Thursday, November 2, 2023

A new book in the High Country Mystery Series--The Spanish Cave Heist!

 A new High Country Mystery THE SPANISH CAVE HEIST has just been released on Kindle and in paperback.

Late at night Sheriff Jeff McQuede is awakened by a frantic pounding on  his door.  Arden Reed, his rival for Loris Conner, pleads for his help in finding Loris, who has been kidnapped.  Reed claims she possesses a metal ross that will lead to a Spanish cave filled with history-changing artifacts.  Reed believes that Tom Knox, part  of an international smuggling ring, is holding her hostage and intends to find the treasure by any means possible.  Knox has friends in high places, possibly one of the three FBI agents assigned to the case.  The crimes of looting and kidnapping soon become murder.  McQuede finds himself an unwilling ally of Arden Reed, and must join forces with men he dare not trust in order to  locate the cave and rescue Loris.


We hope you enjoy the twelfth book in the High Country Mystery Series.  Each book in the twelve book series contains a complete mystery and they can either be read in order or as standalones.


This book is available on paperback and Kindle.  Click this link to order 

THE SPANISH CAVE HEIST





Wednesday, November 9, 2022

Print or Download All Twelve Titles in the High Country Mystery Series

 

Welcome, mystery series readers! All books in our High Country Mystery series, set in Wyoming, are standalones, with a complete mystery and resolution in each novel.  You don't have to have to read them in order.  But since many readers prefer to read a series in chronological order, we have made a list of books in the series from the first to the most current release.  So, feel free to start with Book 1, or jump into the middle and find a story that personally interests you.  The relationships between McQuede and members of the community as well as his ongoing love life changes between books, but that is well-explained in each novel so you won't be left behind no matter which book you choose to start with.  

Book 1: MURDER IN BLACK AND WHITE


Sheriff Jeff McQuede becomes suspicious when a robber breaks into the Coal County Museum and steals only one item - a black-and-white class photograph. Under the name Jerome Slade the photographer had printed two ominous words: never graduated.  When a body is unearthed beneath the newly demolished school, McQuede realizes Slade had not left Black Mountain the night of the spring dance. McQuede soon uncovers hidden rivalries between Slade and his classmates. When he discovers that Heather Kenwell and the woman of his dreams, Loris Conner, were rivals for Slade's affection, McQuede fears finding out the truth.  Theft, blackmail, and another brutal killing lead back to photographs taken by Black Mountain's eccentric photographer, Bruce Fenton. While others see an innocent collection, McQuede sees murder in black and white.

 Murder in Black and White is a mystery following Sheriff Jeff McQuede as the most unusual burglary occurs...a riveting old-school style mystery that is as fun as it is entertaining.  - Midwest Book Review

Purchase Link: Murder in Black and White


Book 2: WHISPERS OF THE STONES


 Sheriff Jeff McQuede finds 'Bartering Bill' Garr murdered at his rural antique store. Only one item is missing -- a rare artifact believed to be the Pedro Mummy. First discovered in a cave in Wyoming, the Pedro Mummy was reported missing in the 1950s. Dr. Seth Talbot, newly arrived in town, has put out a fifteen-thousand-dollar reward for any information on the mummy, hoping that modern technology will prove his theory that a tiny race of people actually existed: one the Shoshones call the Nimerigar, or Little People. McQuede is astounded to find the mummy in the trunk of Seth Talbot's car. Talbot swears he;s being set up by rival co-workers -- Dr. Arden Reed, in particular -- who plans to benefit from his research. McQuede suspects the theft of the mummy is a red herring used to cover up the true motive for the crime. The closer he comes to the truth, the deeper McQuede is drawn into an elaborate hoax that threatens his career and places him in grave danger.

If you like a mystery with an interesting location as well as colorful characters, this is the one for you. --Reader's Favorite, Jean Brickell 

Purchase Link:  Whispers of the Stones


Book 3: STEALER OF HORSES


The famous Carlo painting Stealer of Horses sells for cash in a small Wyoming town and gallery owner Sheldon Spence gives the $200,000 to his wife, who walks over to the bank to make the deposit...and never returns.  A witness claims to have seen a frightened-looking Susan Spence in a battered old Chevy, speeding out of town. And each succeeding clue reveals a different angle on her disappearance. Sheriff Jeff McQuede begins to wonder if this is more than a simple case of kidnapping and robbery. Was Sheldon involved in Susan's disappearance? Or did Susan and a lover fake the scheme, planning to run off with the money they stole from Sheldon? The identity of a victim found shot behind the wheel of the Chevy holds the key to one ominous question: Is Susan Spence a kidnap victim-or is she part of some sinister ploy?

"A tremendous story that is on par with the best mysteries available on the market..."
Nicola Davies for Readers Favorite


Purchase Link:  Stealer of Horses   


Book 4: THE EXECUTIONER'S HOOD

An ominous black hood, a murdered judge.   When Sheriff Jeff McQuede finds Durmont's highly respected judge, Phil Grayson, bludgeoned to death in his study, a black executioner's hood shoved over his head, he faces his toughest case yet.  The judge has many enemies, including Darin Keefe, sentenced by Grayson and just released from prison. McQuede soon finds out that Keefe's case is linked to a city scandal that may involve Grayson. Seven years ago the judge's best friend, John Harwood, was believed to have taken a bribe from Keefe Construction and to have committed suicide rather than face conviction.  Had Keefe, taking the fall, left prison intent on revenge?   Or is the the judge's murder the result of a robbery gone wrong? Grayson died surrounded by his fabulous Old West outlaw collection, including a death mask, a famous Peacemaker, and other rare artifacts. The intruder could have been after some unknown item of great value.   Is the judge's murder a simple burglary gone wrong or a case of modern-day vigilante justice?


McQuede is a character that would make anybody feel safe and secure. Barry Dawson, is a good friend but you'd just want to smack him for being careless with his life. The Judge? He, like everyone else, was a mixture of good and bad--the question is, which got him killed?
 Sandra Murphy-- King's River Life Magazine


Purchase Link: The Executioner's Hood


BOOK 5: AN ICY DEATH 


 In the heart of a raging blizzard Sheriff Jeff McQuede discovers a woman frozen to death in her car. At first he believes her death to be an unfortunate accident--until he finds clues that point to cold-blooded murder. Margaret's husband, Arthur, left her in the stalled vehicle to brave the storm and manages to reach Joe Trevino's isolated ranch. The case becomes more complicated because of the recent warehouse robberies at Trevino's store. McQueede finds that Trevino is Margaret Burnell's business partner, and that she has traveled from their Casper store to conduct a company audit. In addition, Margaret has planned to meet with her only child, a run-away daughter she hasn't seen in years. Trevino, the missing daughter, and Arthur Burnell would all profit financially from Margaret's demise. Has a relentless killer tracked and sabotaged the Burnells, or did Arthur simply abandon his wife for his share of the money, leaving her to die an icy death?

I loved the setting in An Icy Death...The cold, brutal Wyoming winter is the perfect setting for a book that you want to curl up in front of the fire with and never stop reading...  I also liked the fact that no one w as ever sure that the murder was really a murder. At first, it appeared to be a tragic accident. ... Was the husband at fault? Or was this a simple act of ugly nature? Nice job!  Janelle Fila --Readers' Favorite


Purchase Link:  An Icy Death 


 BOOK 6: CRYING WOMAN BRIDGE


While returning from Professor Dawson's lecture on haunted places, the last thing Sheriff Jeff McQuede and Dawson expect to encounter is a terrified woman clinging to the railing of Mirabella's Bridge, crying for her lost baby. It looks as if Rae Harris has thrown the infant over the bridge in a fit of despair, but she claims he has been stolen by a ghostly figure she calls Mirabella. Similar to the La Llorona legend Dawson just spoke about, Mirabella was a local pioneer woman who was rumored to have drowned her infant after being abandoned by a lover. At first McQuede believes Rae was driven by madness, but he soon finds evidence that her story may be true, and the perfectly timed kidnapping of her child may be in some way related to lecture attendee and local celebrity, Jim Royce, and his vast fortune.

"My favorite book in the series" 
In a crime that mirrors the haunting legend of Mirabella, a 'crying woman' whose story is a variation of the legend of La Llorona, a babe goes missing and the distraught mother claims a ghost has stolen him away. Despite roadblock after roadblock, Sheriff McQuede doggedly pursues the truth, not believing that a legend has come to life...  Lillie Amman, Reviewer

Purchase Link:  Crying Woman Bridge 



BOOK 7: MURDER AND THE GOOD OLD BOYS' CLUB

Threatened victim, waiting grave…Sheriff McQuede is called to the cemetery by Ben Ward, a member of Durmont's Good Old Boys' Club. Ward's tombstone, where he plans someday to be buried with his first wife, is vandalized. A menacing date of death, fast approaching, has been drilled into the stone, and splotches of red paint drips over it like blood. Ben Ward and his four partners have sunk vast sums of money into a recreational community, Pleasant Valley Retreat, and this failing project has flamed anger among the investors. As the inscribed date of Ward's death draws nearer, a killer stalks the resort. McQuede must act quickly before a vandal's threats turn into reality.

