Amber Hanson suffers two demoralizing whammies when she breaks up with her long time boyfriend and loses her job as a result of corporate downsizing. For some R&R she escapes from the hubbub of downtown Denver to the small town of Westcliffe, Colorado, to live as a recluse for the summer. But the peculiarities of her new neighbors interfere. In Redemption Ridge, Amber's plan disintegrates as she becomes entangled in the personal problems of others and, contrary to her agenda, becomes caregiver to a huge dog and a neighboring, fragile old man. A dead body surfaces, and betrayal abounds. From little white lies to manipulation to gossip, various levels of deceit flourish. Amber uncovers many personal truths as she stumbles from one discovery to another and the unfolding mystery surrounds her.
Written by a local author, this mystery set in Westcliffe Colorado has too much going on with some stilted dialogue but the author's description of the townspeople was pretty spot on in ways.