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Deputy Tempe Crabtree #11
Bears With Us
Tempe Crabtree is the resident deputy of Bear Creek, a small mountain community in the southern Sierra. Her continuing interest in the spiritual side of her Native American heritage causes unrest in her marriage to her minister husband.
In Bears With Us, Tempe has her hands full when bears turn up in and around her town, becoming a threat to children and adults alike. When an elderly woman is killed, it appears bears are responsible. But are they? Or is there something else afoot?
In Bears With Us, Tempe has her hands full when bears turn up in and around her town, becoming a threat to children and adults alike. When an elderly woman is killed, it appears bears are responsible. But are they? Or is there something else afoot?
305 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 1, 2011
About the author
Marilyn Meredith
52 books130 followersaka F.M. Meredith.
Marilyn Meredith is the author of over thirty published novels, including the award winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series and the under the name F. M. Meredith, the Rocky Bluff P.D. series. She borrows a lot from where she lives in the Southern Sierra for the town of Bear Creek and the surrounding area, including the nearby Tule River Indian Reservation.
For the Rocky Bluff P.D. series, she uses a lot she remembers from her time living on the coast, in a place much like Rocky Bluff.
She does like to remind everyone that she is writing fiction. Marilyn is a member of EPIC, three chapters of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and on the board of the Public Safety Writers of America
Series:
* Deputy Tempe Crabtree
Marilyn Meredith is the author of over thirty published novels, including the award winning Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series and the under the name F. M. Meredith, the Rocky Bluff P.D. series. She borrows a lot from where she lives in the Southern Sierra for the town of Bear Creek and the surrounding area, including the nearby Tule River Indian Reservation.
For the Rocky Bluff P.D. series, she uses a lot she remembers from her time living on the coast, in a place much like Rocky Bluff.
She does like to remind everyone that she is writing fiction. Marilyn is a member of EPIC, three chapters of Sisters in Crime, Mystery Writers of America, and on the board of the Public Safety Writers of America
Series:
* Deputy Tempe Crabtree
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 20, 2022
Multiple twists
An excellent story with enough plot twists to keep me guessing. Bears are important elements of this story. There is a bit of Indian spirituality added to the mix.
An excellent story with enough plot twists to keep me guessing. Bears are important elements of this story. There is a bit of Indian spirituality added to the mix.
September 12, 2011
Bears are all over Bear Creek, the small mountain community in the southern Sierra where Tempe Crabtree lives with her husband Hutch. Hutch is a pastor in the local church. Tempe is a deputy in the small community and it seems she is being called out so much that she hardly has time to eat or sleep. The bears are preparing for their period of hibernation but are having a hard time finding sufficient food so a few have decided that they will forage for food wherever they can. Tempe has been called when a bear is tearing up a Bear Creek resident’s kitchen and helping itself to whatever is available in the refrigerator and creating quite a mess. A local apple orchard attracts a bear that is dead set on eating the entire crop before the owner of the orchard can get the apples picked and sent to market. Some new residents of the community find a bear on their deck enjoying a nice big roast. A bear even tries to get into the local school.
But it isn’t all about bears. Tempe is called to the home of a new family who has moved into the community. Their son has committed suicide. Although Hutch, serving in his capacity as a minister, tries to offer comfort and help to the family he is not very well received. The family is acting very strangely and seems to want the death of their son kept very quiet.
The mother of a young girl calls upon Tempe to investigate the young man her daughter wants to date. That isn’t exactly in the line of duty for Tempe but she tries to reassure the mother that the boy is a nice young man and well liked in the community. When Hutch invites the daughter to attend his youth group and the young man is in the group the girl’s mother decides to file a complaint with Tempe’s boss.
The most tragic of the episodes that Tempe becomes involved in is that of an older woman who is suffering from dementia. The woman keeps wandering away from home. The first few incidents turn out okay but finally the woman wanders too far and Tempe has to try to figure out what has happened to the woman.
This new Tempe Crabtree novel brings Hutch into the action. If you want a few tips on how to keep a bear away from your residence and your food this is the book for you. A very entertaining way to learn bear habits and understand what it is like to work in a small community as a Deputy. When a hitman attempts to harm a local resident, it is even more dangerous than trying to scare away a big bear.
But it isn’t all about bears. Tempe is called to the home of a new family who has moved into the community. Their son has committed suicide. Although Hutch, serving in his capacity as a minister, tries to offer comfort and help to the family he is not very well received. The family is acting very strangely and seems to want the death of their son kept very quiet.
The mother of a young girl calls upon Tempe to investigate the young man her daughter wants to date. That isn’t exactly in the line of duty for Tempe but she tries to reassure the mother that the boy is a nice young man and well liked in the community. When Hutch invites the daughter to attend his youth group and the young man is in the group the girl’s mother decides to file a complaint with Tempe’s boss.
The most tragic of the episodes that Tempe becomes involved in is that of an older woman who is suffering from dementia. The woman keeps wandering away from home. The first few incidents turn out okay but finally the woman wanders too far and Tempe has to try to figure out what has happened to the woman.
This new Tempe Crabtree novel brings Hutch into the action. If you want a few tips on how to keep a bear away from your residence and your food this is the book for you. A very entertaining way to learn bear habits and understand what it is like to work in a small community as a Deputy. When a hitman attempts to harm a local resident, it is even more dangerous than trying to scare away a big bear.
November 15, 2011
Bears With Us is mystery thriller from the Tempe Crabtree Mystery Series.
Tempe Crabtree has her hands full. The bears in Bear Creek are coming into town and wrecking havoc. Tempe has no idea why it is occurring and Nevretts from Fish & Game has plenty of theories but no true explanation other than land development is forcing them to move and food supplies are dwindling.
After Tempe is called out to the Hamptons to investigate a burglary, it soon becomes apparent that a bear is rampaging through the house. After Tempe removes the bear, she comes to realize that Mrs. Hampton is suffering from a form of Dementia and she calms the women down. Her son wants her to be put in a home while her husband and daughter do not.
Tempe is called to several incidents with bears and all is well until the day that Mrs. Hampton is found mauled to death by a bear. However, Tempe doesn't believe this to be true and her and Detective Morrison attempt to find the truth behind her death. After several brushes with death herself, Tempe realizes that someone knows she is on to them. Will Tempe figure out the truth or will she been killed in the line of duty for upholding justice?
I thought this was a enjoyable mystery even though I found the suspects to be predictable, I still found that the story had some merits and enjoyed the reading of Tempe. I absolutely loved the Native customs being shared throughout the pages. I equally enjoy how the author, Marilyn Meredith, was able to share fact with fiction, it made for an interesting read.
I thought that the pace of the story was a bit dragged on in areas, and the dialogue was a bit wooden. I thought that Tempe and her husband, Hutch, a pastor, didn't have a very believable relationship. Hutch seemed to follow Tempe's lead in just about everything and he came across as not having an opinion of his own.
I would give this three and a half stars out of five. It is an enjoyable read, however, the plot is average and the ending predictable. The writing style is decent and well read and the editorial issues are few. I would read another of the Tempe Crabtree series, the prose was quick and easy to understand and a fast reader could have this read in one afternoon.
Tempe Crabtree has her hands full. The bears in Bear Creek are coming into town and wrecking havoc. Tempe has no idea why it is occurring and Nevretts from Fish & Game has plenty of theories but no true explanation other than land development is forcing them to move and food supplies are dwindling.
After Tempe is called out to the Hamptons to investigate a burglary, it soon becomes apparent that a bear is rampaging through the house. After Tempe removes the bear, she comes to realize that Mrs. Hampton is suffering from a form of Dementia and she calms the women down. Her son wants her to be put in a home while her husband and daughter do not.
Tempe is called to several incidents with bears and all is well until the day that Mrs. Hampton is found mauled to death by a bear. However, Tempe doesn't believe this to be true and her and Detective Morrison attempt to find the truth behind her death. After several brushes with death herself, Tempe realizes that someone knows she is on to them. Will Tempe figure out the truth or will she been killed in the line of duty for upholding justice?
I thought this was a enjoyable mystery even though I found the suspects to be predictable, I still found that the story had some merits and enjoyed the reading of Tempe. I absolutely loved the Native customs being shared throughout the pages. I equally enjoy how the author, Marilyn Meredith, was able to share fact with fiction, it made for an interesting read.
I thought that the pace of the story was a bit dragged on in areas, and the dialogue was a bit wooden. I thought that Tempe and her husband, Hutch, a pastor, didn't have a very believable relationship. Hutch seemed to follow Tempe's lead in just about everything and he came across as not having an opinion of his own.
I would give this three and a half stars out of five. It is an enjoyable read, however, the plot is average and the ending predictable. The writing style is decent and well read and the editorial issues are few. I would read another of the Tempe Crabtree series, the prose was quick and easy to understand and a fast reader could have this read in one afternoon.
October 6, 2011
Deputy Tempe Crabtree and many of the residents of Bear Creek find themselves up to their eyeballs in bears, which creates many tense moments for everyone.
As the book opens, Tempe responds to a possible break in at the house of the Hamptons. Mrs. Hampton, a former socialite of Bear Creek is suffering from dementia. It's soon obvious her condition puts stress on the rest of her family.
Tempe is also called to the Drysdale home, where fifteen-year-old Darren has shot himself. Tempe can't place her finger on it, but the way the family is grieving seems odd; even Hutch, her pastor husband thinks so. Tempe and Hutch are also the target for personal attacks by Mrs. Onstott, who wants them to interfere in her daughter's relationship with a boy she deems inapproproiate, despite the fact that the boy hasn't broken any laws.
As bears continue to wander into town creating problems for the community, Mrs. Hampton's condition deteriorates, Mrs. Onstott continues to make life difficult, and the Drysdales push away every attempt by Hutch and Tempe to help them cope with the loss of their son.
In this latest installment of her Deputy Tempe Crabtree series, Meredith creates an engaging, unique story filled with twists and turns. The unusual storyline pulled me in right away. As the various subplots unfold, there are moments you feel you have it all figured out, just to discover you're nowhere close.
Tempe and Hutch have always made an interesting couple: a Christian pastor and the sole female of the Bear Creek police force, who is part Native American. In Bears With Us, just like previous books, Tempe's heritage is explored in some way. Nick Two John is one of my favorite characters. He is the one who pushes Tempe to learn more about her heritage and to use the skills she has because of it. This has sometimes put Tempe and Hutch on opposite sides, but in this book, we see a husband and wife working together.
A strong female lead, Native American mysticism, and well-drawn characters fill Bears With Us. It can definitely be read as a stand-alone novel, but I suggest you read all the Deputy Tempe Crabtree novels.
As the book opens, Tempe responds to a possible break in at the house of the Hamptons. Mrs. Hampton, a former socialite of Bear Creek is suffering from dementia. It's soon obvious her condition puts stress on the rest of her family.
Tempe is also called to the Drysdale home, where fifteen-year-old Darren has shot himself. Tempe can't place her finger on it, but the way the family is grieving seems odd; even Hutch, her pastor husband thinks so. Tempe and Hutch are also the target for personal attacks by Mrs. Onstott, who wants them to interfere in her daughter's relationship with a boy she deems inapproproiate, despite the fact that the boy hasn't broken any laws.
As bears continue to wander into town creating problems for the community, Mrs. Hampton's condition deteriorates, Mrs. Onstott continues to make life difficult, and the Drysdales push away every attempt by Hutch and Tempe to help them cope with the loss of their son.
In this latest installment of her Deputy Tempe Crabtree series, Meredith creates an engaging, unique story filled with twists and turns. The unusual storyline pulled me in right away. As the various subplots unfold, there are moments you feel you have it all figured out, just to discover you're nowhere close.
Tempe and Hutch have always made an interesting couple: a Christian pastor and the sole female of the Bear Creek police force, who is part Native American. In Bears With Us, just like previous books, Tempe's heritage is explored in some way. Nick Two John is one of my favorite characters. He is the one who pushes Tempe to learn more about her heritage and to use the skills she has because of it. This has sometimes put Tempe and Hutch on opposite sides, but in this book, we see a husband and wife working together.
A strong female lead, Native American mysticism, and well-drawn characters fill Bears With Us. It can definitely be read as a stand-alone novel, but I suggest you read all the Deputy Tempe Crabtree novels.
October 24, 2011
First if you have read the first book in this series you will LOVE this book~! If this is your first one to read if you read the first book you can learn about the characters a little more. Again Marilyn Meredith wrote another amazing book...I have read a few of her books and I love how they catch you and keep you hooked. "Bears with us" is about the bears of Bear Creek are getting ready for hibernation and some weird things are going on around Bear Creek like getting calls for a house that has been broken into . I feel bad for Tempe she is so crazy busy with all the calls she hardly has time to eat and sleep. Her husband is the Pastor at a local church there in Bear Creek near the Indian Reservation. The other main part in this book is about a young man who commits suicide but what is odd is the family wants the death to be very secret hush hush and pushes the help away from Pastor Hutch. Bears With Us is a VERY fast paced book it will keep you wanting to know more.... I do not want to give it all away so please read Marilyns new book " Bears With Us"
October 15, 2011
This is the first book of Marilyn Meredith's that I have read and it definitely will not be my last. I really enjoyed the writing style of Ms. Meredith and found her mystery, Bears With Us, to be a realistic and plausible tale. I liked the main character, Deputy Tempe Crabtree, and the setting in the California Sierras is one of my favorite places. And the cover art is just gorgeous.
Bears who have been denied their usual food supply are terrorizing the neighborhood searching out food in the garbage and in people's homes. Suspected burglars turn out to be bears and a murder is concealed by being a suspected bear attack. There is also a side story about a family with something to hide. Tempe Crabtree along with her husband Pastor Hutch are in the middle of everything that happens in their small community of Bear Creek.
Good story and a good book to while away a cold autumn day.
Bears who have been denied their usual food supply are terrorizing the neighborhood searching out food in the garbage and in people's homes. Suspected burglars turn out to be bears and a murder is concealed by being a suspected bear attack. There is also a side story about a family with something to hide. Tempe Crabtree along with her husband Pastor Hutch are in the middle of everything that happens in their small community of Bear Creek.
Good story and a good book to while away a cold autumn day.
November 21, 2011
I always enjoy a visit to Ms Meredith's Tempe Crabtree's world. Tempe is a deputy in a sparsely populated area of the California Sierra. She is a non-traditional Native American married to a Christian pastor - and yes, religion does play a part in many of the stories. (One of the things that I respect is the even treatment of the various traditions.) Tempe's life consists of ordinary events both personally and professionally.
Bears with Us is literally what much of this book is about. Bears are coming into people's houses, even schools, looking for food. Other themes include raising teenagers and dementia. All of these become a deputy's business in one or the other way. But don't think that it is all too pastoral. Yes, Tempe's life is that -- until it isn't.
Bears with Us is literally what much of this book is about. Bears are coming into people's houses, even schools, looking for food. Other themes include raising teenagers and dementia. All of these become a deputy's business in one or the other way. But don't think that it is all too pastoral. Yes, Tempe's life is that -- until it isn't.
November 15, 2011
Bears With Us by Marilyn Meredith features Deputy Tempe Crabtree and her husband, Hutch, a local preacher.
Tempe faces hungry bears, fearful townspeople, a woman with a form of dementia and an unhappy family, and that’s just for starters. Add a suicide, a snooty mother who doesn’t like the boy her daughter is seeing and, well, a murder, and you’ve got the ingredients for a book you won’t want to put down until you’ve read the last page. You may think I’ve given the story away, but such is not the case.
Marilyn Meredith wove all of these scenarios together as only a great storyteller can, and I highly recommend this book. I’m honestly couldn’t put it down.
Tempe faces hungry bears, fearful townspeople, a woman with a form of dementia and an unhappy family, and that’s just for starters. Add a suicide, a snooty mother who doesn’t like the boy her daughter is seeing and, well, a murder, and you’ve got the ingredients for a book you won’t want to put down until you’ve read the last page. You may think I’ve given the story away, but such is not the case.
Marilyn Meredith wove all of these scenarios together as only a great storyteller can, and I highly recommend this book. I’m honestly couldn’t put it down.
January 4, 2015
Tempe Crabtree a Deputy Sherriff and her pastor husband deal with roaming bears, 911 calls from a woman with dementia, exposed family in Witness Protection an uptight woman who doesn't want her teenage daughter see a boy who is "lower class" and Mexican. These and more keep them both busy at all hours of the day. An easy read low key and of the "cozy" type.
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April 10, 2012Very nice sense of place - the small town of Bear Creek. I liked the matter-of-fact way Deputy Tempe Crabtree handled a string of bear sightings and attacks, grappled with hired killers, and solved a murder.
October 27, 2012
Bears are symbols in this well crafted mystery. Author knows how to get you interested & wanting to read further. Her characters have real life characteristics which make them feel like old friends. Always enjoy Meredith's stories which I highly recommend to all mystery fans.
February 10, 2012
"Bears With Us" was an intriguing mystery with interesting, likable characters and a plot that made me keep turning the pages.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews