SUMMARY:
Explosive sabotage and the startling unearthing of a hundred-year-old skeleton on a Nevada ranch thrillingly start off this debut novel in a tail-wagging new series from New York Times bestselling author Rita Mae Brown. With the ruins of her high-powered Wall Street job now far in the rearview mirror of her rented silver Camaro, thirty-two-year-old Mags Rogers arrives at her great-aunt Jeeps sprawling Wings Ranch to reassemble her life. In the passenger seat, with his suspicious nose to a cracked window, is Magss beloved wirehaired dachshund, the urbane Baxter. Mags was named for her great-aunt, Magdalenathough everyone calls the spry octogenarian rancher Jeep. From piloting planes in World War II to discovering one of Americas largest gold deposits, Jeep has enjoyed a lifetime jam-packed with love and adventure, and shes not done yet. At her sideto Baxters low-down distressis Jeeps loyal German Shepherd mix, King. The growlings are mutual: King sniffs that Baxter is a fuzzy sausage.Meanwhile, someone pipe-bombs Red Rock Valleys pumping station, endangering the water supply near and far. Deputy Pete Meadows links the sabotage to a string of local murders, but he doesnt yet know if its a corporate plot or twisted eco-terrorism. Hes also called out to Wings Ranch when human bones are dug up in Jeeps barn; the dead mans ring identifies him as an elite Russian military officer from the late 1800s, apparently knifed to death. In her search to find out whodunit, Mags uncovers fascinating history about Jeeps ranch, including an intriguing connection to Buffalo Bill. Mags and Pete have mysteries to solve, among them why they are so drawn to each other. Baxter and King team up when it comes time to protect their humans. And all the while, Jeep Reed, the sassiest wit in the West, has a bold plan for Red Rock Valley in which they all will play a part.