Crater County: A Legal Thriller of New Mexico

by Jonathan Miller

Mix the genres of mystery, thriller, and suspense set in a modern-day New Mexico outback, and you have the essence of Crater County. Prosecutor Luna Cruz hates being a lawyer. She's stuck back home in the slightly supernatural realm of Crater County, where senior proms are held at the local truckstop and nothing is what it seems. She falls hard for the only eligible man in town, mysterious defense attorney Sam Marlow. Unfortunately, he's the opposing counsel in a triple murder case. As more people around her start dying, Luna fears that Marlow might be imitating his client and that she might become the final victim.

275 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 2004

About the author

Jonathan Miller is often called the "Rattlesnake Lawyer" because of his first novel. He is also a criminal defense attorney who travels all around New Mexico in his rattlesnake cowboy boots. Jonathan is a graduate of Cornell, University of Colorado Law School, and the American Film Institute. He wrote for the syndicated TV show Arrest and Trial and has four other published books: Crater County, Amarillo in August, Volcano Verdict and La Bajada Lawyer. He is single and lives in Albuquerque.

Reviews

[Cindy · Rating 1 out of 5]

I read this book because it was recommended by our local library. I don't know what they were smokin' that day. This book was awful. It seemed appealing - a murder mystery set in our own New Mexico by a NM author. But it was terrible. Nonsensical characters, undeveloped, gaping plot explanation holes, and strange regional tidbits (there is no winery in Los Alamos). And to make matters worse the publishing was godawful. I can't count the number of grammatical and spelling errors in the book. His editor (if he even had one) was obviously on vacation. I've never seen such a poorly published book. I hope this poor author doesn't write any more - or at least takes a few writing classes. Can't believe this book even went to print.

[Beth deAcosta · Rating 5 out of 5]

Such a great read. I've read two of his books - both totally different and wonderfully written.
It made me feel as if I was in the same room with all his characters LIVE!!!! I will now get on the site for ABESBOOKS and purchase more of his good works. I am sure they will be equally enjoyable.
I hope other readers will take a leap of good faith and relax and let themselves enjoy a really
great writer and his outstanding books......

[Beth deAcosta · Rating 5 out of 5]

IT WAS XLNT.....great writer.....

[Monty · Rating 3 out of 5]

I read this legal thriller mainly because I like New Mexico. The characters are definitely of the flawed variety, which partly added some humor to the five murders that took place. This is definitely a change of pace story for light reading. I'll probably read the next and most recent Luna Cruz novel, Volcano Verdict.

Here's a synopsis of the book taken from the Internet:

Prosecutor Luna Cruz hates being a lawyer. She’s stuck back home in the slightly supernatural realm of Crater County, where senior proms are held at the local truck stop. Luna has a failed attempt at the Olympic trials, as well as several other career “non-starts,” in her past. She falls hard for the only eligible man in town, mysterious defense attorney, Sam Marlow. Unfortunately, he is the opposing counsel in a triple murder case that she is prosecuting. He also is not well liked by members of the local police force, of course, everyone in Crater County knows certain members of the force can be bought. Or can they?

The only thing that’s for certain in Crater County, is that nothing is certain. As the people around her begin dying, Luna worries that Marlow may be imitating his client, and that she may soon be the next victim. Luna has to fend for herself, as she can trust no one, not even her friend and boss, fellow Crater County prosecutor, Diana Crater (the last of the Crater family).

The plot thickens, and twists and turns in very unexpected directions, as Crater County comes to its wild conclusion. As with his debut novel, “Rattlesnake Lawyer,” author Jonathan Miller delivers another cult classic with “Crater County.”

[Tarn Taran]

good character and story... good New Mexico background