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Mariah Is Missing
Inspired by a true event in the Big Sky Country of North Central Montana in the 1970s, Mariah Is Missing tells a compelling tale about a small town and the memorable people who live, work, love, and drink there.
In his debut novel, David Henry Nelson reimagines the story behind a crime which occurred in 1974 while he served as the county attorney in Pondera County, Montana. He realized years later that this case had a long-lived ripple effect on many people, which prompted him to write this book.
In Maria Is Missing, Ana McGuire, a prosecuting attorney, must solve the disappearance of an attractive young school teacher who is reported missing from her Monday morning class, while navigating a male-dominated professional world of law and local politics.
She tangles with a zealous sheriff and an egocentric county commissioner as she deals with complications in her past and present relationships with two men in her life, Rib Torgerson and Fat Jack Moser, and encounters a variety of colorful townspeople.This suspenseful novel offers a dramatic recreation of the past and a fascinating insider view of what it’s like to investigate a murder.
In his debut novel, David Henry Nelson reimagines the story behind a crime which occurred in 1974 while he served as the county attorney in Pondera County, Montana. He realized years later that this case had a long-lived ripple effect on many people, which prompted him to write this book.
In Maria Is Missing, Ana McGuire, a prosecuting attorney, must solve the disappearance of an attractive young school teacher who is reported missing from her Monday morning class, while navigating a male-dominated professional world of law and local politics.
She tangles with a zealous sheriff and an egocentric county commissioner as she deals with complications in her past and present relationships with two men in her life, Rib Torgerson and Fat Jack Moser, and encounters a variety of colorful townspeople.This suspenseful novel offers a dramatic recreation of the past and a fascinating insider view of what it’s like to investigate a murder.
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published September 9, 2021
11 people are currently reading
2154 people want to read
About the author
David Henry Nelson
1 book17 followersDavid Henry Nelson has a lifetime of experience as an Oregon State Senator, a wheat farmer, and an attorney.
He earned his J.D. from the University of Montana Law school, Missoula, Montana. He served 16 years in the Oregon Senate and recently retired as the Chair of the Board of Trustees at Eastern Oregon Univesity in La Grande, Oregon. Since retiring he has turned his energies to writing fiction novels based on actual events and the personalities involved.
He lives with Alice, his wife, and Boo, a Bolognese companion dog for one of their four children who has MS and also lives in their home. They make their home in Pendleton, Oregon, home of the world-famous Pendleton Round-Up.
He earned his J.D. from the University of Montana Law school, Missoula, Montana. He served 16 years in the Oregon Senate and recently retired as the Chair of the Board of Trustees at Eastern Oregon Univesity in La Grande, Oregon. Since retiring he has turned his energies to writing fiction novels based on actual events and the personalities involved.
He lives with Alice, his wife, and Boo, a Bolognese companion dog for one of their four children who has MS and also lives in their home. They make their home in Pendleton, Oregon, home of the world-famous Pendleton Round-Up.
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Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews
April 12, 2024
intriging mystery crime with some romance.
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January 25, 2022Good read
I normally don't read books based around a 70's time period, I wanted to read something different. The book description drew me in. It was a quick read, it held my attention. Most of the characters were my favorite except for the sheriff, Colby, at at times Rib.
I normally don't read books based around a 70's time period, I wanted to read something different. The book description drew me in. It was a quick read, it held my attention. Most of the characters were my favorite except for the sheriff, Colby, at at times Rib.
February 15, 2022
Mariah is Missing is a wicked tale of an actual grisly murder of Mariah Morgan, a young rural schoolteacher, and the flawed investigation by an egotistical, misogynic, angry sheriff who is convinced everyone in the county has a criminal mind. Ana McGuire, county attorney, fights a frustrating uphill battle trying to guide the sheriff toward arrests, searches and seizures that are enforceable in court.
One of my favorite things is David Henry Nelson’s amazing, deep and well-developed insight into women’s relationships and friendships. Several of the male characters are walking, talking contradictions. I also loved the quality of his realistic descriptions of Montana’s landscapes, mountain ranges, bright blue sky, wheat and cattle ranching, horses, weather, and its unique, quirky, crusty, and memorable residents.
The book is a gripping page turner, quick read, and is easy to track due to the chronological presentation. It will appeal to crime mystery lovers. I am hoping for a sequel.
One of my favorite things is David Henry Nelson’s amazing, deep and well-developed insight into women’s relationships and friendships. Several of the male characters are walking, talking contradictions. I also loved the quality of his realistic descriptions of Montana’s landscapes, mountain ranges, bright blue sky, wheat and cattle ranching, horses, weather, and its unique, quirky, crusty, and memorable residents.
The book is a gripping page turner, quick read, and is easy to track due to the chronological presentation. It will appeal to crime mystery lovers. I am hoping for a sequel.
May 21, 2024
"Inspired by a true event in the Big Sky Country of North Central Montana in the 1970s, Mariah Is Missing tells a compelling tale about a small town and the memorable people who live, work, love, and drink there."
Mariah is Missing is a decent read. I am glad I had the opportunity to read this book via Goodreads Giveaway. However, I felt this novel focused far more on the small town relationships than the actual investigation. The characters were well developed and scenes set clearly. This is a good read if you want a drama with a little thrill.
Mariah is Missing is a decent read. I am glad I had the opportunity to read this book via Goodreads Giveaway. However, I felt this novel focused far more on the small town relationships than the actual investigation. The characters were well developed and scenes set clearly. This is a good read if you want a drama with a little thrill.
June 3, 2024
If Mariah is missing...
The first couple chapters feature Mariah. But then we don't find out what happened to her until three quarters of the way through the book. The rest is all extraneous stuff, most unimportant. Plus, I hate when I figure out who the bad guy is the first time he shows up. It might be OK in a cozy but not in a serious mystery. Meh.
The first couple chapters feature Mariah. But then we don't find out what happened to her until three quarters of the way through the book. The rest is all extraneous stuff, most unimportant. Plus, I hate when I figure out who the bad guy is the first time he shows up. It might be OK in a cozy but not in a serious mystery. Meh.
November 23, 2021
Very good
Very well written book. It grabbed my attention from the beginning and didn't let up till the end. If you like a great mystery then this one fits the bill.
Very well written book. It grabbed my attention from the beginning and didn't let up till the end. If you like a great mystery then this one fits the bill.
April 4, 2022
Good first novel
The dialogue was stilted at the beginning, but the author got the hang of it quickly. Very engaging plot, a real page turner
The dialogue was stilted at the beginning, but the author got the hang of it quickly. Very engaging plot, a real page turner
April 26, 2024
Average read.
Displaying 1 - 8 of 8 reviews