"An excellent story that starts with a unused tombstone being vandalized. Murder follows as a Ponzi scheme is uncovered by the sheriff on the eve of his wedding. Fans of C.J. Box will enjoy this modern day Western series by a pair of sisters. This was a free review copy in PDF format provided by the authors. I'm looking forward to reading more books in the series as once I started the story was difficult to put down.--5 star Goodreads review-- Fredrick 
Danysh 

Purchase Link: Murder and the Good Old Boys' Club


Book 8: Rapid River Hoax


After McQuede is jilted at the altar by his long-time girlfriend, Dawson convinces him that a relaxing river rafting trip is just what he needs to get over his heartaches. Unknown to Dawson, McQuede has come along to investigate the disappearance of a young man who has recently vanished from the lodge.  Andy Norton may be perpetuating one of  his notorious hoaes or he may be in serious danger.  Dawson also has a secret motive for the trip.  He is searching for a rare Native American Sheepeater camp, a project that draws Loris and her boss and rival, Arden Reed, to the scene.  Surrounded by colorful characters and intrigue, McQuede finds himself in a race to save valuable artifacts and to find out what happened to Andy. 
  

Purchase Link: Rapid River Hoax



Book 9: Deadly Purchase


Buyer beware!  To create excitement, Ruger, a shady dealer at tha annual rendezvous flea market, puts up for auction a locked Civil War trunk with contents to be sold sight unseen!  That night, the highest bidder, Zeke Jones, is found stabbed to death beside the trunk.  Sheriff Jeff McQuede believes Jones has interrupted a robbery in progress.  Several people had offered to buy old coins, photos, and medals from him, which indicates to McQuede that Jones had already sold what the robber had been after.  Acts of vandalism follow as the thief continues his ruthless search.  Baffled, McQuede must bet the killer to a treasure he can't even identify.  Fear spreads throughout the Black River Rendezvous as McQuede tries to discover the secret behind the mysterious trunk before another murder occurs.


Purchase Link: Deadly Purchase



Book 10: Blame it on Bigfoot


Bigfoot comes to Wyoming!
When Sheriff Jeff  McQuede's friend, Barry Dawson, tricks him into attending a Bigfoot convention at the small town of Trail's End, he finds the adventure is only beginning.  He is soon invited by the head of the research team, Dr. Adam Kurtz, to hike with them into the isolated mountains beyond Lost Man's Peak where few people ever venture. McQuede immediately noticed friction among the members of the team--love triangles, resentment, and greed Professor Callahan has obtained special funding for the project because of his claim to have encountered Bigfoot in this area, and Dr. Kurtz intends to call him out for being a fraud. The first night out trouble erupts.  Ted Weiss insists that he spotted Bigfoot near his camp and tells them he was almost attacked.  Is Bigfoot really out there, or is someone perpetuating a carefully-planned hoax?  When murder follows, McQuede must solve the biggest case in his career!

Purchase Link: Blame it on Bigfoot




Book 12: The Spanish Cave Heist



Late at night Sheriff Jeff McQuede is awakened by a frantic pounding on his door.   he hunt is on!  Arden Reed, his rival for Loris Conner, pleads for his help in finding Loris, who has been kidnapped.   Reed claims she possesses a metal cross which leads to a Spanish cave  filled with history-changing artifacts.   Reed believes Tom Knox, part of an international smuggling ring, is holding her hostage and intends to find the treasure by any means possible.    Knox has friends in high places, possibly one of the FBI agents assigned to the case.   The crimes of  looting an kidnapping soon become murder.    McQuede finds himself an unwilling ally of Arden Reed, and must join forces with men he dare not trust to locate the cave and rescue Loris. 

Purchase Link: The Spanish Cave Heist



A DEAL ON A HANDSHAKE:  A Collection of Seven Jeff McQuede Short Stories

In these seven mysteries Sheriff Jeff McQuede finds himself in the middle of a deal made on a handshake—where the result is murder. Set in the high county of modern-day Wyoming, the deal makers are speculators at an old-time mountain man rendezvous, traders vying over rare Native American pottery, or two family patriarchs pretending to bridge a lifetime of feuding. Throughout McQuede battles his arch-enemy Ruger, who he suspects runs a host of illegal activities, but generally manages to evade McQuede’s traps. In each of these stories McQuede, putting his own life on the line, relentlessly seeks out the dangerous men who have broken trust.


Purchase Link: A Deal on a Handshake


All of our books are available on Kindle, Kindle Unlimited, and as paperbacks through Amazon.  Most titles are also available on audio through Audible and Books in Motion. 

Saturday, December 7, 2019

Christmas Special High Country Mystery Series- First Three Titles 99c each on Kindle!

Christmas Special High Country Mystery Series

For all of the month of December Thomas and Mercer has discounted the first three books in the High Country Mystery Series.  Now, read MURDER IN BLACK AN WHITE,  WHISPERS OF THE STONES, and STEALER OF HORSES for 99c each on Kindle!

MURDER IN BLACK AND WHITE

In this debut book, McQuede meets Loris for the first time and falls in love.  His troubles with his love life begin when Loris becomes a murder suspect!  

He also solves the mystery behind a young man who disappeared at the Spring Fling Dance years ago. 

 When a robber sneaks into the Coal County Museum and steals only one item--a black and white photograph, McQuede begins to investigate.  Under the name Jerome Slade the photographer had printed two ominous words: never graduated.

When a body is unearthed beneath the newly demolished school, McQuede realizes Slade may not have left Black Mountain alive. He soon uncovers hidden rivalries between Slade and his classmates. When he discovers that Heather Kenwell and the woman of his dreams, Loris Conner, were rivals for Slade's affection, McQuede fears finding out the truth. 




Click on link to order MURDER IN BLACK AND WHITE 

99c all of DECEMBER



WHISPERS OF THE STONES

Mummies and Murder in Wyoming!

Sheriff Jeff McQuede finds "Bartering Bill" Garr murdered at his rural antique store. Only one item is  missing--a rare artifact believed to be the Pedro Mummy.  First discovered in a caved in Wyoming, the Pedro Mummy was reported missing in the 1950s.  Dr. Seth Talbot, newly arrived in town, has put out a fifteen-thousand dollar reward for any information the mummy, hoping that modern technology will prove his theory that a tiny race of people actually existed: one the Shoshones call the Nimirgar, or Little People. 

McQuede is astounded to find the mummy in the trunk of Seth Talbot's car.  Talbot swears he's being set up by rival co-workers--Dr. Arden Reed, in particular--who plans to benefit from his research.

McQuede suspects the theft of the mummy is a red herring used to cover up the true motive for the crime.  The closer he comes to the truth, the deeper McQuwede is drawn into an elaborate hoax that threatens his career and places him in grave danger. 




Click on link to order WHISPERS OF THE STONES
\
99c all of DECEMBER

STEALER OF HORSES

Art and murder in the new old west!  

The famous Carlo painting Stealer of Horses sells for cash in a small Wyoming town and gallery owner Sheldon Spence gives the $200,000 to his wife, who walks over to the bank to make the deposit...and never returns.

A witness claims to have seen a frightened-looking Susan Spence  in a battered old Chevy, speeding out of town.  And each succeeding clue reveals a different angle on her disappearance. Sheriff Jeff  McQuede begins to wonder if this is more than a simple case of kidnapping and robbery.  Was Sheldon involved in Susan's disappearance?  Or did Susan and a  lover fake the scheme planning ot run off with the money they stole from Sheldon?  The identity of a victim found shot behind the wheel of the Chevy holds the key to one ominous question: Is Susan Spence a kidnap victim--or is she part of some sinister ploy?




Click on link to order STEALER OF HORSES

99c all of DECEMBER







Friday, May 31, 2019

Deadly Purchase: A New High Country Mystery

Hello, Readers,

We are happy to announce a new addition to the High Country Mystery Series, DEADLY PURCHASE.

Buyer Beware! This story takes place at a modern-day Mountain Man Rendezvous trade show.  To create excitement, Ruger puts up for auction a locked Civil War trunk with contents to be sold sight unseen!

 That night, the highest bidder, Zeke Jones, is found stabbed to death beside the trunk. Sheriff Jeff McQuede believes Jones has interrupted a robbery in progress. Several people had offered to buy old coins, photos, and medals from him, which indicates to McQuede that Jones had already sold what the robber had been after. Acts of vandalism follow as the thief continues his ruthless search.

McQuede finds that his friend Dawson, with his knack for getting into trouble, is interested in some old photos the trunk contains.  But is it the photos they are after? And what has happened to Dawson?

 Baffled, McQuede must beat the killer to a treasure he can’t even identify. Fear spreads throughout the Black River Rendezvous as McQuede tries to discover the secret behind the mysterious trunk before another murder occurs.

We hope you enjoy the latest book in the High Country Mystery Series.  Each book contains a complete mystery and  can be read in order or as stand-alones.  






CLICK ON LINK TO ORDER DEADLY PURCHASE 

Thursday, February 28, 2019

Celebrate the last of winter by reading the High Country Mystery AN ICY DEATH for only 99 cents! Limited Time Sale

It’s cold in Wyoming!  Cold enough to freeze to death.  This fact makes An Icy Death the only book we have ever written inspired by the weather.

