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Kurt Muller #1
Into Thin Air
Mountain man, ex-hippie, and single father, Sheriff Kurt Muller feels like an outsider in his hometown of Aspen, Colorado. Old enough to remember Aspen's more rustic years, Muller can't quite get used to its identity as "Glamour Gultch," where ski bums, Latino migrant workers, and extravagant jet-setters live in uneasy proximity. In this volatile mix, Muller finds his personal code of ethics is more and more at odds with the compromises of elected office.
But even for Muller there's nothing ambiguous about a dead man floating down Roaring Fork River. A beautiful doctor identifies the John Doe as an acclaimed Argentine journalist, and Muller, mesmerized by her stories of brutality and corruption in Argentina, finds himself taking unusual and unprofessional risks to solve the crime which comes to haunt him when the woman vanishes. Implicated in her disappearance and suddenly the FBI's target in a drug-trafficking case based on his radical past, Muller searches desperately for a way to clear himself and protect his family from sinister forces on either side of the law. As he presses ever closer to the truth, Muller confronts Aspen's changing ethos and, ultimately, an unresolved family tragedy that has haunted his life.
Tough, inventive, and deeply human, Into Thin Air is page-turning suspense at its very best.
From the Paperback edition.
But even for Muller there's nothing ambiguous about a dead man floating down Roaring Fork River. A beautiful doctor identifies the John Doe as an acclaimed Argentine journalist, and Muller, mesmerized by her stories of brutality and corruption in Argentina, finds himself taking unusual and unprofessional risks to solve the crime which comes to haunt him when the woman vanishes. Implicated in her disappearance and suddenly the FBI's target in a drug-trafficking case based on his radical past, Muller searches desperately for a way to clear himself and protect his family from sinister forces on either side of the law. As he presses ever closer to the truth, Muller confronts Aspen's changing ethos and, ultimately, an unresolved family tragedy that has haunted his life.
Tough, inventive, and deeply human, Into Thin Air is page-turning suspense at its very best.
From the Paperback edition.
259 pages, Hardcover
First published January 1, 1995
About the author
Thomas Zigal
19 books7 followersTHOMAS ZIGAL is the author of the critically acclaimed Kurt Muller mystery series set in Aspen, Colorado. He is a graduate of the Stanford Writing Program and has published short stories and book reviews in literary magazines and fiction anthologies for the past 30 years. He grew up on the Texas Gulf Coast and in Louisiana and now lives in Austin, Texas.
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Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews
April 30, 2021
I enjoyed this book but it was nothing special. The beginning was a struggle but once the plot got going, and I was able to keep the characters straight, it was more enjoyable. An original storyline and interesting ending to wrap it all together. That part was well done. I wish that Sheriff Muller had been portrayed as more competent and level headed at his job despite prior personal indiscretions. That would have made the story better for me.
December 30, 2019
PROTAGONIST: Sheriff Kurt Muller
SETTING: Aspen, Colorado
SERIES: #1
RATING: 3.0
WHY: Kurt Muller is an ex-hippie turned sheriff of Aspen, Colorado. When an Argentinian activist attending a conference is found killed, he starts digging into what happens. Soon another attendee disappears, and Kurt is being implicated by the obnoxious FBI agent who is working the case. Kurt is a real loose cannon who works outside the lines, which drives his deputy and now acting sheriff, Muffin Brown, bananas. I found the book to be quite ordinary, and both Kurt and the FBI agent to be very annoying. Kurt has custody of his 6-year-old son, Lennon, and I was annoyed by how he was handled as he is foisted off on other people to watch him whenever Kurt is involved in investigating.
SETTING: Aspen, Colorado
SERIES: #1
RATING: 3.0
WHY: Kurt Muller is an ex-hippie turned sheriff of Aspen, Colorado. When an Argentinian activist attending a conference is found killed, he starts digging into what happens. Soon another attendee disappears, and Kurt is being implicated by the obnoxious FBI agent who is working the case. Kurt is a real loose cannon who works outside the lines, which drives his deputy and now acting sheriff, Muffin Brown, bananas. I found the book to be quite ordinary, and both Kurt and the FBI agent to be very annoying. Kurt has custody of his 6-year-old son, Lennon, and I was annoyed by how he was handled as he is foisted off on other people to watch him whenever Kurt is involved in investigating.
October 28, 2020
Sheriff Kurt Muller carries around a lot of emotional baggage, and trying to keep the peace in Aspen, Colorado (his home town), only adds to his woes. When a body is found in a creek, his investigation finds drug traffickers, international terrorists, and local power struggles—not to mention clashes with an obnoxious FBI agent. He begins to wonder if he can really handle the job.
On the plus side, although Muller’s ex-wife is a mental case, his young son is the light of his life. His friends are loyal, and the victim’s wife turns out to be a beautiful Argentine who easily sets his mind in pleasanter directions, at least temporarily.
Good characters but perhaps a too violent and over-complicated a plot, or maybe, not being a skier, I just couldn't warm up to the Aspen “culture.” A fictional ski resort might have suited the stories better.
This is s first novel, and one hopes the next will present a simpler plot with the same colorful cast. Meanwhile, I recommend Craig Johnson's Sheriff Walt Longmire series instead as the gold standard is this old-fashioned-lawman-in-the-modern-West subgenre.
