Death Rides the Desert

The Haunted Ranch Mysteries #1

by Sara Bourgeois

A haunted ranch. A clever fox. Ghosts who won't shut up.

Claire Caldwell came to Arizona to sell her great aunt’s ranch, lick her wounds, and escape back to Chicago.

Then the ranch decided it wanted a new owner.

A copper furred fox starts leaving gifts on her doorstep. Translucent cowboys appear in the barn. A woman who died in 1985 cooks tamales in Claire’s kitchen like she never left. And somehow, the dead all seem to know one thing Claire does not.

She can see them.

When the most hated man in Perdido Springs turns up dead on Claire’s property and the sheriff waves it off as an accident, the ghosts make it clear. Someone in town is lying. Someone is dangerous. And everyone had a reason to want the victim gone.

With a mystical fox at her side, a house full of chatty spirits, and a too handsome veterinarian who keeps showing up just when she needs him, Claire has to solve a murder nobody wants solved.

Before she becomes the next ghost haunting Whispering Saguaro Ranch.

Welcome to the desert, where the dead do not rest and the living keep secrets.

Genres: Mystery, Fiction, Supernatural, Cozy, Contemporary, Cozy Mystery, Paranormal

323 pages, Kindle Edition

Published October 3, 2025

About the author

Sara Bourgeois is a Midwesterner through and through. She spends her time writing, reading, herding cats, and standing in her driveway during tornado warnings. (You can't see them from the basement.)

Reviews

[Cheryl (Super Slump) · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a 4.5 🌟 read rounded ⬆️ to 5 🌟.

[Kirsten · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF 64%

At first I didn’t know how to feel about this book. The FMC is very much TSTL and all the “baddies” are comically villainous. This book has way too many 4 and 5 star reviews for its quality. No way did that many people read this and come out thinking it was a masterpiece. This genre isn’t unique, the characters aren’t unique, the mystery wasn’t unique, and it wasn’t particularly well written, so how does it warrant such praise from “readers”?

There’s so many inconsistencies. When our FMC accidentally injures a pregnant mare and calls the vet Sam, she explains Harlan’s death as if Sam wasn’t there in the previous chapter. I mean come on! That’s incredibly sloppy and should’ve been caught during editing or by beta readers immediately. Leads me to believe neither editing nor beta reading actually happened.

The “mystery” around Harlan’s death was so freaking predictable. The FMC and Sam were already speculating and had some evidence immediately after the bodies discovery. Ridiculous. Why the FMC thinks she can handle a murder investigation is beyond me. She’s involved herself in all sorts of stuff she’s completely ill equipped to handle and for the dumbest of reasons. And the author creates these situations in such ridiculous ways, I.e. having Sam call to tell her the mare (who isn’t anything to do with the FMC) is in distress. Why? Why would a seasoned vet call someone who has no clue about animals and no vested interest and then tell her not to come? DUMB!

The author has tried to make the FMC naive in an endearing way, but missed the mark. The “humor” isn’t funny at all but rather cringe.

Peripheral characters aren’t introduced in the most bizarre ways, almost as if the reader is expected to already know them. The FMC certainly acts as if she knows everyone after being in town for 3 days and leaving the ranch a total of 2 times.

Everyone talks about the FMC “asking questions” but she literally hasn’t talked to anyone about anything. I now know exactly how I feel about this book. It’s bad. Very bad.

[Karyn · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.5 stars, maybe?

I enjoyed it, but it could have been better.

There were a few plot issues, like a character who was in a scene, and then in the next says they weren't there. Then there's the ghost who makes her food, but other ghosts can't touch anything?

The villain was fairly obvious, so no real surprise.

The writing style was fun. The end and SM was hilarious.

I would read more from this author.

[Julia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A struggling desert ranch, a city-girl trying to adjust to a new way of life, a community full of suspicious strangers, and a murder -- what more could a new series need to hook a reader?!

I won't claim that there were no issues; the book is charming, but "whodunit" wasn't particularly difficult to figure out. There were some plot gaps - moments where the story leapt forward without exposition that might've eased the reader through a transition better. Some credibility and plausibility stretches that I overlooked because it's the first of a series.

Still, the characters are delightful, the setting has all kinds of possibilities, and I enjoyed this opening salvo! I look forward to checking out the other books in the series.

[Clarissa · Rating 5 out of 5]

Kept me hooked!

Fascinating mystery that kept me hooked and a beautiful heart-warming story. I will definitely be reading more! I can’t wait to see what happens next with Claire, Sam, Luis, and all the animals!

[Megan · Rating 3 out of 5]

There were some plot issues, such as a character was in one scene but then in the very next one it was stated that they were not in the previous one; probably just needed better editing. It was also pretty obvious who the culprit was.
I loved the guard fox though.

[Arienne · Rating 2 out of 5]

Not sure why I finished this. Probably because I was hoping to eventually get to some development or see more of the fox. I was mostly here because of the fox.

Pretty early on from the short paragraphs that were about two sentences and the general writing style, this seemed at least written with AI. AI writing feels on par with badly written fanfic. I then saw there are so many in this series with about a month apart in the release timeline. Definitely AI.

Two stars might be generous. I'm probably rounding up because of the delightful fox that brings gifts. Don't waste your time on this.

[Michele Reise · Rating 2 out of 5]

The mystery was NOT a mystery at all.
The paranormal part is fun and has potential
Lots of editing issues.
I liked the idea of it more than the actual book.
I'm going to try book 2 and see if it gets better.

I suspect these books are written using AI

[Embryonic Fervour · Rating 2 out of 5]

DNF @33% - good premise, poorly executed. FMC is written to be endearingly naive but it just comes across as painfully stupid.

[ReadbyNera · Rating 1 out of 5]

Horrible. DNF at page 84. Everything about this book was boring. The plot, the FMC, & the villains are all boring 🥱!

[Melanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

If you enjoy murder mysteries with a supernatural or paranormal aspect, this is absolutely charming.

Rating: 4.25⭐️

“When a city girl inherits a remote Arizona ranch, she discovers two things: dead bodies keep showing up, and she can see the ghosts who might have witnessed the murders. With a mysterious fox who won't leave her porch and a handsome veterinarian who keeps stopping by, Claire must solve crimes the living can't... and the dead won't rest until she does”

That’s the hook for the book and series and it’s a terrific one.

Death Rides The Desert is the first book in The Haunted Ranch Mysteries by Sara Bourgeois, a completed paranormal murder mystery series that I just started reading.

This story starts off strong, as Claire Caldwell, arrives in Perdita Springs, Arizona from Chicago, Illinois. She’s been fired from her longtime marketing job, dumped by a cheating fiancé, and trying to figure out what she is doing with her life. Her deceased aunt has left her a mystical ranch, and lands with some old mines. A legacy she’s has avoided dealing with until now.

But the story begins as she arrives weeks after the funeral. The ranch should be closed. But that’s not what she finds.

It’s the beginning of huge development in her character as she learns about her aunt, the supernatural beings , ghosts, and strange happenings , that make the ranch and land home. It includes a spiritual fox with one white paw that glows.

I love the cultural elements the author weaves throughout the story and series . It’s in the families and their food and history. It’s in the town and its traditions and tragedies. All conceptually important and beautifully rendered.

The mysteries that stem from the mines, the past territorial disputes, and the town’s shady developments that impact the region and its inhabitants are inherently dangerous and real. The reader understands these issues and their significance to the people and their families.

By the end, Claire has become a strong advocate for herself and the people of the town. She’s got a vision for the ranch. And this series is really ready to launch into remarkable status.

I loved the ghosts, the animals at the ranch, Luis the young ranch hand and TikTok enthusiast, and,, Claire, who absolutely grew on me.

I can’t wait for the next book to see what the ranch has become!

If you enjoy murder mysteries with a supernatural or paranormal aspect, this is absolutely charming.

And it’s completed! What a win!

Cover by Book Covers by Melody

The Haunted Ranch Mysteries (8 book series)
Death Rides The Desert #1
Bones and Cactus Blooms #2
Spirits of the Saguaro #3
Tombstones with a View #4
Body Beneath the Wither #5
Death Waits at Dead Rock #6
Skulls and Sunlit Secrets #7
The Bone Charm #8

[C Cager · Rating 3 out of 5]

I liked the story but it has issues...

