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Posadas County Mystery #21
Come Dark
Posadas County, New Mexico, is in the news.
NightZone, a mammoth astronomy theme park, is bringing in jobs, media, and such new infrastructure as a slick narrow-gauge railway to transport tourists from the village of Posadas to the tramway running up the mesa to the project's site. And the Posadas High School girls' volleyball team is on a hot winning streak, exciting everyone.
But more news, not good, breaks. Volleyball Coach Clint Scott has been found gunned-down in the girls' shower room, the victim of four bullets, one fired nearly point blank into his heart. Dead for hours, killed soon after the end of last night's game.
And, last night, a homegrown Banksy had tagged both one of the railway cars and a section of NightZone's giant radio telescope dish. Then, apparently, this young artist began work on a section of wall outside the girls' locker room at the high school - a project that was clearly - dramatically - interrupted.
With morning come two strange incidents. Stacie Willis Stewart, a former Posadas volleyball star, locks up her baby and Jack Russell terrier in her Volvo, walks away to local superstore The Spree - and disappears. A former teacher spots the child and dog before the heat can kill them. Deputy Tom Pasquale, in The Spree's parking lot where he's spotted a suspicious Illinois plate on a Ford Fusion, watched it all. He then leads a fruitless search for her inside the store. No luck - but he does score a man with an Elvis haircut and his wife when they return to the Ford with stories that don't add up.
The lead on the murder is Undersheriff Estelle Reyes-Guzman, who's still able to call on the retired former sheriff, Bill Gastner - a good thing, for she is surprised by the arrival of her piano-prodigy son, Francisco, age 15, in a sleek Corvette driven some one thousand unchaperoned miles by an eighteen-year-old beauty, a cellist. Their goal: to join the one hundredth birthday celebration for Estelle's mother.
300 pages, Kindle Edition
First published April 5, 2016
120 people are currently reading
131 people want to read
About the author
Steven F. Havill
37 books255 followersSteven F. Havill is an American author of mysteries and westerns.
Havill lives in Raton, New Mexico, with his wife Kathleen. He has written two series of police procedurals set in the fictional Posadas County, New Mexico; along with other works.
Havill lives in Raton, New Mexico, with his wife Kathleen. He has written two series of police procedurals set in the fictional Posadas County, New Mexico; along with other works.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews
October 15, 2016
#21 in the Posadas County mystery series. Locating the killer of HS coach Clint Scott is the main thing on Undersheriff Estelle Reyes-Guzman's plate at the moment. But in addition to her law enforcement duties, she is faced with the surprise appearance of her 15 year old son, Francisco. Francisco, a piano prodigy, is supposed to be at a conservatory in MO - not driving over a thousand miles in the car of a beautiful 18 year old cellist. Estelle's predecessor as undersheriff, 77 year old, retired Bill Gastner, her sons' godfather is available to help. A fine series entry.
Posadas County mystery - NightZone-a "mammoth astronomy theme park project," complete with a radio telescope array and a hotel atop a mesa-is nearing completion. It's attracting lots of media attention, as is the girls' high school volleyball team, which is on a 65-game winning streak. Meanwhile, undersheriff Estelle Reyes-Guzman looks into the disappearance of Stacie Stewart, who left her baby and dog in a sweltering car and disappeared; spray-paint vandalism at both NightZone and the high school; and the fatal shooting of girls' volleyball coach Clint Scott in the girls' shower room.
Posadas County mystery - NightZone-a "mammoth astronomy theme park project," complete with a radio telescope array and a hotel atop a mesa-is nearing completion. It's attracting lots of media attention, as is the girls' high school volleyball team, which is on a 65-game winning streak. Meanwhile, undersheriff Estelle Reyes-Guzman looks into the disappearance of Stacie Stewart, who left her baby and dog in a sweltering car and disappeared; spray-paint vandalism at both NightZone and the high school; and the fatal shooting of girls' volleyball coach Clint Scott in the girls' shower room.
June 21, 2016
If you're familiar with the Posadas County Mystery series you'll find the old gang still present and fighting crime in New Mexico. This book is pretty much all Estelle with some help by Sheriff Bob and good old Gastner. Its a messy murder mystery with an added missing person case - - Undersheriff Estelle Reyes-Guzman is a smart cookie and she puts all of her well trained crime- solving brain to work trying to figure the mess out. The writing is first class - its fast moving and the New Mexico locales are well described and play a role in the story. If you haven't tried a Steven Havill book yet, this one is as good a place to start as any.
July 23, 2016
For this longtime reader of the Posadas County mysteries, some of the charm of the series has been lost with the continued development of the NightZone storyline. Maybe it was done to freshen up the books, but moving the focus of the action from the village to the mesa on which the park is being built--and adding world-class artists and multimillionaires to the mix--reduces the small-town attraction that the first 15 or so books in the series had for me.
April 18, 2016
The 21st in the Posadas County series but my first!
As always it is difficult to read a book that is part of a long lasting and very popular series and be able to get fully involved in the characters when having no previous knowledge. However, I found this book a good read and enjoyed the plot, in particular the way different areas of the town and the characters involved are described and even though this was my first introduction to Posadas I felt as though I got a feel for the area from the very start.
The main storyline centres around the brutal killing of the Posadas High School’s Volleyball coach, Clint Scott, he is found in the girl’s shower room with four bullets, one fired point blank into his heart. The main detective responsible for solving the case is Undersheriff Estelle Reyes-Guzman who enlists the help of retired former sheriff, Bill Gastner, who as I understand it has been a major protagonist in previous books of this series.
I liked the way there are various other strands of events going on in the town, one of the major ones being the building of an astronomy theme park which is creating jobs and media attention to the area. However, the manager is happy to use local talent and Efrin Garcia a talented young artist has been employed to create murals at the new park. However, he also likes displaying his work at various other parts of the town, one of which happens to be a section of the wall outside the girls’ locker room but he chooses the wrong night!
In a seemingly unrelated event one of the other detectives in the town, Deputy Thomas Pasquale sees Stacie Stewart, a school friend who he has always had a crush on, despite her being married to the local bank president, Todd Stewart, lock her car and go into the local superstore and then disappear. She has left her baby daughter and her puppy locked inside the car but fortunately a bystander alerts the police and they are rescued but Stacie has not only left the superstore, she has left Posedas. Rumours then begin to connect her to the murder victim who was single and good looking and was understood to be meeting an unknown lady at the High School.
Another amusing part of the story that is totally unrelated to the murder but again keeps us involved with the people in the town is when Estelle’s 15-year-old son, Francisco, a talented pianist, turns up in a car driven by a beautiful 18-year-old cellist who it appears is his girlfriend. Estelle’s reactions to this add to the atmosphere and I did enjoy the way the author introduces new characters that you can see may become more relevant in a later book.
After all of the enjoyment of the book with its various sub-plots and interesting characters I found the actual solving of the murder and the reasons behind it very disappointing, I certainly did not guess who or why but I felt it was almost a lazy explanation and could have been made so much better. For this reason, the book dropped from 4 to 3 stars for me, I would like to read some of the earlier books in the series but feel that 20 books may be just a few too many!
Dexter
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
As always it is difficult to read a book that is part of a long lasting and very popular series and be able to get fully involved in the characters when having no previous knowledge. However, I found this book a good read and enjoyed the plot, in particular the way different areas of the town and the characters involved are described and even though this was my first introduction to Posadas I felt as though I got a feel for the area from the very start.
The main storyline centres around the brutal killing of the Posadas High School’s Volleyball coach, Clint Scott, he is found in the girl’s shower room with four bullets, one fired point blank into his heart. The main detective responsible for solving the case is Undersheriff Estelle Reyes-Guzman who enlists the help of retired former sheriff, Bill Gastner, who as I understand it has been a major protagonist in previous books of this series.
I liked the way there are various other strands of events going on in the town, one of the major ones being the building of an astronomy theme park which is creating jobs and media attention to the area. However, the manager is happy to use local talent and Efrin Garcia a talented young artist has been employed to create murals at the new park. However, he also likes displaying his work at various other parts of the town, one of which happens to be a section of the wall outside the girls’ locker room but he chooses the wrong night!
In a seemingly unrelated event one of the other detectives in the town, Deputy Thomas Pasquale sees Stacie Stewart, a school friend who he has always had a crush on, despite her being married to the local bank president, Todd Stewart, lock her car and go into the local superstore and then disappear. She has left her baby daughter and her puppy locked inside the car but fortunately a bystander alerts the police and they are rescued but Stacie has not only left the superstore, she has left Posedas. Rumours then begin to connect her to the murder victim who was single and good looking and was understood to be meeting an unknown lady at the High School.
Another amusing part of the story that is totally unrelated to the murder but again keeps us involved with the people in the town is when Estelle’s 15-year-old son, Francisco, a talented pianist, turns up in a car driven by a beautiful 18-year-old cellist who it appears is his girlfriend. Estelle’s reactions to this add to the atmosphere and I did enjoy the way the author introduces new characters that you can see may become more relevant in a later book.
After all of the enjoyment of the book with its various sub-plots and interesting characters I found the actual solving of the murder and the reasons behind it very disappointing, I certainly did not guess who or why but I felt it was almost a lazy explanation and could have been made so much better. For this reason, the book dropped from 4 to 3 stars for me, I would like to read some of the earlier books in the series but feel that 20 books may be just a few too many!
Dexter
Breakaway Reviewers received a copy of the book to review.
July 12, 2016
Interesting plot and characters, with murder and mayhem in every direction. Suspicions run amok and there are plenty of suspects from which to choose; panic and desperation ensue as some characters try to maintain the exposure of damning personal secrets.
I really enjoyed Havill's way with words as well; for the most part, his characters say exactly what you'd expect them to given the circumstances. An author's failure to do this is a sure-fire way to ensure I'll pull the plug on the book and allow my interest to flat-line...
This was my first introduction to Mr. Havill; overall, it's a well-written piece of fiction that has left me searching for more of his books, and keeping my eyes open for others yet to come. Highly recommended!
*** This book was provided to me by the publisher and/or the author as an ARC in return for my honest review. ***
I really enjoyed Havill's way with words as well; for the most part, his characters say exactly what you'd expect them to given the circumstances. An author's failure to do this is a sure-fire way to ensure I'll pull the plug on the book and allow my interest to flat-line...
This was my first introduction to Mr. Havill; overall, it's a well-written piece of fiction that has left me searching for more of his books, and keeping my eyes open for others yet to come. Highly recommended!
*** This book was provided to me by the publisher and/or the author as an ARC in return for my honest review. ***
December 31, 2016
Quick read formula southwestern mysteries set in fictional Posades County in far south New Mexico on the Mexicna border. Author is a bit of a chauvinist especially in his descriptions of women. Disappointing since he now has a female under sheriff as lead protagonist but the cosy mystery readers should enjoy. Setting is a plus.
October 11, 2023
the series is losing its charm for several reasons. The Night Zone thing is cool, but it has become the center of the county, where I liked the original citizens and scenery the best. Also, heeeere is Francisco, again, out of the blue. I don’t care about the kid and his girlfriend. The ending of book this felt rushed and not hard to figure out. I was glad to see Gastner up and about.
May 21, 2025
Stacie Stewart has an accounting degree and is the wife of a local banker. They have a female infant child, and on a hot day, Stacie locked her car and went into a nearby grocery store, leaving the child and a small dog in the car. An alert motorist noted that the child and dog were locked in the car, and her quick phone call saved both lives. A happily married sheriff’s deputy paid special notice of Stacie’s walk into that grocery store. His happy marriage didn’t preclude him from dredging up high-school memories in which he crushed on Stacie. But Stacie never came out of the store, and the same deputy noticed a discrepancy in the parking lot he couldn’t let go of. Someone had attached a dented, dirty license plate to a relatively new car. Recognizing that most people don’t do that, he ran the plate and learned that it belonged to someone in Illinois who had attached it to a pickup truck. Upon quizzing the owners of the vehicle, the deputy and his boss, Sheriff Bob Torres, found what initially looked like drugs in the trunk. So, it’s off to jail for the not-so-happy couple, and the search for Stacie continues.
