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Knife River
A sheriff fighting to keep the peace in 1970s Oregon faces a shocking secret from his town’s past, in this crime thriller from the author of Reckoning .
There are rules in the West no matter what era you were born in, and it’s up to lawman Ty Dawson to make sure they’re followed in the valley he calls home. The people living on this unforgiving land keep to themselves and are wary of the modern world’s encroachment into their quiet lives.
So it’s not without some suspicion that Dawson confronts a newcomer to the a record producer who has built a music studio in an isolated compound. His latest project is a collaboration with a famous young rock star named Ian Swann, recording and filming his sessions for a movie. An amphitheater for a live show is being built on the land, giving Dawson flashbacks to the violent Altamont concert. Not on his watch.
But even beefed up security can’t stop a disaster that’s been over a decade in the making. All it takes is one horrific case bleeding its way into the present to prove that the good ol’ days spawned a brand of evil no one wants to revisit . . .
Praise for the Ty Dawson Mysteries
“The novel combines the mystery and honesty of Craig Johnson’s Longmire with the first-person narration of a fiercely independent Oregon character.” —Sheila Deeth, author of John’s Joy
“A masterful work of a time gone by. . . . Ty Dawson is a cowboy, lawman, father and philosopher like none other.” —Neal Griffin, Los Angeles Times –bestselling author of The Burden of Proof
There are rules in the West no matter what era you were born in, and it’s up to lawman Ty Dawson to make sure they’re followed in the valley he calls home. The people living on this unforgiving land keep to themselves and are wary of the modern world’s encroachment into their quiet lives.
So it’s not without some suspicion that Dawson confronts a newcomer to the a record producer who has built a music studio in an isolated compound. His latest project is a collaboration with a famous young rock star named Ian Swann, recording and filming his sessions for a movie. An amphitheater for a live show is being built on the land, giving Dawson flashbacks to the violent Altamont concert. Not on his watch.
But even beefed up security can’t stop a disaster that’s been over a decade in the making. All it takes is one horrific case bleeding its way into the present to prove that the good ol’ days spawned a brand of evil no one wants to revisit . . .
Praise for the Ty Dawson Mysteries
“The novel combines the mystery and honesty of Craig Johnson’s Longmire with the first-person narration of a fiercely independent Oregon character.” —Sheila Deeth, author of John’s Joy
“A masterful work of a time gone by. . . . Ty Dawson is a cowboy, lawman, father and philosopher like none other.” —Neal Griffin, Los Angeles Times –bestselling author of The Burden of Proof
- GenresMystery
342 pages, Paperback
Published April 23, 2024
29 people are currently reading
58 people want to read
About the author
Baron R. Birtcher
10 books178 followersBaron R. Birtcher spent a number of years as a professional musician, guitarist, singer and songwriter and founded an independent record label.
His first two hardboiled mystery novels, Roadhouse Blues and Ruby Tuesday were Los Angeles Times and IMBA Best-Sellers.
Angels Fall, the third installment in the critically-acclaimed Mike Travis series, was nominated for the 2009 Left Coast Crime Award (the “Lefty”) for Best Law Enforcement/ Police Procedural novel of the year.
Rain Dogs is Mr. Birtcher’s first stand-alone novel, and a Claymore Award finalist.
He has also had the honor of serving as a judge for both the Edgar and the Shamus Awards.
Baron currently divides his time between Kona, Hawaii and Portland, Oregon.
His first two hardboiled mystery novels, Roadhouse Blues and Ruby Tuesday were Los Angeles Times and IMBA Best-Sellers.
Angels Fall, the third installment in the critically-acclaimed Mike Travis series, was nominated for the 2009 Left Coast Crime Award (the “Lefty”) for Best Law Enforcement/ Police Procedural novel of the year.
Rain Dogs is Mr. Birtcher’s first stand-alone novel, and a Claymore Award finalist.
He has also had the honor of serving as a judge for both the Edgar and the Shamus Awards.
Baron currently divides his time between Kona, Hawaii and Portland, Oregon.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 46 reviews
May 1, 2024
Check out all my reviews at: https://www.avonnalovesgenres.com
KNIFE RIVER (The Sheriff Ty Dawson Crime Thriller Series) by Baron Birtcher is an intricately plotted crime thriller with buried appalling crimes and secrets from the sheriff’s small town’s past that are about to be revealed and become the cause of a horrific crime in the present. This is the fourth book in the Ty Dawson series, but each is easily read as a standalone story.
Sheriff Ty Dawson is a Korean War veteran, rancher, and sheriff in the 1970’s small town of Meridian, Oregon. Ty discovers a new music studio compound has been built outside town. A famous young rock star is recording a new album and filming his sessions. It will culminate in the filming of a live concert built in a new outdoor amphitheater. Ty does not want the headaches and crimes related to a large intrusion of outsiders, but he has no choice.
What Ty does not know is the singer has ulterior motives for picking this location and is in danger from someone who does not want crimes from the past to resurface.
This is a story that pulled me in, and I did not put the book down until the end. I enjoy that it is set in the 1970’s and I especially like the references regarding the music scene and musicians. The flashback scenes to the buried secrets were interwoven throughout the present in the story and just kept ratcheting up the tension to the climax when the two collide. Sheriff Ty Dawson is a fully developed character of moral conviction with a love of his family, friends, and town, but he is not blind to the changes happening in the world. There is just something in Mr. Birtcher’s writing style that pulls me into each book in this series and makes me believe Ty is real and could walk right off the page.
I highly recommend this exceptional crime thriller addition to the series, the entire series, and this author!
KNIFE RIVER (The Sheriff Ty Dawson Crime Thriller Series) by Baron Birtcher is an intricately plotted crime thriller with buried appalling crimes and secrets from the sheriff’s small town’s past that are about to be revealed and become the cause of a horrific crime in the present. This is the fourth book in the Ty Dawson series, but each is easily read as a standalone story.
Sheriff Ty Dawson is a Korean War veteran, rancher, and sheriff in the 1970’s small town of Meridian, Oregon. Ty discovers a new music studio compound has been built outside town. A famous young rock star is recording a new album and filming his sessions. It will culminate in the filming of a live concert built in a new outdoor amphitheater. Ty does not want the headaches and crimes related to a large intrusion of outsiders, but he has no choice.
What Ty does not know is the singer has ulterior motives for picking this location and is in danger from someone who does not want crimes from the past to resurface.
This is a story that pulled me in, and I did not put the book down until the end. I enjoy that it is set in the 1970’s and I especially like the references regarding the music scene and musicians. The flashback scenes to the buried secrets were interwoven throughout the present in the story and just kept ratcheting up the tension to the climax when the two collide. Sheriff Ty Dawson is a fully developed character of moral conviction with a love of his family, friends, and town, but he is not blind to the changes happening in the world. There is just something in Mr. Birtcher’s writing style that pulls me into each book in this series and makes me believe Ty is real and could walk right off the page.
I highly recommend this exceptional crime thriller addition to the series, the entire series, and this author!
April 26, 2024
Ty Dawson is. back, and better than ever! Author Baron R. Birtcher’s iconic Western lawman has been described as a cross between Longmire and Yellowstone (I’d probably throw a bit of Matt Dillon in there too.) In this latest book in the award-winning series, Dawson discovers that a record producer and young rock star who have come to his town in Oregon are hiding secrets from the past that lead to a shocking tragedy. The book is set in the 1970s (like the rest of the Ty Dawson series) - with dramatic flashbacks to a terrible murder case that happened in 1964. Birtcher’s own long career working in the music industry gives the reader a reality that puts you back in the ‘70s music scene. And his writing, as always, is eloquent and masterful in setting the scene for this fascinating mystery. I recommend it highly.
May 15, 2024
Praise for Knife River mentions the television series, Longmire. I loved that show and Sheriff Ty Dawson is every bit as pragmatic and tough as Sheriff Longmire.
The story begins with a prelude hinting at something that happened in 1964 in Meriwether County, Oregon. Twelve years later, in 1976, the ghosts of the past come back to haunt those that survived it.
I love western settings. My father and I would stay up late watching them on the television and my brother shared his Zane Grey books with me. I had my fingers and toes crossed that this book would have a hard to solve mystery, but also some rough and tumble cowboys. Those tall drinks of water with their sweat stained cowboy hats and dusty boots. Boy did I get all of that, and more. A particular quote from the book spoke volumes.
“I believe you told me you were born seeing the world between a horse’s ears.” I said. “Wouldn’t be right for me to keep a man from his birthplace.”
I’m kind of a character driven story kind of gal also. I need to be able to put a face to them. To connect with them. Whether in a good or bad way. Author Baron Birtcher really did use his storytelling skills to breathe life into his characters. It was so easy to put faces to names. I imagined how they moved. Their stride. Whether they stood still or waved their arms for emphasis when they talked.
The author also painted pretty pictures with his descriptions of Meriwether and the Diamond D ranch. One quote in particular put me there.
“Smells like horse sweat and juniper out here,” she said. “Smells like home.”
I knew from the moment I read the first page that this would be one of those books that couldn’t be put aside for later. I started it before I went to work. Came home for lunch and read until I was late returning. And came home and stayed up to finish it. There are not that many books that grab me like this one did. Knife River now sits in a place of honor on my book shelf. The shelf where I keep those books that I loved so much I wanted them where I could easily find them. Some books are meant to be read more than once. This is one of them.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
The story begins with a prelude hinting at something that happened in 1964 in Meriwether County, Oregon. Twelve years later, in 1976, the ghosts of the past come back to haunt those that survived it.
I love western settings. My father and I would stay up late watching them on the television and my brother shared his Zane Grey books with me. I had my fingers and toes crossed that this book would have a hard to solve mystery, but also some rough and tumble cowboys. Those tall drinks of water with their sweat stained cowboy hats and dusty boots. Boy did I get all of that, and more. A particular quote from the book spoke volumes.
“I believe you told me you were born seeing the world between a horse’s ears.” I said. “Wouldn’t be right for me to keep a man from his birthplace.”
I’m kind of a character driven story kind of gal also. I need to be able to put a face to them. To connect with them. Whether in a good or bad way. Author Baron Birtcher really did use his storytelling skills to breathe life into his characters. It was so easy to put faces to names. I imagined how they moved. Their stride. Whether they stood still or waved their arms for emphasis when they talked.
The author also painted pretty pictures with his descriptions of Meriwether and the Diamond D ranch. One quote in particular put me there.
“Smells like horse sweat and juniper out here,” she said. “Smells like home.”
I knew from the moment I read the first page that this would be one of those books that couldn’t be put aside for later. I started it before I went to work. Came home for lunch and read until I was late returning. And came home and stayed up to finish it. There are not that many books that grab me like this one did. Knife River now sits in a place of honor on my book shelf. The shelf where I keep those books that I loved so much I wanted them where I could easily find them. Some books are meant to be read more than once. This is one of them.
I received a complimentary copy. My review is voluntarily given.
April 21, 2025
Knife River has that haunting, slow-burn energy that sticks with you. It’s not just a crime story—it’s about memory, community, and how the past never really stays buried. Ty Dawson is the kind of sheriff you respect—deeply rooted in his land, loyal to his people, and torn between the old ways and a rapidly changing world. I loved how the setting felt like a character in itself, and the final reveal had real emotional weight.
May 10, 2024
I enjoy reading crime thrillers, and Knife River: A Ty Dawson Crime Thriller by Baron R. Birtcher quickly became a favorite of mine. Despite not having read the first three books in the series, I found myself immediately engrossed in the characters, the small-town setting, and the storyline. The main character Ty Dawson is a sheriff in a small Oregon town in the mid-70s. He's a genuine character who is relatable, honest, and tough, and reminds me of the sheriff in the TV show "Longmire."
Sheriff Dawson, a humble and well-liked man, juggles his duties as a lawman, husband to his beloved wife, father to his daughter, and manager of the family cattle ranch. He radiates authority and ensures that strangers in town are aware of his position. The emotionally charged novel showcases Sheriff Dawson's ability to anticipate and address trouble in his town.
The plot centers around two cases being investigated by the small sheriff's office: one involving illegal eagle poaching and the other concerning a young rock star and his entourage who have set up a studio and stadium to record an album and host a concert for free with 10,000 attendees. As the story unfolds, an unsolved murder mystery from the past resurfaces, with flashback chapters from 1964 providing additional layers to the storyline.
The author, Baron R. Birtcher, masterfully intertwines these plotlines, gradually merging them as Sheriff Dawson uncovers more details. Birtcher's descriptive writing brings the town and its inhabitants to life. The seamless writing style maintains a riveting pace, making it a hard-to-put-down read for fans of action-packed thrillers. If you are looking for a new thriller author, Baron R. Birtcher is definitely worth exploring. This book is filled with action, suspense, and intrigue and I promise it will hold your interest until the final page.
Sheriff Dawson, a humble and well-liked man, juggles his duties as a lawman, husband to his beloved wife, father to his daughter, and manager of the family cattle ranch. He radiates authority and ensures that strangers in town are aware of his position. The emotionally charged novel showcases Sheriff Dawson's ability to anticipate and address trouble in his town.
The plot centers around two cases being investigated by the small sheriff's office: one involving illegal eagle poaching and the other concerning a young rock star and his entourage who have set up a studio and stadium to record an album and host a concert for free with 10,000 attendees. As the story unfolds, an unsolved murder mystery from the past resurfaces, with flashback chapters from 1964 providing additional layers to the storyline.
The author, Baron R. Birtcher, masterfully intertwines these plotlines, gradually merging them as Sheriff Dawson uncovers more details. Birtcher's descriptive writing brings the town and its inhabitants to life. The seamless writing style maintains a riveting pace, making it a hard-to-put-down read for fans of action-packed thrillers. If you are looking for a new thriller author, Baron R. Birtcher is definitely worth exploring. This book is filled with action, suspense, and intrigue and I promise it will hold your interest until the final page.
April 29, 2024
Birtcher takes us to 1970s Oregon where cowboys are tough and the lawmen have to be tougher. Tyler Dawson is both. He's a rancher who reluctantly allowed himself to be elected sheriff. He is quick to action, borders on uncontrolled anger and reminds me of Longmire.
Birtcher emphasizes the emotions of Dawson so this novel will appeal to readers who like to get a good idea of the inner turmoil through which the hero struggles. A lesson Dawson learns in this novel is the possible error of judging people by initial impressions.
The mystery aspect of the novel has roots in a death years ago. I like how Birtcher gives a few vignettes leading up to the earlier death, preparing us for how it relates to the current death. The villain is truly an evil individual and worthy of Dawson's intense investigation.
Birtcher's writing style is clear and a pleasure to read. While the narrative has much of Dawson's emotional state and thoughts, there is plenty of action that kept me reading. I recommend this novel to readers who like a forceful man keeping the law in a rough and tumble area of the not so old west.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
Birtcher emphasizes the emotions of Dawson so this novel will appeal to readers who like to get a good idea of the inner turmoil through which the hero struggles. A lesson Dawson learns in this novel is the possible error of judging people by initial impressions.
The mystery aspect of the novel has roots in a death years ago. I like how Birtcher gives a few vignettes leading up to the earlier death, preparing us for how it relates to the current death. The villain is truly an evil individual and worthy of Dawson's intense investigation.
Birtcher's writing style is clear and a pleasure to read. While the narrative has much of Dawson's emotional state and thoughts, there is plenty of action that kept me reading. I recommend this novel to readers who like a forceful man keeping the law in a rough and tumble area of the not so old west.
