Caught in the Crosshairs

by Rick Steber

Caught in the Crosshairs – a true story of the perfect murder, almost…. On the last day of summer in 1994, while cowboy Phil Brooks was riding in the hills of Eastern Oregon, he was struck through the heart by a bullet fired from a high-powered rifle. An intensive police investigation was launched, but nobody has ever stood trial for that murder. Some locals speculate a woman was involved, or the young cowboy happened upon a drug drop, while others are convinced Phil’s death had something to do with the trophy bull elk that inhabit the sprawling Fopiano Ranch where his body was found by Native American trackers. Written by award-winning Oregon author Rick Steber, Caught in the Crosshairs is a true story full of intrigue, deception and of justice gone terribly wrong.

Genres: True Crime, Nonfiction

217 pages, Paperback

First published July 20, 2011

About the author

Rick Steber, the author of more than 30 books with sales of more than a million copies, has received national acclaim for his writing. His numerous awards include the Western Writers of America Spur Award for Best Western Novel, Western Heritage Award, Benjamin Franklin Award, Mid-America Publishers Award, Oregon Library Association Award, Oregon Literary Arts Award, Independent Publishers Book Award, Indies Award for Excellence, and the USA Best Book Award. Three of his books have been optioned to movie production companies.

In addition to his writing, Rick is an engaging Western personality and has the unique ability to make his characters come alive as he tells a story. He has spoken at national and international conferences and visits schools where he talks to students about the importance of education, developing reading and writing skills, and impressing upon them the value of saving our history for future generations.

Rick has two sons, Seneca and Dusty, and lives near Prineville, Oregon. He writes in a cabin in the timbered foothills of the Ochoco Mountains.

Reviews

[Andrew MacMillan]

True stories are always fascinating but sometimes equally disappointing. It was really cool to read a story that’s so close to home — places, names, attitudes you actually know & understand. If this case had been solved I’d have liked this a lot more. But the police incompetence is a lot more concerning than it is interesting when it’s your own state police force at fault. Interesting read though, well written and this is one hell of a mystery.

[Don]

My wife grew up in Central Oregon and insisted that I read this book that her grandmother had given her. I wasn't sure if I wanted to read it but she insisted. It did not take me long before I did not want to put the book down. Before I finished the second chapter I wanted to knock some sense into those who kept justice from happening.

[Gu Kun]

A western with one deadly shot fired. The true story of a 1994 murder investigation remarkably well told. Most lucid and instructive* - fast-paced and pleasantly devoid of modern-day U.S. "creative writing" goo and fluff: only 216 gripping, page-turning pages. Love that. I will read more Rick Steber.

* "Searchers find it helpful to have some basic information on a subject, and while they waited for morning light, Keith and Stoney asked general questions about Phil - his height, weight, what he did for a living, what he had been wearing when he disappeared, and whether he was left or right-handed. Usually a person who becomes lost or disoriented, when he, or she, is right-handed that person circles to the left and a left-handed person circles to the right. Age matters because older people will most often venture into open country to increase their odds of being seen, while a young person invariably climbs uphill and hunkers in a thicket or beside a log because of their lingering womb insincts." (p. 18)

[Bruce Mendelson]

I live in Southern Oregon and spend a lot of time in Central and Eastern Oregon. This book is set in that area and written by a local resident. It centers around the murder of a young man that was riding his horse in the hills of Eastern Oregon. There is a lot speculation that the murder involved trophy bull elk hunting. So, if you are a hunter, you will really enjoy the book. The descriptions of the area, towns and members of the population are very good. The writing style is not very colorful, very "to the point". But, the book kept my interest and moved along swiftly. All in all, an enjoyable read.

[Brian]

I enjoyed this story because it's relateable. Having grown up on a ranch that allowed public hunting with permission, I can relate to some aspects of the land owners and the hunting community. We were fortunate to have had few trespassers but having confronted some of those who did, it gives me pause now that I could have ended up like Phil.

[Bill Brewer]

Interesting look at the hunting sub-culture that exist in the American west unknow. to non-hunters like myself. The setting is smallest of Central Oregon cities and some very large ranches. This is a true story of an investigation into the murder of a young cowboy and takes in the local and state law enforcement, I found the characters too numerous to keep track of but I got the jist of it.

[Cindy l harmon]

Riveting read.

I dont usually read true crime stories. But this case happened close to where part of my family lives. It had me on tge edge of my seat. Trying to figure out who did it. The story was well told and backed up by facts of the case. It was a very good book to read.

[Patricia Stell]

Very interesting for people living in Central Oregon for some time.

[Josie Jane Gillette]

I needed more thriller!!! But was still a good easy read. It’s a true story so it makes it better.

[Janice]

Since this 1994 murder happened so close to home (before we lived here), I was curious to read this book. There sure is a lot of illegal activities going on throughout the book, and it makes most everyone involved look like poaching red necks, especially the hunting guides. The person that Rick Steber suspects still lives in Redmond, OR. Too bad the murder has not been solved.

[Linda]

I'd heard of this eastern OR unsolved murder, the book gave the info about why it was never solved and who was considered at one point or another, a suspect. Not a shining example of detective work for sure.

[Rory]

Knowing it's based on a true story seems to automatically make it more interesting. And it being so close to home makes it even more so.

[boundarycreek]

Not bad.

Well written, though at times somewhat biased by the author as to how law enforcement was viewed.. Otherwise, an interesting read.

[Brian D]

Good job Rick Steber.

[Amber Coonce]

I have always enjoyed true crime, so this was interesting to read about a case that happened near me and was never solved.