Edge of the Sawtooth: A Gripping Mystery Set in The Mountains of Montana: (Rick Morrand Mystery Book I)

by Peter J. Ryan

CHLOE MORRAND HAD TURNED HER LIFE AROUND

She’d been taking her meds. She’d kicked her drug abuse. And she loved her new job at Yellowstone National Park

Life was looking up.

Her father, Rick Morrand—local attorney—is hopeful that Chloe is finally on the right track. But on the morning she fails to show up at his house to pick up her nine-year-old daughter, Abby, alarms ring in his head.

His greatest fear becomes reality when Chloe’s body is found at the base of the Sawtooth in Montana’s rugged backcountry. Authorities assume suicide— for good reason. But Rick doesn’t buy it.

For good reason.

First, former law partner Reiff Metcalf arrives in town to warn Rick about a disgruntled client headed to Montana in search of revenge. Then there’s Draper Townsend, fresh out of prison and eager to settle an old score. Rick also sets his sights on Chloe’s meth-head ex-boyfriend, Chase Rettick, who violently argued with her the day before she disappeared. And he can’t rule out Chloe’s supervisor at Yellowstone, who clearly was more than just her boss.

Local sheriff Caleb Tidwell brushes off Rick’s concerns, but as events unfold in a dark and menacing manner, Rick is certain Chloe was murdered.

And it seems as if the murderer is now after him.

Set in the spectacular backdrop of rural Montana, Edge of the Sawtooth takes us on a gripping journey through the torment of mental illness and addiction, the trials of parenthood, and the anguish of broken relationships and personal loss. Suspense abounds in this riveting and entertaining mystery, which is filled with engaging characters and unexpected twists.

Whether you are a fan of C.J. Box, or you enjoyed The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, you will love reading Edge of the Sawtooth. Clear your schedule when you read this thriller – once you pick it up, you won’t want to put it down.

Here is what they're saying about Edge of the

"I love books that take you into the action and this author does a fantastic job of doing just that. Ryan’s descriptive prose makes you feel like you are right there beside the characters, witnessing every event for yourself. His characters are rich and believable and the storyline is riveting, keeping you captivated wondering what is going to happen next.

Ryan writes a suspenseful thriller with characters that you'll easily connect with, and who are more developed than your average mystery players. Chloe, instead of being a typical, two-dimensional victim, is a complicated and conflicted woman. She's torn between hatred for her medications, which she feels confine and suffocate her true self, and her desire to be a good mother and daughter. Rick, our protagonist, isn't perfect either. He loves Chloe deeply, but is often unable to reconcile his anger towards her and her erratic, often dangerous behavior. This is a satisfying and nail-biting novel. The suspects are plentiful, and you won't know who to place your bets on until the end.

Peter J. Ryan has put together a cast of characters that are compelling and detailed. Then, he put them in a picturesque and adventure-soaked backdrop. I love a good mystery, but this one has some special significance and draws the reader from the very beginning as Rick Morrand searches for the reason that his daughter Chloe was found dead. This is not your typical detective story. It is personal.

474 pages, Kindle Edition

Published May 28, 2017

About the author

Peter J. Ryan was raised in Chicago, where he endured endless torment and heartbreak as a faithful follower of his beloved Chicago Cubs. In 1969, at age 11, Ryan spent the summer traveling by bus to Wrigley Field, where Ernie Banks, Billy Williams, Ron Santo and the rest of Leo Durocher’s squad spent 155 days in first place before losing 17 of their final 25 games and being overtaken by the New York Mets. Ryan’s heart finally mended when the Cubs won the World Series in 2016, their first since 1908.

Although Ryan still has deep affection for his hometown and its sports teams, his heart was tugged at a young age toward the mountains of the West. While attending Northwestern University’s Medill School of Journalism, he took an internship at The Bulletin in Bend, Oregon. Following graduation, he held newspaper jobs in Arizona, New Mexico and Washington, all three states abounding with opportunities to explore the great outdoors.


In 1988, armed with a screenplay, Ryan traveled to California. The screenplay didn’t sell, but Ryan stayed, settling in the seaside community of Huntington Beach. After another brief stint in the newspaper business, he took on occasional freelance projects before establishing Main Street Marketing, an advertising and marketing company. In 2011, Ryan and his wife, Derilynn, purchased a home in Paradise Valley, Montana, where they spend a great deal of time – yes, even in winter. He has four grown children and three grandchildren.

Edge of the Sawtooth is Ryan’s first novel. The book was inspired by his desire to raise awareness of mental illness. Having had members of his immediate and extended family suffer from bipolar disorder, Ryan grew frustrated witnessing the unfair – and sometimes cruel – stereotyping of the mentally ill. It is his hope that more people will realize that mental illness is something that no one chooses – and it is a relentless adversary that takes enormous courage and effort to subdue.

Edge of the Sawtooth is set in a fictional town in rural Montana, a nod to Ryan’s love of the state’s breathtaking beauty and rugged backcountry. His next novel, Lost in the Crazies, the second book of the Rick Morrand Mystery Series, is due out later this year.

Reviews

[Cheryl · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is Mr. Ryan's debut novel. I have to say that Mr. Ryan makes a strong first showing right out the gate. In fact, I am going to give him a nod and say that he reminded me a bit like one of my favorite authors, Mr. C.J. Box. Mr. Box features his Joe Pickett series in Wyoming. Mr. Ryan features his in Montana. Both beautiful areas that lend nicely to the story.

Rick Morrand is the perfect lead for this series. Well I hope it to be a series. It was a fine line that he walked being a father and "detective". Although, I felt that he did a better job of solving his daughter's case then the local sheriff. Speaking of Caleb, he really did not impress me. Yet, I discovered why later in the story.

This story did not lack in suspects. Each had their shady side. Which the author did a very good job of revealing at the right moments. There was no one that I really felt was unnecessary to the overall story. Additionally, no down time. Mr. Ryan writes a smart book. I am already hooked after reading this book and can't wait to see what Mr. Ryan comes out with next. Edge of the Sawtooth is a crisp, smart, mystery that will leave you wanting more!

[Sarah Berry · Rating 5 out of 5]

Exciting murder mystery from the first page.

Edge of The Sawtooth is a wonderfully written murder mystery that will have the reader engaged from page one.  With unexpected twists and turns, Ryan takes us on a brilliant search for hope and justice. 

The quite town in Montana where Rick Morrand lives is one of those towns where everyone knows everyone... and what everyone is doing. Its unfortunately something he has gotten used to, people knowing his business.  Most of it stems from his daughter Chloe who was once involved with the wrong people. Now clean, Chloe is trying to make something of her life, especially for her daughter Abby. But when she fails to pick Abby up from Rick's after a work shift, Rick knows something is wrong.  With Abby's 9th birthday days away, Chloe wouldn't just disappear. So when Chloe's body is found at the bottom of Sawtooth, he sets off on a journey to find her killer and prove that she didn't kill herself.  Along the way he finds that there are more secrets in their small town than what he realized, some of them held by his own daughter. 

I absolutely LOVED this book.  I couldn't seem to put it down.  From the very first page I was drawn into the story and eager to find out what exactly happened to Chloe. This wasn't one of those books that I could easily predict. There were so many twists and turns, Ryan had me guessing until the very end. I highly recommend Edge of The Sawtooth! It is an incredibly well written book and suitable for young adult readers and older. Some teens may enjoy this book, but with topics such as suicide, murder and drugs, as well as some language and light sexual content, it is geared for a more mature audience. Happy Reading!

[Charlotte Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

Edge of the Sawtooth is am wonderful murder mystery. I was pulled in by the time I finished the first page and couldn’t put the book down until I finished the last page. The twists and turns kept me turning page after page needing to find out who killed Chloe.

I found that I kept changing my mind as to who had killed Chloe, the clues were there, the path was followable but I just kept changing my mind. I wanted to be wrong about whom I thought did it and I was wrong so many times. By the end I had a good idea and am proud to say that I had figured it out.

The twist of the protesters was interesting. I could not figure out what that really had to do with a murder. I kept wondering if it was just a distraction or if it would tie in somehow. I liked that the news reporter had a tie to the small town that also provided an interesting twist.

Peter J. Ryan wrote an amazing murder mystery that kept me guessing until the very end. I loved every twist and turn. I definitely recommend picking up your own copy.

[T.A. Beasley · Rating 3 out of 5]

Edge of the Sawtooth is a mystery based in Montana, where Rick Morrand is a lawyer turned investigator when he realizes his daughter Chloe is missing. When she doesn’t pick up his granddaughter Abby and then misses her birthday, Rick knows something is wrong. He throws himself into the investigation with the sheriff office to ensure they look for his daughter. She has a bad history and Rick doesn’t want them to hold it against her in their search.

This was a suspenseful mystery with a hint of drama and romance. The story starts off slow making it hard to relate to the characters until the middle of the book. Once it picks up I was able to really dive into the mystery element of the book, which held my attention. I did like that the sub-plots entered the story at the right time but didn’t overpower the main storyline. I recommend this book to fellow mystery lovers.

Teresa Beasley
A&RBC Reviews
3 Stars=Great Page Turner

[Susan Bissell · Rating 5 out of 5]

Here is a great book out there for all the people who like to read thrillers. The story will keep you guessing until the very end as who did what to whom and why as all the cast of characters are introduced throughout this book. Rick Morrand is the father of Chloe, a young woman with a very troubled past, from her drug use and promiscuous behavior to having a Bi-Polar illness that made her life difficult. In the process, she had a daughter, Abby, that she loved dearly and would do anything she can to protect her and keep her safe. Just as Chloe was starting to make a better life for them and getting her act together as she held down a new job at Yellowstone National Park, Chloe past starts causing problems for her. The problem was Chloe has the knack to attract the wrong men to get involved with and that will lead her to a very bad end at Sawtooth. This small town seems to have many townspeople with malicious and vengeful behavior from the sheriff to ex-lovers in this story, they all seem to have their own agenda to keep the law from solving Chloe death. With Chloe past, no one really knew all the secrets that Chloe kept hidden for years. As Chloe father, Rick fights to find justice for his daughter's death, was it murder or suicide, he must find out the truth in a town with many secrets that the townspeople want to keep hidden.

[Mandi Scott · Rating 4 out of 5]

“Edge of Sawtooth” is an impressive debut suspense novel by author Peter J. Ryan. Set in a fictional Montana small town just north of Yellowstone National Park, the book portrays the beauty of some of the most iconic outdoor scenery in America. However, Ryan resists romanticizing rural America. Instead, he paints the poverty often overlooked by tourists and outdoor enthusiasts alike. While the town is plagued by alcoholism, drug addiction, and the disintegration of family values, we also see a community that stands together in the face of turmoil. There are many characters to keep track of in “Edge of Sawtooth” and Ryan does an excellent job of giving each one depth and individuality. I suggest actually reading the book because the audio version uses a virtual voice narrator instead of a real human voice actor. It made listening rather creepy and distracting.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Edge of the Sawtooth was the first modern western “mystery/thriller” that I’ve read, but it certainly won’t be the last. I always love an author who has the ability to not only keep me in suspense, but literally keep me guessing until the very end. Most of the time, I feel like authors accidentally tip their hand too early with small details, but with this book I was on the hook until the very last page. If you like a good mystery, check out Edge of the Sawtooth. I’m looking forward to reading more by this author soon!

[Melody Yoes · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mystery at Its Best!

As someone who loves to read and loves mysteries in particular, Peter Ryan’s first novel, Edge of the Sawtooth, held me captive from beginning to end. His superb writing style and skill at crafting unique and genuine characters set in the unparalleled beauty of Montana kept me turning the pages. The death of a troubled girl who had turned her life around propelled her father’s quest for truth to clear her name for the sake of his now motherless granddaughter. The storyline is far from over. I cannot wait for his next novel …

Melody Y.

[Jane F. Weisenstein]

This story met all of my expectations. I love the out-of-doors, so the mountains and snow was right up my alley. The characters were real people. I liked them. That doesn't happen all of the time, even with the main character. So I was pleasantly pleased. I finished and immediately bought Book 2.

[Susan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great 'who-dunnit'

A really great mystery with realistic characters. Having recently visited Yellowstone it was interesting to see the landscape come alive with the story. I would highly recommend this book and hope there is a sequel.

[Tom Greenough · Rating 4 out of 5]

Many plot story!

Good story of geographical familiar area. For a first work, an excellent book. I will read more of
The authors work, to see if he can condense the plots.








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[Peggy Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

I hadn’t read this author before. I had CJ Box vibes reading the story. I liked the book with all the character twists and turns. Spoiler alert - I thought the thread with Rick and his grand daughter was weak after the loss of Chloe.

[Angela Randall · Rating 5 out of 5]

I really enjoyed the book. It was verry well put together.

I really enjoyed this book. It was very well put together. It had a good ending as well. Good job

[Sharon Schrader · Rating 5 out of 5]

So real.

I read book two and had to find this book. Both are so well written. Easy to follow but you never know the full story of who did what until the end.