Death Valley

Jack Prester Mysteries #1

by Sandy Dengler

A rugged park ranger, a pristine accountant, and a gang of aging Hell's Angels may seem an unlikely mix. But when two murdered bodies are discovered in the scorching sands of Death Valley, they share a common survival.

Genres: Mystery, Christian Fiction

255 pages, Paperback

First published July 31, 1995

Reviews

[Charlie · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the third time I have read this book and have enjoyed it each time. I recently read the second in the Jack Prester series and enjoyed this book more than the second one. There was nothing objectionable in this book. The Gospel was presented, but I would have liked for it to have had more emphasis. Sandy Dengler has a unique and amusing way of describing things that add humour and interest to the story. I will probably read this book again.

[Bo · Rating 4 out of 5]

I recently read book 2 in this series, and decided to go back and read book 1. I enjoyed both books, but enjoyed this one more. It's a good clean mystery. The author has a way with words, often making a description of something common and mundane, amusing, but yet true to life. I enjoy her sense of humour in this series, while also writing a good mystery. The gospel is present, but could be more clear.

[Glen · Rating 2 out of 5]

Self righteous ranger Jack Prester meets up with deeply dissatisfied Evelyn to solve a murder that occurred at Death Valley National Park during an on-going biker rally.

There's a bit of a rom-com angle, and I feel the two deserve one another.

[Mark Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

Jack is working for a special part of the National Parks Service that goes to parks in need. His first case takes him to Death Valley where an accountant brought in to find the funds has been murdered. Jack's hardly arrived when his dog uncovers a second body. Are the two murders connected? Did the accountant's search for the missing funds lead to his death? And will the Hells Angels reunion in the park lead to violence with the rangers?

I first read this book 20 years ago, and I was amazed at how well I remembered it when I sat down to read it again. Even remembering who done it, I was pulled into the plot and couldn't put the book down. The character growth is pretty impressive, and the writing is superb. I'm glad I revisited the book and am looking forward to rereading the rest of the series.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.

[Big Game James · Rating 5 out of 5]

While I didn't like the Jack Prester Mysteries quite as much as Sandy Dengler's other series, the Mirage Mysteries (now Valley of the Sun), I still enjoyed Death Valley. Since I read the book back in the mid to late 9os, I don't recall all of the details. But I do know that I read each available book in the series one after the other and that's not something I would do if the books weren't great. Which makes this book an easy five stars. Now that the books are available in Kindle format, I look forward to getting back into the stories. Including the newer ones I haven't yet read. I'll keep you posted.

[Andrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Interesting plot, I don't know much about that part of USA or about Hell's Angels so sometimes confused, underlying Christian message

[Tiffany · Rating 1 out of 5]

I started this book but just within the first few chapters it was too gory for me.