Michael McGarrity is a celebrated author whose novels frequently become national bestsellers. His extensive career in criminal justice, coupled with his background in psychology and clinical social work, profoundly shaped his literary perspective. McGarrity's work often delves into complex moral quandaries and the psychological underpinnings of his characters. His distinctive voice, informed by his diverse experiences, offers readers a compelling and insightful exploration of the human condition.
The bushwhack killing of a deputy sheriff in Lincoln County and the brutal murder of the deputy?s wife in Santa Fe County bring Police Chief Kevin Kerney and his Mescalero Apache son, Sergeant Clayton Istee, back together. The double homicide investigation is soon linked to a major drug trafficking scheme and the cold-blooded slaughter of two women in Albuquerque. Due to retire at the end of the month, Kerney calls upon Clayton to find the slain officer?s son, discover what triggered the killings, and give him the ammunition he needs to bring a murderer to justice.
Set against the rugged backdrop of the American Southwest frontier, this epic adventure features a cast of resilient men and brave women. The narrative immerses readers in the challenges and triumphs faced by these characters as they navigate the harsh realities of frontier life, highlighting themes of survival, courage, and the human spirit in a demanding landscape.
With his dazzling debut, Tularosa, Michael McGarrity was hailed "a born storyteller" ( Denver Post) -- and introduced readers to a memorable new hero, ex-Santa Fe chief of detectives Kevin Kerney. Now, featuring his vivid feel for the southwest, McGarrity's second gripping novel hurls Kerney onto the toughest case of his life. Taking a job as a seasonal forest ranger in New Mexico's Gila Wilderness, Kevin Kerney is looking forward to a quiet summer high in the mountains. But the murder of a Mexican tourist, and the discovery of a disoriented old man in the wild, thrust Kerney into an investigation that will carry him back in time to a sixty-year-old feud between two land-rich brothers, Edgar and Eugene Cox. Enlisting young state game and fish officer Jim Stiles to help solve the crimes, Kerney slowly uncovers evidence connecting the ruthless Cox feud with another suspicious death -- and the radical actions of New Mexico's present-day county militia. But new assistant district attorney Karen Cox -- Edgar's alluring daughter -- is torn between hiding her father's long-buried secret and helping Kerney find the truth. Now someone wants Kerney dead -- and the deeper he investigates, the more he may be digging his own grave.
“One of the most chilling and satisfying thrillers of the year.” --Los Angeles TimesNewly-installed Santa Fe police chief Kevin Kerney receives a deadly welcome when a U.S. ambassador’s ex-wife is brutally stabbed to death in her home. But before Kerney can begin to investigate, the FBI closes the case with trumped-up evidence. And the harder Kerney hunts for the truth, the more he knows that he may not survive the chase.
