Synopses & Reviews
At seven feet tall, Colorado rancher and Ute tribal investigator Charlie Moon is a larger-than-life figure—and a force to be reckoned with, on and off the reservation…
“Funny, even slapstick in places…memorable characters add zest to A Dead Mans Tale.”
—Booklist
Hard times have come to Colorado, and Moons ranch is feeling the pinch. Not so for Samuel Reed. He seems to have a special intuition when it comes to picking stocks, and claims to be able to remember the future, which gives him quite a leg up on Wall Street. So Reed is quite confident when he makes a wager with Moons best friend, Granite Creek Chief of Police Scott Parris, that Parris cant keep him alive.
“Moon mysteries charm us with Western voices and ways.”—Rocky Mountain News
Even when Reed doesnt offer any details beyond the date and time of his impending demise, Moon has a sixth sense that everything will turn out just fine…until not one, but two men end up left for dead. Now its up to Moon—along with the help of his Aunt Daisy, an aged Ute shaman who can communicate with the spirit world—to solve the case. Or die trying…
“Doss does for the Utes what Tony Hillerman has done for the Navajo.”
—The Denver Post
Review
Praise for James D. Doss
“Theres no denying that the plot is a lulu. If youve been brought up on Hillerman and dont realize that Native Americans like a joke as well as the next gazebo, let Charlie Moon, all seven feet of him, enlighten you. Insanely good.”
—Kirkus Reviews (starred review) on The Widows Revenge
“Snake Dreams is the thirteenth novel in this series, and since its a very good one—funny, smart, and totally different—its a great place for readers to discover Moon.”
—Toronto Globe and Mail on Snake Dreams
“James D. Dosss novels about Charlie Moon… feel as if the author is sitting around a campfire, spinning a tall tale that engulfs a circle of listeners.… Dosss tale is evocative of the area and of Indian lore, and his chatty, down-home style shines.”
—Florida Sun-Sentinel on Three Sisters
“Dosss trademark humor keeps Charlie and Scott wisecracking as the plot spins smartly along to an unpredictable ending.… The most recent Charlie Moon mysteries still charm us with Western voices and ways.”
—Rocky Mountain News on Three Sisters
“Doss does for the Utes what Tony Hillerman has done for the Navajo.”
—The Denver Post
Review
“Insanely good.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
“Its Moon who stands tallest in The Widows Revenge…a nonstop read [in] this solid series.”—Booklist
“Successfully evokes the mysticism of traditional Native American storytelling.”—Publishers Weekly
SNAKE DREAMS
“Outstanding… The narrator clearly is having fun as he unveils his tale, liberally laced with Native American lore, character idiosyncrasies, comedic asides, and a plot that weaves and twists like a highway in the Rockies.”—Library Journal (starred review)
“Snake Dreams is the thirteenth novel in this series, and since its a very good one—funny, smart, and totally different—its a great place for readers to discover Moon.”—Toronto Globe and Mail
THREE SISTERS
“One of his best yet!”—Booklist
“Wild, authentic…and highly satisfying.”—Detroit Free Press “A finely cut gem.” —Publishers Weekly (starred review)
“James D. Doss novels about Charlie Moon…feel as if the author is sitting around a campfire, spinning a tall tale that engulfs a circle of listeners…Doss tale is evocative of the area and of Indian lore, and his chatty, down-home style shines in Three Sisters.”—Florida Sun-Sentinel
“Dosss trademark humor keeps Charlie and Scott wisecracking as the plot spins smartly along to an unpredictable ending…Moon mysteries still charm us with Western voices and ways.”—Rocky Mountain News
STONE BUTTERFLY
“Style, pathos, enthusiasm, and humor to spare.”—Mystery Scene
“A clever plot…will keep readers turning the pages.”—Publishers Weekly
“The Moon series deftly blends traditional mystery elements with Native American mythology—a surefire read-alike for Hillerman fans.”—Booklist
“Droll, crafty, upper-echelon reading.”—Kirkus Reviews (starred review)
SHADOW MAN
“Doss likes to toss a little Native American spiritualism and a lot of local color into his mysteries. Fans of the series will be well pleased.”—Booklist
Synopsis
Charlie Moon, Ute rancher and investigator, isnt afraid to throw the dice even when a mans life is at stake, but when that man is betting against himself and Moons ability to save him, that makes for some awfully high stakes.
Hard times have come to Colorado, and Moons ranch is feeling the pinch. Investor Samuel Reed has never had that problem. He seems to have a special intuition when it comes to picking stocks and claims to be able to remember the future, which gives him quite a leg up on Wall Street. So its no surprise that Reed is confident when he makes a wager with Moons best friend, Granite City Chief of Police Scott Parish, that Parish cant keep him alive.
Even when Reed doesnt give them any details beyond the date and time of his impending demise, thats more than enough information for Moon who wants in on the action and is just as confident that hes well on the way to saving his ranch. But Moons best plans go awry when instead of one homicide on his hands, he ends up with two.
James D. Doss infuses the pages of A Dead Mans Tale, the fifteenth in his popular series, with his potent brand of high spirits and homespun humor that has made him a favorite among mystery readers.
About the Author
James D. Doss is the author of the Charlie Moon mysteries, including The Widows Revenge. Two of the Moon books were named one of the best books of the year by Publishers Weekly. Originally from Kentucky, he divides his time between Los Alamos and Taos, New Mexico.