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Caught Dead in Wyoming #4
Last Ditch
Water Can Keep You Alive …
A man in a wheelchair goes missing in rough country in the Big Horn Basin of Wyoming. Amateur sleuth Elizabeth “E.M.” Danniher and KWMT-TV colleague Mike Paycik immediately join the search organized by local rancher Thomas Burrell.
But soon they’re on a search of a different kind – a search for the truth amid western mysteries.
It takes them deep into the intricacies of the western community served by the Red Sail Ditch – the irrigation system that could make a ranch viable or worthless. They find rivalries, cooperation, antagonisms, inter-dependencies, and motives for murder.
... Or Get You Killed.
Don't miss any of Elizabeth Danniher's Caught Dead in Wyoming adventures:
Sign Off (Book 1)
Left Hanging (Book 2)
Shoot First (Book 3)
Last Ditch (Book 4)
Look Live (Book 5)
Back Story (Book 6), coming in 2017
A man in a wheelchair goes missing in rough country in the Big Horn Basin of Wyoming. Amateur sleuth Elizabeth “E.M.” Danniher and KWMT-TV colleague Mike Paycik immediately join the search organized by local rancher Thomas Burrell.
But soon they’re on a search of a different kind – a search for the truth amid western mysteries.
It takes them deep into the intricacies of the western community served by the Red Sail Ditch – the irrigation system that could make a ranch viable or worthless. They find rivalries, cooperation, antagonisms, inter-dependencies, and motives for murder.
... Or Get You Killed.
Don't miss any of Elizabeth Danniher's Caught Dead in Wyoming adventures:
Sign Off (Book 1)
Left Hanging (Book 2)
Shoot First (Book 3)
Last Ditch (Book 4)
Look Live (Book 5)
Back Story (Book 6), coming in 2017
393 pages, Kindle Edition
First published February 28, 2016
About the author
Patricia McLinn
161 books318 followersUSA Today bestselling author Patricia McLinn’s novels—cited by reviewers for warmth, wit and vivid characterization – have won numerous regional and national awards and been on national bestseller lists.
In addition to her romance and women’s fiction books, Patricia is the author of the Caught Dead in Wyoming mystery series, which adds a touch of humor and romance to figuring out whodunit.
Patricia received BA and MSJ degrees from Northwestern University. She was a sports writer (Rockford, Ill.), assistant sports editor (Charlotte, N.C.) and—for 20-plus years—an editor at the Washington Post.
She has spoken about writing from Melbourne, Australia to Washington, D.C., including being a guest-speaker at the Smithsonian Institution. She is now living in Northern Kentucky, and writing full-time. Patricia loves to hear from readers through her website, Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.
In addition to her romance and women’s fiction books, Patricia is the author of the Caught Dead in Wyoming mystery series, which adds a touch of humor and romance to figuring out whodunit.
Patricia received BA and MSJ degrees from Northwestern University. She was a sports writer (Rockford, Ill.), assistant sports editor (Charlotte, N.C.) and—for 20-plus years—an editor at the Washington Post.
She has spoken about writing from Melbourne, Australia to Washington, D.C., including being a guest-speaker at the Smithsonian Institution. She is now living in Northern Kentucky, and writing full-time. Patricia loves to hear from readers through her website, Facebook, Goodreads, and Twitter.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews
January 14, 2019
The characters of this series keep bringing me back. As I finished the book I still want to know what Elizabeth aka D. H. Danniher, Mike, Diane, Tom, Penny and Shadow next and Amazon makes it easy to read the next book. This one cover water rights are doing in Wyoming. Tom's secretary, Connie's husband goes missing as he is confined to a wheelchair there is an all-out search for him. He is found on an overlook and has fallen out of the wheelchair is dead. Below the cliff, another rancher is also found dead. This starts an investigation into what happened. Again there are twists and turns to keep your attention. I highly this book and series.
March 6, 2016
Great series
I really enjoy this well-written mystery series. Great characters, great setting, great female lead.
Don't expect a Stephanie Plum clone - this is not a farce and is a clean series. It is a good read like Evanovich' s books with two males/one female and a mystery.
I am looking forward to the next book.
I really enjoy this well-written mystery series. Great characters, great setting, great female lead.
