When Utah Sheriff Bud Shumway gets an invitation from his geologist friend Shorty to accompany him to Grand Teton National Park, he has no idea that it’s just the beginning of a series of mysterious happenings, from finding an empty grave high on the flanks of Teewinot Mountain to inadvertently and fervently tracking himself.
Throw in an assortment of strange fossils, a dead ranger, mysterious booming noises, a mystery house run by a Scooby-Doo fan, a shady land developer, a reckless glider pilot, an eccentric campground host who lives in an old VW bus with her cat, and an overzealous ranger who would like nothing more than to arrest Bud and Howie, and who could ask for more intrigue and adventure in the majestic and mysterious high peaks of the Tetons?
This is book #17 in the Bud Shumway Mystery Series.
Great book as usual with my favorite characters and some new ones. Chinle Miller describes the scenery like no one else and it makes me want to go there. I look forward to the next one.
Having visited the Grand Teton area many times in the last 60 years, so many places in the book were familiar. Our son was actually married in Grand Teton NP and we stayed at Dornan’s cabins. The story line followed Bud and Howie through lots of hiking and speculations as always. Love Chinless Miller’s descriptions of characters. You will love his book if you’ve ever visited the area.
One of the things I love about the Cafe series is that as a hiker and wanderer in both the deserts of Utah and the Mountain country, I have met all these characters in one form or another. I have had hash slung by Wilma Jean, talked about stars with Howie and eaten watermelon with Bud. The infusion of geology and the mystery in each book just adds to the pleasure. Another lovely outing with my friends.
The story moves from the Utah desert to the Wyoming Grand Teton Mountains. In his methodological manner Bud works through another criminal paradox. Anxiously awaiting the next “Cafe” series installment.
Bud, Howie, and Shorty go to the Grand Teton Mountains to investigate. By the time they get there, a death has happened, and they only want Shorty to help. He is a geologist.
You learn about the mountains, vortexs, and fossils which may be boring to some. They give you an idea of beautiful fields of flowers and fabulous views. It is a place to go if you like to hike steep inclines. You find a hot springs to soak in, but you need to be on guard for local wildlife. The park already rented a place to stay, so Bud and Howie site see and spend money. Doc and Millie show up, along with Minnie an Wilma.
Howie has brought his microscope, so a clear view of the stars and the Milky Way happen, but then a woman shows up.asking for help.
I have read all 17 of these books and it's so easy to imagine the beauty of Utah when Chinle Miller describes it. It's like being there. I also love Bud, Wilma Jean, Howie and Buds love for his dogs. When I want to read a mystery without all the gore and some humor, these books are perfect. I hope there's an 18, 19 & 20.
I like the easy going, laid back energy of the story. Just enough mystery to keep me interested. I also like the various characters and their interactions. No real evil bad guys, just some miscreants, though you're not really sure until the end. Not the greatest novel , pretty simply written, but an easy read.
I love this book and the rest of the Bud Shumway Mystery series. I have never been to any of the western states but these books give me a glimpse into that territory. The mysteries are good and the characters are very interesting.
Besides being a cozy mystery, the information on the Earth and fossils is excellent and worth reading just for Shorty's descriptions and explanations about this beautiful and interesting area of Utah.
As usual, Miller builds characters well and keeps the plot at least one step ahead of my guesses. Environment is described clearly enough for my imagination to place me there.
I really enjoyed this one! It was so interesting to read about the fossils, my grandparents had some they had found used for paper weights in their Story Wyoming hone! Great writing!
A fun read, always the enjoy characters, they are much like some we've met along the way. And, I somehow, always manage to learn new things! A fun read!
I have read almost all this series. I find it difficult to put the books down. I enjoy all the characters and their personalities. I look forward to the next book.