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Jules Clement #3
An Unfortunate Prairie Occurrence
Big Sky, Old Bones, and Murderous Obsession. Blue Deer, Montana Has it All...
A Cleveland hunter has just shot off his best friend's hand and the first blizzard fo the season was blowing into Blue Deer, Montana, when a camper found an old skeleton on Magpie Island. Sheriff Jules Clement, one-time archeologist, now his hometown's cop, relishes the chance to identify the remains. In a small-town job riddled with gas station robberies and domestic abuse, the bones offer a chance to use his skills..a diversion from a dying love affair..and a break from hunting a rapist who continues to strike. But old bones bring new troubles--the kind that have Jules questioning his own friends and family, stripping away his last illusions about justice...and the kind that can get a lawman killed in a Montana minute.
A Cleveland hunter has just shot off his best friend's hand and the first blizzard fo the season was blowing into Blue Deer, Montana, when a camper found an old skeleton on Magpie Island. Sheriff Jules Clement, one-time archeologist, now his hometown's cop, relishes the chance to identify the remains. In a small-town job riddled with gas station robberies and domestic abuse, the bones offer a chance to use his skills..a diversion from a dying love affair..and a break from hunting a rapist who continues to strike. But old bones bring new troubles--the kind that have Jules questioning his own friends and family, stripping away his last illusions about justice...and the kind that can get a lawman killed in a Montana minute.
400 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1998
18 people are currently reading
135 people want to read
About the author
Jamie Harrison
8 books132 followersJamie Harrison is the author of six novels: The Center of Everything (January 2021, Counterpoint), The Widow Nash (2017), and the four Jules Clement/Blue Deer mysteries, slated to be reissued soon by Counterpoint Press: The Edge of the Crazies, Going Local, An Unfortunate Prairie Occurrence, and Blue Deer Thaw. She was awarded the Mountains & Plains Independent Booksellers Association Reading the West Book Award for The Widow Nash, and was a finalist for the High Plains Book Award.
The Center of Everything (2021) was a January pick by Oprah Magazine, People Magazine, and Indie Next, with a Rave status at Book Marks: https://bookmarks.reviews/reviews/the...
The Center of Everything (2021) was a January pick by Oprah Magazine, People Magazine, and Indie Next, with a Rave status at Book Marks: https://bookmarks.reviews/reviews/the...
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Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews
September 2, 2013
This is the third of Jamie Harrison's novels set in the small town of Blue Deer, Montana, and featuring archeologist-turned county sheriff, Jules Clement. In the first two books, The Edge Of The Crazies and Going Local, a prominent theme was the interaction between the long-time residents of Absaroka County and the usually wealthy newcomers who were moving into the county, attracted by its beauty and recreational opportunities.
In this case, however, Harrison sets that conflict aside to examine the relationships that exist and the way that crime can affect those relationships, in a tiny community where everyone knows virtually everyone else and in which they are often related to each other by blood or marriage.
By now, Harrison has firmly established the basic cast of characters that inhabit Blue Deer and orbit around Jules, the principal character. The relationships among them are tested when a fisherman discovers a portion of a skeleton on an island in a nearby river. Much of the upper torso, including the head, is missing. But some hair has been preserved as has the man's ornate belt buckle. In addition, there's the two bullets that Jules discovers on the ground under the man's abdomen.
It seems clear that the body was buried on the island years earlier and only exposed now as the river gradually eroded away a portion of the island. Jules, who was an archeologist before returning to Blue Deer, is thrilled at the prospect of using his scientific skills to investigate the man's death.
Jules ultimately determines that the man was somewhere in his twenties at the time of his death and that he was killed sometime in the late 1930s, and he sets the elderly ladies of the town's historical society on the task of identifying someone who went missing about that time and who was never heard from again. In doing so, though, he inadvertently opens a can of worms that a lot of people, including members of his own family might wish had been left unexamined.
In the meantime, of course, Jules has to deal with the usual run of crimes that occur in a small town like his, including drunken driving, domestic abuse and juvenile delinquency. There's also a rapist attacking women who live alone and who seems to be increasing the frequency of his attacks.
A lot of eccentric characters populate this book and it's as much fun watching Jules navigate the complexities of the relationships among them as it is to watch him at work attempting to solve all these crimes. But the reader should not expect this to be a nice cozy mystery. It isn't, and Jules is no Miss Marple. Underneath the humor, there's a hard edge to these books.
The cast of characters is large, and sometimes it feels like you might need a flow chart to keep straight them and the relationships involved. A reader needs to pay attention, but the attention is well-rewarded by a solid, entertaining read. This is a book that would appeal to a large number of readers, but as is often the case, someone new to the series might well want to start with the first book rather than the third.
