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Bill Gastner Mystery #2
Bitter Recoil
OBSESSION TAKES AIM…
It's undersheriff Bill Gastner's most difficult assignment: going on a healthy, relaxing vacation. This hardheaded lawman isn't sure he can survive the hiking, the nonspicy, unfried food and the lack of crimes to solve. So he's glad to help his ex-protégé investigate a hit-and-run "accident" that's killed single mother Cecelia Burgess—and left her young daughter, Daisy, alone. More than one person wanted Cecelia to die on that lonely New Mexico back road.
But when others related to the case are murdered, too, Bill realizes someone is shadowing his investigation. Someone vengeful and twisted enough to take out the guilty and innocent alike. If Bill has any hope of saving Daisy, he'll have to use himself as bait—and face down a killer driven by obsession darker than the desert night…
It's undersheriff Bill Gastner's most difficult assignment: going on a healthy, relaxing vacation. This hardheaded lawman isn't sure he can survive the hiking, the nonspicy, unfried food and the lack of crimes to solve. So he's glad to help his ex-protégé investigate a hit-and-run "accident" that's killed single mother Cecelia Burgess—and left her young daughter, Daisy, alone. More than one person wanted Cecelia to die on that lonely New Mexico back road.
But when others related to the case are murdered, too, Bill realizes someone is shadowing his investigation. Someone vengeful and twisted enough to take out the guilty and innocent alike. If Bill has any hope of saving Daisy, he'll have to use himself as bait—and face down a killer driven by obsession darker than the desert night…
Paperback
First published June 1, 1992
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About the author
Steven F. Havill
37 books255 followersSteven F. Havill is an American author of mysteries and westerns.
Havill lives in Raton, New Mexico, with his wife Kathleen. He has written two series of police procedurals set in the fictional Posadas County, New Mexico; along with other works.
Havill lives in Raton, New Mexico, with his wife Kathleen. He has written two series of police procedurals set in the fictional Posadas County, New Mexico; along with other works.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews
December 19, 2020
4.5 Stars for Bitter Recoil: Bill Gastner Mystery Series, Book 2 (audiobook) by Steven F. Havill read by Rusty Nelson. Another rough and hard hitting mystery. I like the remote setting and the 70’s time period. That really helps set the tone.
November 14, 2015
This had a pretty good plot overall. All the elements were there, but the execution wasn't nearly as good as the first. I gave it 4 stars, a bit of a bump, but almost quit listening to this book. The narrator, Rusty Nelson, didn't thrill me, although he also read the first one. His voice lifted at the end of too many sentences making them sound more like questions, but the real problem was with the mechanics of the story. One hand was doing the work of two or three at one point & a few other things like that. To top it all off - SILENCERS. Yuck.
I'll probably give the third a try, but I've got reservations.
I'll probably give the third a try, but I've got reservations.
February 9, 2020
Very exciting (almost too exciting!) story of law enforcement in the western dessert country. Extremely well written so that I could envision every moment and all the action. Like a movie in my head. Gastner is one my very favorite fictional characters. I even quote his wisdom on occasion. Wonderful series, no disappointments.
February 18, 2017
I love the audio versions of this series, listening while I make my way to work in Seattle in the middle of winter takes me to sun-baked New Mexico listening to the laconic drawl of an old sheriff.
March 29, 2018
Gastner is on vacation and visiting with Estelle. Murders, mystery, solutions.
This is my all time favorite series. Havill brings his characters to life in every book.
This is my all time favorite series. Havill brings his characters to life in every book.
April 20, 2020
I'll spare you another rehash of the plot. This is my third Bill Gastner mystery it's definitely better than #3 and moderately exceeds the first of the series. The book is a short little mystery that doesn't quit. I could see reading it in one day, if you had the time. "Bitter Recoil" is built like Undersheriff, Bill Gastner, a ton of action in a short frame. There are a few twist especially early on, but the main draw is the action.
Steven F. Havill's writing in this novel is topnotch. You identify with Gastner and you love the chemistry between him and the other law enforcement personnel, particularly Estelle. He gives enough story line to maintain the action and the suspense is palpable. This story was riveting through the last scene.
