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Four Corners War
Rejoin Ray Pacheco and Tyee Chino in their latest adventure unraveling a maze of misdeeds involving wealth, power, political corruption and Navajo warriors. Farmington, New Mexico located in the Four Corners area where four states meet is about to experience a level of crime and mayhem never seen before. The local sheriff has abandoned his post and taken old military equipment, including a tank, off to Colorado to prepare for the beginning of the end. Left behind is the body of his wife, who was having an affair with the richest man in town. Money, sex and all known sins come into play in a small town drama that will take Pacheco and Chino into a conflict that will involve many of the good citizens of Farmington and the nearby Navajo Nation.
- GenresMystery
216 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 3, 2019
259 people are currently reading
79 people want to read
About the author
Ted Clifton
21 books73 followersAward-winning author Ted Clifton has written mystery novels which feature the settings of New Mexico and Oklahoma, places where Ted spent considerable time.
One of his books, The Bootlegger’s Legacy, won the IBPA Benjamin Franklin award and the CIPA EVVY award.
He currently has three mystery series: Pacheco and Chino, the Muckraker Mystery series and the Vincent Malone series. The first book, Santa Fe Mojo, from the Malone series was just published.
Today, Ted resides in Denver with his wife and grandson, after many years living in the New Mexico desert.
One of his books, The Bootlegger’s Legacy, won the IBPA Benjamin Franklin award and the CIPA EVVY award.
He currently has three mystery series: Pacheco and Chino, the Muckraker Mystery series and the Vincent Malone series. The first book, Santa Fe Mojo, from the Malone series was just published.
Today, Ted resides in Denver with his wife and grandson, after many years living in the New Mexico desert.
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 3, 2019
It took a while to get this book, but I finally got it. Sadly it feels like this is the last in the series. This is a complicated case for our retired sheriff and his fishing buddy. I am really glad that I found this author a while back because it has been fun reading from the start.
May 16, 2021
Entertaining, though awkwardly written in places. Good-hearted characters and quirky bad guys.
Currently Reading
December 23, 2019TheFussyLibrarian
November 15, 2021
I have to be honest; I am not sure what happened in this book ... and I read it all the way to the end.
Private investigators Ray Pacheco and Tyee Chino are called by New Mexico's governor (a friend of Ray's) because a sheriff from Farmington has taken some militarized police gear to Colorado for some sort of white supremacist militia rally. He wants Ray and Tyee to bring it back.
So, Ray and Tyee go to Farmington to see what they can learn. The acting sheriff, Trujillo, tells them that the missing sheriff (Jackson, I think ... there were a load of characters in this book) was investigating some kind of corruption on the Navajo reservation involving gasoline taxes. It seems that the tribal president was in cahoots with the owner of Grimes Oil to falsify records so the two of them could split the money. Pretty soon, Grimes is dead -- shot by the side of his pool.
Also, the third partner in the private eye business doesn't want to be mayor of their town anymore,so there's a lot involving that problem.
There are at least three plots in this book, so many characters that I couldn't keep them straight ... and if there were any clues on the page, I'll be damned if I could see them. Everything hinges on some documents that the reader never sees ... and then it's all sewn up with an epilogue that just feels tacked on.
Not my cup of tea, I'm sorry to say.
Private investigators Ray Pacheco and Tyee Chino are called by New Mexico's governor (a friend of Ray's) because a sheriff from Farmington has taken some militarized police gear to Colorado for some sort of white supremacist militia rally. He wants Ray and Tyee to bring it back.
So, Ray and Tyee go to Farmington to see what they can learn. The acting sheriff, Trujillo, tells them that the missing sheriff (Jackson, I think ... there were a load of characters in this book) was investigating some kind of corruption on the Navajo reservation involving gasoline taxes. It seems that the tribal president was in cahoots with the owner of Grimes Oil to falsify records so the two of them could split the money. Pretty soon, Grimes is dead -- shot by the side of his pool.
Also, the third partner in the private eye business doesn't want to be mayor of their town anymore,so there's a lot involving that problem.
There are at least three plots in this book, so many characters that I couldn't keep them straight ... and if there were any clues on the page, I'll be damned if I could see them. Everything hinges on some documents that the reader never sees ... and then it's all sewn up with an epilogue that just feels tacked on.
Not my cup of tea, I'm sorry to say.
June 19, 2021
In some respects this is a three star book; in others it rates four. The retired sheriff and his Apache partner are summoned by the governor to Farmington, New Mexico where the sheriff has taken the department’s military surplus equipment with a militia group to the mountains of Colorado. The bodies begin to pile up. The FBI and BIA are searching for missing millions on the Navajo reservation and at the feet of the richest man in town. There are numerous interesting characters. The plot has lots of twists. Yet, like Ray, the whole feels tired, on its last legs. Which is a shame because there is something about this author’s writing that makes it most enjoyable to read. It is relaxing yet enticing. This third book in this series just doesn’t match the verve of the first which had many laugh out loud moments. Those and the fuller character development are missing and their lack is mourned by this reader.
August 14, 2025
An intricate plot
Although I don’t live in the west, I like to read stories that take place in the west. So from that standpoint. I enjoyed the book. The plot is intricate, and the end very satisfying. The characters are interesting and complex. My only complaint is this is book 3 and since I had not read book one or two, I really didn’t have a good concept of the characters of Ray and Tyee. I think the books should probably be read in order for the characters to seem complete. And in reality, the female characters lacked any dimension.