I received a complimentary egalley of this book through Partners in Crime Book Tours. My comments are an independent and honest review.
May 9, 2024
Intriguing, multi-layered mystery set in rural 1970s Oregon.
Knife River by Baron Birtcher is the fourth book to feature Sheriff Tyler Dawson, but readers new to the series can easily read and enjoy it independently from the prior novels; the author does a splendid job incorporating the backstory to fill in any blanks. With its likable and admirable lawman protagonist, atmospheric descriptions, and surprising twists and revelations, I couldn’t put this book down.
Sheriff Ty Dawson is a straight shooter, no-nonsense guy who can normally read a person and their intentions from 10 paces; however, a couple of characters in this latest tale get past his keen eyes. He’s a loving family man who is grateful for what he has, and these feelings come through every time Jesse and Cricket enter the story. The author made me believe these emotions, including his regard and kindness for his friends, especially the young neighbor, Tom. However, he always seems to have an anger roiling just under the surface, and he works hard to keep it in check. In addition to being the local sheriff, he is also a hard-working rancher. He’s a strong character and a confident, compassionate lawman I was behind from page one.With vivid descriptions, the author replicates a typical small rural Oregon farming community of the 1970s. He populated the story with diverse personalities and sturdy, hearty people while leaving room for flawed individuals and those damaged by their pasts. The plot involves long-simmering secrets that tragically come to bear on the present. The story and tension build continually, and I was absolutely compelled to read non-stop until I reached the final resolution.
I recommend KNIFE RIVER to readers of traditional and historical mysteries.I voluntarily reviewed this after receiving an Advanced Review Copy from the author through Partners in Crime Virtual Book Tours.
May 20, 2024
With descriptions so dense and delightful, the author's love of nature - and the state of Oregon specifically - is easily discerned. This is a gloriously immersive book. You'll feel embedded in the cowboy lifestyle with its precise codes of honor. You'll join the romance of the place, too, so that you can read beyond the violent and questionable nature of man.
I had hundreds of phrases highlighted on my Kindle as proof of the value I placed on the author's prose. Here's one: "...fueled by a feeling of rage and distress that was diluted only by grief..." And another: "echoes of quixotic impulses I wish I could have ignored."
I highly recommend this book by an author whose prose I admire as much as James Lee Burke.
I had hundreds of phrases highlighted on my Kindle as proof of the value I placed on the author's prose. Here's one: "...fueled by a feeling of rage and distress that was diluted only by grief..." And another: "echoes of quixotic impulses I wish I could have ignored."
I highly recommend this book by an author whose prose I admire as much as James Lee Burke.
May 13, 2024
I absolutely loved "Knife River (A Ty Dawson Mystery)!" With engaging characters, a well-crafted plot and exquisite writing, "Knife River" is everything I look for in a book. I can't wait to read more from Baron Birtcher.
May 8, 2024
Very new author to me. I had never heard of this author nor had I read any of his books. The synopsis drew me because it reminded me of Matt Dillon of Gunsmoke. I am glad I picked it up and read it! This writer, Baron Birtcher, is a unique type of writer. His writing is very different from the other mystery authors I have read. He puts a lot of thought and emotions into his writing but also incorporates a lot of action.
Protagonist, Ty Dawson, is portrayed as a strong lawmaker in a small town in Oregon, not expecting this job to be an intense lawman position. The book takes place during the musical revolution of the 1970’s. The music business is a huge part of this horrifying murder plot. As he tries to pursue more about the murder, flashbacks to the 60’s reveal many deep, dark secrets about the town. This was a good book and I will be looking into more of his books.
Thank you to #partnersincrimebooktour for an ARC of this book. Opinions stated are mine only.
Protagonist, Ty Dawson, is portrayed as a strong lawmaker in a small town in Oregon, not expecting this job to be an intense lawman position. The book takes place during the musical revolution of the 1970’s. The music business is a huge part of this horrifying murder plot. As he tries to pursue more about the murder, flashbacks to the 60’s reveal many deep, dark secrets about the town. This was a good book and I will be looking into more of his books.
Thank you to #partnersincrimebooktour for an ARC of this book. Opinions stated are mine only.
June 27, 2024
In Knife River by Baron Birtcher, Sheriff Ty Dawson is trying to keep the peace in Meriwether County during the 1970’s when the world is in strife. Sheriff Dawson is trying his best to keep the riff raff out of his county, but trouble just seems to find him no matter how hard he and his deputies try.
One case Ty is currently investigating is trying to discover the identities of two men who shot a young eagle on federal land. He and his deputies will stop at nothing to find these two men and arrest them for committing such a heinous offense. While trying to find out who the two men are, and who owns the helicopter they were using to commit the offense, he decides to travel to the meadow area not too far from his Diamond D ranch. He’s hoping to find some incriminating evidence there to support his case. After finding some evidence, Ty decides to pay a visit to the closest developed property nearest the meadow. This secluded resort contains a record studio built from the remains of existing abandoned buildings. Since so much money was put into this development, he hopes he will cross paths with the owner there knowing they have a helicopter pad on property – something very few people have in this part of town.
He meets Len Kaanan, the owner of the property, and is told that although the property has a helicopter pad, Len doesn’t own a helicopter. It is there for all his music clients when they need to fly in and out of the area when they are recording their songs. One popular client, Ian Swann, is presently recording an album which they know will be a huge success. Len assures Ty that no one has used the helicopter pad in quite some time. But something doesn’t sit well between Ty and Ian, and Ty is determined to do whatever he has to in order to get to the bottom of who shot the eagle and just who this Ian Swann character is that is giving him a bad feeling in his gut. Will Ty and his deputies find the two men who killed the eagle? What does Ty discover about who Ian Swann really is?
Right from the start, this story will grab you and take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions. The reader is first pulled in as to why an eagle, which is a protected species, is senselessly killed. As you turn the pages, you are traveling along with Ty and his deputies wanting to find the truth as to why this crime took place and who the two men are that committed the wrongdoing. As law enforcement is investigating, you will find your heart pounding in your chest because you feel as if you are another deputy on the case needing to find the necessary answers to make an arrest. Birtcher skillfully penned the story to make it feel so real that you personally want to make the two arrests and have these men serve time for the federal crime they committed.
The setting of this story will pull you in as well because of the way the author described the land, the people and the animals as seen through Ty and his deputies’ eyes. It will make you feel as if you are actively investigating the crime and looking for your own evidence to solve this case. As each person is investigated, you will start coming to your own conclusions if the person may be guilty or not of committing this crime and question if they are one of the men that should be put in jail. The author is very gifted at describing scenes to make them authentic and so believable that you will think you are another character in the story watching everything unfold before your eyes.
When Ian Swann entered the story, something didn’t feel right about him at first. Then as his story unfolded, he became an integral part of Ty’s investigation, which later takes a drastic turn in the story. Readers will be riveted, sitting on the edge of their seats while trying to find out who Ian really is and how he fits into the situation as a whole.
Quill says: Knife River is one mystery thriller that will take you on a roller coaster ride until the very last page. It comes highly recommended by this reviewer!
One case Ty is currently investigating is trying to discover the identities of two men who shot a young eagle on federal land. He and his deputies will stop at nothing to find these two men and arrest them for committing such a heinous offense. While trying to find out who the two men are, and who owns the helicopter they were using to commit the offense, he decides to travel to the meadow area not too far from his Diamond D ranch. He’s hoping to find some incriminating evidence there to support his case. After finding some evidence, Ty decides to pay a visit to the closest developed property nearest the meadow. This secluded resort contains a record studio built from the remains of existing abandoned buildings. Since so much money was put into this development, he hopes he will cross paths with the owner there knowing they have a helicopter pad on property – something very few people have in this part of town.