Meanwhile, in another part of town, someone finds the body of Clint Scott, the well-respected high-school volleyball coach, dead in the shower room of the school. Someone had fired four shots at Scott, but the one to his heart was the shot that killed him.
If that’s not enough, its Estelle Reyes-Guzman’s mom’s 100th birthday, and Francisco Guzman, the youthful concert pianist in the family, has come home to play for her on her birthday. He brought 18-year-old Angela Travino with him. They drove straight through from Kansas, and Estelle is not entirely happy. She can only imagine what a 15-year-old boy thinks about when in corvette-close quarters with an 18-year-old highly talented beauty.
This easily earned its four-star rating. Havill generally always keeps me interested, and he’s not prone to writing books that get boring in the middle or are too long. It’s best if you can read previous books in the series, but many reviewers insist it isn’t necessary. You can decide.
Meanwhile, in another part of town, someone finds the body of Clint Scott, the well-respected high-school volleyball coach, dead in the shower room of the school. Someone had fired four shots at Scott, but the one to his heart was the shot that killed him.
If that’s not enough, its Estelle Reyes-Guzman’s mom’s 100th birthday, and Francisco Guzman, the youthful concert pianist in the family, has come home to play for her on her birthday. He brought 18-year-old Angela Travino with him. They drove straight through from Kansas, and Estelle is not entirely happy. She can only imagine what a 15-year-old boy thinks about when in corvette-close quarters with an 18-year-old highly talented beauty.
This easily earned its four-star rating. Havill generally always keeps me interested, and he’s not prone to writing books that get boring in the middle or are too long. It’s best if you can read previous books in the series, but many reviewers insist it isn’t necessary. You can decide.
June 27, 2021
I've read most of Steven Havill's books. I've enjoyed each and every one. His portrayal of small-town New Mexico is so accurate--the camaraderie, the gossip, the coming together during tragedies and the complicated relationships the rest of the time. The man knows. I lived in a New Mexican village in the mountains of So. NM. While not as near the border as Posadas, it does have its diversity and its mix of strong individuals with diverse (and conflicting) opinions.
Watching Posadas change with time, has been like seeing the changes in the small Arizona "city" where I now live, about the size of Posadas in this novel.
Love Steven's stories and I hope he lives to 100+ and is still writing on his deathbed!!!!
Watching Posadas change with time, has been like seeing the changes in the small Arizona "city" where I now live, about the size of Posadas in this novel.
Love Steven's stories and I hope he lives to 100+ and is still writing on his deathbed!!!!
February 15, 2018
I thought this was one of the weaker ones in the series. They could have done more with Estelle's oldest son driving home in a vette with an "older" woman. Instead it pretty much is formula police procedural neatly tied up in the last 2 chapters.
July 4, 2018
Ah, the joys of ebooks. I downloaded the whole series and read them in order. The author does a fine job of fleshing out his characters more with each story. The cases are involving and tricky. I am sad because with the end of this book I have only one more to read. I recommend this series.
August 8, 2018
Lovely how the author can make so many separate actions all come together in a completed story by the end. Fun, too, that he waves his red herrings in the reader’s face after the culprit is caught. Neener neener.
March 24, 2025
The Piano and Cello
Francisco and a friend surprise the Gutzman's witha home visit. The huge mesa projects attracts a very talented artist to add to the project. Murder puts a pause on everything.
This writers ability to weave a story is remarkable. Don't miss this chapter
Francisco and a friend surprise the Gutzman's witha home visit. The huge mesa projects attracts a very talented artist to add to the project. Murder puts a pause on everything.
This writers ability to weave a story is remarkable. Don't miss this chapter
January 21, 2018
Great read.
The Posada's series is my favorite read. I have read all the books at least 3 times and still can't stop turning the pages.
The Posada's series is my favorite read. I have read all the books at least 3 times and still can't stop turning the pages.
February 19, 2018
The Posadas Mysteries never fail. Good storyline again. Tad dry in a few places, but the excitement of the story won out.
April 18, 2019
Really enjoy these characters and his writing.
