The Blues

by Susie Drougas, Katherine Ballasiotes Rowley (Illustrator), Heidi Thomas (Editor)

When he’s not practicing law, Dusty is riding in the high mountain country of the Pacific Northwest with his sidekick and P.I., Mike. Divorced, Dusty never imagined himself in a serious relationship again, until fellow lawyer and high country rider Cassie appeared on the scene. Dusty was reviewing files in his office, when his old pal Bill called with a case. “I have an outfitter friend down in Joseph, Oregon, who’s being sued. A couple celebrating their anniversary on a pack trip in the Eagle Cap --the woman was killed during a day ride.” Dusty accepts the case and looks forward to finally riding in the Eagle Cap, something he’d dreamed about for years. Little did he know, the job would test his friendship with Mike; strain his relationship with Cassie to the breaking point, and put all of them in the crosshairs of certain death. This is an action-packed adventure that will take you from Seattle to Portland, and finally to the middle of the Eagle Cap Wilderness. A must read for anyone who enjoys page-turning entertainment in the northwestern outdoors.

276 pages, Kindle Edition

Published January 11, 2017

About the author

I was born in Tacoma, Washington. I bought my first horse was I was 14 years old. Growing up in the suburbs made it difficult to ride my horse in the mountains, but I succeeded. My first pack trip was in the Olympic Mountains, with an outfitter, when I was 16 years old.
I attended the University of Washington in Seattle, taking mainly English classes. After two years, I left and entered a Court Reporting program in Fall of 1976 at Green River Community College. I began Court Reporting in October 1980. I got my next horse in 1982 and have never been without one since.
One day I saw a newspaper ad for the Back Country Horsemen. It said, “Have you ever wanted to ride and learn to pack your horse in the mountains?” I was so excited! I went to the next meeting. I have remained a member, and not only have I learned to pack and ride – but I have met life-long friends, and my husband. All who are riders and packers.
Over the years I have been published several times in the Back Country Horsemen of Washington’s state newsletter, The Trailhead News.
Seeing less of our youth riding horses in the high country, I felt compelled to write about it. I wanted to bring readers into the mountains on the back of a horse. My trails are real, you can ride them today. My characters are loosely based on people I’ve met, and who knows, if you sit around a campfire with Back Country Horsemen members, you’ll probably meet them, too.
I published my first book in the Dusty Rose series in March of 2014, Pack Saddles and Gunpowder. My second book Mountain Cowboys, February 28, 2015 and my third book, High Hunt on December 5, 2015. My fourth, The Blues, was published January 5, 2017.
Get a cup of coffee and enjoy the ride!

Susie Drougas

Reviews

[Shannon · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was the first Dusty Rose book for me and I loved it! First of all I am an Oregonian and the book was set in one of the most beautiful parts of the state. Also, the plot and the characters were so believable and the writing was excellent. There were surprise twists and turns throughout the story and even when I was sure that I knew "who did it" I didn't know how the author was going to get us there. (This book was in my "to read" pile for years and I am so sorry I missed it.)

[Mary E Trimble · Rating 5 out of 5]

Hang on to your cowboy hat with this action-packed, captivating contemporary-western novel by Susie Drougas.

When Attorney Dusty Rose accepts a wrongful death case, he’s excited that he can combine business with pleasure since the location of the incident is the Eagle Cap Wilderness in Oregon. Together with his private investigator, Mike, who also happens to be Dusty’s riding side-kick, they load up the horse trailer and drive from the greater Seattle area to where the death occurred.

The case involves a couple who had made arrangements with an outfitter to celebrate their anniversary by taking a picnic lunch to the peak of the Eagle Cap. From their base camp, they rode horses as far as they could, but then planned to hike the last 500 feet to the peak. During this stretch of the trip, the woman fell to her instant death. The widowed husband was now suing the outfitter for wrongful death.

On the way to meet the outfitter and investigate the scene, Dusty and Mike stop at a bar for dinner, the only place open at that time of night. They encounter a beautiful young woman, Stevie, and there is an instant attraction between her and Dusty. It’s a regrettable encounter because Dusty already has a wonderful woman in his life, a fellow lawyer, and he instantly regrets his lapse in good judgement. But the damage is done.

The next day Dusty and Mike talk to the outfitter and ride their horses, then hike, to the scene of the accident. Later, they talk to the widowed husband, but are puzzled by the conflicts and inconsistencies of the various stories.

The Blues, a name which refers to a location in the book, is rich in landscape descriptions and of wilderness horseback riding. As a real-life court reporter, the author also exhibits professional knowledge of legal procedures, which add significantly to the realism of the story.

The Blues is the fourth of the Dusty Rose Series. To learn more about the preceding novels and the author, visit http://www.susiedrougas.com/.

[j jollo · Rating 5 out of 5]

fantastic, a great series

This book delivers and carries the story forward in an unexpected way. For those who love and appreciate the great outdoors, a book/ series, the whole family can enjoy. waiting for #5

[Gloria Kruszka · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great continuation of the series! Dusty gets called into a wrongful death suit in Oregon and while investigating it with Cassie and Mike finds evidence that things aren't quite what they first seem to be. Great descriptions of the area and more riding. A wonderful series the whole family can get into together, and if you're into packing with horses, some superb ideas on areas to explore. Can't wait for the next one!