He meets Len Kaanan, the owner of the property, and is told that although the property has a helicopter pad, Len doesn’t own a helicopter. It is there for all his music clients when they need to fly in and out of the area when they are recording their songs. One popular client, Ian Swann, is presently recording an album which they know will be a huge success. Len assures Ty that no one has used the helicopter pad in quite some time. But something doesn’t sit well between Ty and Ian, and Ty is determined to do whatever he has to in order to get to the bottom of who shot the eagle and just who this Ian Swann character is that is giving him a bad feeling in his gut. Will Ty and his deputies find the two men who killed the eagle? What does Ty discover about who Ian Swann really is?
Right from the start, this story will grab you and take you on a roller coaster ride of emotions. The reader is first pulled in as to why an eagle, which is a protected species, is senselessly killed. As you turn the pages, you are traveling along with Ty and his deputies wanting to find the truth as to why this crime took place and who the two men are that committed the wrongdoing. As law enforcement is investigating, you will find your heart pounding in your chest because you feel as if you are another deputy on the case needing to find the necessary answers to make an arrest. Birtcher skillfully penned the story to make it feel so real that you personally want to make the two arrests and have these men serve time for the federal crime they committed.
The setting of this story will pull you in as well because of the way the author described the land, the people and the animals as seen through Ty and his deputies’ eyes. It will make you feel as if you are actively investigating the crime and looking for your own evidence to solve this case. As each person is investigated, you will start coming to your own conclusions if the person may be guilty or not of committing this crime and question if they are one of the men that should be put in jail. The author is very gifted at describing scenes to make them authentic and so believable that you will think you are another character in the story watching everything unfold before your eyes.
When Ian Swann entered the story, something didn’t feel right about him at first. Then as his story unfolded, he became an integral part of Ty’s investigation, which later takes a drastic turn in the story. Readers will be riveted, sitting on the edge of their seats while trying to find out who Ian really is and how he fits into the situation as a whole.
Quill says: Knife River is one mystery thriller that will take you on a roller coaster ride until the very last page. It comes highly recommended by this reviewer!
September 2, 2024
Knife River is a cop mystery. It’s 1976 and Sheriff Ty Dawson has his hands full with Meridian County’s newest resident. Music producer Len Kaanan brought in rock star Ian Swann and with him came a troubled brother, an ornery producer, shady stagehands, property damage, assault, and someone with a more deadly intent. Plus, Ty’s daughter is sweet on the music man.
Bottom line: Knife River is for you if you like stories where you know something bad is going to happen but have no idea which direction it’s coming from.
This review is careful not to reveal details of Knife River that will take away from the readers own discovery and enjoyment.
There are so many strengths of this story that it is hard to know where to start. The one that sticks out most to me is the storytelling style. This one unfolds thoughtfully, deliberately, and with such terrifying elegance that I was tempted to read through my fingers. Chapter by chapter, the feeling grows that something very bad has happened, was going to happen but where it would come from and who would be the target wasn’t clear.
The language used elevates Knife River to the top of mystery literature. Consider from chapter twenty, “By the time morning arrived, it came so softly that it felt like a eulogy, the underlayment of the clouds glowing like coal embers for only the briefest of moments, soon swallowed by a still and steely sky that stole all but the ambient glow of sunrise.”
Sheriff Ty Dawson is an engaging hero who is easy to root for. A lawman, cattle rancher, and Korean vet, he is a complicated and damaged man who takes life one day at a time. He is grounded by his wife, Jesse, his college age daughter, Cricket, as well as his foreman and the deputies. The cast is close knit, a group who are positive and supportive of each other.
The 1970s and rural Oregon setting of the Ty Dawson Mysteries makes it stand out from the pack. Birtcher displays his prowess by writing with historical accuracy while making it feel as though we were reading a modern telling. In his hands, we are eternally far away from reading a textbook description of the life and times in post-Vietnam. He similarly brings us into the world of cattle ranges and cowboys by taking us along, at the crack of dawn, to ride down strays.
The plot of this story is wonderfully winding when read from the start, as noted. Standing at the end and looking back to page one, it is both twisted and straightforward. Thinking about the story in the days since I finished it, each detail checks back to earlier chapters, making the logic sound.
When considering whether Sheriff Ty Dawson drives the story, the book divides into two parts: pre-murder and post-murder. Prior to the murder, the action of the main plot is driven by the rock star and music producer. Ty inserts himself into those plans to set up a prevent defense ahead of the invasion of ten thousand fans, but he is in a reactive position. After the murder, he shifts to a proactive role, driving the investigation. His tenacity on details is the reason why this murder is solved.
As to where this story fell short of ideal, there isn’t much to pick on. The logic, the pacing, the storytelling are topnotch.
Knife River is the fourth book in the Ty Dawson Mystery series. I read the third, but not the first two. Knife River can be read as a stand alone. The mystery is independent from prior books. Readers who can’t start a series anywhere but at book 1, definitely start there and stay with Ty through Knife River.
Bottom line: Knife River is for you if you like stories where you know something bad is going to happen but have no idea which direction it’s coming from.
This review is careful not to reveal details of Knife River that will take away from the readers own discovery and enjoyment.
There are so many strengths of this story that it is hard to know where to start. The one that sticks out most to me is the storytelling style. This one unfolds thoughtfully, deliberately, and with such terrifying elegance that I was tempted to read through my fingers. Chapter by chapter, the feeling grows that something very bad has happened, was going to happen but where it would come from and who would be the target wasn’t clear.
The language used elevates Knife River to the top of mystery literature. Consider from chapter twenty, “By the time morning arrived, it came so softly that it felt like a eulogy, the underlayment of the clouds glowing like coal embers for only the briefest of moments, soon swallowed by a still and steely sky that stole all but the ambient glow of sunrise.”
Sheriff Ty Dawson is an engaging hero who is easy to root for. A lawman, cattle rancher, and Korean vet, he is a complicated and damaged man who takes life one day at a time. He is grounded by his wife, Jesse, his college age daughter, Cricket, as well as his foreman and the deputies. The cast is close knit, a group who are positive and supportive of each other.
The 1970s and rural Oregon setting of the Ty Dawson Mysteries makes it stand out from the pack. Birtcher displays his prowess by writing with historical accuracy while making it feel as though we were reading a modern telling. In his hands, we are eternally far away from reading a textbook description of the life and times in post-Vietnam. He similarly brings us into the world of cattle ranges and cowboys by taking us along, at the crack of dawn, to ride down strays.
The plot of this story is wonderfully winding when read from the start, as noted. Standing at the end and looking back to page one, it is both twisted and straightforward. Thinking about the story in the days since I finished it, each detail checks back to earlier chapters, making the logic sound.
When considering whether Sheriff Ty Dawson drives the story, the book divides into two parts: pre-murder and post-murder. Prior to the murder, the action of the main plot is driven by the rock star and music producer. Ty inserts himself into those plans to set up a prevent defense ahead of the invasion of ten thousand fans, but he is in a reactive position. After the murder, he shifts to a proactive role, driving the investigation. His tenacity on details is the reason why this murder is solved.
As to where this story fell short of ideal, there isn’t much to pick on. The logic, the pacing, the storytelling are topnotch.
Knife River is the fourth book in the Ty Dawson Mystery series. I read the third, but not the first two. Knife River can be read as a stand alone. The mystery is independent from prior books. Readers who can’t start a series anywhere but at book 1, definitely start there and stay with Ty through Knife River.
June 3, 2024
From afar, it's always tempting to lump Baron R. Birtcher's Sheriff Ty Dawson mysteries with other modern-day Westerns such as Craig Johnson's Longmire series or the Joe Pickett novels of C.J. Box.
Be a big mistake if you do.