Don't expect a Stephanie Plum clone - this is not a farce and is a clean series. It is a good read like Evanovich' s books with two males/one female and a mystery.
I am looking forward to the next book.
May 14, 2017
I enjoy these quirky little who done it stories! I like the fact that it could be anybody to have committed the crimes! Who wants to have it figured out in the first few chapters. The possibility of who the main character will choose, as a companion, keeps me going back to a series
Some reviews have said it's too much like Stephanie Plum! In my opinion that's what makes this series a fun read! I wish these books came out closer together cause I hate waiting to find out what's coming next in the characters life. This is another series I can highly recommend to my friends who like light reading with likable characters!
Some reviews have said it's too much like Stephanie Plum! In my opinion that's what makes this series a fun read! I wish these books came out closer together cause I hate waiting to find out what's coming next in the characters life. This is another series I can highly recommend to my friends who like light reading with likable characters!
June 23, 2018
Un. Put. Down. Able. This is a double murder mystery with half the town of Sherman viable suspects. Elizabeth and her posse (Mike, Tom, Diana and Jennifer) ride again to learn the truth and see Justice done. Will they all survive unscathed this time? Will Elizabeth EVER decide whether to stay in Sherman or go? Will she FINALLY choose her man?
Great plot with fully realized characters you wish were part of your family.
Great plot with fully realized characters you wish were part of your family.
July 17, 2022
Still Making Me Smile
I don't quite know why this series has such a grip on me. Sure, the writing's great, the characters are rich, and the storyline is full of wit and intrigue. All of that is good. But I think it really boils down to the fact that every time I dive into one of the Caught Dead in Wyoming novels, I smile, laugh, and relax. They're like a breath of fresh air each time.
In previous reviews, I likened this series to the style of Janet Evanovich's long-running Stephanie Plum series. That remains true, although I believe there is more depth in Ms. McLinn's series. Still, if you enjoyed the crazy wit, banter, and general zaniness of the New Jersey Bond Enforcement Agent, you'll enjoy this series as well.
I love that the characters have so much heart and loyalty, that most of them hold to traditional values and common sense concepts, and that they look out for each other in a style that is still quite common in America's "fly-over" states. I love that the main character, E.M. Dannaher, has faced career and personal humiliation and has chosen to rise above these seeming defeats. I love that two eligible and wildly popular bachelors are attracted to her, but they refuse to belittle each other to make themselves look good. Basically, I pretty much love everything about this series, and definitely want more.
If you enjoy romantic thrillers, rom-coms, or just who-done-its with great characters, intricate plots, and tons of good, clean humor you'll enjoy this series. Each book could be read as a stand-alone, but I recommend starting at the beginning. You won't be disappointed.
I don't quite know why this series has such a grip on me. Sure, the writing's great, the characters are rich, and the storyline is full of wit and intrigue. All of that is good. But I think it really boils down to the fact that every time I dive into one of the Caught Dead in Wyoming novels, I smile, laugh, and relax. They're like a breath of fresh air each time.
In previous reviews, I likened this series to the style of Janet Evanovich's long-running Stephanie Plum series. That remains true, although I believe there is more depth in Ms. McLinn's series. Still, if you enjoyed the crazy wit, banter, and general zaniness of the New Jersey Bond Enforcement Agent, you'll enjoy this series as well.
I love that the characters have so much heart and loyalty, that most of them hold to traditional values and common sense concepts, and that they look out for each other in a style that is still quite common in America's "fly-over" states. I love that the main character, E.M. Dannaher, has faced career and personal humiliation and has chosen to rise above these seeming defeats. I love that two eligible and wildly popular bachelors are attracted to her, but they refuse to belittle each other to make themselves look good. Basically, I pretty much love everything about this series, and definitely want more.
If you enjoy romantic thrillers, rom-coms, or just who-done-its with great characters, intricate plots, and tons of good, clean humor you'll enjoy this series. Each book could be read as a stand-alone, but I recommend starting at the beginning. You won't be disappointed.
March 15, 2018
Last Ditch is another keep you guessing who done it. The "investigative" group is now pretty solidified with Elizabeth, Mike, Diana, Jennifer, and Tom. This "case" involves Connie's (Tom's secretary) family. Her husband, who has terminal liver cancer, is missing so a search party is formed. However, when Brian is found so is another neighbor, Don, both dead. It doesn't take long to discover Don has beefs with pretty much everyone along the ditch. Two of Brian and Connie's boys are acting strange. Don and the McCraken family have had multiple run ins. Don's first wife, Mindy, disappeared. Don's current "woman" Lorianna's ex-husband also mysteriously disappeared. Lorianna sold Don the family ranch before she left town, dirt cheap. Mindy's brother left the search party he was assigned to. Mr. Poppinger saw a white truck near Red Sail Rock. Why was Driver 1, 2, and 3 late to the search party yet all arrived at the same time? So many possibilities of who done it.
Elizabeth also only has a couple of more weeks to decide what to do since the end of October is quickly approaching. Mel sends her 5 offers, including one from KWMT in Sherman. Dell is practically begging her to come back to DC. Last but not least, Tamantha Burrell is a force to be reckoned with.
Elizabeth also only has a couple of more weeks to decide what to do since the end of October is quickly approaching. Mel sends her 5 offers, including one from KWMT in Sherman. Dell is practically begging her to come back to DC. Last but not least, Tamantha Burrell is a force to be reckoned with.
May 3, 2022
This is the fourth in the series. I listened to this book. I like the author and the narrator. Set in the Big Horn Basin of Wyoming. Amateur sleuth and reporter Elizabeth Margaret “E.M.” Danniher and KWMT-TV colleague Mike Paycik immediately join the search organized by local rancher Thomas Burrell.
The author does a good job of giving us background on a ditch boss and the interactions of the position to other farms/ranches. I learned a lot. The story opens with a man in a wheel chair goes missing. He and another gentleman are found dead by a search & rescue team. EM tries to ferret out the truth with the help of her co-workers and rancher Tom Burrell.
Who knew the depth of water rights and the complications associated with it. I enjoyed the story and the growth of characters.
EM has a month or so left on her contract with the local station. Will she stay or move on? I hope she stays on.
There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me entertained. I recommend this book.
The author does a good job of giving us background on a ditch boss and the interactions of the position to other farms/ranches. I learned a lot. The story opens with a man in a wheel chair goes missing. He and another gentleman are found dead by a search & rescue team. EM tries to ferret out the truth with the help of her co-workers and rancher Tom Burrell.
Who knew the depth of water rights and the complications associated with it. I enjoyed the story and the growth of characters.
EM has a month or so left on her contract with the local station. Will she stay or move on? I hope she stays on.
There were plenty of twists and turns to keep me entertained. I recommend this book.
August 12, 2024
I'm addicted...I cannot lie about this.
Mysteries are, perhaps, my favorite genre...and I like them clean. So trying to find an author that is a gifted writer, who can deliver a good mystery, with many twists and turns, and difficult to identify the culprit is not easy. Patricia McLinn delivers!
Her characters are complex, and E.M. Danniher is a huge favorite of mine. She's smart, vulnerable, and is flawed...in another word - real. Honestly, there isn't a character that I do not like.
I purchased my first 3 directly from A-zon but when I received a heartfelt email from the author, I've taken to purchasing them directly: https://shop.patriciamclinn.com
I highly recommend this series...and though you do not need to start with book 1, I would strongly recommend that you do and the characters grow and develop relationships just like they would in real life.
Mysteries are, perhaps, my favorite genre...and I like them clean. So trying to find an author that is a gifted writer, who can deliver a good mystery, with many twists and turns, and difficult to identify the culprit is not easy. Patricia McLinn delivers!
Her characters are complex, and E.M. Danniher is a huge favorite of mine. She's smart, vulnerable, and is flawed...in another word - real. Honestly, there isn't a character that I do not like.
I purchased my first 3 directly from A-zon but when I received a heartfelt email from the author, I've taken to purchasing them directly: https://shop.patriciamclinn.com
I highly recommend this series...and though you do not need to start with book 1, I would strongly recommend that you do and the characters grow and develop relationships just like they would in real life.
September 11, 2017
Water Can Keep You Alive …
A man in a wheelchair goes missing in rough country in the Big Horn Basin of Wyoming. Amateur sleuth Elizabeth “E.M.” Danniher and KWMT-TV colleague Mike Paycik immediately join the search organized by local rancher Thomas Burrell.