Let me start by saying I did like the book and it became more engaging towards the end, which is why I might read the next one. The cast of human characters are really interesting (both living and dead), the world building is pretty cool, and the animal characters are outstanding. I want an attack/guard fox.
That being said, this book needs a human editor or beta reader or Ms. Bourgeois needs to listen to hers or to her mom/best friend/boo or whoever she let's read her manuscripts before sending them out. The book had some glaringly obvious errors that a human would have picked up on. For instance, Claire [our protagonist] is at the site of a murder. Sam -aka future Boo (no spoilers-if you don't know that within one page of him popping up, then this might not be your kinda book) arrives at the scene, makes sure she's doing okay, and leaves. In the very next chapter, he comes to her place, she tells him about the murder, and he says he heard about it in town and is just checking that she's okay. Second is something that made me lose some respect and nearly all sympathy for Claire. She meets a character for the first time that becomes problematic to say the least later, who has issues, also to say the least. For some reason known only to the author, he starts telling Claire some of his issues... in public... in broad daylight, not even the intimacy of night. When it becomes obvious that he's a troubled kid, Claire has some pretty cruel thoughts about him and then says something pretty cruel about him to another character. And remember, this is the first time she's even encountered the kid that she knows of. As a matter of fact, according to my Kindle x-ray, this scene was the first time his name was even mentioned. There are other things that also just happen too quickly or in the wrong place that, again, a human would have noted. But, honestly, I think that some of this should have been caught by the author in one of her editing read throughs or draft revisions as well. I have never read any of her other books, so I don't know if this is emblematic of her work. I guess we'll see on the sequel; but, if I see the same issues, it would take an Angelic intervention to make me stay a third entry which is a shame. I love that fox.

[Joe B · Rating 5 out of 5]

I just finished listening to Death Rides the Desert by Sara Bourgeois, the first book in the Haunted Ranch Mystery series, and thoroughly enjoyed it! This cozy mystery takes listeners into the Arizona desert, where a seemingly peaceful setting becomes the backdrop for murder, secrets, and an investigation filled with twists and surprises. The combination of desert atmosphere, intriguing characters, and a steadily unfolding mystery kept me engaged from beginning to end.

The story was especially enjoyable because it balances suspense with the charm and personality of its setting. As clues emerge and questions multiply, I found myself eager to keep listening and see how everything would come together. It’s a fun, entertaining start to what promises to be a wonderful series.

I also want to give special recognition to narrator Sara Setzer. She did a phenomenal job bringing the characters and story to life. Her narration added so much to the listening experience, giving the book energy and helping me stay completely immersed in the mystery.

I understand Sara Setzer will be narrating the rest of the series, and I couldn’t be happier about that. I’m already moving on to the second book, Bones and Cactus Blooms, and can’t wait to see where the story goes next.

If the rest of the series is as entertaining as Death Rides the Desert, I’m definitely going to be along for the ride. I’m looking forward to listening to the future books!

Highly recommended for cozy-mystery and audiobook listeners! 🎧📚

[Kathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Inheriting her great aunt’s ranch wasn’t the biggest surprise in Claire’s life. It was finding out she can see ghosts. Claire knows nothing about running a ranch, caring for ornery animals, or dealing with ghosts. Rumors of hidden treasure don’t help either, especially when people are desperate enough to do anything to get it. Break-ins, vehicle assault, and murder are all in the mix. Will Claire be the next victim?

Death Rides the Desert starts an engaging and entertaining new series from Sara Bourgeois. The cast of characters include a ghostly housekeeper, an animal video influencer, a charming veterinarian, a mystical fox, and assorted animals that will have you laughing at their antics. And then there’s Claire, relatable and determined. I loved that she was self aware enough to chastise herself when she did ill advised things, like searching the mine alone. Rosa might just be the best housekeeper even if she has been dead since the 80s. The mine and cowboy ghosts were fun additions, too. There’s a budding romance between Claire and vet, Sam that was very sweet. The resolution of the endangered pregnant mare and the future of the ranch were both heart tugging, and I was misty eyed reading them.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Andi · Rating 3 out of 5]

DEATH RIDES THE DESERT has a similar premise to the author’s other series—a young woman named Claire Caldwell inherits a home from an unknown relative after having a bit of bad luck in Chicago. This time it’s a haunted ranch in Arizona.