Steven F. Havill's writing in this novel is topnotch. You identify with Gastner and you love the chemistry between him and the other law enforcement personnel, particularly Estelle. He gives enough story line to maintain the action and the suspense is palpable. This story was riveting through the last scene.
October 31, 2025
SPOILER ALERT
Another excellent installment of the series featuring Undersheriff Bill Gastner and Deputy Estelle Reyes-Guzman. Bill has gone to visit Estelle for vacation in the small community of San Estevan, north of Posadas. She has moved with her new husband to become the single law enforcement officer of a large area. And again, Bill pulled into solving a case with her. While he is sleeping in his Blazer, he is awakened by sirens moving toward the highway. He follows to find Estelle and her crew investigating the beating of a young pregnant woman, Cecilia Burgess. Estelle's husband, Francis Guzman, the local physician, doesn't believe that the woman will make it, and she is being transported to Albuquerque. She dies. It appears that she had been thrown out of the bed of a pickup. She had been having an argument with Father Nolan Parris and had accepted a ride with a group of very drunk young men. Later all five of men will be either dead or shot. Only Kyle Osuna will survive the revenge of H T Finn. Finn, a man in his forties now has possession of Daisy, he's calling her Ruth, the toddler daughter of Cecilia and the priest.
Finn has an acolyte in Robert Arajamian, a man who had gone back into Washington, with Finn in New Mexico, to kill the governor and the warden of the prison. Finn's sister Ruth had died while incarcerated in the prison, he claims wrongly. Estelle wants Daisy away from Finn, who she sees as sinister. When she, Bill and two other deputies do to get her, Deputy Garcia kills Arajinian, then he is killed by Finn, Estelle is badly wounded and Bill is wounded. Bill, however, pulls all his strength out and get the two of them into a pond to escape the forest fire that Finn starts. They are both found when the deputy left with the vehicles, wearing a vest, though shot several times and badly bruised calls in and Sheriff Pat Tate and others come to help.
Finn will steal Bill's Blazer, finding the article Bill had been reading about the killing in Washington. Finn thinks Bill had realized who Finn was and when he is finally cornered he demands to talk to Bill. Lowered into the nearly 800-foot shaft of a played-out uranium mine near the small Navajo reservation, he will save Daisy's life as he kills Finn. He has to work from a sling holding onto a ladder, as his arm is useless, bandaged, and one foot is injured.
This was a riveting story that was creatively plotted with fascinating characters. I look forward to continuing the series.
Another excellent installment of the series featuring Undersheriff Bill Gastner and Deputy Estelle Reyes-Guzman. Bill has gone to visit Estelle for vacation in the small community of San Estevan, north of Posadas. She has moved with her new husband to become the single law enforcement officer of a large area. And again, Bill pulled into solving a case with her. While he is sleeping in his Blazer, he is awakened by sirens moving toward the highway. He follows to find Estelle and her crew investigating the beating of a young pregnant woman, Cecilia Burgess. Estelle's husband, Francis Guzman, the local physician, doesn't believe that the woman will make it, and she is being transported to Albuquerque. She dies. It appears that she had been thrown out of the bed of a pickup. She had been having an argument with Father Nolan Parris and had accepted a ride with a group of very drunk young men. Later all five of men will be either dead or shot. Only Kyle Osuna will survive the revenge of H T Finn. Finn, a man in his forties now has possession of Daisy, he's calling her Ruth, the toddler daughter of Cecilia and the priest.
Finn has an acolyte in Robert Arajamian, a man who had gone back into Washington, with Finn in New Mexico, to kill the governor and the warden of the prison. Finn's sister Ruth had died while incarcerated in the prison, he claims wrongly. Estelle wants Daisy away from Finn, who she sees as sinister. When she, Bill and two other deputies do to get her, Deputy Garcia kills Arajinian, then he is killed by Finn, Estelle is badly wounded and Bill is wounded. Bill, however, pulls all his strength out and get the two of them into a pond to escape the forest fire that Finn starts. They are both found when the deputy left with the vehicles, wearing a vest, though shot several times and badly bruised calls in and Sheriff Pat Tate and others come to help.
Finn will steal Bill's Blazer, finding the article Bill had been reading about the killing in Washington. Finn thinks Bill had realized who Finn was and when he is finally cornered he demands to talk to Bill. Lowered into the nearly 800-foot shaft of a played-out uranium mine near the small Navajo reservation, he will save Daisy's life as he kills Finn. He has to work from a sling holding onto a ladder, as his arm is useless, bandaged, and one foot is injured.
This was a riveting story that was creatively plotted with fascinating characters. I look forward to continuing the series.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 7, 2023
You do not need to read Heart Shot, the first book in this series to enjoy this. I suspect you’ll like it, as I did.
Bill Gastner is an undersheriff in a county in southern New Mexico. He is 62 years old, overweight, has just endured a quad bypass heart surgery, and still smokes and eats like nothing matters. He’s sick of the constant haranguing of doctors and others about his weight and cigarettes. It’s vacation time. Off he goes to a county several miles north of his where a former detective of his now works as a deputy sheriff. He had great admiration for Estelle Reyes-Guzman when she worked for him, and spending a little time with her and her physician husband would do him good. That’s a great idea until the night the sirens sound and the cops hear a woman died in a hit-and-run. The old cop in him bubbles to the surface, and he joins Estelle in a search for the truth. The woman’s death was not a hit-and-run after all. A group of drunken men apparently tossed her in their truck, and while driving, raped her. When she would cooperate, they flung her body out of the truck, killing her. Before this ends, more people will die, and Gastner will squeeze is entirely too large self into a horrifically small place to save a child’s life.
There’s plenty of suspense and fast action here to keep you reading. I appreciate Havill’s writing style, and I’ve no doubt you will as well if you read this.
Bill Gastner is an undersheriff in a county in southern New Mexico. He is 62 years old, overweight, has just endured a quad bypass heart surgery, and still smokes and eats like nothing matters. He’s sick of the constant haranguing of doctors and others about his weight and cigarettes. It’s vacation time. Off he goes to a county several miles north of his where a former detective of his now works as a deputy sheriff. He had great admiration for Estelle Reyes-Guzman when she worked for him, and spending a little time with her and her physician husband would do him good. That’s a great idea until the night the sirens sound and the cops hear a woman died in a hit-and-run. The old cop in him bubbles to the surface, and he joins Estelle in a search for the truth. The woman’s death was not a hit-and-run after all. A group of drunken men apparently tossed her in their truck, and while driving, raped her. When she would cooperate, they flung her body out of the truck, killing her. Before this ends, more people will die, and Gastner will squeeze is entirely too large self into a horrifically small place to save a child’s life.
There’s plenty of suspense and fast action here to keep you reading. I appreciate Havill’s writing style, and I’ve no doubt you will as well if you read this.
March 27, 2023
Bitter Recoil – A Posadas County Mystery – 1992 and 2015 publish dates - **** - Undersheriff Bill Gastner takes a vacation to visit Estelle Reyes-Guzman in her new home in San Estavan, 300 miles north of Posadas County. And of course, there is a murder, and of course, Bill Gastner jumps in to help out with the investigation. There are some improbables with the plot: a visiting police officer being allowed to be deeply involved in an investigation, an overweight heart patient doing things beyond reason. You get the point. But the wonderful writing of Steven F. Havill overcomes all these pesky reality problems with his great characters, past pace, and another wonderful setting in the state of New Mexico. The book is a fun and interesting ride with two of my most favorite characters, Gastner and Estelle. Havill has a way of making the scene and plot real. I love finding a Havill books that I haven’t read before. Keep up the great work, Steven.
July 8, 2017
Published by Books in Motion
Read by Rusty Nelson
Duration: 6 hours, 55 minutes
Unabridged
Sixty-two year old Undersheriff Bill Gastner is recovering from heart surgery. He has been told to get out and exercise more and to get away from work. You see, Gastner has a lot of bad habits when he works. He doesn't sleep, he gets involved in things that get him hurt and he eats large, spicy burritos.
So, Bill decides to go on a camping trip and visit a former colleague, Estelle Reyes-Guzman, who has taken a job in the sheriff department of a different county in New Mexico - up in the mountains. But, while he is trying to sleep in a campground he hears sirens and sees lights so he decides to go check it out.