But soon they’re on a search of a different kind – a search for the truth amid western mysteries.
It takes them deep into the intricacies of the western community served by the Red Sail Ditch – the irrigation system that could make a ranch viable or worthless. They find rivalries, cooperation, antagonisms, inter-dependencies, and motives for murder.
... Or Get You Killed.
A man in a wheelchair goes missing in rough country in the Big Horn Basin of Wyoming. Amateur sleuth Elizabeth “E.M.” Danniher and KWMT-TV colleague Mike Paycik immediately join the search organized by local rancher Thomas Burrell.
But soon they’re on a search of a different kind – a search for the truth amid western mysteries.
It takes them deep into the intricacies of the western community served by the Red Sail Ditch – the irrigation system that could make a ranch viable or worthless. They find rivalries, cooperation, antagonisms, inter-dependencies, and motives for murder.
... Or Get You Killed.
March 2, 2018
I love this series, not because of the mysteries but because of the characters. Elizabeth, the main character, continues to grow and develop even in this fourth entry in the series. I love the details about TV news, and some of the childish egos that inhabit any workplace. After this fourth book in the series, I have not lost interest in them at all. That from my vantage point is a sign of a really good series.
The details in this book about irrigation ditches went way over my head, and some of that could have been left out IMO. Still, a great read and highly recommended.
The details in this book about irrigation ditches went way over my head, and some of that could have been left out IMO. Still, a great read and highly recommended.
March 5, 2018
This is a really good-reading series. But her time is running out!!! E.M. Danniher's time in the wilderness is rapidly coming to an end as her contract with KWMT-TV reaches it conclusion as autumn begins in Wyoming. Despite contract offers in several major markets--and maybe because of one with KWMT, and an ex-football player, and a close-mouthed cowboy--E.M. is considering staying put while solving a double murder that has roots in the water and ditch history of Wyoming.
The series is well worth the reading, and here's hoping for more!!
The series is well worth the reading, and here's hoping for more!!
January 24, 2023
Last Ditch
If you have ever lived in Wyoming or Montana or anywhere close to Yellowstone you know the importance of water. Irrigation is the heartland of the west and keeps all ranches and farmlands alive. So it is no surprise that Patricia McLinn used this as the bases of "Last Ditch.
There where many twist and turns in this book the author tried hard to confuse the reader so that the true murderer would not be known till the end of the book. She did a good job. I would recommend this book.
If you have ever lived in Wyoming or Montana or anywhere close to Yellowstone you know the importance of water. Irrigation is the heartland of the west and keeps all ranches and farmlands alive. So it is no surprise that Patricia McLinn used this as the bases of "Last Ditch.
There where many twist and turns in this book the author tried hard to confuse the reader so that the true murderer would not be known till the end of the book. She did a good job. I would recommend this book.
October 31, 2017
Excellent story! The mysteries keep getting better and better! I love the way Mike’s aunt and Mrs. Paren and Penny keep feeding information to Elizabeth and Mike. Tom has his spot in the group along with Diana and Jennifer. Such a cohesive group. The relationship between Elizabeth, Mike and Tom is developing nicely. I highly recommend this series of mystery books as they are well written and developed!
October 29, 2024
In spite of all the excess verbage, I liked it ❣️
There's too many fast-talking loose women, and too much back-stabbing,
philandering and murderous wife/husband stealing going on. Makes me glad I don't live in Wyoming; except for the fact I really don't believe there's that much hoopla in real life in most small towns. Other than that, I liked it ❣️😍
There's too many fast-talking loose women, and too much back-stabbing,
philandering and murderous wife/husband stealing going on. Makes me glad I don't live in Wyoming; except for the fact I really don't believe there's that much hoopla in real life in most small towns. Other than that, I liked it ❣️😍
August 6, 2017
Fabulous, as are all of her books! On to Book 5. I love this series and wish I didn't have to wait till the end of October for Book 6!
August 8, 2017
Good read
I like the characters in these series and I like learning about living in Wyoming. Very different from where I live in the PNW.
I like the characters in these series and I like learning about living in Wyoming. Very different from where I live in the PNW.
September 10, 2018
Love following this character. Great little mystery stories. Quick read and interesting characters.
April 25, 2019
Another great book!