Although I don’t live in the west, I like to read stories that take place in the west. So from that standpoint. I enjoyed the book. The plot is intricate, and the end very satisfying. The characters are interesting and complex. My only complaint is this is book 3 and since I had not read book one or two, I really didn’t have a good concept of the characters of Ray and Tyee. I think the books should probably be read in order for the characters to seem complete. And in reality, the female characters lacked any dimension.
April 2, 2021
The retired sheriff and his fishing buddy need to go out of town at the request of the governor and finds out the who but also the why for all the sudden murders in Farmington. He also learns that he'd rather be at home and his wife feels the same. Some areas of the book seemed disconnected until I could see it all coming together. Loved it!
Narrator Scott R. Pollak does a great job of interpreting the various characters and differentiating each one.
Narrator Scott R. Pollak does a great job of interpreting the various characters and differentiating each one.
August 13, 2020
I couldn't put this book down until I found out not just the who but also the why concerning the sudden rash of murders in Farmington. Usually if I want a good western with modern day American Indians I normally read something written by Hillerman or Craig Johnson. I will now add Ted Clifton to that short list. Read it and enjoy as for me I have to hunt down some more of his books.
June 11, 2021
Once I got past the slow start of this book I really enjoyed reading it. This is a complicated case for our retired sheriff and his fishing buddy.
Sadly it feels like this might be the last in the series. I really liked getting to know all of the characters in this story.
I am really glad that I found this author a while back because it has been fun reading from the start.
Sadly it feels like this might be the last in the series. I really liked getting to know all of the characters in this story.
I am really glad that I found this author a while back because it has been fun reading from the start.
August 3, 2021
Any which way but loose
This third Pacheco & Chino that I have read . It just
might be the best one . Clifton is a mystery writer
who knows how to fully develop his characters
as well his plots. If real characters and well plotted mysteries
read on.
This third Pacheco & Chino that I have read . It just
might be the best one . Clifton is a mystery writer
who knows how to fully develop his characters
as well his plots. If real characters and well plotted mysteries
read on.
March 25, 2020
This was my first book in this series, and the last book in the series. I liked it enough that I plan to find and read the rest of this series.
April 10, 2020
Good story, great characters
Enjoyed this book. Really like the local flavor for an area I know and love. Really hope the author writes many more.
Enjoyed this book. Really like the local flavor for an area I know and love. Really hope the author writes many more.
April 19, 2020
Excellent
Just when you're sure you have it all figured out, the story takes a new twist...and then another. The pace is slow, but the read is worth it
Just when you're sure you have it all figured out, the story takes a new twist...and then another. The pace is slow, but the read is worth it
June 21, 2020
Three and done
Some good, more bad. A fitting way to end a trilogy that probably jumped the shark of Elephant Butte Lake early in book two. Thanks for the memories, gang.
Some good, more bad. A fitting way to end a trilogy that probably jumped the shark of Elephant Butte Lake early in book two. Thanks for the memories, gang.
July 18, 2020
So good!
I Love these characters and all they get into! There is always lots of action, laughs and peril involved, but this one has consequences, too.
I Love these characters and all they get into! There is always lots of action, laughs and peril involved, but this one has consequences, too.
May 11, 2021
I love these guys! I've read all the previous books, and this one was definitely more complicated with a pretty confusing plot. Definitely worth reading!
October 28, 2021
Solid, good work
Satisfying to read. The characters are well defined, and it is nice how he ties up all the loose ends. We need more Rays and Tyees in this world.
Satisfying to read. The characters are well defined, and it is nice how he ties up all the loose ends. We need more Rays and Tyees in this world.
January 19, 2022
Lots of ins and outs in this story. I didn't enjoy it as much as the other books starring these two P Is.
March 3, 2022
Great follow up to the Dog Gone Lies mystery.
November 25, 2022
Sad to see the end of this series. I thoroughly enjoyed all the books. The main characters are so well-developed and endearing in their imperfections.
May 23, 2023
Another fantastic Pacheco and Chino mystery!!!
March 11, 2020
This was close to my favorite of this three book series! But I didn't want to let them go off to their own ways! Guess I'll have to read the next series by this author. Loved how you feel like you actually know both the area and the food!
October 3, 2019
RECOMMENDED
"Four Corners War", the 3rd book in the Pacheco &
Chino series, involves a very difficult investigation,
that brings Ray to the realization that he wants to
go home and spend more time with his wife.
"Four Corners War", the 3rd book in the Pacheco &
Chino series, involves a very difficult investigation,
that brings Ray to the realization that he wants to
go home and spend more time with his wife.
November 7, 2019
So So
Lots of twists and turns with lots of unique characters. Seems like there were loose ends and I could have used a bit more character development. Glad I finished this book and think it will be the last Pacheco Chino adventure.
Lots of twists and turns with lots of unique characters. Seems like there were loose ends and I could have used a bit more character development. Glad I finished this book and think it will be the last Pacheco Chino adventure.
January 13, 2020
Good
A book that brings about how a retired sheriff and his native American Indian worked together to help their govern
A book that brings about how a retired sheriff and his native American Indian worked together to help their govern
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews