The Ghost Rock Cafe

Bud Shumway #1

by Chinle Miller

An old hermit has been killed in Utah’s wildlands, and Sheriff Bud Shumway knows it’s murder, even though some say it was a cougar kill. Others think it was done by a Bigfoot who has roamed the area for years, killing cattle and leaving people so traumatized that they never want to go into the wilderness again. But Sheriff Shumway can’t afford to believe in Bigfoot, given the huge area he’s responsible for, most of it wildlands.

Set at the Ghost Rock Cafe, high on the wild and mysterious San Rafael Swell, this mystery will have you laughing, scared to death, and wondering if Bigfoot might really exist. In any case, you’ll find out who really killed the hermit of Swasey’s Cabin, and it may not be who you think.

Genres: Mystery, Westerns, Mystery Thriller, Ebooks

252 pages, Kindle Edition

First published May 19, 2011

Reviews

[Jeannie and Louis Rigod · Rating 5 out of 5]

This first book in a new series, A Bud Shumway Mystery, was exciting and filled with the inner thoughts of a Sheriff in the wildlands of Utah.

Bud Shumway, is experiencing work fatigue. Of course this comes right as there are reports of a break-in at a cafe/motel by ...Bigfoot! Bud fawns it off onto a deputized trucker, Larry who resides at the motel until a murder happens.

This novel is unique, in that the author allow us into Bud's innermost thoughts and frustrations with his job and life. Meanwhile, we also are treated to how Bud begins to figure out the killer. Along the way are houses falling over, trains stopped in the tracks, floods, movie producers, watermelon farmers and more.

Bud reminds us of why a killer kills. We are reminded of dreams gone unfulfilled. Greed rearing it's ugly head. With a clipping pace that will make this book feel short, I'm very happy to find out there is a second volume in this series.

The ending will surprise you. A Great Summer read and watch out for Bigfoot!

[Jim Parker · Rating 1 out of 5]

Let's hope that Miller chooses another profession.

Don't waste your time. There's no plot to speak of, there's not a logical flow of events, and the writing is junior high school level at best. Lots of gaps and not much is plausible. I like mysteries that take place in the Southwest... that's the only reason I finished it. That, and the fervent hope that it would start to make sense. It didn't. I don't like being this negative, but I honestly can't think of anything good to say about it.

[Cindy Conway · Rating 3 out of 5]

The more I read the better I liked the book. I’m not sure if I like Bud or not. He’s a bit hard to like. He is always wanting to be somewhere else or perhaps he is unhappy with his job. I can understand his frustration with Howie and his habit of not giving complete information. Storyline got a bit bogged down and was difficult to follow. But I find the 1st book often does this then the author settles in and remaking stories are better. I am continuing on to book 2 in hopes of improvement.

[Susan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Sheriff Bud Shumway is feeling burned out, with a large, thinly populated county to patrol with the help of one untrained deputy. That's what brings him to the Ghost Rock Cafe and motel, where a class of geology students is on a field trip, and rumors of Big Foot abound. A local hermit has been killed--the doctor says by animals--and cremated before Bud can examine the body. The good-natured woman who owns the cafe is talking about moving out, and their are peculiar things in the area that Bud has roamed for years. Bud would rather be home with his entrepreneurial wife Wilma Jean and their two dogs, but he's stuck up near Ghost Rock and dreaming about being a melon farmer.

[Janina s. Asselin · Rating 3 out of 5]

Ok book

Good story line but not well executed. Characters poorly developed and I really didn't care for any of them. I found the sheriff very annoying and quite juvenile. He had to keep reminding himself that he was the sheriff and it was his job. Really ? I'm assuming the author was trying to show that Bud was burned out but it really diminished any respect you had for the character. I will read the next book in the series but I am not hopeful.

[Jan · Rating 5 out of 5]

So glad that I got this on sale and found a new author! Great characters, sustainable plot, red herrings, and misdirection plus some wry humor and Bill Crider as a minor character! Small town sheriff with little law enforcement experience but a lot more uncommon sense than most gets drawn into a theft and murder investigation that turns weird. Enjoyed the sleuthing!
Narrator is E Roy Worley who has the laid back westerner down to a science.

[Mary Cokenour · Rating 3 out of 5]

It is very simplistic, the characters all talk like "yee haws", and not very detailed, except for the geology and landscape of the San Rafael Swell. So, I truly believe this is the type of book, guesstimating 5th grade and older, to read and develop an interest in geology, history, research and archaeology. That way, they show more interest, in high school, for these subjects; and perhaps go on to college to pursue them as well. Oh, and Bigfoot is the #1 suspect for the murder, so kids would still love to read it!

However, when it comes to law enforcement, the sheriff is characterized as lazy; deputizing locals, so he does not have to travel to crime scenes. His new deputy used to own the sandwich shop in town, thinks about food all the time, and when it comes to law procedures is characterized as rather a few fries short of a McDonald's Happy Meal. This would certainly make any young reader either believe that law enforcement is easy peasy; or an overall turn off to even consider as a career.

Living not too far from the town of Green River; I've been to the San Rafael area, and it is amazingly beautiful. The town itself though is pretty close to what is described in the novel; small, run down, and lacking in so many ways.

[Bruce Mendelson · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an entertaining book set in rural Utah. The main character, Sheriff Bud Shumway is feeling burned out with his career and contemplates career changes during the book. But, he has a sense of duty to solve this case and doggedly stays on the trail of the killer. The case itself is interesting with possible Big Foot involvement and nice descriptions of rural Utah. The story moves along well and keeps your interest. There is a little bit of geological information. I enjoy when one can learn something from a novel. I usually read while performing some type of cardio workout; elliptical trainer, stationary bike ... This book took my mind off of the mundane workout and provided a fun diversion. Overall, a fast entertaining read.
I will likely read the next book in the series.

[Jeannine · Rating 3 out of 5]

There is a dead victim. It could be murder, it could be a Bigfoot attack or it could be a cougar attack. Sheriff Bud Shumway is tired, physically and mentally, and is looking for a new beginning in the wilds of Utah. Now he has this murder/suspicious death to deal with in addition to a deputy who wants his job. Eccentric characters and some red herrings make the plot enjoyable although it does drag at times.

[Susan · Rating 3 out of 5]

A mauled body is found at an old man’s cabin near Millie’s Ghost Rock Café. Sheriff Bud Shumway is looking for a human killer although most of the residents and tourists believe that the culprit is Bigfoot. Fortunately for the sheriff, a group of geology students are doing fieldwork in the area, so he has some potential witnesses. The geological aspects of the story are quite fascinating and the plot is intriguing.

[Patricia Correll · Rating 3 out of 5]

Some Twists

Slow, plodding pace; some plot twists, but nothing unexpected. I prefer stories that develop the setting in a manner similar to character development; the setting could have been anywhere. I will read another book in the series, but I won't recommend this series or author unless there's more depth in later stories.

[Sandy Voegtlen · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed the characters, but Bud has to be one of the most conflicted sheriffs I have ever run across. Then again often the sheriffs are single, widowed, or divorced not trying to make time to see a wife and have a home life. The story had enough turns to be enjoyable, and I liked how it left the idea of Bigfoot.

[T J · Rating 4 out of 5]

Bud Shumway is a county sheriff living in a Greenriver at the base of the Swell, when he gets a call from an old friend that there was a break in at the Ghost Rock Café. This starts a chain of events that his county has ever seen. There is murder, mystery and big foot encounters. With twist and turns that keep you guessing to the very end.

[Mike Watson · Rating 3 out of 5]

An OK read.

I've traveled the area described in the book, but was unable to match the terrain in the book with my memories of the same area. I would suggest the writer read, or re-read, Tony Hillerman how to present the sense of the scenes.

I suspect the writer was trying to recreate Bill Crider's Sheriff Dan Rhodes...and missed.

[Scott Kalas · Rating 3 out of 5]

Worthy of reading the next book in the series

It was more light hearted than what I was expecting but still an okay read. I’ll read the next book in the series but I’m can’t say I’m looking to do the whole series, but I’ve been know to change my mind.

Definitely clean, not one cuss word nor any sex. Which is always a big plus for me.

[Mary Corso · Rating 3 out of 5]

Different.

What a unique way to end a mystery, but I won’t spoil it for you. Bud seems not all that smart or professional and his deputy dumdum is hardly an asset. But, the crimes were solved. A familiar theme too for mysteries set out west. Not a lot of detail which is maybe not a bad thing. It reads fast.

[Philip · Rating 4 out of 5]

A slow developing book!

This book by Chinle Miller would be easier to read if it did not include so many minute details between characters. It also described every trip the Sheriff takes in detail which is not needed.

[Jackie Anderson · Rating 3 out of 5]

ok writing; interesting location and characters; a little slow and therefore, needed to skim parts. But clean in language and no sexual content. it is hard to find good writers that are clean so will continue reading.

[Kathy Schouten · Rating 3 out of 5]

I wasn’t sure I was going to like this book when I first started it. The characters seemed a little simplistic and the town a little stereotypical. But I found myself enjoying the slow paced mystery and just downloaded the second book I. The series from KU.

[Kristy G · Rating 2 out of 5]

I wanted to like it.

I love Bill Crider and was thinking the author was trying to emulate him and then he showed up as a character. Which isn’t all bad but I didn’t like Bud, he was not a strong lead character.

The nail in the coffin was that I listened to this and did not like the narration.

[Michael Secord · Rating 5 out of 5]

Bigfoot ran off with my daughter sherrif, what you going to do ?

Fun read. Plenty of plot twists to be had, like hamburgers from Millies grill. Interested to find out what's in store for Bud next.

[Bryngel · Rating 1 out of 5]

Ghastly. As if it was written by a tired 12 year old. A pace that doesn't help, and the main character is simply just boring. Perhaps that was the point? I might have missed something while dozing off for the trillionth time.

[Jay Hamilton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Just a good fun small town mystery. Bud is such a great likable character. A small town sheriff in the style of 'Murder She Wrote'. I have read about 16 of the books but haven't had a chance to rate them all yet. I really enjoy these characters and the new ones who join as the series goes on.

[Jim Purcell · Rating 3 out of 5]

It took some time to get started in this book. A few interesting characters in a dull but challenging environment, but not a compelling storyline. Fortunately, patience paid off, and the plot intrigued sufficiently to finish. I will try the next episode.

[susan box · Rating 4 out of 5]

Slow,but interesting info in story...loved dogs but seemed not of any value to story disjointed at times...maybe read next book too see if it a little more connected

[BarbJerry Benjamin · Rating 1 out of 5]

It was.ok, but I doubt I'll read another of hers.

[Lory Fahle · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fun read

Great twists and turns. Fun to read, hard to put down. The ending has some serious twists that were not quite expected.

[Valerie · Rating 5 out of 5]

Light, fun, entertaining.

[Val · Rating 4 out of 5]

Oh my Bigfoot! A very good but at times confusing story. Totally wrong on who the killer was 😐 but that was okay 😉. The setting of a small town was perfect and the characters were uniquely great.

[Jean M. White · Rating 3 out of 5]

It's OK. The characters seem a bit simplistic.