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A Pot Thief Murder Mystery #6
The Pot Thief Who Studied Billy the Kid
This New Mexico pottery dealer skirts the law—and solves “Very humorous and delightful . . . with a questionable hero the reader can’t help but love” (Kings River Life Magazine). Although his work is technically illegal, Hubie Schuze has no qualms with digging up ancient Native American artifacts. The government calls him a thief, but Hubie thinks of himself as a treasure hunter—and his latest quest could be his last. After lowering himself into a cave in search of Anasazi pottery, Hubie uncovers a long-dead corpse, buried where the Anasazi would never have left a body. As he puzzles over this discovery, he hears a chilling his truck, left behind on the cliff face, being driven away. Stranded in the cave, the pot thief has only a corpse to keep him company. After a narrow escape, Hubie returns with his best friend, Susannah, to try to identify the dead man. What they find instead is a mystery that takes them back not to the days before Columbus, but to the Wild West of Billy the Kid.The Pot Thief Who Studied Billy the Kid is the 6th book in the Pot Thief Mysteries, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.
284 pages, Kindle Edition
First published November 4, 2012
About the author
J. Michael Orenduff
17 books122 followersMike Orenduff grew up in a house so close to the Rio Grand that he could frisbee a tortilla into Mexico. Despite such antics, he ended up in higher education, teaching at thirteen colleges in eight states and three countries. He was also an academic dean three times, an academic vice-president twice, a president four times, and a statewide chancellor once. His supporters say he welcomes new challenges. His critics say he cant hold a job. Newt Gingrich, in his book, To Renew America, called Orenduff A hero to the American People for his pioneering work in distance education.
After taking early retirement form higher education, Mike embarked on a new career as a fiction writer. His play, The Christmas Visitor, has won numerous awards. His murder mystery series has also received many accolades. The first in the series, The Pot Thief Who Studied Pythagoras, won the Dark Oak Mystery Contest and the Kindle version won the 2010 EPIC Award as the eBook of the Year in the Mystery/Suspense Category. The second book in the series, The Pot Thief Who Studied Ptolemy, was recently selected as the Fiction Book of the Year by the Public Safety Writers Association. Although the Pot Thief books are humorous murder mysteries, they also contain serious treatments of the issue of race and ethnicity.
Mike and Lai, his high school sweetheart, wife of forty-five years and noted art historian, have two grown children. Jay is a dean at Columbia University in New York, and Claire teaches art history at Georgia College and more importantly is the mother of their grandson, Bram.
After taking early retirement form higher education, Mike embarked on a new career as a fiction writer. His play, The Christmas Visitor, has won numerous awards. His murder mystery series has also received many accolades. The first in the series, The Pot Thief Who Studied Pythagoras, won the Dark Oak Mystery Contest and the Kindle version won the 2010 EPIC Award as the eBook of the Year in the Mystery/Suspense Category. The second book in the series, The Pot Thief Who Studied Ptolemy, was recently selected as the Fiction Book of the Year by the Public Safety Writers Association. Although the Pot Thief books are humorous murder mysteries, they also contain serious treatments of the issue of race and ethnicity.
Mike and Lai, his high school sweetheart, wife of forty-five years and noted art historian, have two grown children. Jay is a dean at Columbia University in New York, and Claire teaches art history at Georgia College and more importantly is the mother of their grandson, Bram.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 49 reviews
October 3, 2020
Book 6 of this series is very good and at the same time very different. Here Hubert, our Pot Thief, has really not been involved in any stolen pots, is not charged with a crime and yet has gotten himself involved in something because found a mummified hand in a cave dwelling he was investigating. We have the usual cast of friends but here, instead of having them really interact, they all sort of come in and out of the story and not always that worthwhile. Oh sure there is a lot of wisdom dispensed as to what Hubert must do, but on the whole many characters just do little. His friend, Susannah, is always by his side but since Hubert is on a diet they are not always at their favorite watering hole. Funny thing about this series, Hubert and Susannah have a super relationship and you can sort of see the possibility for romance (even though there is an age difference) but so far the author has not gone in that direction. But slowly their love lives dissipate and I hope he finally gets these two together. Not sure where the rest of the characters are heading in development since they were sort of scare in this book, which really is another New Mexico mystery romp!