July 18, 2019
July 2019 This is another favorite of mine! I love all the inner-twined stories...
July 22, 2019
Goodness! The pace just never slows down in this series of great mysteries in the county of Posadas, New Mexico. Wish the books could go on forever.
August 15, 2019
Excellent! My new favorite series (replacing CJ Box) & that’s saying a lot. Great plot, characters.
March 24, 2020
Yet another very entertaining book in this very fine series. Multiple plot threads include a missing housewife, tagging vandals, a murdered elementary school teacher, and bricks of alfalfa.
February 5, 2021
I love this series and usually give the books 4 or 5 stars, but when an author completely makes up a county in the state I live in, I just can't give it more than 3 stars.
April 5, 2021
Posadas County, for such a small place, continues to be a hotbed of intrigue. Undersheriff Estelle Reyes-Guzman may never get any sleep.
March 8, 2023
I am really enjoying this series. A good story.
June 12, 2023
Excellent
December 4, 2024
I like this series.
January 7, 2025
A lot of filler. Not as interesting as previous books. Still way too many descriptions of human body types not perfect in the authors’s eyes. It distracts from the story.
May 30, 2016
As Come Dark: The Posadas County Mysteries by Steven F. Havill opens the massive astronomy theme park known as Nightzone is taking shape atop the mesa approximately 35 miles to the west of Posadas, New Mexico. The dish is up, the technicians are installing everything, and slowly all the details are being handled. Paying visitors are not on the grounds yet, but a media day to publicize the latest progress is just hours away so this little county in the along the Mexican border pretty busy.
Not only is Nightzone coming right along, but the girls soccer team is on one heck of a win streak and has a championship in sight. Media is present to chronicle history as the team seems unbeatable right now. Way more media than normal means there are plenty of outsiders to contemplate the graffiti vandalism adorning one of the narrow gauge railway passenger cars that are to move folks up to the tramway location for the eventual ride to the mesa summit and Nightzone.
Hiding the railcar away from prying eyes will be easy. Undersheriff Estelle Reyes Guzman and the other officers will figure out who did it and why. That case will have to wait as a couple more serious crimes have occurred in quick succession. One of which is the fact that the girls volleyball coach has been found dead on the shower floor in the girls locker room at the High School. Shot four times Coach Clint Scott is definitely dead and has been dead for quite some time it would appear. Though the time of death might be a bit hard to tell since his body was found partially covered by the cascading waters of the cold shower head thanks to the fact that his dead body blocked the shower drain.
A murder, vandalism, a missing mother, and quite a lot more is going on in Come Dark by Steven F. Havill. This is one of those series where the primary and secondary characters actually age and evolve as time passes and the events of previous books impact current events and lives. This series has always been very good and nothing has changed with the latest installment. Come Dark: The Posadas County Mysteries from its distinctive cover to the last page is a complex police procedural style mystery and one heck of a read.
Come Dark: The Posadas County Mysteries
Steven F. Havill
Link
Poisoned Pen Mystery
http://www.poisonedpenpress.com
2016
ISBN# 978-1-4642-0525-5
Hardback (also available in eBook format)
300 Pages
$26.95
Material supplied by the good folks of the Plano Public Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2016
Not only is Nightzone coming right along, but the girls soccer team is on one heck of a win streak and has a championship in sight. Media is present to chronicle history as the team seems unbeatable right now. Way more media than normal means there are plenty of outsiders to contemplate the graffiti vandalism adorning one of the narrow gauge railway passenger cars that are to move folks up to the tramway location for the eventual ride to the mesa summit and Nightzone.
Hiding the railcar away from prying eyes will be easy. Undersheriff Estelle Reyes Guzman and the other officers will figure out who did it and why. That case will have to wait as a couple more serious crimes have occurred in quick succession. One of which is the fact that the girls volleyball coach has been found dead on the shower floor in the girls locker room at the High School. Shot four times Coach Clint Scott is definitely dead and has been dead for quite some time it would appear. Though the time of death might be a bit hard to tell since his body was found partially covered by the cascading waters of the cold shower head thanks to the fact that his dead body blocked the shower drain.
A murder, vandalism, a missing mother, and quite a lot more is going on in Come Dark by Steven F. Havill. This is one of those series where the primary and secondary characters actually age and evolve as time passes and the events of previous books impact current events and lives. This series has always been very good and nothing has changed with the latest installment. Come Dark: The Posadas County Mysteries from its distinctive cover to the last page is a complex police procedural style mystery and one heck of a read.
Come Dark: The Posadas County Mysteries
Steven F. Havill
Link
Poisoned Pen Mystery
http://www.poisonedpenpress.com
2016
ISBN# 978-1-4642-0525-5
Hardback (also available in eBook format)
300 Pages
$26.95
Material supplied by the good folks of the Plano Public Library System.
Kevin R. Tipple ©2016
August 24, 2017
I would like to read the earlier books I have just discovered this author by listening to the first book in the series. I will try to locate the rest of the series so that the story can be filled in.
July 16, 2016
I love the Posadas County Series by Steven F. Havill, truly one of my favorites!
I have followed this since the beginning when we were introduced to now retired Sheriff Bill Gastner. He is still as tenacious, gruff, and interesting as ever. He has always been a strong mentor to others in the department and that continues. It has been interesting to see as his character steps back, the continuity of those he mentored now mentoring other new characters as they are introduced. The series has one of the best developed overall cast of characters. Even background characters are multi-dimensional and add depth to each story.
Estelle Reyes-Guzman is one of the best written characters I have ever encountered. It has been enjoyable to watch her grow and develop throughout the series. I love reading about her methods in her work and following along as she works out each problem. Equally interesting is the rich life she leads with her devoted family: her adopted mother now about to turn 100, her doctor husband Francis, her gifted pianist son Francisco-who adds a special twist to this tale, and her inquisitive, charming son Carlos.
From the start there are problems piling up; missing young mother Stacie Stewart, graffiti at the new Night Zone astronomy park and about town, and then the demise of Clint Scott the winning-est coach in school and county history.
Will Estelle and her team be able to solve each of these problems in time for her to be able to actually participate in the celebrations that have been planned to celebrate her mother's centennial?
I have followed this since the beginning when we were introduced to now retired Sheriff Bill Gastner. He is still as tenacious, gruff, and interesting as ever. He has always been a strong mentor to others in the department and that continues. It has been interesting to see as his character steps back, the continuity of those he mentored now mentoring other new characters as they are introduced. The series has one of the best developed overall cast of characters. Even background characters are multi-dimensional and add depth to each story.
Estelle Reyes-Guzman is one of the best written characters I have ever encountered. It has been enjoyable to watch her grow and develop throughout the series. I love reading about her methods in her work and following along as she works out each problem. Equally interesting is the rich life she leads with her devoted family: her adopted mother now about to turn 100, her doctor husband Francis, her gifted pianist son Francisco-who adds a special twist to this tale, and her inquisitive, charming son Carlos.
From the start there are problems piling up; missing young mother Stacie Stewart, graffiti at the new Night Zone astronomy park and about town, and then the demise of Clint Scott the winning-est coach in school and county history.
Will Estelle and her team be able to solve each of these problems in time for her to be able to actually participate in the celebrations that have been planned to celebrate her mother's centennial?
May 15, 2016
I've been a fan of Havill's Posadas County mysteries since they were the Bill Gastner mysteries and they're always a good read. Come Dark started out fabulous, one of the best I've read, but I was disappointed by the ending. After taking the vast majority of the book to set up two mysteries, slowly and carefully intertwining them both, the novel wrapped them both up in three contrived chapters. It's still a good read but the ending kept if from being great.
I like mysteries where the detectives solve the mysteries and catch the perpetrators. In this one, the people are caught not by the striving and skill of the detectives, but basically by happenstance. There was no reveal, just a way too tidy summing up the criminals. It was too neat, too quick, and too easy.
This also might have the smallest amount of space given to former series star Bill Gastner. I enjoy Estelle, although her super-talented kids tend to be an annoying subplot, but Gaster is one of the more unusual and fascinating characters in today's mystery world. I just hate seeing him phased out more and more. I want more of him discussing items while eating green chili.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 47 reviews