In this case, however, Harrison sets that conflict aside to examine the relationships that exist and the way that crime can affect those relationships, in a tiny community where everyone knows virtually everyone else and in which they are often related to each other by blood or marriage.
By now, Harrison has firmly established the basic cast of characters that inhabit Blue Deer and orbit around Jules, the principal character. The relationships among them are tested when a fisherman discovers a portion of a skeleton on an island in a nearby river. Much of the upper torso, including the head, is missing. But some hair has been preserved as has the man's ornate belt buckle. In addition, there's the two bullets that Jules discovers on the ground under the man's abdomen.
It seems clear that the body was buried on the island years earlier and only exposed now as the river gradually eroded away a portion of the island. Jules, who was an archeologist before returning to Blue Deer, is thrilled at the prospect of using his scientific skills to investigate the man's death.
Jules ultimately determines that the man was somewhere in his twenties at the time of his death and that he was killed sometime in the late 1930s, and he sets the elderly ladies of the town's historical society on the task of identifying someone who went missing about that time and who was never heard from again. In doing so, though, he inadvertently opens a can of worms that a lot of people, including members of his own family might wish had been left unexamined.
In the meantime, of course, Jules has to deal with the usual run of crimes that occur in a small town like his, including drunken driving, domestic abuse and juvenile delinquency. There's also a rapist attacking women who live alone and who seems to be increasing the frequency of his attacks.
A lot of eccentric characters populate this book and it's as much fun watching Jules navigate the complexities of the relationships among them as it is to watch him at work attempting to solve all these crimes. But the reader should not expect this to be a nice cozy mystery. It isn't, and Jules is no Miss Marple. Underneath the humor, there's a hard edge to these books.
The cast of characters is large, and sometimes it feels like you might need a flow chart to keep straight them and the relationships involved. A reader needs to pay attention, but the attention is well-rewarded by a solid, entertaining read. This is a book that would appeal to a large number of readers, but as is often the case, someone new to the series might well want to start with the first book rather than the third.
February 21, 2020
Set in Montana. The town of Blue Deer has it's share of crime.
The women of the community are gathering items that hove been stored for the new museum.
A rapist is in the community of 5,000 plus a partial skeleton is found on Magpie Island . The sheriff is trying to find who has gone missing. When the mystery is solved, they figure the man had it coming to him.
The women of the community are gathering items that hove been stored for the new museum.
A rapist is in the community of 5,000 plus a partial skeleton is found on Magpie Island . The sheriff is trying to find who has gone missing. When the mystery is solved, they figure the man had it coming to him.
February 24, 2018
A very good mystery, the third of the series. Sheriff Clements must deal with an old murder, a new murder and a rapist, while breaking up with his girlfriend in this well written book. With the help of his attractive new deputy he manages to resolve everything. The only detraction from this lively book is the amount of characters you must keep track of. I managed, but I could understand how that could be confusing. Recommended to readers of mysteries.
February 14, 2018
Prairie Fire is the third in a four-part series dedicated to Sheriff Jules Clement of Blue Deer County, Montana.
The book is a plethora of inquiries, some old, some recent, mixed with the extended family and the chaotic private life of the Sheriff.
It's very rhythmic, full of humor, I sometimes got a little lost in all the characters (it's certainly related to not having read the first two volumes) but overall it's quite exceptional and devilishly addictive , despite the relative length for a polar.
We learn a little late that the novel takes place in the 90s, but there are glaring clues (we never talk about DNA and mobile phones are almost unknown).
The intrigues are of very good quality.
The conclusion is brilliantly put in place, even if the Sheriff sometimes seems a bit slow.
A very good rural thriller that we owe to the daughter of the famous James Harrison.
Like father, like daughter.
The book is a plethora of inquiries, some old, some recent, mixed with the extended family and the chaotic private life of the Sheriff.
It's very rhythmic, full of humor, I sometimes got a little lost in all the characters (it's certainly related to not having read the first two volumes) but overall it's quite exceptional and devilishly addictive , despite the relative length for a polar.
We learn a little late that the novel takes place in the 90s, but there are glaring clues (we never talk about DNA and mobile phones are almost unknown).
The intrigues are of very good quality.
The conclusion is brilliantly put in place, even if the Sheriff sometimes seems a bit slow.
A very good rural thriller that we owe to the daughter of the famous James Harrison.
Like father, like daughter.
November 23, 2008
Well, while I did enjoy the characters in this mystery, I have to agree with [previous reader], in that the actual storyline seemed a bit too drawn out for such a short book.
Perhaps, had I read the first two books in this series ("The Edge of the Crazies" & "Going Local"), I would not have been 'caught up' in trying to keep all the characters straight in my mind, and may have enjoyed the actual mystery more. The small-town feel was right on target tho, and I would read others by Harrison if given the opportunity, but I doubt I will go out of my way to track them down.
Perhaps, had I read the first two books in this series ("The Edge of the Crazies" & "Going Local"), I would not have been 'caught up' in trying to keep all the characters straight in my mind, and may have enjoyed the actual mystery more. The small-town feel was right on target tho, and I would read others by Harrison if given the opportunity, but I doubt I will go out of my way to track them down.
June 4, 2015
I have never heard of this author, but my spouse, who is an inveterate scanner for free books, picked this up and brought it on a recent overseas vacation. I have to say that despite the fact that there is an absurd amount of crime that takes place in a small town, that I enjoyed Jules, the sheriff and protagonist, and the story style.
August 16, 2014
Sheriff Jules Clement works on an interesting constellation of cases in his Montana town, but they keep impinging on his extended family, in-laws, etc. Could have used a genealogy chart like Margaret Maron provides at the front of her Deborah Knott mysteries!
April 29, 2013
Very good mystery that kept you guessing. I really enjoyed this author and want to llok for more!
May 27, 2014
Way to many characters and subplots to keep track of
May 9, 2016
#3 in the Sheriff Jules Clement series.
Sheriff Jules Clement, Blue Deer, MT mystery - An uncovered 55 year old skeleton has ties to the current habitants of the town.
Sheriff Jules Clement, Blue Deer, MT mystery - An uncovered 55 year old skeleton has ties to the current habitants of the town.
December 27, 2025
I adore this series, featuring Jules Clement, one-time archeologist, now sheriff of his small but lively (OK, nutso) hometown in Montana. Always peopled by engaging characters and wild plots. Interesting (to me, anyway) backstory: this was originally a four-book series, with the fourth book published in 2000, but when author Harrison wrote a fifth in 2024, the whole series was reissued, which is when I discovered it.
May 24, 2020
This was a slog: too many characters (who all sound and seem the same); too many plotlines (for the sake of what - added colour?); too much like hard work just to get through it. Ordinarily I would have stopped reading this one a long time ago but I bought it while on holiday in the States and therefore carried on out of sheer sentimentality. A great holiday - a less than great novel. Ouch!
October 2, 2018
love, love, love read this series in the 90's
December 29, 2021
I'm enjoying this series set in Montana.
November 13, 2024
Another rollicking character-filled mystery set in the (fortunately?) fictional town of Blue Deer in southewestern Oklahoma.
March 26, 2025
Love this series. Small town cast of characters starring my book crush Jules Clement.
May 26, 2025
Engaging characters and an intricate plotline--an enjoyable read. The characters' interconnections in this small Montana town were hard to follow. A who's who character list would have helped.
June 28, 2025
Jules Clement #3.
I am really enjoying this series set in an imaginary Montana town (right where the actual Livingston is). Quirky characters and intricate plots that keep unfolding right to the very last page. This involves a present-day rapist and a long ago murder.
I am really enjoying this series set in an imaginary Montana town (right where the actual Livingston is). Quirky characters and intricate plots that keep unfolding right to the very last page. This involves a present-day rapist and a long ago murder.
July 1, 2025
From the heart
Complex tale told in straight forward style with humor and insight. Did not want to put it down. Looking forward to the author's succeeding book.
Complex tale told in straight forward style with humor and insight. Did not want to put it down. Looking forward to the author's succeeding book.
March 23, 2025
An astonishingly good book
You may end up feeling unravelled by the end of this. It really does feel Shakespearean. Sheriff Jules Clement of Blue Deer, Montana, finds an old headless skeleton and what emerges is a fifty year old tale of bad behaviour, revenge and rough justice. Jamie Harrison is as sharp as a tack. She knows these small town mountain people through and through, including the way they can keep schtumm for decades, covering for each other. There’s a depth of characterisation you rarely find. There’s a touch of Fargo here, given the environment and a touch of Jane Austen too, given the mordant, laconic humour. The reader has to be sharp too, keeping all the relationships straight and catching on to what’s being revealed. Many of the chapters start with that week’s police report, which makes for amusing reading. At the end, there’s a final revelation that confirms Jules’s view of his uncle. There’s also final justice for a part indigenous man whose grandmother was one of those wronged. The difference between the way rape was handled then and now is played out in a subplot. Just brilliant.