Along with the horses, chickens, and goats, the ranch has several ghosts—all of whom Claire can see and converse with. And yes, there’s another murder on the ranch and some other local mysteries which Claire endeavors to solve.

My problem with this series was that I didn’t like many of the side characters, and some were outrageous caricatures, like Deputy Buster, Dolores Whitman, and Harlan Ashford.

But there were some strong supporting characters, like ranch hand Luis, veterinarian Sam, and resident ghost, Rosa, who even cooks for Claire. I also liked the fox.

The murder mystery was interesting, but I was a bit disturbed with the plot surrounding the pregnant mare. Spoiler alert - it turns out just fine.

While I didn’t enjoy this series start as much as WITCHES OF WILLOW COVE or WICKED WITCHES OF CAULDRON, I enjoyed the ending enough to keep reading.

[Teresa · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Fun Feel-Good Read!

I have to admit that I needed to read this book. Sometimes life gets a bit difficult and it can be hard for me to find a feel-good book that doesn't require anything from me but this book filled that gap. Pure entertaining escapism. I liked all the characters, female lead was sort of like a regular person who just so happened to see ghosts. She was also a city gal who knew nothing about taking care of animals. The setting was one of my favorites too, an Arizona desert ranch with quirky horses, goats and chickens, not to mention a handsome veterinarian.

There are some humorous moments that will have you laughing out loud such as the first time El Diablo, the rooster, makes his appearance. I don't want to give anything away but the animals on the ranch are often hilarious.

I highly recommend this story and this author to anyone who likes a fairly light hearted quick read.

Yes, there is a murder to solve but this is a cozy mystery, nothing hardcore, so pure escapism with a feel good ending.

[Katherine Paschal · Rating 3 out of 5]

so I guess maybe a 3.5 here since this was incredibly easy to read and I am intrigued enough to want to keep going on the series.
my big problem was this felt like a 2nd book in the series, where the main character already knew everything and there was no slow development of the situation, which i think is due to lazy writing. for example, a guy walks into the restaurant and the main character already knows who it is without him introducing himself- no description, like a young man with sandy brown hair and a sad expression, but instead just calls the new character by name and then he sits down and tells her his name. its like the author forgot we don't know who this guy is.
also, the main character shows up at the house she inherits and bam! she sees ghosts. no real explanation as to why this min, no freak out that now she sees the dead. Just like yep, this is what we do. there were a lot of awkward writing things that could for sure be smoothed over but I liked the farm and the needy animals so I will come back for more

[Janet · Rating 3 out of 5]

Overall, the book was fine. Not a ton of new ideas with the exception of the fox. At first, I thought it was a ghost also, but nope. Claire can see ghosts - like I said not really new ideas. However, the location is a bit different. There are definitely editing issues. Repeated sentences, explanation of things the person was there to see, inclusion of Claire in an animal distress issue. The murder mystery was pretty obvious, especially with all the clues discovered. The small-town deputy was as textbook "good old boy" as you could get. Feel good ending but plenty of TSTL moments to wade through before getting there. Maybe book 2 just to see if the fmc remains too curious for reality.

[Inspired: Veteran Made · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow

With the enormous amount of low quality writing out available and everyone thinking they can be an author, it has become very rare for me to give a five star to anything. The author here has written a book that does not exposition dump uselessly, engages the reader completely, and has characters the reader can genuinely feel something about. While these should be standard and normal aspects, these are currently not. Finding a book that it made me laugh, kept me entertained, and made a happy tier come out was amazing. While this is definitely not normally the type of book I go after, it was a hundred percent worth it. So much so, that i've already downloaded two of the author's other books.

[Kathleen · Rating 5 out of 5]

I very much enjoyed this story. Claire arrives in Arizona to claim her inheritance, a very old desert ranch with it's own silver mine on the property. She believes she will just sell it, but after living there for a few days she realizes that is not what she wants to do. She starts feeling at home, with the horses, goats, chickens and one very scary rooster. But when the most hated man in Perdido Springs, who has been buying up everyone's property, is found dead Claire feels she needs to do something about it. The bumbling sheriff wants to call it an accident but Claire knows it's not. With the help of some friendly ghosts, who only she can see, she solves the murder. She also decides to turn the Ranch into a sanctuary for unwanted animals! I loved it.