Nobody -- and I mean nobody -- writes with the lyric and literary grit and grace Birtcher brings to a story. That singular gift lifts his novels to a higher plane that other writers rarely attempt let alone achieve. And it elevates Dawson, a rancher, combat veteran and reluctant sheriff, to near iconic status as a defender of rural Oregon traditions and values against the encroaching modern world of America's bicentennial year.
That's the time frame of Birtcher's latest, Knife River -- 1976. It's a turbulent era when the aftermath of Vietnam, Watergate and the Kennedy and King assassinations still shook the country while inflation and economic stagnation undermined the confidence and sense of self of many Americans.
And that's the swirling flood tide Dawson sees and feels as he confronts an unfolding mystery where the horrific suicide of a teenaged girl more than a decade earlier breaks from the willful community amnesia that buried the tragedy, rising to fuel a present-day threat centered on a music promoter, a young rock star and a thuggish group of railroad bums and day laborers.
Dawson, who was still in the Army at the time of the earlier tragedy, picks away at the young girl's death and the cover story his crooked predecessor cooked up, sensing an unsolved crime and unresolved guilt that still stains and shames his friends and neighbors -- the people he has sworn to protect. Almost nobody wants to talk about this but Dawson is stubbornly persistent and finds the few who will.
At the same time, he is dealing with the promoter and his plans to build an amphitheater at his remote recording studio compound to hold a concert by the rock star that will be filmed to promote his latest album. They butt heads immediately but reach a tense truce that allows the project to unfold under Dawson's uneasy vigilance.
Birtcher draws on his own experience as a professional musician and music promoter to provide the telling details that richly authenticate these passages. Birtcher also grew up in an Oregon ranching family, which is the foundation of the Dawson character and the lush descriptions of life raising cattle in stunning country.
The young girl's story is deftly told in a series of 'interludes' that include her star-crossed attraction to a troubled boy and two abusive fathers raising the girl and boy on their own. As these sections slowly build toward a gruesome end -- the girl hanging in a tree, a suicide that wasn't -- Dawson slowly realizes the past and present may well be connected. His sense of dread becomes almost overpowering as he scrambles to fully unravel the mystery and head off a cataclysmic disaster that provides the final piece of the puzzle.
Do yourself a favor. Pick up Knife River then start reading the rest of Birtcher's Ty Dawson mysteries. Each one is a jewel that outshines others of its kind.
Be a big mistake if you do.
Nobody -- and I mean nobody -- writes with the lyric and literary grit and grace Birtcher brings to a story. That singular gift lifts his novels to a higher plane that other writers rarely attempt let alone achieve. And it elevates Dawson, a rancher, combat veteran and reluctant sheriff, to near iconic status as a defender of rural Oregon traditions and values against the encroaching modern world of America's bicentennial year.
That's the time frame of Birtcher's latest, Knife River -- 1976. It's a turbulent era when the aftermath of Vietnam, Watergate and the Kennedy and King assassinations still shook the country while inflation and economic stagnation undermined the confidence and sense of self of many Americans.
And that's the swirling flood tide Dawson sees and feels as he confronts an unfolding mystery where the horrific suicide of a teenaged girl more than a decade earlier breaks from the willful community amnesia that buried the tragedy, rising to fuel a present-day threat centered on a music promoter, a young rock star and a thuggish group of railroad bums and day laborers.
Dawson, who was still in the Army at the time of the earlier tragedy, picks away at the young girl's death and the cover story his crooked predecessor cooked up, sensing an unsolved crime and unresolved guilt that still stains and shames his friends and neighbors -- the people he has sworn to protect. Almost nobody wants to talk about this but Dawson is stubbornly persistent and finds the few who will.
At the same time, he is dealing with the promoter and his plans to build an amphitheater at his remote recording studio compound to hold a concert by the rock star that will be filmed to promote his latest album. They butt heads immediately but reach a tense truce that allows the project to unfold under Dawson's uneasy vigilance.
Birtcher draws on his own experience as a professional musician and music promoter to provide the telling details that richly authenticate these passages. Birtcher also grew up in an Oregon ranching family, which is the foundation of the Dawson character and the lush descriptions of life raising cattle in stunning country.
The young girl's story is deftly told in a series of 'interludes' that include her star-crossed attraction to a troubled boy and two abusive fathers raising the girl and boy on their own. As these sections slowly build toward a gruesome end -- the girl hanging in a tree, a suicide that wasn't -- Dawson slowly realizes the past and present may well be connected. His sense of dread becomes almost overpowering as he scrambles to fully unravel the mystery and head off a cataclysmic disaster that provides the final piece of the puzzle.
Do yourself a favor. Pick up Knife River then start reading the rest of Birtcher's Ty Dawson mysteries. Each one is a jewel that outshines others of its kind.
May 17, 2024
Firstly, I should state that I was given a copy of this book by the author. Baron is someone I work with. I am not obliged to give a review and have not been asked to do so. This is my absolute honest opinion.
I read Baron's previous book Reckoning which I did really enjoy, but I loved this even more! The books can be read as stand-alone books.
We follow the character of Ty Dawson. Ty is the Sheriff of a town called Meriwether, set near Portland in Oregon. He's also a veteran from time spent in Korea. He cares for his town and the people that live there. He does not welcome outside trouble. He is also a loving husband and father. Ultimately, Ty is a no-nonsense kind of guy who likes to pre-empt trouble and 'nip it in the bud' before it progresses.
Knife River sees a town's past secrets come back to haunt it. It sees trouble arriving from the outside, bringing a new evil along with it. A visiting rock star, a poaching investigation, a crime from the past, and tragedy about to strike. There is plenty of action and suspense here as the story unfolds. It's not necessarily fast-paced action but it's just the right amount to entertain and allows you to take it seriously. Baron masters drawing all the different plots together beautifully.
However, what I love the most is Baron's writing style. It is utterly beautiful. The characters and the settings are so richly drawn, it's as though I was standing there literally watching everything in front of me in motion. I could picture every scene and character. There is so much emotion in the writing and such beauty to it. It's eloquent, evocative, compelling, and almost poetic at points.
I particularly loved the storyline of Heather and Paul. This really drew me in, and I felt so invested in the outcome. This storyline could almost make a book in itself - one that I would very much like to read!
I adore the relationship Ty has with his wife Jesse and daughter Cricket. I loved learning more about Cricket in this story. Ty may be a man of the law and tough when he needs to be, but he has such empathy and respect and is the perfect father, full of compassion and a quiet gentleness, whilst also giving his daughter the space to grow and become independent.
This will appeal to readers of many genres as there is a historical context as well a crime mystery theme. Pared then with its beautifully eloquent and descriptive writing style. A bit of everything. What's not to love?!
As the author says himself think along the lines of Longmire meets Yellowstone in the 1970's. I loved the tv programme Yellowstone and if you are a fan of that sort of action and pace, then you will love this series of books! Highly recommend!
I read Baron's previous book Reckoning which I did really enjoy, but I loved this even more! The books can be read as stand-alone books.
We follow the character of Ty Dawson. Ty is the Sheriff of a town called Meriwether, set near Portland in Oregon. He's also a veteran from time spent in Korea. He cares for his town and the people that live there. He does not welcome outside trouble. He is also a loving husband and father. Ultimately, Ty is a no-nonsense kind of guy who likes to pre-empt trouble and 'nip it in the bud' before it progresses.
Knife River sees a town's past secrets come back to haunt it. It sees trouble arriving from the outside, bringing a new evil along with it. A visiting rock star, a poaching investigation, a crime from the past, and tragedy about to strike. There is plenty of action and suspense here as the story unfolds. It's not necessarily fast-paced action but it's just the right amount to entertain and allows you to take it seriously. Baron masters drawing all the different plots together beautifully.
However, what I love the most is Baron's writing style. It is utterly beautiful. The characters and the settings are so richly drawn, it's as though I was standing there literally watching everything in front of me in motion. I could picture every scene and character. There is so much emotion in the writing and such beauty to it. It's eloquent, evocative, compelling, and almost poetic at points.
