Nothing ever happens in Benteen County, Kansas. Then, on a perfect spring morning, a member of the reality TV program filming in a local pasture is found dead with a Cheyenne arrow sticking out of his back. The natural suspect is Sheriff English's half brother, Mad Dog, the county oddball whose Amerind heritage has made him a born-again Cheyenne. Truly, murder is a bad way to start the day. Explosive action follows. Notes left for authorities hint at a terrorist assault on the heartland. If the sheriff, known as Englishman, doesn't have enough to worry about, his wife has begun acting strangely. She insists he fly off on a Paris holiday with her before sunset - or else. Meanwhile, Mad Dog swings between suspect and target as he encounters his long-lost high school sweetheart and a secret that just may explain the unlikely mix of arrows and bombs raining down on Buffalo Springs. It's Murphy's Law squared as Mad Dog and his pet wolf Hailey test a shaman's powers, and Englishman struggles to balance his duties to family and community - it's enough to drive anyone Plains Crazy.
J.M. "Mike" Hayes has been an anthropologist, an archaeologist, and has supervised youth camping, sports, an recreation programs. He was born and raised on the flat earth of central Kansas his Mad Dog & Englishman mysteries take place. He graduated from Wichita State University and did post graduate work at the University of Arizona. He makes his home in Tucson (site of his first novel, The Grey Pilgrim) with his wife, several computers, 4000 or so books, and a small herd of German Shepherds.
The author is a bit heavy handed with stupid hayseed humor but overall this is an enjoyable cozy mystery. It's nice to have a happy conclusion with a miracle to save the day when real life is so grim.
Another great book with Mad Dog and Englishman. There are so many different story lines, you just want to keep reading. I also love the quirky characters.