[June · Rating 5 out of 5]

Feeling down in the dumps, blue and just miserable? Meet Claire-fired from her corporate job, dumped by her boyfriend and now on her way out to a ranch in the desert left to her by some Aunt. The only thing is this ranch has a lot of other people living there; its just that they aren't quite visible.And then Claire has visitors some of whom really are just interested in the ranch and its land andwhen they can get it rather then her. The writing is rapid fast and super funny so much so you laugh out loud. Thoroughly enjoyed!!!!!!

[Larry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Phoenix Rising. When you read the story from beginning to end you will understand what my title means. The story is very good, even better than I thought when I read the prequel. The characters are vivid even the ghosts and there are quite a few of them. The plot is straightforward, and the premise is who killed the guy who owned more than half the town and why, despite the inept deputy claiming it was an accident. A wild fox suddenly becomes the main character's guardian and chaos strikes at her from every direction. I most assuredly recommend this book and look forward to the next one.

[Dawn Peterson · Rating 4 out of 5]

Good story

Very fun read.at the end. Was an engaging story that kept me wanting to know what idiotic thing she would do next. Love the interaction with the animals. Not happy about some of the people in the story. In a time when there is already chose surrounding the police in our country, why would you make the sheriff so lazy and unlikable? . ...I enjoyed the community waiting to see what she did before giving loyalty. I think I will continue the series and give more input later. If you like reading about animals and ghosts and beautiful skies try this book.

[Marion Over · Rating 5 out of 5]

Could not put it down!

I needed something uplifting but not silly or simple. (I can't handle intellectually undemanding writing styles.) This was a wonderful find! The beginning is hilarious and it gets more serious as you get further into the book. It was such a great story. Amazing characters, a very quirky town with some really nasty people pushing others around, lazily corrupt police and lots of ghosts supporting the good guys. I'm so happy there's so many more books in the series.

[Amy Leochner · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was definitely a light cozy mystery! There were a few editing issues but overall I enjoyed it. It was in the tradition of those fun Apple paperbacks sold at the school book fairs or in the Scholastic book order with titles like “My Stepmom is an Alien” or “Amy is the Sixth Grade Klutz.” The setting was beautiful to imagine and the supernatural sidekicks were fun and also made me crave some Mexican food. And maybe the next time my dog needs a vet, I’ll call the dashing Dr. Sam. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Molly · Rating 5 out of 5]

a transplant from Chicago inherita her Aunt's ranch in the desert.

I really enjoyed the beginnings of this journey of self discovery.

the cowboy ghosts are more than a little sarcastic and hilarious.

the city transplants to the mystic desert, ironic and intriguing.

throw in some wacky friends and neighbors, a hor veterinarian, and colorful cranks and bad guys - this is more than a whodunnit.

a painted desert murder mystery meets mystical adventures journeys.

[Dena · Rating 4 out of 5]

Claire is steeped in mayhem

Claire is in way over her head. She has a ranch she knows nothing about, a job she loved and got let go from , and finally a city she badly wants to go back to. What is a girl to do?

So the girl, Claire gets wrapped up in a curse of Spanish silver that people want on her property. It is mayhem murder, and mystery, honestly what is Claire to do handle it with her new found friends.

[Nancy Haddock · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5 stars

First, a ghost that feeds you meals? Yes, please! This book started out funny, the main character snarky about her situation. The undercurrent quickly grew darker and moving a bit from cozy range into light thriller. It had me turning pages and fretting for the animals. The ghosts were all engaging, and the fox is the perfect animal buddy! I'm definitely reading the next book!

[Melanie Richardson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good ghostly read!

As Claire adjusts to her new world, we learn about the small town of Perdido Springs, Arizona and a long told story about cursed silver. New to the town and being a rancher, she must also adjust to the fact she sees and can talk with ghosts.

The local vet is not only handsome but a welcome presence in Claire’s new world of ranching and animal care.

Adventures, paranormal encounters, friendships, and a spark perhaps, of romance.

[LizJ. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Death Rides the Desert Book 1 of The Haunted Ranch Mysteries by Sara Bourgeois is another hit!! Excellent and likeable characters, great worldbuilding and an engaging storyline. I loved it and can't wait for more!!.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.