9. Mexican Hat - Michael McGarrity

For: Adults
Published: 1997
300 pgs.
Rating: 4
Finished: Feb. 6, 2009

This is the second in Michael McGarrity's series about Kevin Kerney, and unemployed inquisitive ex-cop in rural New Mexico. This story has a different setting than Tulerosa, it takes place in southern New Mexico, in the Silver City area, with one foray into Green Valley, just south of Tucson (which is always fun).

This time Kerney's taken a seasonal job as a forest ranger. He stumbles across some mysterious animal shootings, which look like possible smuggling jobs, and then a murder. Teaming up with game warden Jim Stiles and cat-and-mousing with the new assistant DA Karen Cox, they all work together to solve what turns out to be two sets of inter-realted crimes. Karen's elderly father, Edgar, and his twin brother, Eugene have not spoken in 60 years - and this, of course, is the center of the mystery. It was a good one, but some parts were slow and the introduction of the local militia needed more foreshadowing.

I'm looking forward to the next installment, Serpent Gate, to see where it takes place and what new characters it introduces.