When a Western movie star is gunned down at a rodeo, the legendary detective Ellery Queen saddles up to catch the killer. Buck Horne has roped thousands of cattle, slugged his way out of dozens of saloons, and shot plenty of men dead in the street—but always on the backlot. He is a celluloid cowboy, and his career is nearly kaput. The real box office draw is his daughter, Kit, a brawling beauty who can outshoot any rascal the studio has to offer. Desperate for a comeback, Buck joins Wild Bill Grant’s traveling rodeo for a show in New York, hoping to impress Hollywood and land one last movie contract. But he has scarcely mounted his horse when he falls to the dirt. It wasn’t age that made him slip—it was the bullet in his heart. Watching from the stands are Ellery Queen, debonair sleuth, and his police detective father. They are New Yorkers through and through, but to solve the rodeo killing, the Queens must learn to talk cowboy.
THE RODEO INCIDENT is the seventh novel in the Jill Tanner, PI, series. Set in the mountain town of Prescott, Arizona, "Everyone's Hometown," Jill is investigating the death of a client's friend, rodeo champion Cody Baily, who died while bull riding at the World's Oldest Rodeo in Prescott, AZ. Three years ago. Jill was skeptical until she viewed a cell phone video of Cody's last ride: although it wasn't shown in the video, Jill is sure that something happened to Cody in the chute before he mounted up on the bull, Potato Pancake. Was it an accident? Or was it cold, calculated murder? Jill finds that evidence points to murder, but why? Suspects are spread out over 400 miles of Arizona's Yavapai County, and it appears the man pulling strings behind the scenes is a powerful honcho with money and connections. Jill realizes she may be heading for a Wild West showdown on the grand opening day of the Rodeo where the men behind Cody's murder are gathered, and who would like nothing better than to see her demise.
A rodeo producer, dead in the bull pen. Accident or murder? Elizabeth "E.M." Danniher, until recently a top-flight national TV journalist, is regaining her footing after a dizzying demotion to tiny—and entirely foreign to her—Sherman, Wyoming. But her equilibrium faces a major challenge. The apparently accidental death — under the hooves of bucking bulls — of a rodeo producer preparing for Sherman’s annual Fourth of July Rodeo catches the attention of Elizabeth and her KWMT-TV colleague Mike Paycik. Not only is it a major story about the region’s biggest event, but it’s being outrageously mishandled by the station’s egocentric anchor. As Elizabeth and Mike dig, area rancher Thomas Burrell joins the investigation, providing background on suspects — and there are plenty because the victim had many enemies. But Tom has divided loyalties, so Elizabeth doubts his commitment to finding the truth no matter what. Not to mention that both Mike and Tom show an interest in her ... they might be okay with working together in a peculiar triangle, but the points of this geometry is starting to get under her skin. … From the tip of the rodeo queen’s tiara, to “agricultural byproducts” ground into the arena dust, Elizabeth receives a murderous introduction to the world of rodeo. Don't miss any of Elizabeth Danniher's Caught Dead in Wyoming adventures: Sign Off Left Hanging Shoot First Last Ditch Look Live Back Story Cold Open Hot Roll Reaction Shot Body Brace Cross Talk Air Ready Cue Up What people are saying about LEFT HANGING: “I started laughing on the first page and continued laughing until the end.” “Loving the world of Cottonwood County, Wyoming!” “The dialogue was so well written that I could easily imagine the innuendo, tone of voice and facial expression of each character.” What people are saying about the CAUGHT DEAD IN WYOMING series: “McLinn's mysteries set in Wyoming are addictive. The writing is excellent, the twists and turns keep the brain engaged, and Elizabeth's wry commentary keeps a smile on my face.” “E.M.’s internal monologues are sharp, snappy and often hilarious.” “Hoping this series lasts forever!” “McLinn has created in E.M. a female protagonist who is flawed but likable, never silly or cartoonish, and definitely not made of cardboard.” “While the mystery itself is twisty-turny and thoroughly engaging, it's the smart and witty writing that I loved the best.” – Diane Chamberlain, bestselling author If you also like cozier mysteries, try Patricia's Secret Sleuth series: Death on the Diversion Death on Torrid Avenue Death on Beguiling Way Death on Covert Circle Death on Shady Bridge Death on Carrion Lane Death on ZigZag Trail Death on Puzzle Place If you like Patricia’s mysteries, try her romantic suspense: The Innocence Trilogy Proof of Innocence Price of Innocence Premise of Innocence Ride the River: Rodeo Knights (includes cameos from Caught Dead in Wyoming characters) female sleuth, amateur detective, women detectives, traditional mystery, mystery with humor, mysteries with humor, humorous mysteries, mystery with dog, mystery with animal, American crime murder, women sleuths, traditional mystery, krimis, kriminalromane