On the plus side, although Muller’s ex-wife is a mental case, his young son is the light of his life. His friends are loyal, and the victim’s wife turns out to be a beautiful Argentine who easily sets his mind in pleasanter directions, at least temporarily.
Good characters but perhaps a too violent and over-complicated a plot, or maybe, not being a skier, I just couldn't warm up to the Aspen “culture.” A fictional ski resort might have suited the stories better.
This is s first novel, and one hopes the next will present a simpler plot with the same colorful cast. Meanwhile, I recommend Craig Johnson's Sheriff Walt Longmire series instead as the gold standard is this old-fashioned-lawman-in-the-modern-West subgenre.
August 23, 2020
Lynnie
Good book. A lot of twist and turns. A lot of family and characters, how everyone fit and how it turned out.
Good book. A lot of twist and turns. A lot of family and characters, how everyone fit and how it turned out.
July 25, 2013
When Sheriff Kurt Muller has to deal with the dead body fished out of the river in Aspen, the bullet hole behind the corpse's ear makes it clear this was foul play. The man was part of a group with lofty goals, if the rest of them can be believed. But when another member of that group, a woman, goes missing under suspicious circumstances, Sheriff Muller is pretty sure there's more going on that he was told.
The problem is the FBI is involved, too, and they think it would be pretty convenient of Muller was involved in the local drug trade, and that they've caught--or killed--the rest of the bad guys. And someone blames Muller for the FBI shoot-out, so he has multiple people gunning for him--the FBI, the bereaved, and the real killers.
Can he untangle the politics behind these deaths before someone silences him for good?
Muller, raising his son on his own, with an absentee mother, is a likable character. His fierce protectiveness balances out his willingness to sometimes look the other way for the small sins. And unlike an action movie hero, he feels the bruises and dings he get while investigating--but he doesn't let them stop him.
The problem is the FBI is involved, too, and they think it would be pretty convenient of Muller was involved in the local drug trade, and that they've caught--or killed--the rest of the bad guys. And someone blames Muller for the FBI shoot-out, so he has multiple people gunning for him--the FBI, the bereaved, and the real killers.
Can he untangle the politics behind these deaths before someone silences him for good?
Muller, raising his son on his own, with an absentee mother, is a likable character. His fierce protectiveness balances out his willingness to sometimes look the other way for the small sins. And unlike an action movie hero, he feels the bruises and dings he get while investigating--but he doesn't let them stop him.
July 25, 2015
#1 in the Kurt Muller series.
Kurt Muller, ex-hippie sheriff of Aspen, Colorado, finds a body in the Roaring Fork River and plunges into a complex case involving Argentinian terrorists, local politics, his own marital problems, and doubts about his suitability for the job. Resigning, but continuing to investigate, he is forced to confront his past, including his Vietnam vet brother's mysterious suicide.
Kurt Muller, ex-hippie sheriff of Aspen, Colorado, finds a body in the Roaring Fork River and plunges into a complex case involving Argentinian terrorists, local politics, his own marital problems, and doubts about his suitability for the job. Resigning, but continuing to investigate, he is forced to confront his past, including his Vietnam vet brother's mysterious suicide.
January 2, 2009
These are great books. They have a great sense of place
The twist on that is the sense of place is not just now but how that valley has been and evolved throughout the character’s life. I also like the relationship between Kurt and Lennon (the father and son), it is real without being sugary.
The twist on that is the sense of place is not just now but how that valley has been and evolved throughout the character’s life. I also like the relationship between Kurt and Lennon (the father and son), it is real without being sugary.
February 10, 2012
This is the first book that I've given up on in a long time. The basis of the story is good but the writing is shockingly awful, the dialogue is totally unbelievable too. Have dumped it so that I can read something better.
July 7, 2012
This was the first of this series that I have read. I like a mystery with developed characters and a setting that is a character itself. This was an okay example of my preference. I will probably read more by this author.
July 15, 2013
If you like a story with lots of twists and turns, subplots and real life then you'll enjoy reading this book. Aspen and surround areas come alive, if you've been there you'll definitely recognize things, in this series.
October 30, 2007
ivillage Z group read
January 2, 2010
Aspen sheriff Kurt Muller, aging hippie, single father has to solve a murder in the chic town in the Rocky Mtns. A regional mystery for me.
June 7, 2010
I liked the book but not enough to read the whole series, I am rather put off by the agenda I feel behind it. Still, it is well written and the protagonist has an interesting personality.
August 30, 2016
It's OK. The father/son stuff is pretty heavy-handed though; I'd cut about 75% of that out.
September 30, 2012
Good, solid, well written murder mystery. Takes place in Aspen, CO; which I loved.
December 10, 2012
Roaring Fork Valley native...I enjoyed the book for the description of the area it took place in, but the mystery story is very good! Fast read
January 6, 2013
Pretty good novel. I enjoyed reading the descriptions of Aspen, and the characters were well developed. I will probably read more by Tis author.
August 14, 2015
Engaging
So many questions, who is responsible for the killings? Sheriff Muller tries to make sense of everything that is happening. Was the death of his brother part of it
So many questions, who is responsible for the killings? Sheriff Muller tries to make sense of everything that is happening. Was the death of his brother part of it
November 27, 2016
I will read more of his books.
December 19, 2013
Great vacation read.
Displaying 1 - 22 of 22 reviews