You may end up feeling unravelled by the end of this. It really does feel Shakespearean. Sheriff Jules Clement of Blue Deer, Montana, finds an old headless skeleton and what emerges is a fifty year old tale of bad behaviour, revenge and rough justice. Jamie Harrison is as sharp as a tack. She knows these small town mountain people through and through, including the way they can keep schtumm for decades, covering for each other. There’s a depth of characterisation you rarely find. There’s a touch of Fargo here, given the environment and a touch of Jane Austen too, given the mordant, laconic humour. The reader has to be sharp too, keeping all the relationships straight and catching on to what’s being revealed. Many of the chapters start with that week’s police report, which makes for amusing reading. At the end, there’s a final revelation that confirms Jules’s view of his uncle. There’s also final justice for a part indigenous man whose grandmother was one of those wronged. The difference between the way rape was handled then and now is played out in a subplot. Just brilliant.
June 20, 2012
Sheriff Jules Clement is not a particularly happy man and he really doesn't care for his job. What he likes is living in the area where he grew up and where several generations of Clements have lived. Despite the area being somewhat remote there is a population of about ten thousand there is plenty of crime to go around. The police are called upon to solve every little glitch in the town including most neighborly disputes involving pets and trash.
Meanwhile there is a serial rapist going around and the women being attacked all seem to have faulty window locks or are themselves failing to lock their windows. This is evil on an ordinary face since the perpetrator is likely a good seemingly solid citizen. A part of a skeleton is found on a nearby property and Jules is kept very busy. He does his job well, even though he grumbles.
There are a myriad of characters to keep track of and for some reason several of them are curmudgeons with nasty streaks so it is hard to warm to them. There is a good resolution and twist to the story.
Meanwhile there is a serial rapist going around and the women being attacked all seem to have faulty window locks or are themselves failing to lock their windows. This is evil on an ordinary face since the perpetrator is likely a good seemingly solid citizen. A part of a skeleton is found on a nearby property and Jules is kept very busy. He does his job well, even though he grumbles.
There are a myriad of characters to keep track of and for some reason several of them are curmudgeons with nasty streaks so it is hard to warm to them. There is a good resolution and twist to the story.
February 8, 2011
After being most disappointed with the endings of the previous two Blue Deer mysteries, I'm glad to say this one nailed it. The quirky characters and great setting are still strong, but the plot of this book is a great mystery. Sheriff Jules Clement is dealing with two long-dead bodies (one decades more recent than the other) when a fresh one turns up, made to look like a suicide but definitely murder. Jules has to approach the death from several angles, trying to get the truth from town elders tight-lipped about the past. Everyone's related to someone involved in this case, and on top of everything, Jules is trying to track down a rapist targeting single women in Blue Deer. He finally manages to untangle everything, making a few more enemies on the process. Harrison does a great job capturing the harsh beauty of the Montana landscape as well as the near-incestuous nature of some small towns. In all, a most satisfying mystery. Skip the first two and go straight to this one.
July 26, 2025
This 1990s police story looks at a cold case in a small Montana town. A set of bones is discovered, perhaps from WW2 era. The seniors are asked to cast their minds back to anyone who went missing, or left and never returned.
Jules and his crew are busy with trucks blowing over on the road, mischief from kids, and a string of assaults on women. The bones don't seem that urgent. But someone may have killed once and may still be around to keep matters quiet. The tale is well written, full of place, character, and weather.
Animal lovers should stop and not read the last chapter. You don't need it anyway to resolve the crimes.
I read an e-ARC from Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review.
Jules and his crew are busy with trucks blowing over on the road, mischief from kids, and a string of assaults on women. The bones don't seem that urgent. But someone may have killed once and may still be around to keep matters quiet. The tale is well written, full of place, character, and weather.
Animal lovers should stop and not read the last chapter. You don't need it anyway to resolve the crimes.
I read an e-ARC from Fresh Fiction. This is an unbiased review.
March 16, 2025
Well this book kept me entertained and reading but I had a terrible time keeping track of all the different characters and so I found myself confused about who was who and how old they were and who was related to whom. I definitely like the main character Jules, Who seems to be surrounded by kooks and idiots all day long.
August 11, 2012
This is the third title I've read in this series and I really want to like it. The writing is good and the mysteries are actually interesting, but the characters are difficult to like. In this one, there was nothing redeeming or pleasant about any of them. So I guess I'm done...
April 22, 2009
I found this to be an average mystery. While the main character was believeable, the plot seemed to plod along at a snail's pace. Little bit of a surprise ending.
May 12, 2022
I enjoyed it! Colorful writer. Ordered the other 3 from Thrift books.
Stumbled on this at the hostel free books shelf in Santa Ana, El Salvador.
Stumbled on this at the hostel free books shelf in Santa Ana, El Salvador.
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May 16, 2011Jules Clement
Displaying 1 - 29 of 29 reviews