Soon enough, ...
Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2017/...
Read by Rusty Nelson
Duration: 6 hours, 55 minutes
Unabridged
Sixty-two year old Undersheriff Bill Gastner is recovering from heart surgery. He has been told to get out and exercise more and to get away from work. You see, Gastner has a lot of bad habits when he works. He doesn't sleep, he gets involved in things that get him hurt and he eats large, spicy burritos.
So, Bill decides to go on a camping trip and visit a former colleague, Estelle Reyes-Guzman, who has taken a job in the sheriff department of a different county in New Mexico - up in the mountains. But, while he is trying to sleep in a campground he hears sirens and sees lights so he decides to go check it out.
Soon enough, ...
Read more at: http://dwdsreviews.blogspot.com/2017/...
June 19, 2022
From the Goodreads Blurb: Aging Posadas County Undersheriff Bill Gastner has weathered his quadruple bypass and is taking a rare vacation up in New Mexico's northern mountains. He's escaping meddlesome medical providers and small town gossip, but he's looking forward to reconnecting with his former detective Estelle Reyes who is working in San Estevan County. Arriving a day early at the Steamboat Rock Campground, his camping plans are interrupted by sirens. Suddenly, Gastner, Reyes, and her new doctor husband reunite over the body of a pregnant young woman.
The "aging" part of the description combined with a tolerance for punishment that would put Walt Longmire to shame pushes the envelope of believability a bit too far. A lot of characters and not enough enough quite moments to sort things out. Entertaining but not up there with our other New Mexico series.
The "aging" part of the description combined with a tolerance for punishment that would put Walt Longmire to shame pushes the envelope of believability a bit too far. A lot of characters and not enough enough quite moments to sort things out. Entertaining but not up there with our other New Mexico series.
December 30, 2018
Estelle Reyes, the detective in the first book of the series, has married and moved with her husband to northern New Mexico. So when Posadas County Undersheriff Bill Gastner takes a vacation he decides to visit the newlywed couple. Gastner is not much of a fan of exercise but, since his doctor has insisted he become more active after heart surgery, he starts off on a hike, but avoids the steep trail up to Steamboat Rock. When his night is interrupted by the discovery of a body near the campground he offers to help. A solid and fast-paced procedural leading up to a couple of exciting confrontations.
February 13, 2025
Undersheriff Bill Gastner and Estelle Reyes solve the hit-and-run murder of a pregnant young lady in this 2nd installment. Additional murders seem to all be tied into possible revenge killings by the woman’s boyfriend. Trying to solve the mystery, they discover that a local clergyman had fathered a child with the deceased and this child is living in the hills with the boyfriend. Pregnant Estelle, with her maternal instincts on high alert, throws all caution to the wind trying to retrieve the child from the mentally disturbed boyfriend. An exciting shoot-out involving Bill, Estelle and several deputies ensues.
September 16, 2025
Unfortunately had a very rough week last week (just a confluence of things that prevented reading, nothing terrible), so way behind meeting my goal. I can honestly say that I am completely "hooked" on the Posadas County Bill Gastner Mystery books, and while I need to move on to another series since I have so many to tackle, I'l be revisiting this one soon.
This one was a page turner, and while I have never been to the area of the imaginary county, I could picture every bit of it. While his characters aren't stereotypes, they are pictures of read people that I can imagine meeting as when we're in New Mexico. If you love New Mexico as much as I do, try this series.
This one was a page turner, and while I have never been to the area of the imaginary county, I could picture every bit of it. While his characters aren't stereotypes, they are pictures of read people that I can imagine meeting as when we're in New Mexico. If you love New Mexico as much as I do, try this series.
September 4, 2018
Book 2 in the series. Undersheriff Bill Gaston is on vacation after being discharged from the hospital with doctor orders to lose weight, walk and stop smoking. He's camping in a forest area that's now covered by Estelle who took a police job there to be close to her husband's new job. The first night of camping Gaston becomes involved in helping Estelle with a case that turns into a deadly business. I do like this series and look forward to the next one, but the Longmire series is still my favorite.
