If It Isn't One Thing . . . - (Posadas County Mystery) by Steven F Havill (Hardcover)

Book Synopsis

A fatal road crash - a domestic incident turned deadly - if it isn't one thing, it's another for Undersheriff Estelle Reyes-Guzman in this intricately plotted, warm-hearted Posadas County mystery, set in small-town New Mexico

"If you haven't yet discovered these wonderful mysteries, you are in for a treat!" Anne Hillerman, New York Times bestselling author

When a pickup truck pulling a horse trailer collides with a loaded semi, it seems like a straightforward accident. Undersheriff Estelle Reyes-Guzman presumes the most complicated part of the clean-up will be getting thirty tons of unsplit firewood off of Posadas County's state highway.

But the plot thickens when the mangled vehicles are wrenched apart and the pickup's deceased driver is not who Estelle was expecting. Who is the dead man - and where was he heading with his cargo, a prized stallion whose owner is frantic to get him back?

And if it isn't one thing, it's another. Just as Estelle gets her teeth in the case, she's called to a domestic incident between a local volatile couple, which has led not just to death - but to the injury of a fellow cop.

Understaffed and overworked, Estelle finds herself plunged into two tricky investigations, which will take her across the border into Mexico to find the answers - and the justice - that she seeks.

If you like C.J. Box, Anne Hillerman and Terry Shames, you'll love this small-town mystery which combines a vivid setting, multidimensional characters who spring from the page, and meticulous plotting, full of twists and turns.

Review Quotes

Pure police procedure, realistically described

Will please fans of mysteries by Claire Booth and Terry Shames-- "Library Journal"

Warmhearted-- "Kirkus Reviews"

A character-driven procedural . . . Series devotees will eagerly welcome this latest installment-- "Library Journal on Lies Come Easy"

A character-driven procedural . . . Strong sense of place and family ties-- "Kirkus Reviews on Less Than a Moment"

A fine, complex mystery in an always-satisfying, long-running series-- "Booklist on Less Than a Moment"

Compelling-- "Library Journal on Easy Errors"

Detailed and gripping-- "Kirkus Reviews on Perfect Opportunity"

Enticing . . . fans of the astute Estelle will enjoy the ride-- "Publishers Weekly on No Accident"

Fans of the long-running series . . . will respond to the qualities that have made this series so appealing over the years: meticulous plotting, multidimensional characters, sharp dialogue, and a vivid sense of place. This is one of the very best entries in a consistently excellent series-- "Booklist Starred Review of Easy Errors"

Havill keeps his relentless hold on readers-- "Publishers Weekly on Easy Errors"

Irresistible . . . Havill's inviting world welcomes newcomers and keeps fans happily coming back for more-- "Publishers Weekly on Lies Come Easy"

Thoroughly captivating . . . displays all the traits that makes this series a treat: a cast of characters who make up a neighborhood, attention to the details of detective work, and no letup in tension and interest . . . One of the best installments in a consistently superior series of regional mysteries-- "Library Journal on Perfect Opportunity"