Product Description

When Kevin Kerney, deputy chief of the New Mexico State Police, inherits an unexpected windfall of 6,400 acres of high-county land, the last thing he wants to think about is work. But while visiting his new property, he comes across an ailing stray dog that leads him to the butchered bones of a murder victim near the rugged mountain of Hermit's Peak.

After assigning the case to his subordinates, Kerney returns to Santa Fe to spend time with a woman he cares about, Sara Brannon, a career army officer who is visiting him on holiday. But his time with Sara must wait, as he is called back to Hermit's Peak when another body is found at a remote cabin. Now, Kerney must unearth the shattering truth about his new land and follow a twisting trail of blood through the majestic landscape of the American Southwest.

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #2490717 in Books
• Published on: 2001-05
• Format: Large Print
• Original language: English
• Number of items: 1
• Binding: Hardcover
• 310 pages

Amazon.com Review
Kevin Kerney might just be the best cop currently working the mean streets of mystery fiction. As deputy chief of the New Mexico State Police, he is not tortured by the doubts, angst, alcoholism, or mixed motives that seem to overwhelm many of his fictional colleagues. His methods are rarely flashy or excessively macho, and he treats other cops of all ranks with a minimum of attitude. Author Michael McGarrity, who worked for Santa Fe's sheriff's department before retiring to write, has managed to make Kerney human without loading him with excess baggage.

As we've come to realize in three previous books--Mexican Hat, Serpent Gate, and Tularosa--Kerney works as a police officer to make the money he needs to buy a cattle ranch like the one he grew up on. In Hermit's Peak, that dream comes closer to reality when a woman painter leaves Kerney a large portion of her own property on a mesa northeast of Santa Fe. McGarrity describes this land with the keen simplicity of natural poetry. Reality (in the form of a huge inheritance tax bill) darkens the picture. But the discovery of a very rare cactus plant and the unexpected arrival of Sara Brannon (the career army officer with whom Kerney had a romance in an earlier book) let in a few rays of sunlight. Meanwhile, Kerney and a tough local cop have to deal with a rape and murder, plus enough everyday crimes to keep them seriously busy without busting the boundaries of believability. --Dick Adler

From Library Journal
In McGarrity's fourth Kevin Kerney adventure (Serpent Gate, LJ 5/15/98), the seasoned deputy successfully juggles a windfall inheritance, a sizzling love affair with newly decorated Col. Sara Brannon, and an adoring dog he has rescued named Shoe. When Kerney and his best friend survey sections of high-country ranch land bequeathed to Kerney by artist Erma Ferguson, a shaggy, abandoned mutt appears with a tennis shoe in his mouth and leads the men to a woman's skeletal remains. The investigation stalls as Kerney agonizes over his newly acquired land, probably about to be sacrificed to the tax gods, and as Sara, confused about their "impossible" relationship, takes off for Tucson. An intriguing subplot concerns a rare species of cactus on Kerney's land and the lady professor crusading on its behalf. McGarrity's plotting mirrors real life so effectively that readers will grieve for or celebrate with characters by this tale's bittersweet endAalways a sure sign of good writing. Recommended.ASusan A. Zappia, Maricopa Cty. Lib. Dist., Phoenix
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc.

From Booklist
The first three Kevin Kerney novels drew much of their strength from the way author McGarrity uses his New Mexico setting to meld western and mystery genres. That mythic frame is still part of the mix in the series' latest installment, but the focus this time is more on procedural detail and the emotional burden of being a cop. The action begins with cowboy manqueKerney in northern New Mexico, where he has inherited prime ranch land. Along with the land comes a dead body. The search for the identity of both the victim and the killer draws Kerney, chief deputy of the New Mexico State Police, into contact with the local cops, especially Lieutenant Gabe Gonzales, whose investigation reveals a very personal connection to the crime. Also present is Major Sara Brannon, Kerney's love interest from Tularosa (1996), returned from duty in Korea and every bit as uncertain as Kevin about where their relationship is heading. The Kerney series has become the class of the post-Hillerman New Mexico stable by creating characters who are equally at home on the mythic range and in the contemporary world. If the latter is more prominent this time--the agony of Gabe Gonzales, a good cop caught in a personal tragedy, screams modern world with all the force of an NYPD Blue episode--the contrast between Old West myth and New World reality remains a potent force, as McGarrity reminds us that the rugged individualists in today's Southwest need a little help getting through the night. Bill Ott

Customer Reviews

Another winner from Michael McGarrity
Michael McGarrity has a wonderful writing style. The pages just fly by. He sets scenes in the beautiful New Mexico landscape that place you there. His books have all lived up to the high standard set with his initial novel, "Tularosa"...no easy trick. His pacing really works...it was like eating peanuts...I had to read "just one more" passage before putting it down.

The characters are realistic, well defined and simply a great mix. The protagonist, Kevin Kerney, is unique in the cop/mystery genre in that he is pretty normal. He is not the prototypical flawed man who must ovcercome a myriad of personal demons. A limp resulting from a bullet to the kneecap is his only eccentricity. Kerney is a top cop, but also an excellent manager of people. His staff responds not only to his abilities, but also to the respect he shows all with whom he works. With all his field experience, he has seen it all and is hard to fool. He gets the job the right way and is easy to cheer for.

His romantic interest returns, but her sidebar does nothing to detract from the whodunit aspect. She is a strong character, a good addition and we will see more of her.

Mr. McGarrity has crafted a strong series with characters that stand out, all placed in a most atmospheric setting. I think he and the Kevin Kerney series are understated and underappreciated gems. He deserves more acclaim and recognition. He was suggested to me with these words: "if you enjoy Michael Connelly, McGarrity is for you." I do and he is.

Do not miss this sereis.

Romance and heartbreak
Kearney finds romance and another officer finds his heart crushed in the worst nightmare possible. A fine episode, well written and filled with interesting secondary characters.

If you haven't seen the west in person, the writing in this series will draw vivid pictures, that will send you to the travel office.

Robert B. Parker meets Tony Hillerman
July was Kevin Kerney month. I read all six of his novels and every single one was a keeper with Hermit's Peak being the best. The writing is superb, the characters believable, and the dialogue is without peer. I have to admit I am biased. I worked in Santa Fe, lived in Albuquerque, and know some of the people that received the author's acknowledgements. But wait, that is a good thing because I know what he is writing is real, the places are real, and the cases have a basis in fact. I believe this author has the staying power that some others lack. Good reading and good fun.