January 10, 2020
Enjoy the series of characters and variety of situations.
March 13, 2020
Pleasant Wyoming beauty, developed characters, well plotted and twists enough so the bad guy(s) aren’t too far ahead of their deserved end. Clean (long) cozy and funny. Recommended.
June 7, 2020
I continue to enjoy this series. Good mystery with some twists. Learned a lot about ditches that I didn't know. Will keep reading
June 15, 2022
It kept me guessing
Last ditch kept me involved and guessing till near the end. Well involving with all the familiar characters. Well done Patricia, well done!!
Last ditch kept me involved and guessing till near the end. Well involving with all the familiar characters. Well done Patricia, well done!!
July 22, 2022
A really interesting one that includes a lot about irrigation along with an interesting mystery.
May 12, 2023
Series continues to romp with great characters and a sense that the protagonist Elizabeth, may heal from her recent divorce.
August 11, 2023
Great series! I really enjoy how the characters have all become a tight knit group of sleuthing friends. I also love the Wyoming setting.
December 26, 2025
great book
Elizabeth never fails! Enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the next one. Will she fall for Mike or Tom?
Elizabeth never fails! Enjoyed this book and can’t wait for the next one. Will she fall for Mike or Tom?
May 1, 2026
I love this series! All the books are fast paced with great characters and wonderful plots.
June 29, 2022
Great story telling
I don't know how a small town in Wyoming has so many murders, but I love the way Patricia McMinn tells the story. With humorous asides to the reader she weaves the web , then untangles it, usually with an ending I didn't expect. I read all I can find of this series.
I don't know how a small town in Wyoming has so many murders, but I love the way Patricia McMinn tells the story. With humorous asides to the reader she weaves the web , then untangles it, usually with an ending I didn't expect. I read all I can find of this series.
March 13, 2017
Fun read, though IMHO not as good as the first three...although slightly less convoluted than the third book. Still, this series has always been a bit of a fun / not-so-guilty pleasure read for me. Unfortunately as other readers have noticed, this one's marred by a lot of typos and errors like missing words, misplaced quotation marks, etc., particularly in the last third of the book. Hopefully the editing improves in the next volume.
March 10, 2016
While the characters and the setting are the same as in the previous 3 books of the Caught Dead in Wyoming series, this entry is very much unlike those works.
First, there are an unbelievable number of editing errors - missing words, grammatical errors, misspellings, etc.
Secondly, this cozy is terribly slow and convoluted. The plot contains too many suspects and too many motives for murder. And the plethora of facts presented could support any suspect or any motive on any page. Frankly, you need a scorecard and a spreadsheet to keep it all straight.
And thirdly, you are presented with several info dumps concerning Wyoming's history with water rights and its current situation regarding irrigation ditches. While those situations are important to the story, in this case "less" would probably have been "more" in terms of cohesiveness and flow.
Finally, even after 4 books, the main character is still waffling about the same decisions related to her career and her personal life that presented themselves in the first pages of the first book. Even though only 7 months have passed in story time since the beginning of the first novel, the main character is still ridiculously undereducated about her surroundings for a journalist and her character growth has been minimal, at best.
Unless McLinn wants EM Danniher to become another Stephanie Plum, then, like the old saying, both she and Danniher need to "fish or cut bait" in the next novel.
First, there are an unbelievable number of editing errors - missing words, grammatical errors, misspellings, etc.
Secondly, this cozy is terribly slow and convoluted. The plot contains too many suspects and too many motives for murder. And the plethora of facts presented could support any suspect or any motive on any page. Frankly, you need a scorecard and a spreadsheet to keep it all straight.
And thirdly, you are presented with several info dumps concerning Wyoming's history with water rights and its current situation regarding irrigation ditches. While those situations are important to the story, in this case "less" would probably have been "more" in terms of cohesiveness and flow.
Finally, even after 4 books, the main character is still waffling about the same decisions related to her career and her personal life that presented themselves in the first pages of the first book. Even though only 7 months have passed in story time since the beginning of the first novel, the main character is still ridiculously undereducated about her surroundings for a journalist and her character growth has been minimal, at best.
Unless McLinn wants EM Danniher to become another Stephanie Plum, then, like the old saying, both she and Danniher need to "fish or cut bait" in the next novel.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 42 reviews