I particularly loved the storyline of Heather and Paul. This really drew me in, and I felt so invested in the outcome. This storyline could almost make a book in itself - one that I would very much like to read!
I adore the relationship Ty has with his wife Jesse and daughter Cricket. I loved learning more about Cricket in this story. Ty may be a man of the law and tough when he needs to be, but he has such empathy and respect and is the perfect father, full of compassion and a quiet gentleness, whilst also giving his daughter the space to grow and become independent.
This will appeal to readers of many genres as there is a historical context as well a crime mystery theme. Pared then with its beautifully eloquent and descriptive writing style. A bit of everything. What's not to love?!
As the author says himself think along the lines of Longmire meets Yellowstone in the 1970's. I loved the tv programme Yellowstone and if you are a fan of that sort of action and pace, then you will love this series of books! Highly recommend!
May 13, 2025
I confess upfront that I would read Baron Bircher’s work if it was confined to setting and dialogue alone, but when you add compelling characters and tortuous plots, well, you have another fantastic ride. Bircher occupies that narrow intersection between literary and high genre fiction and hardly a page is turned that doesn’t reflect the best of both. So, yes, I liked Knife River. Five Stars worth. Were I to a reside in Meriwether County in 1977, Sheriff Ty Dawson would have my vote.
The explosive mix of rock stars, cowboys, and roustabouts converging on a rural Oregon county during the cataclysmic social changes of the 60s and 70s is a recipe for conflict. And Bircher, to our delight, holds the match. He leaves it to Sheriff Dawson to clean up the mess, wound the heals, and heal the wounds.
Knife River is fraught with tension, suspense, and action as Dawson also investigates crimes buried by the former sheriff. While he may not be able to rectify the past wrongs, Dawson is at his best healing souls. His gruff countenance hides the thoughtful, empathetic, and steely-nerved person beneath. I was particularly impressed by his initial misjudgments of singer Ian Swann and railroad hobo, Dewayne Gomer and the development of their relationships. So, too, with his patience and gentle prodding of his recovering deputy, Jordan Powell.
Ty Dawson is a complicated man of passion tempered by restraint and his own share of demons. But he’s driven by his reverence for the land and the people who work it; dedication to the law and justice; commitment to the cowboys on his Diamond D Ranch, and his deep enduring love for his wife and daughter.
A very fulfilling, thrilling, and thought-provoking tale. Kudos. More please.
Richard Meredith, author of Maskirovka--The Russian Science of Deception
The explosive mix of rock stars, cowboys, and roustabouts converging on a rural Oregon county during the cataclysmic social changes of the 60s and 70s is a recipe for conflict. And Bircher, to our delight, holds the match. He leaves it to Sheriff Dawson to clean up the mess, wound the heals, and heal the wounds.
Knife River is fraught with tension, suspense, and action as Dawson also investigates crimes buried by the former sheriff. While he may not be able to rectify the past wrongs, Dawson is at his best healing souls. His gruff countenance hides the thoughtful, empathetic, and steely-nerved person beneath. I was particularly impressed by his initial misjudgments of singer Ian Swann and railroad hobo, Dewayne Gomer and the development of their relationships. So, too, with his patience and gentle prodding of his recovering deputy, Jordan Powell.
Ty Dawson is a complicated man of passion tempered by restraint and his own share of demons. But he’s driven by his reverence for the land and the people who work it; dedication to the law and justice; commitment to the cowboys on his Diamond D Ranch, and his deep enduring love for his wife and daughter.
A very fulfilling, thrilling, and thought-provoking tale. Kudos. More please.
Richard Meredith, author of Maskirovka--The Russian Science of Deception
May 8, 2024
I had a hard time reviewing this book as I absolutely loved some parts and didn't others.
But the parts I loved were really good and so I am definitely going to read this author again! This is a mystery set in Oregon in the 70s with characters displaying attitudes of that period. The setting is a little town where the sheriff and most of the people rely on livestock for their lives (I hated reading these bits as an animal lover). Although everyone knows everyone, it doesn't mean the town doesn't have secrets and this is where the mystery comes in.
The chapters go back and forth in time and between characters, but surprisingly all done very seamlessly and without creating any confusion. I actually liked the little crumbs left for the reader to collect, trying to make sense of them. The writing is honestly really beautiful and it's the one aspect I loved most about this book. The author's prose is very descriptive but not in a tiresome way. It's like looking at a painting with so many details, but that help give substance to the picture.
I also loved the characters' depth and fierceness, and I appreciated the many faces of the protagonist Tyler Dawson, strong and empathic at the same time, loyal to the law but also always critical of it.
In terms of the mystery itself, that's where I hoped for more, because although I was invested, it took a lot before the actual mystery and, albeit not unpleasant, the slow burn felt really slow at times.
All in all, I think fans of cosy mysteries would really love this, but I also recommend it for fans of western small town stories.
Thanks to the author and Partners in Crime Tours for a copy and this is my honest review.
But the parts I loved were really good and so I am definitely going to read this author again! This is a mystery set in Oregon in the 70s with characters displaying attitudes of that period. The setting is a little town where the sheriff and most of the people rely on livestock for their lives (I hated reading these bits as an animal lover). Although everyone knows everyone, it doesn't mean the town doesn't have secrets and this is where the mystery comes in.
The chapters go back and forth in time and between characters, but surprisingly all done very seamlessly and without creating any confusion. I actually liked the little crumbs left for the reader to collect, trying to make sense of them. The writing is honestly really beautiful and it's the one aspect I loved most about this book. The author's prose is very descriptive but not in a tiresome way. It's like looking at a painting with so many details, but that help give substance to the picture.
I also loved the characters' depth and fierceness, and I appreciated the many faces of the protagonist Tyler Dawson, strong and empathic at the same time, loyal to the law but also always critical of it.
In terms of the mystery itself, that's where I hoped for more, because although I was invested, it took a lot before the actual mystery and, albeit not unpleasant, the slow burn felt really slow at times.
All in all, I think fans of cosy mysteries would really love this, but I also recommend it for fans of western small town stories.
Thanks to the author and Partners in Crime Tours for a copy and this is my honest review.
October 15, 2024
Crimes and secrets from the past challenge the tranquility of a small Oregon community in the 1970s in this latest in Baron Birtcher's Ty Dawson mystery series.
Ty is a Korean War veteran and cattle rancher who also serves as sheriff of Meriwether County, Oregon. It's spring and Dawson is focused on the roundup and the branding of cattle on his spread when he's distracted by the report of an illegal shooting of an eagle from a helicopter.
Investigation of this crime leads him to a complex including a recording studio where preparations are underway for a concert and filming to debut the third album of Ian Swann, an up-and-coming singer-songwriter. Dawson is disturbed by the potential impact crowds drawn from outside by the concert venue will have on the town of Meridian. Those worries will increase in the coming days as Ty's wife and daughter are hired to help with film production and the singer is assaulted.
Flashbacks hint at the tragedy looming in the future and heighten tension. Despite Ty's efforts to increase security at the concert, blood is spilled and it is only by digging into the past he can unravel the skein of secrets and identify the killer.
Oh, and the culprits who killed the eagle are nabbed, too.
Birtcher's previous experience in the music business lends credence to the gripping plot. His engaging characters and eloquent prose remind me of the best of James Lee Burke. There are three other books in this series, so I guess I have some catching up to do.
If you're looking for a mystery in a rural setting in the not-so-distant past you won't go wrong checking out "Knife River." Highly recommended.
Ty is a Korean War veteran and cattle rancher who also serves as sheriff of Meriwether County, Oregon. It's spring and Dawson is focused on the roundup and the branding of cattle on his spread when he's distracted by the report of an illegal shooting of an eagle from a helicopter.
