Reviews
“One of the hallmarks of good fiction is the ability of a compelling character to guide a reader on a trip toward an intimate knowledge of one of the great nerve centers of planet earth. Cade Rigens channels the people and places of the arid intermountain West as surely as Travis McGee works the back waters of Cedar Key, or Nero Wolfe solves crimes in New York City. G.R. Stahl makes certain that Rigens rarely experiences a dull moment, and subsequently, neither will his readers. This is a page-turner of a mystery Western.”
— Steven Hawley, Hood River, Oregon; author of Recovering a Lost River
“For over a decade I have admired the writing of G.R. Stahl, his way of writing places with such clear-eyed detail that you feel you live there and have lived there all along. His interior landscapes match his exterior ones: his people and his stories feel hauntingly familiar, compelling, and real.”
— Elisabeth Sharp McKetta, author of Awake with Asashoryu
“Very impressive breadth of local topics and flavor in an exciting mystery. G.R. Stahl presents a balanced look at some very timely issues, while at the same time moving through a captivating adventure. As still another benefit, I learned a lot about the Basque culture.”
— Mike Kenner, Denver, Colorado
“A fast-paced read through a cultural and contemporary landscape that pits traditional landowners against perceived governmental over-reach, all wrapped around a murder mystery that delves into the shafts of Idaho’s mining history. The central protagonists are all well-crafted and National Park Ranger, Cade Rigens, for one, definitely deserves a second outing. Not many novels inspire me to want to visit the locale of the setting but Boise’s Basque Block now ranks among them.”
— Guy Trainer, Motueka, New Zealand
“This story is an entertaining and accurate description of the current social dynamics and issues at the heart of the changing American west. The characters are well developed and unique. The story moves at a brisk pace while occasionally taking a moment to slow down and vividly describe the amazing landscapes in Idaho. As someone who lives and works in the community at the heart of the story I am impressed with Mr Stahl’s ability to capture in narrative form important truths we see all around us. Highly recommended for anyone interested in western lands and the people who live here. I am already hoping for the next adventures of Cade Rigens.”