June 24, 2019
Charles van Buren
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
5.0 out of 5 stars Humor, archeology, philosophy and mystery
June 23, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Review of the Kindle edition
Publication date: January 28, 2014
Publisher: Open Road Media Mystery & Thriller
Language: English
ASIN: B00HO12CUO
What a great title for a great book. Orenduff was originally going to title it the pot thief who studied Lew Wallace. He then discovered that he didn't like Wallace's writing or the way Wallace dealt with Billy the Kid. I have not studied much about Wallace so I do not know why he was apparently a double-dealing, duplicitous liar in his dealings with the Kid. As a Southerner who hasn't forgotten, I am, until further information comes to my attention, going to attribute it to Wallace being a Yankee general and politician.
If you are looking for a traditional mystery or whodunit puzzle, you may not like this novel. Long sections of it have little do do with the mystery. Instead it is a character driven tale with considerable humor and philosophy. I do not agree with all of Orenduff's delightfully straight forward philosophy but all of it is entertaining, much of it with a definite Libertarian bent. And this man is a retired academic, a past president of the University of New Mexico. Good thing he retired, I'm not sure that most modern institutions allow Libertarians to teach, much less run the places.
This novel, just as with the entire series, combines archaeology, philosophy, humor and mystery. Orenduff has won several awards for the series including the Epic Award for best mystery or suspense ebook, the New Mexico Book Award for best mystery or suspense fiction and the Lefty Award for best humorous mystery. The Baltimore Sun said that Orenduff's mysteries are “funny at a very high intellectual level”. Assuming of course that the Baltimore Sun's critic was intellectual enough to recognise intellectual humor, you can laugh with this book and feel intellectual at the same time.
TOP 1000 REVIEWER
5.0 out of 5 stars Humor, archeology, philosophy and mystery
June 23, 2019
Format: Kindle Edition Verified Purchase
Review of the Kindle edition
Publication date: January 28, 2014
Publisher: Open Road Media Mystery & Thriller
Language: English
ASIN: B00HO12CUO
What a great title for a great book. Orenduff was originally going to title it the pot thief who studied Lew Wallace. He then discovered that he didn't like Wallace's writing or the way Wallace dealt with Billy the Kid. I have not studied much about Wallace so I do not know why he was apparently a double-dealing, duplicitous liar in his dealings with the Kid. As a Southerner who hasn't forgotten, I am, until further information comes to my attention, going to attribute it to Wallace being a Yankee general and politician.
If you are looking for a traditional mystery or whodunit puzzle, you may not like this novel. Long sections of it have little do do with the mystery. Instead it is a character driven tale with considerable humor and philosophy. I do not agree with all of Orenduff's delightfully straight forward philosophy but all of it is entertaining, much of it with a definite Libertarian bent. And this man is a retired academic, a past president of the University of New Mexico. Good thing he retired, I'm not sure that most modern institutions allow Libertarians to teach, much less run the places.
This novel, just as with the entire series, combines archaeology, philosophy, humor and mystery. Orenduff has won several awards for the series including the Epic Award for best mystery or suspense ebook, the New Mexico Book Award for best mystery or suspense fiction and the Lefty Award for best humorous mystery. The Baltimore Sun said that Orenduff's mysteries are “funny at a very high intellectual level”. Assuming of course that the Baltimore Sun's critic was intellectual enough to recognise intellectual humor, you can laugh with this book and feel intellectual at the same time.
January 6, 2019
Lured to an Anasazi cliff dwelling to dig for pots, illegally, of course, Hubert Schuze-better known as Hubie--comes across a human hand while he is digging. He thinks the hand is one of the ancient ones. He quickly covers it up and moves on in an effort to find more than a pot shard. But after his car is stolen, Hubie is stuck in the dwelling place with his dog and a wounded coyote.
After he escapes, he relates the tale to his best friend, Susannah, who is not so sure the bones are old, but belong to a modern person. She convinces him to go back to the dwelling, which sets out an adventure that takes logic, visits to out of the way places, a coyote, New Mexico's novel writing governor from the late 1800s, and Billy the Kid to figure out who was dead, and why.
I have enjoyed every novel in this series, and this one was especially fun. Watching Hubie in action in the first chapter, and seeing how he gets himself out of the situation, drew me in and made this book a real page-turner.
