MATTHEW AND WILMA Mason, a married couple from San Francisco on a driving tour of southwest national parks, are found shot to death in the remote and rugged backcountry of southeast Utah. A revolver clutched in Matthew’s hand suggests a murder-suicide, but Deputy Sheriff Manny Rivera thinks otherwise. In his mind, there are too many unanswered questions. Why had the Masons, at age 68, detoured … from the planned vacation route shown on their map? Why had they left the comfort of paved roads for rough, gravel back roads that led to nowhere in particular? Why had they driven to the place where they were found, next to an abandoned grass airstrip? And most peculiar of all, why were they dressed like hippies from the 1960s?
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Loved the description of the area
Always enjoy Manny Rivera books. Great read.
Great book. Sometimes jerks get what’s coming to them!
A quiet, thoughtful, regional mystery by Rich Curtin. Utah is a vast state and Manny as a deputy has traveled snd seen many sights.
He is asked to assist Sheriff Zilich with a small mystery.An older couple, found dead, dressed as hippies, bag of mary jane, out by an old air strip in rural Utah. The lead deputy under Zilich assumes murder/ suicide but Nick is immature and quick to judge so Manny is sent for to work the case.
Manny is slow to anger, to judge, or disrespect the many different people he meets.Perhaps, drug business at the air strip but not robbery as money was not touched. The Masons deaths are deemed a curiosity and murder/suicide would close the case. But they bought momentos of their trip so far, had plans to meet old friends, had their car serviced so why suicide? Manny meets two old wealthy families sharing a large area of land. He also meets Navajo families that keep up the old ways.
And he meets Herman, out living alone with his dogs in a remote spot in a home he built…it’s not much to look at. Nick, the deputy, not only like to solve the case fast but is quick to judge the rich, Navajo, and people like Herman.
Manny delves into the Madons past …the 1960s with pot, love beads, and kids headed to San Francisco. And that is what helps solve the case along with the murder of a Navajo sheep herder.
This gives you insight into the way an investigation should be run. Manny shows you the landscape, the beauty and ruggedness and isolation. Beautifully written, case solved, humor over stealing a body, and the truth about Herman. 5 stars. The kind of mystery you slowly savor and fell better for it.
Another good book in the series. I have enjoyed all the Manny Rivera books I have read. Interesting characters. The descriptions of SE Utah add to the plot as well as to my enjoyment. While the book can be read as a stand alone, it is good enough that you will want to read more.
Easy and fun read that helped pass the time. I would explore other books by this author
Manny is a great character, and every case keeps you interested. Just beware that you might stay up reading all night.
Good book, good ending!
Love the writing and the surprise ending.
This is one of the most entertaining books I’ve read in a while. A real “who-done-it”!
Manny Rivera is a wonderful character. I love this series.
I have read the whole series and it is very good, entertaining! I like the area where it takes place!
Lots of action. Great plpt. I really enjoyed it
Easy read about the area around Moab. Surprise ending.
I enjoyed the characters and the Native American influence. Good mystery
Love this series! Manny is an interesting character, through his eyes the Moab area comes to life, and the cast of regulars are believable. The mysteries are engrossing and keep me involved through the last page, waiting for the next book to come along. It is so refreshing to see a series which allows character development rather than being cookie cutter copies of all the previous books in the series.
A great meshing of the desert Southwest, the 60’s era, and mystery!
I really enjoyed the setting for this book. The detective work was superb!
I have really enjoyed the Manny Rivera series. The author hits the nail on the head with his description of the southwest and jis characters are true to life.
I like books that open a view into sub culture in our country.