Investigation of this crime leads him to a complex including a recording studio where preparations are underway for a concert and filming to debut the third album of Ian Swann, an up-and-coming singer-songwriter. Dawson is disturbed by the potential impact crowds drawn from outside by the concert venue will have on the town of Meridian. Those worries will increase in the coming days as Ty's wife and daughter are hired to help with film production and the singer is assaulted.
Flashbacks hint at the tragedy looming in the future and heighten tension. Despite Ty's efforts to increase security at the concert, blood is spilled and it is only by digging into the past he can unravel the skein of secrets and identify the killer.
Oh, and the culprits who killed the eagle are nabbed, too.
Birtcher's previous experience in the music business lends credence to the gripping plot. His engaging characters and eloquent prose remind me of the best of James Lee Burke. There are three other books in this series, so I guess I have some catching up to do.
If you're looking for a mystery in a rural setting in the not-so-distant past you won't go wrong checking out "Knife River." Highly recommended.
May 9, 2024
I received a gifted copy of this book.
This one got off to a slow start but then started building. We find Sheriff Ty Dawson pulled into a case involving a helicopter and an eagle. He finds himself learning about a music concert that will be happening on the outskirts of his small town located in Meriwether County, Oregon.
Jesse, his wife, is as strong as ever. Their daughter, Cricket, is a strong young lady, taking after her mother in more ways than one. I enjoy these two women characters – strong and independent in their own ways, and quietly supportive of the men in their lives.
What I was really intrigued with in this tale was the history that was pulled into the story. This series is set in the early 1970s, but pulling in the history of the town from the 1960s just added an extra something. I liked the darkness of the history, some very deeply guarded secrets that the current residents hesitated to talk about, as if the past would come back to haunt them.
There is much I liked about this tale – the slow build as the pages turned. Strong women characters. A dark past of the town colliding with the present events. Some of the verbiage made me chuckle. The consistency of the times, no cell phones, no internet searches, taking the reader back to simpler times. A bit of a western theme as Ty, at heart, is a rancher. And Caleb … he’s an old guy, but he adds a lot of character to the Ty Dawson series.
This one got off to a slow start but then started building. We find Sheriff Ty Dawson pulled into a case involving a helicopter and an eagle. He finds himself learning about a music concert that will be happening on the outskirts of his small town located in Meriwether County, Oregon.
Jesse, his wife, is as strong as ever. Their daughter, Cricket, is a strong young lady, taking after her mother in more ways than one. I enjoy these two women characters – strong and independent in their own ways, and quietly supportive of the men in their lives.
What I was really intrigued with in this tale was the history that was pulled into the story. This series is set in the early 1970s, but pulling in the history of the town from the 1960s just added an extra something. I liked the darkness of the history, some very deeply guarded secrets that the current residents hesitated to talk about, as if the past would come back to haunt them.
There is much I liked about this tale – the slow build as the pages turned. Strong women characters. A dark past of the town colliding with the present events. Some of the verbiage made me chuckle. The consistency of the times, no cell phones, no internet searches, taking the reader back to simpler times. A bit of a western theme as Ty, at heart, is a rancher. And Caleb … he’s an old guy, but he adds a lot of character to the Ty Dawson series.
June 19, 2024
Ty Dawson is the owner of the Diamond D Ranch. He loves the land and his life, but ranching isn’t an easy job. He has another job as the local sheriff. As if he doesn’t have enough on his plate, some newcomers have invaded his quiet life. Ian Swann, a famous and talented singer/songwriter has taken up residence in Knife River, along with his entourage. This is a simple arrangement on paper, but Ian has some questionable men in his employ. He needs them to build the studio and a stadium so after perfecting his new songs, a huge festival will be held.
Sherriff Dawson is uncomfortable with this entire situation. Rock stars and roadies aren’t exactly the type of people that live in Knife River. But what’s done is done. He can only help keep the peace with the newcomers. To add to his aggravation, his wife has accepted a job working with Ian and Dawson’s daughter Cricket, is home from college and is spending a lot of time with the rock star. You might just call them both smitten with each other.
The understanding between the locals and the entourage has not been an easy relationship, but things are going fairly well. That is until everything explodes. Emotions and unexpected violence change everything. And the big question is, will anyone ever be the same when the real answers come to the surface.
Knife River is a fast-paced, multilevel book. It is quick and easy to read, but you must pay attention to the twists, turns and hidden connections. The characters are fully developed and at times surprising and even add a bit of suspense. It was the perfect marriage of the series Yellowstone and the rock concert Woodstock. I loved it.
This is the first book I have read by Baron Birtcher. I am pleased to know that there are three more Ty Dawson Mysteries available for your reading pleasure and mine. Birtcher’s firsthand experience as a professional musician helped make the music world come to life in this novel.
Sherriff Dawson is uncomfortable with this entire situation. Rock stars and roadies aren’t exactly the type of people that live in Knife River. But what’s done is done. He can only help keep the peace with the newcomers. To add to his aggravation, his wife has accepted a job working with Ian and Dawson’s daughter Cricket, is home from college and is spending a lot of time with the rock star. You might just call them both smitten with each other.
The understanding between the locals and the entourage has not been an easy relationship, but things are going fairly well. That is until everything explodes. Emotions and unexpected violence change everything. And the big question is, will anyone ever be the same when the real answers come to the surface.
Knife River is a fast-paced, multilevel book. It is quick and easy to read, but you must pay attention to the twists, turns and hidden connections. The characters are fully developed and at times surprising and even add a bit of suspense. It was the perfect marriage of the series Yellowstone and the rock concert Woodstock. I loved it.
This is the first book I have read by Baron Birtcher. I am pleased to know that there are three more Ty Dawson Mysteries available for your reading pleasure and mine. Birtcher’s firsthand experience as a professional musician helped make the music world come to life in this novel.
May 11, 2024
Sheriff Ty Dawson must dig into the past in order to find answers to a mystery that rocks his small town in 1976.
Author Baron Birtcher delivers a fascinating story in Knife River. As an installment in the Ty Dawson Mystery series, it works well as a standalone.
From the beginning, it is evident that Birtcher is an experienced writer who elevates the storyline by using rich details and a well-spoken main character. These are qualities typically associated with more prominent named authors with extensive backlists, so it was quite impressive to discover a new-to-me author through this book.
The time period proves key as the community hosts a concert, which is not an everyday type of event. In investigating the shooting of an eagle, Ty finds himself at the gates of a secluded resort recruiting studio.
He meets musician Ian Swann, who is recording and filming sessions for a movie. When tragedy strikes, Ty must unravel a community secret from 1964 that has been festering.
The author uses flashbacks to tease readers about the events from that fateful year, slowly creating a stunning conclusion. Told from Ty’s perspective, the story embodies his firm sense of right and wrong.
Knife River provides a strong main character who takes his duty seriously, even if it means confronting a secret from the past. ~ Amy for Novels Alive
Author Baron Birtcher delivers a fascinating story in Knife River. As an installment in the Ty Dawson Mystery series, it works well as a standalone.
From the beginning, it is evident that Birtcher is an experienced writer who elevates the storyline by using rich details and a well-spoken main character. These are qualities typically associated with more prominent named authors with extensive backlists, so it was quite impressive to discover a new-to-me author through this book.
The time period proves key as the community hosts a concert, which is not an everyday type of event. In investigating the shooting of an eagle, Ty finds himself at the gates of a secluded resort recruiting studio.
He meets musician Ian Swann, who is recording and filming sessions for a movie. When tragedy strikes, Ty must unravel a community secret from 1964 that has been festering.
The author uses flashbacks to tease readers about the events from that fateful year, slowly creating a stunning conclusion. Told from Ty’s perspective, the story embodies his firm sense of right and wrong.