September 16, 2025
It is hard to know if I should give thus a 4 or a 5, which I typically save for truly extraordinary books.
These Posadas County Mysteries are addictive, and the action in this one was intense.
Bill Gastner is on vacation in northern New Mexico, camping and visiting Estelle Reyes & her surgeon husband. Estelle is also a deputy sheriff detective and used to work with Bill.
Multiple deaths of local teens and intense action are what this is all about.
These Posadas County Mysteries are addictive, and the action in this one was intense.
Bill Gastner is on vacation in northern New Mexico, camping and visiting Estelle Reyes & her surgeon husband. Estelle is also a deputy sheriff detective and used to work with Bill.
Multiple deaths of local teens and intense action are what this is all about.
November 16, 2022
Bill Gastner, Under Sheriff of Posadas County heads north to visit his previous deputy/detective Estelle Reyes-Guzman and her husband. On his arrival the action starts with a young woman on the roadside an apparent hit and run. At least until Estelle begins investigating. The action heats up … but you’ll need to follow along.
A fast-paced read where the action never stops.
A fast-paced read where the action never stops.
March 18, 2024
I was surprised that in the second book of this series he is outside his territory on vacation when he runs into a situation that he cannot ignore.
This has an interesting plot, but the characters motivations are hard to accept. Perhaps we just don't get enough information on the killer to justify his actions.
I borrowed a copy from the public library.
This has an interesting plot, but the characters motivations are hard to accept. Perhaps we just don't get enough information on the killer to justify his actions.
I borrowed a copy from the public library.
June 21, 2017
[library audiobook, plot elsewhere]
Straight line police procedural. Some interesting characters, especially Estelle Reyes. Two plots which don't really intersect with motivation.
Still, I will read another if it comes along.
Straight line police procedural. Some interesting characters, especially Estelle Reyes. Two plots which don't really intersect with motivation.
Still, I will read another if it comes along.
February 23, 2019
Captures u
As all his books could not put down. So detailed can almost feel yourself there and feeling every action. Usually skip over descriptive narration some books but not his because u can't foresee his direction. Ready for #3
As all his books could not put down. So detailed can almost feel yourself there and feeling every action. Usually skip over descriptive narration some books but not his because u can't foresee his direction. Ready for #3
May 3, 2019
May 2019 This is my 3rd Havill story. I found #1 and the most recent to be much better stories and not the 2 totally dysfunctional antagonists. Seemed much of the violence was gratuitous. Still like the main characters and many of the supporting characters.
March 11, 2021
Having previously read Scavengers, the first of the Posadas County Mystery series, I found this one considerably more violent, with a greater emphasis on the shoot'em-up bits than character portrayals.
January 17, 2023
This series is a tough one for me. I am enjoying it, it’s an average or a little above average book. The trouble I’m just having are the extent to the endings. Way over the top. I still will continue reading because I do enjoy the characters. We’ll see if it gets better.
June 21, 2024
very realistic police procedural
This was a very realistic police procedural. Good likable characters. The plot was unique and had a little twist at the end that I didn’t see coming.
This was a very realistic police procedural. Good likable characters. The plot was unique and had a little twist at the end that I didn’t see coming.
August 27, 2024
The best liars do it to your face
A story that puts you right in the action. Can a child bring peace to a man searching for a replacement for his sister? He will try with deadly results.
A story that puts you right in the action. Can a child bring peace to a man searching for a replacement for his sister? He will try with deadly results.
March 17, 2025
Might have enjoyed this book as a hard copy instead of listening to the audio, but the writer rarely used “said” to designate who was talking, and the reader was not good at varying voices. Because of that, I never knew who was talking. Couldn’t follow the story. Not reading another.
March 20, 2025
Fast-reading and suspenseful enough, I'll eventually read more in the series as I like the protagonist. But as with the first one, too many young people dying...maybe realistic but if it's true in all of the stories, I'll call it quits after a while.
June 27, 2017
A few technical problems, such as a microscope that images bacteria being impossibly used to study fingerprints...also steel mining ladders.
Otherwise, a good read.
Otherwise, a good read.
December 3, 2017
Like the author, setting, characters, plot...
April 24, 2019
Great entertainment!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 84 reviews