The Cowboy Rides Away

Chloe Newcomb #1

by Betsy Thornton

Chloe Newcomb has traded in her high-speed New York life for the solitude of the Arizona desert, where she makes half a living as an aid to victims--notifying survivors, acting as an advisor to the shattered. But when she recognizes a man found shot in a lonely cabin as a former friend and lover, Chloe herself could use a shoulder to cry on. Obsessed to discover who killed him and why, she investigates the strange route that brought her lover to the desert and to his violent end.

Genres: Mystery

288 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published July 1, 1996

About the author

Aka Beth Thornton.

Betsy Thornton is a contemporary American writer of mystery fiction novels set in the Southwestern United States.

Reviews

[Candace · Rating 4 out of 5]

Chloe has just relocated to Old Dudley, AZ (aka BSB) from NYC. She is working as a Victim Witness for the County Attorney's office. On one of her first calls out, to the scene of a suicide, she recognizes the victim as a friend and lover she knew 20 years ago. The victim known in AZ as Leroy Harris has his daughter visiting from NY. When her mother Roxanne comes to get the daughter she also engages Chloe to find out what led him to suicide or in her opinion who killed him. The book was interesting to read because it was modeled after Bisbee.

[Sharon · Rating 2 out of 5]

Listed as a title for cowboy poetry gathering reads by the local library. More or less in the cozy mystery category as a dude ranch kind of whodunit ... a quick read and an easy ride set in AZ.

[Roberta · Rating 3 out of 5]

This book had some real editing issues, in my humble opinion. But the story moved along, and since I lived in "Dudley" for many years, was interested to read it.

[LJ · Rating 1 out of 5]

THE COWBOY RIDES AWAY - DNF
Thornton, Betsy - 1st Chloe Newcombe

Chloe Newcomb has traded in her high-speed New York life for the solitude of the Arizona desert, where she makes half a living as an aid to victims--notifying survivors, acting as an advisor to the shattered. But when she recognizes a man found shot in a lonely cabin as a former friend and lover, Chloe herself could use a shoulder to cry on. Obsessed to discover who killed him and why, she investigates the strange route that brought her lover to the desert and to his violent end.

Sorry, I just could not get into this.

[Sharon Mensing · Rating 3 out of 5]

First of the Chloe Newcomb mysteries set in Arizona. Had fun with this, but it wasn’t great writing or even a terrific story. It did keep me guessing until the end. Seemed somewhat disjointed, but I had to read this in little chunks so I may have lost some of it along the way.

[Sandy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Interesting mystery set in Bisbee (called Dudley in the book), Arizona. I recognized many things in the book from being here in Bisbee. Attended a reading by and discussion with the author at the Bisbee library on 4/18/2017. Very interesting. Betsy is considering audio books. I'd like to hear her read some of her mysteries.

This the first book she wrote that was published and is part of a "series" of books about Chloe Newcombe. It was a "page turner", which held my attention. I did get a little confused near the end, but things got resolved at the very end. There is actually a prequel to this book/series--"Dream Queen".