Knife River provides a strong main character who takes his duty seriously, even if it means confronting a secret from the past. ~ Amy for Novels Alive
April 22, 2025
Baron R. Birtcher’s Knife River is one of those rare books that crawls under your skin and settles there, quietly haunting you. What seems at first like a classic Western crime mystery gradually reveals itself to be a deeply layered, emotionally charged reckoning with the sins of a small town and the people sworn to protect it.
Ty Dawson is a character who wears his soul on his sleeve—if you know how to look. He’s not a flashy hero, but one forged in quiet moments and hard choices. In a world where the rules are eroding under the weight of change, Dawson is trying to hold the line, even as that line shifts beneath his boots.
The conflict with the music producer and rock star Ian Swann is more than just cultural—it’s symbolic. It represents the clash between old and new, order and chaos, silence and expression. And when the past roars to life in a horrifying twist, it’s not the present that’s the problem—it’s what they buried decades ago.
The novel’s pacing is deliberate, allowing you to soak in the landscape, the relationships, the long silences between words. And then—when the horror is finally uncovered—it hits like a sledgehammer to the chest.
A poignant, powerful, and beautifully written story that blends Western grit with psychological depth. This is Birtcher at his best
Ty Dawson is a character who wears his soul on his sleeve—if you know how to look. He’s not a flashy hero, but one forged in quiet moments and hard choices. In a world where the rules are eroding under the weight of change, Dawson is trying to hold the line, even as that line shifts beneath his boots.
The conflict with the music producer and rock star Ian Swann is more than just cultural—it’s symbolic. It represents the clash between old and new, order and chaos, silence and expression. And when the past roars to life in a horrifying twist, it’s not the present that’s the problem—it’s what they buried decades ago.
The novel’s pacing is deliberate, allowing you to soak in the landscape, the relationships, the long silences between words. And then—when the horror is finally uncovered—it hits like a sledgehammer to the chest.
A poignant, powerful, and beautifully written story that blends Western grit with psychological depth. This is Birtcher at his best
May 1, 2024
Baron Birtcher is a really unique writer. Everyone I know who is familiar with his books (most of them also writers) shares my reverence for his special talent. I’ve read most of his novels at this point, and all have filled me with the same awe at his way with words, ability to create atmosphere, and the deep thinking he brings to his storytelling. Knife River, like all Birtcher’s Ty Dawson books, is a totally engaging, multi-layered mystery centering around a sheriff/rancher in a small Oregon town in the early Seventies, all of it drawn so skillfully that you can smell the air, feel the breeze, and marvel at the skies as you simultaneously suffer the evil that inevitably invades the town of Meridian and calls Sherriff Dawson into service. To say the least, Knife River is not just another run-of-the-mill mystery or detective story. Like everything written by this author, it is truly a work of art.
April 23, 2025
Baron Birtcher’s Knife River doesn’t just tell a story, it drags you into it, face first. This book is everything I want from modern Western noir: it's morally ambiguous, beautifully written, and soaked in atmosphere. The protagonist isn’t a hero in the traditional sense, but his struggle feels honest. Redemption and revenge circle each other like vultures, and you can never quite tell which will strike first.
The pacing is tight, and the stakes keep climbing. Every page pulses with tension, but it’s not just action for action’s sake there’s an emotional core that hits hard. Highly recommended for fans of dark, intelligent thrillers set in the American frontier.
The pacing is tight, and the stakes keep climbing. Every page pulses with tension, but it’s not just action for action’s sake there’s an emotional core that hits hard. Highly recommended for fans of dark, intelligent thrillers set in the American frontier.
April 24, 2025
Knife River is a slow-burn, character-driven mystery that absolutely pulled me in. Birtcher’s writing is gritty and atmospheric, perfectly capturing the tension of 1970s Oregon. Sheriff Ty Dawson is a fantastic lead tough, introspective, and deeply human.
The story unfolds with a steady sense of unease, and when the crime hits, it hits hard. I loved how the plot weaves together the clash between old-school law enforcement and the chaos brought by outsiders. It’s a unique mix of Western and crime thriller that kept me turning pages.
If you're into moody, well-written mysteries with layered characters and a strong sense of place, Knife River won’t disappoint. Highly recommend.
The story unfolds with a steady sense of unease, and when the crime hits, it hits hard. I loved how the plot weaves together the clash between old-school law enforcement and the chaos brought by outsiders. It’s a unique mix of Western and crime thriller that kept me turning pages.
If you're into moody, well-written mysteries with layered characters and a strong sense of place, Knife River won’t disappoint. Highly recommend.
December 17, 2025
Knife River is a tense, atmospheric crime novel set in 1970s Oregon, where the land and the people are as unforgiving as the crimes buried beneath them. Sheriff Ty Dawson is a steady, old school lawman trying to keep peace in a town wary of outsiders and change.
When a music producer and a famous rock star arrive, old secrets resurface and long-simmering violence threatens to erupt. The story builds suspense by tying past wrongdoing to present danger, showing how history refuses to stay buried. Dark, deliberate, and character driven, Knife River is a solid read for fans of thoughtful, slow-burn crime thrillers.
When a music producer and a famous rock star arrive, old secrets resurface and long-simmering violence threatens to erupt. The story builds suspense by tying past wrongdoing to present danger, showing how history refuses to stay buried. Dark, deliberate, and character driven, Knife River is a solid read for fans of thoughtful, slow-burn crime thrillers.
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April 22, 2025Baron R. Birtcher delivers another stellar entry in the Ty Dawson series with Knife River. It’s got everything you want in a crime thriller: tight plotting, vivid setting, and a protagonist with both grit and grace. The backdrop of 1970s Oregon is moody and immersive, and the storyline centered on a music project gone wrong manages to be both timely and timeless. Dawson’s confrontation with a long-buried evil is equal parts thrilling and tragic. Highly recommended for fans of character-driven mysteries with a strong sense of place.
April 24, 2025
There’s a raw, uneasy pulse to Knife River a sense that something terrible is crawling just under the surface, waiting to be uncovered. Sheriff Ty Dawson’s attempt to maintain order turns into a descent into the moral decay of a town that prides itself on tradition. Birtcher paints the landscape beautifully, but it’s the ugliness behind the scenery that lingers. As Dawson uncovers the pieces of a long-buried atrocity, he’s forced to reckon with the fact that sometimes evil doesn’t come from outside. it grows quietly among neighbors and friends.
June 3, 2025
Knife River pulled me in from the very first page with its atmospheric setting and compelling lead. Baron Birtcher has a real gift for creating moody, immersive tension, and the small town backdrop only adds to the intensity of the story. The pacing was spot on, the characters felt real and complex, and I found myself thinking about the mystery even when I wasn’t reading.
If you’re a fan of smart, character driven mysteries with a hint of darkness and depth, this one’s absolutely worth the read. Can’t wait to see what Birtcher writes next!
If you’re a fan of smart, character driven mysteries with a hint of darkness and depth, this one’s absolutely worth the read. Can’t wait to see what Birtcher writes next!
April 23, 2025
Sheriff Ty Dawson’s small town life is disrupted when a music studio opens in the remote Oregon valley in Knife River. What follows is a gripping tale of mystery, where Dawson uncovers a chilling link between the project and a past tragedy. Birtcher’s writing beautifully evokes the rugged landscape of Oregon, and his complex portrayal of Dawson adds depth to this suspenseful, character driven thriller.
April 23, 2025
I didn’t expect to cry reading a Western, but here we are. Knife River is raw, heartfelt, and unflinchingly human. The characters feel like people you might meet in a dusty bar at the edge of town quiet, haunted, carrying more pain than they let on.
It’s not just about gunfights or justice. It’s about grief, silence, and the emotional aftermath of violence. Birtcher has written a novel that’s both devastating and strangely hopeful. A must read.
It’s not just about gunfights or justice. It’s about grief, silence, and the emotional aftermath of violence. Birtcher has written a novel that’s both devastating and strangely hopeful. A must read.
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