I absolutely love Hubie. He is flawed, and yet at the same time he is a perfect character. He possess traits that make me love and care what happens to him. Hubie figures things out gradually, and I usually follow right along, not wanting to guess with these books because I enjoy the journey so much.
I also love the settings in this series because I've visited many of the places Mr. Orenduff describes. I loved this one especially because not too long ago I spent an entire afternoon roaming around Lincoln, New Mexico, and the famous courthouse there that housed Billy the Kid for a short while. Reading this book took me back to my vacation in that area, a very happy one that I plan to revisit sometime.
I always look forward to the next Hubie adventure, and I was saddened to learn I only have two left to finish. I can't decide if I want to rush through them, or savor them and read them slowly. I hope there will be more adventures of the Pot Thief from the talented pen of J. Michael Orenduff.
After he escapes, he relates the tale to his best friend, Susannah, who is not so sure the bones are old, but belong to a modern person. She convinces him to go back to the dwelling, which sets out an adventure that takes logic, visits to out of the way places, a coyote, New Mexico's novel writing governor from the late 1800s, and Billy the Kid to figure out who was dead, and why.
I have enjoyed every novel in this series, and this one was especially fun. Watching Hubie in action in the first chapter, and seeing how he gets himself out of the situation, drew me in and made this book a real page-turner.
I absolutely love Hubie. He is flawed, and yet at the same time he is a perfect character. He possess traits that make me love and care what happens to him. Hubie figures things out gradually, and I usually follow right along, not wanting to guess with these books because I enjoy the journey so much.
I also love the settings in this series because I've visited many of the places Mr. Orenduff describes. I loved this one especially because not too long ago I spent an entire afternoon roaming around Lincoln, New Mexico, and the famous courthouse there that housed Billy the Kid for a short while. Reading this book took me back to my vacation in that area, a very happy one that I plan to revisit sometime.
I always look forward to the next Hubie adventure, and I was saddened to learn I only have two left to finish. I can't decide if I want to rush through them, or savor them and read them slowly. I hope there will be more adventures of the Pot Thief from the talented pen of J. Michael Orenduff.
November 28, 2018
In my opinion, no one writes better beginnings than Orenduff. The opening chapter is a masterpiece. Lured to one of New Mexico’s remote ancient cliff dwellings by a stranger who gives him directions and a unique pot to sell, Hubie Schuze gets into an almost impossible-to-get-out-of situation, stranded in a remote place with only his dog and a wounded coyote for company, after he encounters a dead person’s hand in his search for pots. Having acquired only a single shard, he attempts to get out and ends up with a chipped tooth, a sunburn, and a sprained ankle. And then someone steals his truck.
But of course, he survives to tell the tale to his friend Susannah over margaritas in Albuquerque. A hiker claiming to be a doctor gave Hubie a ride home and treated the uninsured and medically uninformed Hubie by making a cast for his injured ankle with Hubie’s potting clay and telling him to stay off it for six weeks. Doubting that a real doctor would do this, I wanted the guy to turn out to be a grave robber or another pot thief, but he vanishes with a hundred bucks from his "patient,"and the absurd cast ends up as a comic prop.
Though Hubie learns a lot about Billy the Kid—information which inspires him to solve the mystery of the body at the cliff dwelling—he starts out studying New Mexico territorial governor Lew Wallace’s books, including Ben Hur. His commentary on Wallace’s writing is so funny, I will never be able to read Ben Hur. I discovered hidden aspects of New Mexico history along with Hubie, including what happened between Wallace and The Kid.
The balance between humor, drama, and deep human connections is outstanding. One of the tiny, isolated towns of New Mexico plays an important role in the plot, and Hubie and Susannah’s visits to La Reina—to the bar, the church, and the curandera’s home—are colorful, funny, and at times deeply moving. The nature of the mystery connected with this town is quite unusual for the genre, as far off the beaten paths as La Reina and the cliff dwellings.
But of course, he survives to tell the tale to his friend Susannah over margaritas in Albuquerque. A hiker claiming to be a doctor gave Hubie a ride home and treated the uninsured and medically uninformed Hubie by making a cast for his injured ankle with Hubie’s potting clay and telling him to stay off it for six weeks. Doubting that a real doctor would do this, I wanted the guy to turn out to be a grave robber or another pot thief, but he vanishes with a hundred bucks from his "patient,"and the absurd cast ends up as a comic prop.
Though Hubie learns a lot about Billy the Kid—information which inspires him to solve the mystery of the body at the cliff dwelling—he starts out studying New Mexico territorial governor Lew Wallace’s books, including Ben Hur. His commentary on Wallace’s writing is so funny, I will never be able to read Ben Hur. I discovered hidden aspects of New Mexico history along with Hubie, including what happened between Wallace and The Kid.
The balance between humor, drama, and deep human connections is outstanding. One of the tiny, isolated towns of New Mexico plays an important role in the plot, and Hubie and Susannah’s visits to La Reina—to the bar, the church, and the curandera’s home—are colorful, funny, and at times deeply moving. The nature of the mystery connected with this town is quite unusual for the genre, as far off the beaten paths as La Reina and the cliff dwellings.
December 6, 2012
The Pot Thief Who Studied Billy the Kid by J. Michael Orenduff is a book I couldn’t put down.
Imagine it’s night, you’ve lowered yourself to an Indian cliff dwelling and you’re digging for ancient pottery. Instead of a pot, you find a human hand and it’s got a hole in it. Considering Hubie Schuze is afraid of heights and he’s just heard someone drive away with his truck, this all adds up to a lot of fun. Oh, that’s the truck with a winch which would have pulled him up.
Along with his friend, Susannah, Hubie has his work cut out for him while he tries to determine if the hand belonged to an ancient mummy or a contemporary human. From Geronimo the dog to an injured coyote to Billie the Kid, this adventure will keep you turning the pages to see what extraordinary thing is going to happen next.
Orenduff had me laughing before the end of the first chapter. I highly recommend The Pot Thief Who Studied Billie the Kid to everyone who enjoys a good story, especially if you enjoy humor. I don’t drink, but I might relent if I could have a margarita with Hubie and Susannah.
Imagine it’s night, you’ve lowered yourself to an Indian cliff dwelling and you’re digging for ancient pottery. Instead of a pot, you find a human hand and it’s got a hole in it. Considering Hubie Schuze is afraid of heights and he’s just heard someone drive away with his truck, this all adds up to a lot of fun. Oh, that’s the truck with a winch which would have pulled him up.
Along with his friend, Susannah, Hubie has his work cut out for him while he tries to determine if the hand belonged to an ancient mummy or a contemporary human. From Geronimo the dog to an injured coyote to Billie the Kid, this adventure will keep you turning the pages to see what extraordinary thing is going to happen next.
Orenduff had me laughing before the end of the first chapter. I highly recommend The Pot Thief Who Studied Billie the Kid to everyone who enjoys a good story, especially if you enjoy humor. I don’t drink, but I might relent if I could have a margarita with Hubie and Susannah.
January 9, 2026
Archaeological mystery with a lot of wit. This is NOT a thriller. It's more a cozy archaeological read. I loved that it was set in New Mexico - Albuquerque. Orenduff paints a clear picture of the dry, high desert. This book made me laugh every other page.
The mystery wasn't a deep one. In fact, I wouldn't say the main story was the mystery. I kept reading because it was amusing. There was a lot about archeology, especially pots, a little about Billy the Kid, but mostly, it kept me chuckling the whole way through.
I fully intend to read another Pot Thief mystery - and I haven't said that about an author in quite some time. In fact, I've been a little bit bored about reading for a while. Thank you J. Michael Orenduff. I think I'd forgotten what humor in a book meant. ; )
The mystery wasn't a deep one. In fact, I wouldn't say the main story was the mystery. I kept reading because it was amusing. There was a lot about archeology, especially pots, a little about Billy the Kid, but mostly, it kept me chuckling the whole way through.
I fully intend to read another Pot Thief mystery - and I haven't said that about an author in quite some time. In fact, I've been a little bit bored about reading for a while. Thank you J. Michael Orenduff. I think I'd forgotten what humor in a book meant. ; )
December 17, 2019
I think it was the unusual title that attracted me to this one. There wasn't that great a plot with regards to the murder but I was interested in and certainly learned more about the area the book was set in though how they manage to eat such hot spicy food in those really hot temperatures I don't know. I hadn't realised it was a series but I might read more to find out if the outstanding issues regarding Hubie's love life get resolved.
November 29, 2025
Another great book in one of my favorite series. With Wiley Coyote and Billy the Kid.
I'm not sure what I like best about this series. Great characters with delightful repartee, descriptions of great New Mexican cuisine I'd love to be eating, terrific plots, history and geography of New Mexico cultures, or the combination of all of these, plus margaritas. Whatever. I just hope that when I finish reading all of the books, I discover that the author has written even more.
I'm not sure what I like best about this series. Great characters with delightful repartee, descriptions of great New Mexican cuisine I'd love to be eating, terrific plots, history and geography of New Mexico cultures, or the combination of all of these, plus margaritas. Whatever. I just hope that when I finish reading all of the books, I discover that the author has written even more.
November 11, 2025
Another good story from J. Michael.
Author Orenduff relates his unique stories about New Mexico with sufficient hooks of history that I need to pursue for further enlightenment. I now know much more about pots, their construct and their history. All, strongly flavored by past and present New Mexican geography, residents, and cuisine.
Author Orenduff relates his unique stories about New Mexico with sufficient hooks of history that I need to pursue for further enlightenment. I now know much more about pots, their construct and their history. All, strongly flavored by past and present New Mexican geography, residents, and cuisine.
January 20, 2026
Not Much Billy
The book was a fun little mystery cut with slice of life aspects of a potter/pot thief. It seems like part of a cute series, which I may check out further. However, I picked this up expecting more connection to Billy the Kid. I was disappointed that the story really had nothing to do with him. Most of the Billy stuff popped up around the 75-80% point.
The book was a fun little mystery cut with slice of life aspects of a potter/pot thief. It seems like part of a cute series, which I may check out further. However, I picked this up expecting more connection to Billy the Kid. I was disappointed that the story really had nothing to do with him. Most of the Billy stuff popped up around the 75-80% point.
May 14, 2017
I love this whole series. Witty dialogue, enjoyable characters, lots of local color for those who love the Southwest, and enough mouthwatering descriptions of food (and margaritas) to keep anyone who loves to eat happy. Another great job by J. Michael Orenduff.
August 15, 2018
Intelligent entertainment
Laugh out loud funny, at times. I learned about New Mexico's history, and about Billy the Kid. Great plot, with twists I didn't expect. Philosophical musings were thought provoking, at times. Sorry when it ended.
Laugh out loud funny, at times. I learned about New Mexico's history, and about Billy the Kid. Great plot, with twists I didn't expect. Philosophical musings were thought provoking, at times. Sorry when it ended.
December 3, 2018
For some reason this is my least favorite of the series. Although I loved some of the characters, I felt the plot was contrived and the story line harder to follow. Loved it overall though as I love this series an Orenduff's prose.
May 20, 2019
is a pretty good mystery set in the "Indian Country" Southwest.
"Is this genuine?"
"Absolutely. I know that because I made it."
He bases his the pots he makes on shards that he finds, usually illegally.
"Is this genuine?"
"Absolutely. I know that because I made it."
He bases his the pots he makes on shards that he finds, usually illegally.
October 19, 2019
Good reading!
I really like these books! You can learn a few things and enjoy a good story. Well written and easy to read, as well as intriguing mysteries! Some parts are a little redundant, but that just makes each book a stand alone story.
I really like these books! You can learn a few things and enjoy a good story. Well written and easy to read, as well as intriguing mysteries! Some parts are a little redundant, but that just makes each book a stand alone story.
May 22, 2021
Mystery, culture and humor
This was a fun read. I murder mystery without gore. I enjoyed the New Mexico cultural touch points. Ancient history. Not so ancient history. Food. Wine. Art. I will try out the other books as well.
This was a fun read. I murder mystery without gore. I enjoyed the New Mexico cultural touch points. Ancient history. Not so ancient history. Food. Wine. Art. I will try out the other books as well.
May 22, 2017
Quick read. Strong on New Mexican setting.
August 10, 2018
Another great read and interesting facts about Billy the Kid.
July 25, 2019
Quietly characters, witty dialogues and a murder mystery.
Harmless, but very enjoyable read!
Harmless, but very enjoyable read!
March 7, 2020
Extra star for local color in NM and Albuquerque.
June 11, 2020
Love this series!
December 23, 2020
Light and fun read.
October 8, 2021
Not as good as previous ones in the series.
November 7, 2023
Enjoyable read.
January 13, 2026
This book moved quickly with a lot of sharp dialogue. It has a lot of humor, too!
December 12, 2012
The Pot Thief who Studied Billy the Kid is J. Michael Orenduff's sixth book in his Pot Thief series starring Hubert Schuze a pottery store owner in Albuquerque's Old Town. Hubert, or Hubie to his friends buys and sells native American pots for his business. He also supplements his inventory by digging pots up from various sites that he knows about in the wilds of New Mexico. The Federal Government doesn't really approve of this method of inventory supplementation but that is okay with Hubie because he doesn't really approve of everything the Federal Government does either. He also makes copies of pots for sale in his store. He is very good at making the copies look old. He never lies to a customer, he doesn't really volunteer much of anything either.
Hubie often ends up in the middle of mysteries. In this book he finds himself digging for pots in a remote cliff dwelling. Instead of a pot he finds a human hand. A hand with a hole in it. That is kind of a revolting development for sure but things get worse when he finds out that somebody has driven off his vehicle and he has to walk a long ways back to civilization. So, its like, who is the dead person, who stranded Hubie out int he middle of nowhere and why?
So Hubie immediately starts attacking the problem at happy hour drinking margaritas at a local watering hole with Susannah Inchaustigui a basque perpetual student at the University of New Mexico. He always discusses his situations with her at happy hour. If you love happy hours, you'll love this book just for their repartee. After discussing the situation Hubie and Susannah have quite the adventure solving the mystery.
Hubie and Susannah check out quite a bit of New Mexican remote areas and talk to Curanderas and other rural characters and of course they finally solve the mystery and get their man.
If you love New Mexico and the southwest and a good mystery you'll love this book. I've read the whole series and am quite the fan. I give it four stars out of five.
Hubie often ends up in the middle of mysteries. In this book he finds himself digging for pots in a remote cliff dwelling. Instead of a pot he finds a human hand. A hand with a hole in it. That is kind of a revolting development for sure but things get worse when he finds out that somebody has driven off his vehicle and he has to walk a long ways back to civilization. So, its like, who is the dead person, who stranded Hubie out int he middle of nowhere and why?
So Hubie immediately starts attacking the problem at happy hour drinking margaritas at a local watering hole with Susannah Inchaustigui a basque perpetual student at the University of New Mexico. He always discusses his situations with her at happy hour. If you love happy hours, you'll love this book just for their repartee. After discussing the situation Hubie and Susannah have quite the adventure solving the mystery.
Hubie and Susannah check out quite a bit of New Mexican remote areas and talk to Curanderas and other rural characters and of course they finally solve the mystery and get their man.
If you love New Mexico and the southwest and a good mystery you'll love this book. I've read the whole series and am quite the fan. I give it four stars out of five.
January 22, 2013
Hubie Schuze may be conflicted about his role as a pot thief, but (1) he professes the ancestors want him to have their pots to sell and (2) he never takes pots from a grave site--which makes for trouble in this, J. Michael Orenduff's, newest adventure, a doozey.
When Hubie gets wind of a spot that meets two of the above criteria, he 's soon tied to a rope that's attached to the winch on the bumper of his Bronco, and on his way down to what he hopes will be a new and untouched treasure trove. Unfortunately for Hubie, all he finds is one measly little shard, and a hand--which might or might not be attached to a body--that's because Hubie is distracted to see the rope he came down on disappear up the vertical cliff.
Yes, he escapes, but the hand to continues to haunt Hubie. Is it part of an ancient grave-site? If so, then why were there no other artifacts, or bones at the site? And if it's a modern day burial, then is it murder? But if he goes to the police he's once again in the crosshairs of the law. What a dilemma! And it gets better--or worse--depending on where you stand, but as a reader, this book is great fun. The author gives us glimpses into Southwestern history in a way that is always entertaining and his wry humor kept me smiling, and in a couple of places I just laughed out loud--like the scene where Hubie, not a particularly big man, manages to "accidently" take down the village bully.
