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Flathead County: Blue Gunder # 2
Blue Gunder was supposed to be a franchise savior--a top NFL draft pick with everything mapped out. Then a medical matter beyond his control slammed the door on professional football and on the life he thought he'd earned. He reinvented himself in Flathead County, Montana, trading stadium lights for backroads and badges. As Sheriff, he's learned that the wilderness keeps secrets--and that people can be more dangerous than weather.
His wife, Dee, knows the county from a different angle. As owner of Blue Skies Veterinary Clinic she treats ranch horses, family dogs, injured wildlife--anything someone can get through her door. The work is steady, the marriage strong, and the life they're building feels grounded...until Halloween night, when Blue is called to a scene staged like a a dead game warden in the northernmost forest near the Canadian border, three elk arranged in an arrow pointed the warden's body.
That same day, miles away in the far southeastern corner of Flathead County, a rancher leads Dee to three horses he's called about. Before tests, before confessions, she poison. Two corners of one vast county. Two deliberate acts of cruelty. One connection that makes no sense--until more incidents follow, each one bolder and harder to dismiss as coincidence.
As Blue and Dee compare notes, the investigation drags them from remote timber to glossy new money, where a mega-wealthy recent arrival has built perhaps the most lavish manse in America--and begun reshaping Flathead County to suit his appetites. In a place where power wears camouflage, Blue must decide how far he'll go to protect his county, his marriage, and the animals--and people--sighted in the crosshairs.
His wife, Dee, knows the county from a different angle. As owner of Blue Skies Veterinary Clinic she treats ranch horses, family dogs, injured wildlife--anything someone can get through her door. The work is steady, the marriage strong, and the life they're building feels grounded...until Halloween night, when Blue is called to a scene staged like a a dead game warden in the northernmost forest near the Canadian border, three elk arranged in an arrow pointed the warden's body.
That same day, miles away in the far southeastern corner of Flathead County, a rancher leads Dee to three horses he's called about. Before tests, before confessions, she poison. Two corners of one vast county. Two deliberate acts of cruelty. One connection that makes no sense--until more incidents follow, each one bolder and harder to dismiss as coincidence.
As Blue and Dee compare notes, the investigation drags them from remote timber to glossy new money, where a mega-wealthy recent arrival has built perhaps the most lavish manse in America--and begun reshaping Flathead County to suit his appetites. In a place where power wears camouflage, Blue must decide how far he'll go to protect his county, his marriage, and the animals--and people--sighted in the crosshairs.
393 pages, Kindle Edition
Published April 27, 2026
About the author
John M. Vermillion
27 books297 followersJohn M. Vermillion was a field soldier for more than 20 years. After military service, he worked internationally in various civilian capacities for the next 12 years. Following is a synopsis of "Flathead County", the sequel to "Blue Gunder".
Blue Gunder was a top NFL draft pick and Dallas Cowboy—until a medical matter beyond his control ended his career. Now he’s Sheriff of Flathead County, Montana, married to Dee, the veterinarian behind Blue Skies Veterinary Clinic.
On Halloween night, Blue walks into a scene designed to be remembered: a dead game warden in the northern forest near the Canadian border—three elk arranged in an arrow aimed at the corpse. Hours later, in the far southeast corner of the county, a rancher shows Dee three horses she immediately knows were poisoned.
Two incidents, connected, but how? And they’re only the beginning. As the cruelty spreads and the messages sharpen, Blue and Dee are forced to ask who in Flathead County benefits from fear—especially now that a mega-wealthy newcomer has arrived, buying influence as easily as land. And when Blue unearths a rare earth bombshell, the Feds intervene.
Blue Gunder was a top NFL draft pick and Dallas Cowboy—until a medical matter beyond his control ended his career. Now he’s Sheriff of Flathead County, Montana, married to Dee, the veterinarian behind Blue Skies Veterinary Clinic.
On Halloween night, Blue walks into a scene designed to be remembered: a dead game warden in the northern forest near the Canadian border—three elk arranged in an arrow aimed at the corpse. Hours later, in the far southeast corner of the county, a rancher shows Dee three horses she immediately knows were poisoned.
Two incidents, connected, but how? And they’re only the beginning. As the cruelty spreads and the messages sharpen, Blue and Dee are forced to ask who in Flathead County benefits from fear—especially now that a mega-wealthy newcomer has arrived, buying influence as easily as land. And when Blue unearths a rare earth bombshell, the Feds intervene.
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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
May 17, 2026
what a great read!
Blue, the ex-NFL player, turned Sheriff and his wife, the town vet Dee, must work together to help solve a strange series of crimes that have befallen their small country town. How does a murder of the game warden and some poisoned horses have in common? It's a super fun read that shows how two people who love their town and each other will stop at nothing to protect what matters most to them. It has a great suspenseful tone and has a wonderful story. It's the second book in the series, but it can be read stand-alone. It also has a breakdown of who the characters are before, so you won't be confused on who is who. I love when books do that.
Blue, the ex-NFL player, turned Sheriff and his wife, the town vet Dee, must work together to help solve a strange series of crimes that have befallen their small country town. How does a murder of the game warden and some poisoned horses have in common? It's a super fun read that shows how two people who love their town and each other will stop at nothing to protect what matters most to them. It has a great suspenseful tone and has a wonderful story. It's the second book in the series, but it can be read stand-alone. It also has a breakdown of who the characters are before, so you won't be confused on who is who. I love when books do that.
May 15, 2026
I would've liked a more attractive cover because it doesn't reflect how good the story is. It’s an exciting mystery with emotional moments and a setting that feels real and is easy to imagine.
It has strong characters and what I found interesting is that it also has a bit of forensic investigation. It's a worth reading book.
It has strong characters and what I found interesting is that it also has a bit of forensic investigation. It's a worth reading book.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews