TO SOLVE A BRUTAL MURDER AT A FRANCISCAN MISSION NEAR SANTA FE, MORGAN WESTPHAL TRACKS THE KILLER FROM THE HIGH-STAKES HORSE RACING WORLD OF SARATOGA, NEW YORK, TO THE REMOTE WILDERNESS OF 1917 NEW MEXICO.
The murdered body of Thomas Whelan is discovered at the Franciscan Mission of San SebastiAn del Valle located on an Indian reservation north of Santa Fe. A recent arrival in New Mexico, nothing is known about the victim's past or if his name is even Whelan. When Morgan uncovers clues to Whelan's past linking him to the famous race track at Saratoga, New York, he goes there accompanied by Arianna Beltrane to find out more about the victim, the motive for his murder and who may have killed him. By the time Morgan learns the truth of who killed Whelan and why, Morgan and Arianna will risk their lives and reach an unexpected turning point in their relationship.
"Preston Holtry has done it again. The Good Thief lives up to the promise of the other Morgan Westphal mystery novels. In fact it is the best so far. Set in the years just before the First World War, the plot connects a brutal murder on a New Mexico Indian reservation to criminals in New York. Detective Westphal is more at home on horseback in the desert but is forced to follow the clues from Santa Fe to Saratoga and back again for a final resolution of the mystery and a stunning climax. Well researched, memorable characters and a cunning plot--The Good Thief is a great read."--Charles H. Hayes, author of The Briefcase.
"Holtry is a master at creating characters that become a part of us, lingering afterward, and leaving us wanting more. The story is expertly crafted, clever and fast-moving, keeping readers guessing and pages turning. The Good Thief has become my new favorite in the Morgan Westphal Mysteries, but I urge mystery lovers to discover the other wonderful books if they haven't already."--Steve Brigman, author of The Orphan Train and Into Those Woods.
"The Good Thief opens with an action-packed prologue of horse racing drama reminiscent of a Dick Francis story. Jumping forward into the early years of the twentieth century near Santa Fe, a tortured body is found at a Franciscan mission on an Indian reservation near Santa Fe. Morgan Westphal's investigation takes him to Saratoga Springs in New York and back again to Santa Fe. As in a Thomas Pynchon novel, a cast of dozens of quirky characters move on and off the stage in dizzying succession. Characters and settings are obviously well-researched, and the writing is clean and easy to follow. Most importantly, in the end, loose ends are tied up and the reader feels satisfied that the journey has come to its proper end."--William A. Adams, author of Hunter & Hunted and It Wasn't Me.
"Holtry's The Good Thief, the latest installment of his Morgan Westphal series, brings another satisfying chapter to the saga of the New Mexico private detective. Holtry's great gifts are scene painting and character building, and he uses both to great advantage, weaving a compelling tale of horse racing, gambling and family drama against the backdrop of both New York and the desert southwest. Holtry adds to the series with a bang."--Gary Ettari, author of Sentimental Over You.