I've put this book short list of favorites for 2013 and I hope you will too!
When Hubie gets wind of a spot that meets two of the above criteria, he 's soon tied to a rope that's attached to the winch on the bumper of his Bronco, and on his way down to what he hopes will be a new and untouched treasure trove. Unfortunately for Hubie, all he finds is one measly little shard, and a hand--which might or might not be attached to a body--that's because Hubie is distracted to see the rope he came down on disappear up the vertical cliff.
Yes, he escapes, but the hand to continues to haunt Hubie. Is it part of an ancient grave-site? If so, then why were there no other artifacts, or bones at the site? And if it's a modern day burial, then is it murder? But if he goes to the police he's once again in the crosshairs of the law. What a dilemma! And it gets better--or worse--depending on where you stand, but as a reader, this book is great fun. The author gives us glimpses into Southwestern history in a way that is always entertaining and his wry humor kept me smiling, and in a couple of places I just laughed out loud--like the scene where Hubie, not a particularly big man, manages to "accidently" take down the village bully.
I've put this book short list of favorites for 2013 and I hope you will too!
December 13, 2015
This novel opens with Hubie searching an area below a cliff overhang, looking for buried pots. He was tipped off to the location by a mysterious character who came into Hubie's Old Town Albuquerque shop with an offer he couldn't refuse...
While Hubie is checking below the surface, someone makes off with his Bronco, and he is forced to hike towards civilization. Along the way he sprains his ankle, and rescues a wounded coyote, but soon enough he and Geronimo are back home and at DOD HERMANOS, giving Susannah the details of the misadventure. And the road trips begin, as Hubie pursues the truth behind the pot shards he found at the site where he was marooned.
After visiting several Native American communities, where Hubie gets into a fight in a local bar, an the ranch of Susannah's family, and a couple more passes at the cliff site, Hubie puts the pieces together to create a replica of an ancient pot, plus solve the mystery.
A fast, fun read....a tad light on the title-persona, Billy the Kid, I thought, but altogether a great book to spend an afternoon reading.
While Hubie is checking below the surface, someone makes off with his Bronco, and he is forced to hike towards civilization. Along the way he sprains his ankle, and rescues a wounded coyote, but soon enough he and Geronimo are back home and at DOD HERMANOS, giving Susannah the details of the misadventure. And the road trips begin, as Hubie pursues the truth behind the pot shards he found at the site where he was marooned.
After visiting several Native American communities, where Hubie gets into a fight in a local bar, an the ranch of Susannah's family, and a couple more passes at the cliff site, Hubie puts the pieces together to create a replica of an ancient pot, plus solve the mystery.
A fast, fun read....a tad light on the title-persona, Billy the Kid, I thought, but altogether a great book to spend an afternoon reading.
September 1, 2014
What can I say about pot thief (meaning pottery) Hubie Schuze? He is well educated, has exquisite taste in Indian pottery, friends, and champagne. I want to be his friend. This novel is the sixth in the fabulous series which will have you laughing, scratching your head, and learning about wonderful characters of history such as Billy the Kid.
Pottery, Billy the Kid, and New Mexico Pueblos? How do they connect? Well, a spicy tortilla, and a few well placed murders will lead the journey to discovery.
I truly hope you will read this book for yourself and become hooked on this series as am I.
Open Road Media has taken over the publishing of this fine series...so read away.
Pottery, Billy the Kid, and New Mexico Pueblos? How do they connect? Well, a spicy tortilla, and a few well placed murders will lead the journey to discovery.
I truly hope you will read this book for yourself and become hooked on this series as am I.
Open Road Media has taken over the publishing of this fine series...so read away.
February 2, 2017
I love how this author thinks. He had me at the very first line--I knew I was in for a fun and interesting adventure. The story is full of clever humor and fascinating facts on everything from woodpeckers, dehydration and American Indian tribes to macchiato, whiskey and the Spanish language. I got to brush up on my Spanglish and found myself laughing out loud several times. Enjoyed meeting the love interest...and the old coot, Cactus! Hubie is such a likable character, even though this is the first of the Pot Thief books I've read, I can see why fans devour the whole series. I received the book as a gift :)
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