The Permanent Solution

by Merle McCann

Riley Gordon, an Irish immigrant ranching cattle in Central Oregon, believed her life was perfect until she discovered her husband was a bigamist. A heartbreaking problem but one she could solve with divorce. Saving the ranch from foreclosure, after her ex had cooked the books, presented a greater challenge. But with her handsome foreman always at her side, how bad could it get? She was about to find out when John Farber, a man with a penchant for killing his adversaries, came to town.

358 pages, Paperback

Published October 29, 2015

Reviews

[Ben Baker · Rating 5 out of 5]

I thought it was a little slow at first then everything started to com together and turned out very interesting. I like happy ending.

[Margaret · Rating 5 out of 5]

This well-written mystery follows the struggles of Riley Gordon, as she confronts betrayal from her husband and the challenges of rebuilding her life on an Oregon ranch. Interwoven with Riley’s story are the escapades of John Farber, a hair stylist who carries a unique product line. At the end, Riley and John’s stories come together in a dramatic conclusion.

Both the characters and setting add richness in their complex and vivid portrayal. Riley, originally from Ireland, loves the ranch country of Oregon. To raise money to keep the ranch going, Riley starts an exclusive spa program, which leads to the introduction of such interesting characters as the 400 pound Martha. In spite of the obstacles of starting any business, Riley forges ahead, earning the reader’s admiration for her gusto and determination. Her efforts to create the spa include description of Oregon ranch country, a bonus for a reader who enjoys learning about the northwestern states.

Two good-looking guys, developed in detail, also add depth to the story. Cole, Riley’s foreman, engages sympathy as he supports Riley’s spa business and feels attracted to her. John, the hair stylist, emerges as a driven man who has his own demons to fight.

[Mark · Rating 4 out of 5]

Faced with the fact that her cheating husband was a bigamist, Irish immigrant Riley Gordon, sets out to start life over on the ranch she receives in the divorce. The fact that it comes with a hunky ranch-hand, Cole, doesn’t seem to have any downside at all.

Deciding to improve the ranch to encompass it as a resort for the rich and famous who wish to recover from the stresses of their lives, Riley goes all out to make her business one that will rival anything similar and uses general ranch work, under the steady eye of new partner Cole, to bring a sense of normalcy to her guests lives.
Unfortunately for Riley she crosses paths with John Farber, a hair-stylist with ulterior motives. Having mixed together a poisonous hair solution that allows him to anonymously dispatch those annoying people in his life, beginning with that soul-crushing mother of his. When his business travels combine with a meeting with a girl band that wronged him in another life, the peaceful resort becomes a den of intrigue and murder. You’ll never forget to tip your hair-stylist again!