independent Book Award!Just west of the Rocky Mountains, a frightened horse with a bloody saddle is found running loose on the Yellowhead highway. Former RCMP investigator Hunter Rayne is on the road in his eighteen-wheeler when he’s flagged down to help calm the horse and find its missing rider. The horse with the bloody saddle leads Hunter and a good-natured … a good-natured French Canadian cowboy into a complicated murder mystery. The police are none too happy with his interference, but Hunter strongly believes the RCMP has arrested the wrong man and sets out to uncover who stood to gain from the death of a wealthy ranch owner.
His belief in the suspect’s innocence is shared by a rookie female RCMP constable who joins him in the search for the truth. She befriends the dead man’s young fiancé in an effort to get answers, and discovers that the vulnerable Texas beauty is not who the victim’s family believes her to be.
This is the fifth novel in a unique mystery series set on the highways of North America.
What readers are saying about the Highway Mysteries:
“Love the author’s books. Excellent characters and settings. She is now on my short list of current favorite authors.”
“This series is beautifully researched, vividly written, and always captivating. It respects the nobility which resides in everyone while portraying some unforgettable characters.”
“… great writing, excellent pacing that sucks you in right away and makes you forget about the world around you, characters you like and who talk and act the way real people do, set in a place that makes it feel like an adventure, and best of all– a wicked smart plot.”
“I love the way the main character, Hunter Rayne, thinks, interacts with people, and in general would put him into the lofty echelons with Adam Dalgliesh, Morse and the Hon. Det Lynley. Great and satisfying series.”
“Hunter is the man. Donald has written a super story that would make a good movie. I think we have another Harry Bosch character.”
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YELLOWHEAD BLUES by R.E. Donald is a well-written murder mystery filled with lots of suspects as well as giving us a great sense of place. While this is the fifth book in the series, it worked well as a standalone novel.
The story mainly takes place in western Canada. Hunter Rayne is a former RCMP murder investigator who now drives an eighteen-wheeler for a living. He is flagged down by Leon to help with traffic control as a frightened horse with a bloody saddle is on the road. They look for the missing rider who ends up dying before he can be gotten to a hospital. Leon is arrested for his murder, but Hunter believes he may be innocent. With this scenario, the story is off and running.
The author did a fantastic job of bringing both the characters (including several secondary characters) and the scenery to life. Additionally she brought up several themes ranging from murder to domestic violence to theft to women in traditional male roles. I hope a couple of those themes get fleshed out even more in future books in the series. I was immediately drawn into this book and the pace, action and characters kept me fully engaged.
While this is the first book I have read by R.E. Donald, I look forward to reading more of her novels. Overall, I was immediately drawn into the story and enjoyed unraveling the mystery of who the murderer was.
Many thanks to Kobo Writing Life, R.E. Donald and Net Galley for a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.
Great characters. Good suspense; a page-turner.
The setting is familiar and the characters well drawn. I couldn’t put it down. An easy read with fine descriptions of Canada’s BC. It brought back sweet memories of traveling through the provences. Well written, kept me guessing until the end. I’d like to see more books by the author.
All the books in this series are good. I wish there were in it.
Just overall a good read…
Loved the settings – as a Canadian living the US, I enjoyed being taken back. Plot is great, with good characters – even dogs and horses. Liked the premise of an ex-RCMP investigator turned truck driver. Everyone will enjoy this mystery.
Enjoyed it a lot! Liked Hunter and admired his loyalty and persistence.
I live in the North West and the scenic descriptions are both accurate and enjoyable.
Insightful writing about the various characters in the story.
Interesting setting in Canada
I’m looking forward to more by this author.
This author is new to me but after reading this one immediately purchased her others. You never really know till the end who did the deed. Good writer.
OK – Slow
I enjoyed traveling in Canada.
I can highly recommend this as a unique foray into police procedure and insight into the life of a long haul trucker.- the bonus – Bianca Morrison-an RCMP newbie constable gives insight into what a hard road it can be in such a closed male dominated organization. Takes a special kind of grit and strength of character for a female officer to cope -And life is not always easy or fair -A lesson in living
Excellent writing
Really enjoyed the characters