Twice Buried

Bill Gastner Mystery #3

by Steven F. Havill

Third book in the Posadas County Mystery Series "Gastner is an incisive investigator whose two most valuable qualities are compassion and insomnia. Unlike other fictional detectives who approach murder as a personal affront, Gastner sees himself as the victims' advocate, striving to even the scales of justice for those no longer able to do it themselves."― Booklist When two baffling crimes strike Posadas County, New Mexico, Undersheriff Bill Gastner knows they're connected somehow. But as the case heats up he may have to call in reinforcements… Bill Gastner, Undersheriff of Posadas County, may be getting on in years, but he's still as sharp as any other small town sheriff. When he gets a call that an elderly schoolteacher was found dead at the bottom of her basement stairs, he suspects it wasn't an accident. Something strange is going on… He's also sure that elderly Reuben Fuentes knows nothing about the bodies scattered on his dusty, southern New Mexico ranch. Although the other county sheriffs want to arrest Fuentes and be done with the case, Bill isn't convinced. No spring chicken himself, Bill summons his former deputy, Estelle Reyes-Guzman, from Mexico to help clear the old man of suspicion. She's used to handling people who call her a 'lady cop' and can take anything thrown her way. Eventually this generation-spanning law enforcement team finds a thread tying all the crimes together―a killer with no conscience. In this thrilling addition to Steven F. Havill's posadas County Mystery Series, Undersheriff Bill Gastner will have to rely on former deputy Estelle Reyes-Guzman to help him unravel a harrowing case that spans all of Posadas County. Check out the iconic

Genres: Mystery, Procedural, Fiction, Crime, Westerns, Audiobook, Mystery Thriller

192 pages, Paperback

First published April 1, 1994

About the author

Steven F. Havill is an American author of mysteries and westerns.

Havill lives in Raton, New Mexico, with his wife Kathleen. He has written two series of police procedurals set in the fictional Posadas County, New Mexico; along with other works.

Reviews

[Chrisl · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of many about the main character Bill Gastner stories I'd like to re-read.
Quite enjoy the setting and characters. My favorite cop series of all time. Multiple re-reads almost all.

[Penelope · Rating 5 out of 5]

The first two books in this series were very good, but this book is the one that makes the series fantastic. There is depth, wonderful plotting, and vivid characterizations of both the people and the landscape. Highly recommended.

[Victoria · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is an older series that I stumbled upon while searching my local library for e-audio downloads on Hoopla (such a great free resource!!). And... happy accident, I like this series. I enjoy the New Mexico setting, the characters are realistic and interesting, the narrator is decent.

Kinda has a Hillerman vibe. I like our main character - an aging, diligent, chubby under-sheriff, but I am also impressed with his partner who is a Mexican female that is smart, refreshing, and realistic.

[Midwest Geek · Rating 4 out of 5]

I enjoyed this story which is a complicated police procedural. This was my second in this series, having read #4 first. I like the protagonist, Undersheriff Bill Gastner, and his former partner, Estelle Reyes, called back into service temporarily. Bill isn't the brightest bulb on the tree, and Estelle is often two or three steps ahead of him. Bill is however dedicated to both justice and serving his community and that is refreshing. His main failing seems to be that he eats too much, but at least he's not a drunk like so many other detectives.

Rusty Nelson did an acceptable job but reads much too slowly for my taste, so I would rate him 3 stars at most. As an illustration, book #18 (One Perfect Shot) is actually a prequel to the series, and there are two narrators available, both unabridged versions of this 250-page book. Rusty takes 13 hr, 39 min, while Ray Porter takes only 10 hr, 31 min, more than three hours less!! I have started listening to the version by Porter, who seems to be excellent.

[Lois · Rating 4 out of 5]

Like this series set in New Mexico

[Wanda · Rating 4 out of 5]

The story takes place in a small town in New Mexico close to the southern border. The undersheriff, Bill Gastner, is investigating what originally looks like an accidental death of an older lady but it just doesn't feel right to him. Then a murder of a prominent citizen takes place and his attention is diverted to solving that crime. The main suspect is an elderly neighbor and Gastner doesn't think he is responsible and is trying to prove it. He is dealing with some robberies at the same time and also preparing to attend the christening of his godson. He is stumped and searching for clues when he calls the mother of his godson who was a former deputy to come visit. She is also the grandniece of the old man who is the suspect. When she arrives she looks at things with a new eye and discovers some interesting clues that lead them in a bit different direction and to find another murder.
The main character is an interesting man. He knows he is out of shape and talks about it openly and he is very loyal to those he trusts and believes in doing the right thing. He believes family is important and tries to take care of everyone he is close to. He has to deal with a boss (the sheriff) who does not have any law enforcement background and gets in the way at times. Much as he dislikes the press he is able to manipulate them to get some desired results. He has a young reporter for the local paper who has been dogging his heels on this case and he is pretty adept at only giving her the information he wants out there. He has genuine concern for the old man and does what he can to help him.
The author paints a fairly bleak picture of the small town. It is basically in the middle of nowhere and there is not a whole lot to keep it going it seems. He also highlights some dysfunctional families but also some families that work hard to make things work. Enjoy this series.

[Robert Mckay · Rating 5 out of 5]

When an old woman falls down her cellar stairs, breaks her neck, and dies, it's the sort of accident you expect, and you write it up that way and go on to the next problem afflicting the sheriff's department in a rural county with a small population. Except Undersheriff Bill Gastner of the Posadas County, NM Sheriff's Department realizes that someone's cleaned up the scene afterward, and it is very likely to be murder, not an accident.

When you mix in an old Mexican whose mind is failing, the poisoning of the man's dogs, the murder of a local real estate broker on the Mexican's property, and a missing teenager, suddenly the small sheriff's department needs to be umpteen places at once. With - as it turns out - two murders to deal with, a murderer who doesn't particularly care who he hurts or kills, and a mother whose concern for her son is minimal at best, Gastner, Det. Estelle Reyes-Guzman, Sheriff Martin Holman, and the rest of the department have more than enough work to do.

As always the police procedure and the depiction of Posadas County are the strongest parts of the book, though the characterizations come in right up there. The Posadas County landscape becomes a character in its own right - an empty, varied place with mesas and rocks and plains and mountains, where criminals think they can get away with anything, and would too, if it weren't for Gastner and company.

[M. Sprouse · Rating 3 out of 5]

My first read from this this author. It was a good and solid novel. I couldn't decide on 3 or 4 stars. I had a tendency to give most books four, so I decided to be a bit more discerning on this rating. Though, I must mention I do spend a decent amount of time researching the books I do read, so they tend to be good, at least for me. I do recommend "Twice Buried" and certainly it was enjoyable. However, it did not "WOW" me. It was interesting without being thrilling and moved at an acceptable pace, but couldn't really call it suspenseful. One has to remember it was first published in 1994 and IMHO, they move a bit faster in the last decade or so. It also one of those mysteries that, if I can recall the details, is not one that you could actually figure who done it, by the clues given. The writing was fine and I guess the biggest compliment I can give it is that I do plan on reading more novels from the Bill Gastner series.

[Kathy KS · Rating 3 out of 5]

Another of this series about an undersheriff in small town New Mexico. I enjoy that Bill Gastner is an older, overweight character; it has been difficult finding characters that aren't 20/30-somethings. (Yes, I read some of those, too!). And body images issues are beginning to give us more non-perfect characters who relate to many (most?) of us. So, this novel written in the mid-1990s was different from many of the era, it seems.

I like Bill and relationship with his former deputy, Estelle, and her family. He's even her son's godfather! The mystery her begins with an older woman falling down her stairs; Bill feels there's something more involved. Estelle's Uncle Reuben's dogs are killed and Bill and Estelle begin to find other odd things going on in Posadas County.

A quick, entertaining read; I find Nelson's narration fits the story well.

[Lynn · Rating 4 out of 5]

My husband picked this up in our stock-up trip to the library before the shut down. I read most of this early series when it first came out but have not kept up with the newer one mostly because of reviewing duties. I decided to give it a re-read and am so glad I did. I had forgotten just how good this series is!

Havill writes with a wonderful ease, comfortable with this character and at home with his setting and plotting. It was a real pleasure to re-enter Posada County and meet the Under Sheriff, his staff and friends once again. My only regret is that we didn't get more of the series to bring home to enjoy during quarantine! I am SO eager to read through this wonderful series from beginning to end!

[Nolan · Rating 3 out of 5]

Undersheriff Bill Gastner is aging and increasingly out of shape. He’s a serious insomniac, and he wonders how long he can keep up his schedule. When an old woman dies after a fall down a flight of dark stairs, Gastner wonders whether something went awry such that the suicide was really a homicide.

Someone poisons the dogs of an old Mexican in a remote part of the county, and a local realtor turns up dead near the bodies of the dogs. Gastner is sure the old Mexican isn’t guilty, but he enlists the help of his former deputy, Estelle Reyez-Guzman to solve the murders.

It helps a bit if you’ve read the previous books in the series, but the author does a nice job of bringing you current. Future installments look exciting based on the end of this one.

[Cutty · Rating 5 out of 5]

This 3rd installment starts with the death of an elderly lady - supposedly by falling down the stairs to her house’s basement. Undersheriff Bill Gastner isn’t convinced that it was an accident but can’t find supporting evidence to the contrary. Then a local realtor, who recently had a run-in with Estelle Reye’s elderly great uncle over trespassing, ends up dead, and the Uncle is the prime suspect, according to the Sheriff. Undersheriff Bill brings in Estelle to help prove the Uncle’s innocence. While trying to solve the mystery, another dead body (a local high school youth suspected of robbery) is found buried on the Uncle’s land. A surprising ending as they identify the killer.

[Monica Willyard Moen · Rating 4 out of 5]

This mystery is a real page turner! It’s set in rural New Mexico, and it deals with a community wthat is plagued by poverty, low employment, and drugs. It is somewhat like the community where I live in Wyoming, and it is also like the community I grew up in from the state of Illinois. Maybe that’s why the hopes, dreams, motives, and crimes feel so familiar to me. However, there are still many good citizens in the community, and it seems a shame when several of them are victims of a cruel murder. I enjoyed watching as the police force unraveled this mystery.

[Janice · Rating 4 out of 5]

I like this series and so far this is my favorite one of the series. Undersheriff Bill Gaston is going to be a Godfather to his former deputy's baby. He hasn't time to think about it because he's been caught up in more and more criminal activity, including burglaries, fights at the high school, and murder. He is also still working on the arson of the home of his boss.

[Nancy Palmer · Rating 4 out of 5]

I love Undersheriff Bill Gastner. He is tough, canny, and cuts through the bull! These mysteries are short and to the point, as is Gastner's dealings with everyone except maybe his family, Estelle, and the two Francises. I hope to see the Padrino in action in future books!!

[Richard Guerrero · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is one of the better books of the series so far. Again like I mentioned before, I really do like the characters. I was glad it did not have a crazy ending. Looking forward to the next book in the series.

[Charles T · Rating 5 out of 5]

I love reading Steven Havill’s stories

Good writing. Real gritty Characters. Some good heroes who aren’t perfect and generally fun book to read.

I like Steven Havill’s writing style and his stories

[Kit Allan · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Christening

A story about families. Some are good some are not so good. The family includes the dogs. Who would murder them? The dogs hold the answer to the whole story. Be sure to read this one!

[Sophie Beth Pettigrew · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twice Buried (Possess County Mysteries Book 3)

Good characters. Good New Mexico descriptions. Good reading. The book's fictional setting is near actual historic and scientific landmarks which may show up in another of Steven Havill's books. I'll read some of them to find out.

[Patty · Rating 5 out of 5]

I keep telling myself I have to quit reading this series and get other things accomplished, but I am having trouble putting these books down.

Multiple murders in Posadas, starting with the death of an old school teacher, have Undersheriff Bill Gastner and his deputies searching for answers.

[Pam · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mystery. Title refers to one of the bodies which was buried twice. Interesting series.

[Gerry Nelson · Rating 5 out of 5]

Typical Posados County book. For this writer, typical is, as usual, an outstanding book.

[RLBorton · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good read

Lots of action, head scratching, personal feelings. Just a good blend of every day life all the way around. Now on to the next one.

[Julie · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great story! Terrific narrator on audiobook.

[Paul Parkinson]

Don't know how I missed this one (and apparently, several others) the first go around. Good story

[Karen Parker · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm listening to these books in order, and I really like the series. Great characters, story lines, and intriguing but not too gory or too terrifying. This one is another good one!

[Andrew Mcdonald · Rating 3 out of 5]

I like these. Understated. A little Maigret.

[Dave Nichols · Rating 4 out of 5]

A nice mystery with just the right amount of twists and turns. The ending is delightful if you're a Bill Gastner fan.

[Dan · Rating 4 out of 5]

All I can is I have already got the next book in the series.

[GW · Rating 4 out of 5]

Twice Buried

I enjoyed this book. It's nice to read something with some adventure in it without the main character being a 'super human' tough guy.