Lost in the Crazies: A Riveting Mystery Set in the Mountains of Montana

by Peter J. Ryan

GARRETT MCRAE HAS GONE MISSING DEEP in the Crazy Mountains of rural Montana. His bow hunting partners don’t appear concerned, since they fail to report his disappearance to authorities for nearly four full days.

Rick Morrand, now sheriff of Dexter County, grows suspicious, especially when he learns that one of the fellow hunters, Randall Boone, is rumored to have had an affair with Garrett’s wife, Amber. Rick also finds it troubling that Garrett and Boone had a fistfight in camp shortly before Garrett disappeared.

Amber, meanwhile, seems overly eager to get her hands on the proceeds of a substantial life insurance policy. When confronted, she claims that she needs the money to support her four-year-old disabled child, Gabe.

Early search efforts are complicated by a raging wildland fire. Garrett’s belongings and possible remains are eventually found by a Search and Rescue dog whose attractive female handler knew Garrett well—maybe a little too well.

The discovery of bone fragments and an excessive amount of Garrett’s blood make it hard to avoid concluding the bow hunter is dead. But how exactly did he die? Rick Morrand is hard-pressed to get answers in the midst of personal crises that threaten to distract him from getting to the truth.

Garrett McRae’s disappearance becomes Rick’s trial by fire as new sheriff—in more ways than one.




This is the second installment in Peter J. Ryan's Rick Morrand Mystery Series. Set in the rugged, unyielding Montana backcountry, Lost in the Crazies will take mystery readers on a riveting ride of unexpected twists and turns. It is a thrilling journey suspense enthusiasts will not want to miss.

Here is what readers are saying about Lost in the Crazies ...


"Knowing the land of which the author writes added great enjoyment to a wonderful story and mystery . I have fast become a fan of Mr. Ryan and I would recommend that he be explored by everyone who enjoys good books."

"Peter Ryan has continued to develop a Rick Morrand series that piques your interest to the very last page. All through the book, you are putting the puzzle pieces together and then the plot twists! Mr. Ryan has described his characters so you feel like you know them. His description of the Montana environment is spot on. Read and enjoy!"

"Excellent read! I couldn’t put it down. Peter Ryan is a master at building suspense. I highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys a good crime mystery!"

"(Lost in the Crazies) is a clever mystery that will keep you turning the pages until the end! The detailed development of the characters draws you into their lives and gives you an intimate familiarity with them. You feel their emotional suffering, and their individual strategy of coping with crises. I appreciated the accuracy of the Montana environment, fire and emergency services that were woven into the story. I actually enjoyed this read more than the first book in the series, ‘Edge of the Sawtooth’ and can’t wait for the next one!"




AMAZON
Mystery, Thriller and Suspense

Crime Fiction

Crime Thrillers

Mysteries

491 pages, Kindle Edition

Published June 17, 2022

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

[Sidney Rippy McLaughlin · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’m Loving this Series

I read a lot of books about law enforcement officers solving murder mysteries. Peter Ryan may be the best I’ve read about keeping me guessing right up till the very end. His characters and plots are very well thought out!
If you like a well written mystery that’s like a puzzle you want to put together, you need to meet Rick Morrand.

[Barbara Kroenke · Rating 5 out of 5]

THANKS for writing such wonderful books....

I very much enjoyed both of your books and anxiously waiting for your third book to be published! I was born and raised in Montana and have lived throughout the state. Your characters are great and also all the twists and turns in the stories. But mostly I loved reading about my beautiful home state!!

[Tom Greenough · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a fantastic story!

Knowing the land of which the author writes, added great enjoyment to a wonderful story and mystery . I have fast become a fan of Mr. Ryan and I would recommend that he be explored by everyone who enjoys good books.

[rex d lewis · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent

I started reading this, because I am a huge fan of CJ Box, and this was recommended as similar. Very good choice. I was not disappointed. In fact I have already recommended it to friends who love this genre.

[JB · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great 2nd installment. The author sucks you in and keeps things suspenseful until the very end. You really feel the essence of Montana in this book. Great character development.

[Janice Bryan · Rating 4 out of 5]

Liked the book.

There was enough foreshadowing that I really wasn't surprised at the ending, but it wasn't a dead giveaway either. Doesn't turn out like you would expect.

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another great read from this author! No spoilers here, but I had a hard time putting it down when I actually had to be a productive member of society. I hope he’ll continue the series, so we can continue the adventures with the cast of characters he created.