In a Morada

by Frank Haug

Monte Rio is spiraling into chaos. The once-respected Sheriff Gordo Trujillo has abandoned his post, retreating to the seclusion of his mountain cabin. With the town desperate for leadership, disgruntled Deputy Jim Crowther takes matters into his own hands—uncovering a forgotten law that forces the town’s coroner, Dr. Henry Schaefer, into an unexpected role, acting sheriff.

Set against the rugged beauty of the early 1980s Southwest, In a Morada follows Doc Schaefer as he steps into a whirlwind of corruption, family tensions, and simmering violence. Over the course of twenty-four gripping hours, Schaefer must face down criminals, navigate Crowther’s volatile temper, and confront his own doubts—all while trying to restore order.

Packed with gunfights, high-stakes chases, and moments of unexpected romance, In a Morada is more than a Western adventure. It’s a richly layered tale of faith, heritage, and what it truly means to win in the face of impossible odds.

Fans of suspense, crime thrillers, and historical fiction will be riveted by this unforgettable story, steeped in the culture and history of Northern New Mexico and Southern Colorado. Pick up your copy today and join Doc Schaefer on a journey through betrayal, redemption, and the breathtaking landscapes of the American Southwest.

226 pages, Kindle Edition

Published December 15, 2024

About the author

Frank Haug was born and raised in Colorado’s San Luis Valley. His family had a small farm on the banks of the Rio Grande, where they had horses, sheep, chickens, geese and lots of dogs. Frank attended Regis University in Denver and studied Spanish and Philosophy. After college, he obtained a law degree from the University of Colorado. He worked as a prosecutor for several years in Grand Junction and the Denver Metro area. More recently, he has worked in Northern Colorado and teaching in the paralegal program at the local community college. He currently lives in the foothills of the Rocky Mountains with his wife and three sons on a small farm where they raise sheep and chickens, pasture llamas, and overall enjoy the beauty of the West.

Reviews

[Don · Rating 5 out of 5]

This novel seamlessly integrates an original western plot with captivating historical elements. The author's writing style is characterized by vivid imagery, suspenseful conflict, and authentic, well-developed characters. The narrative also adds depth by weaving insights into lesser-known cultural and spritual communities into the core story. If you're a fan of contemporary westerns or Colorado-based literature, this should be at the top of your reading list. Look out, Taylor Sheridan!

[Doug · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed this, especially the last chapters, which brought everything together and raised the stakes! I hope there's a second story for Doc, Juan Pablo and now Marcus. :)

[Richele Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

What a great thriller that interweaves the history of Colorado into it seamlessly. I loved this because it explores the area of San Luis Valley, Colorado...the place I often think of as home. It talks about how it came to be with the Spanish inquisitors and the prejudices that followed. I especially related to when one character would get mad at being called Mexican and say no no I am Spanish. This is something my mother and grandmother repeated their whole lives and fought very hard to establish that in the eyes of others so I was glad to see that depicted. The actual storyline also sucked you in and was very fast paced. I learned a lot from this book while being entertained. And for a debut novel this author starts off strong.