Public Trust

Jack Chastain #1

by J.M. Mitchell

In a true-to-life story about preserving what's important, Ranger Jack Chastain returns to the canyons of New Mexico after fighting wildfires, and steps into a political firestorm. He wants to run but a beautiful woman makes him take a stand. When a mysterious set of provocations pit neighbor against neighbor, a battle between 'self interest' and 'do the right thing' ensues, trapping Chastain between people who face hard truths about who they can really trust.


Caught in the middle.


It's the story of our times--polarized society, battles over government, competing interests, inflamed rhetoric, conspiracy theories. But who draws the battle lines, and why? What's at stake for the losers, or even those simply drawn into the fray? And does anyone have a responsibility to find the common ground? Or, is it really, "no rules" and "all's fair?"
Public Trust is the story of Jack Chastain, a stalwart but not overly-idealistic ranger who tangled with politicos in Montana and finds himself reassigned to a national park in New Mexico. There, he encounters a community bitterly divided by the machinations of an outgoing U.S. president. Businessmen, environmentalists, ranchers and politicians, all tangle over a way of life that could be lost forever. Chastain wants no part of another war over a shrinking landscape, but finds himself caught in the middle. Only one person seems to understand what's truly at stake, a beautiful woman who won't let him run from the conflict he must face. To do his job means facing her father, a former senator, and putting himself between warring factions, including the most ruthless operators in the state. He becomes enemy to all. What's at stake? Much, but in this story of intrigue that captures the slime and inflexibility of politics today, nobody wins. Until Mother Nature plays her hand.

352 pages, Paperback

First published January 22, 2012

About the author

J.M. Mitchell’s novels of mystery and political intrigue borrow from his experiences in Yosemite, Grand Canyon and Zion National Parks, and as Chief of the National Park Service’s Biology Division.

Reviews

[Jerry Fabyanic · Rating 5 out of 5]

Public Trust reads as if it were non-fiction, a true-to-life account of a firestorm among environmentalists, land holders, and developers set in beautiful New Mexico. The story is vividly detailed. J.M Mitchell has a real gift to create and tell a suspenseful tale while avoiding over-the-top drama, thus producing a believable story line. The realistically portrayed characters help us understand the depths of the conflicts within and between themselves, across the political-social community, and, of course, in nature.

[Joe · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great book about a National Park Service Resource Officer. Firefighting, conflicts with environmentalists, land owners and developers lead to a very interesting story.
The authors descriptions of the fire, canyons and streams put the reader in the action.

[Tana · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read. Strong main characters. Scenery description puts right in the setting. I have enjoyed the Jack Chastine and have started the next book in the series. It is a must read for those who want to learn more about the life of a member of the forest service.

[Eileen · Rating 5 out of 5]

Captures the area

A book you cannot put down. Terrific story, interesting characters, beautiful descriptions of the area. The author clearly presents both sides of a land usage dispute....highly recommend.

[Elaine]

Read 18%

[Judy · Rating 2 out of 5]

Only 2 stars because of the very poor editing (or proof reading). Paints a pretty clear picture of what the "me" generation has done to the world. Very sad.