Jamierodriguez37 Morguefile


In Wyoming the wise never leave home without a thermos of hot coffee, extra food, and blankets.  In winter it’s not uncommon for the temperature to dip to minus seventeen, often with a wind chill factor of thirty below zero.  Because many places still exist where cell phones cease to work and help is almost impossible to summon, blizzards and sudden whiteouts are extremely hazardous. 

An Icy Death opens with Sheriff Jeff McQuede discovering a stalled car on an isolated road far up in the mountains, one that has been closed.  Within the car he finds the frozen body of a middle-aged woman, Margaret Burnell.  The medication, her taped ankle, and footprints in the snow leading away from the car tell the rest of the story--about how she must have died of hypothermia while her husband went for help.  It sounds like a sad but simple story of man vs nature.

Until McQuede discovers that there are enough drugs in her system to cause an overdose, and her death may not have been an accident, after all, only staged to look that way.  It’s McQuede’s job to find out what really happened that snowy night so far from town.  He discovers that Margaret has traveled to Durmont to demand an audit from her business partner concerning the Trivino’s Sporting Goods chain.  In addition she plans to meet with her runaway daughter that she hasn’t seen in years.  Many people come into focus as possible murderers, not least among them her husband, Arthur, who would reap great financial profit from his wife’s death.

Either a relentless killer tracked and sabotaged the Burnells in the heart of a blizzard, or, more likely, Arthur simply abandoned his wife for his share of her vast inheritance.  In any event, Margaret Burnell had been set up to die an icy death.

Click on link to download a copy  for only 99c!   An Icy Death 

Tuesday, November 20, 2018

RAPID RIVER HOAX shortlisted for top 50 New Book in 2018!

Dear Readers, 

Exciting news! Rapid River Hoax has been shortlisted for the top 50 new books in 2818! 

Rapid River Hoax is the eight book in the High Country Mystery series. Each book contains a standalone story about the adventures of Wyoming sheriff Jeff McQuede in Coal County.

In this book, McQuede continues to struggle with his on-again, off again romance with Loris, while he attempts to solve the mystery of a missing rafter and embark up on a search for a rare Native American Sheepeater camp.

As authors we travel extensively in Wyoming in the summer to come across new adventures and stories about the past.  The Sheepeaters were a reclusive tribe of Native Americans who are believe to be early Shoshoni.  They lived high in the mountains around what is now Yellowstone Park and other areas. where they hunted sheep and were rarely seen.  They left behind traces of their existence through  wooden structures, pottery, and rare horn bows they used for hunting.

After McQuede is jilted at the altar by his long-time girlfriend, Dawson convinces him that a relaxing river rafting trip is just what he needs to get over his heartaches. Unknown to Dawson, McQuede has come along to investigate the disappearance of a young man who has recently vanished from the lodge.  Andy Norton may be perpetuating one of  his notorious hoaxes or he may be in serious danger.  Dawson also has a secret motive for the trip.  He is searching for a rare Native American Sheepeater camp, a project that draws Loris and her boss and rival, Arden Reed, to the scene.  Surrounded by colorful characters and intrigue, McQuede finds himself in a race to save valuable artifacts and to find out what happened to Andy. 

We would appreciate your vote in the upcoming Readfree.ly contest! 

Have a Happy Thanksgiving!



VOTE FOR RAPID RIVER HOAX in the mystery category




Purchase Link: RAPID RIVER HOAX


Thursday, September 13, 2018

Murder in Black and White: The First Book in the Series only 99c All of Sepetmber

Hello, Readers,


Find out where it all began! Just wanted to let you know that for all of the month of September Thomas and Mercer has included the first book in our series MURDER IN BLACK AND WHITE  in their 99c mystery, suspense and thriller sale.  

In this debut book, McQuede meets Loris for the first time and falls in love.  His troubles with his love life begin when Loris becomes a murder suspect!  

He also solves the mystery behind a young man who disappeared at the Spring Fling Dance years ago. 

 When a robber sneaks into the Coal County Museum and steals only one item--a black and white photograph, McQuede begins to investigate.  Under the name Jerome Slade the photographer had printed two ominous words: never graduated.

When a body is unearthed beneath the newly demolished school, McQuede realizes Slade may not have left Black Mountain alive. He soon uncovers hidden rivalries between Slade and his classmates. When he discovers that Heather Kenwell and the woman of his dreams, Loris Conner, were rivals for Slade's affection, McQuede fears finding out the truth. 




Click on link to order MURDER IN BLACK AND WHITE 

99c all of September