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Zack Tolliver, FBI #7
Las Cruces
They came down from Oregon Territory in 1864 to tend sheep after a narrow escape from an Indian attack, hoping a peaceful life in the verdant valley of Las Cruces, California would heal Pru’s damaged nerves. But violence even beyond what they had already endured awaited them. They were found beaten, stabbed, and burned in their cabin. Their murders were never solved. That was then. But now, Zack Tolliver, FBI, is called to investigate the murder of a woman found near the same murder site, her body burnt beyond recognition, and strange metal bands as if from a hoop skirt melted around her. Was history repeating itself?
191 pages, Paperback
Published July 28, 2019
About the author
R. Lawson Gamble
16 books29 followersR Lawson Gamble lives and writes on California's Central Coast, tasting wines and ales, running trails and telling tales.
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
July 30, 2021
A story right out of the headlines and it so easily could be true. I did not suspect the truth until almost the end and the storyline really had me going. The author has made a passionate plea for the environment and for all of us who live here on this planet. You can tell he has a deep love for all of nature. The mysticism in previous books is not as prevalent in this one and I sorely missed it. He could’ve expounded on it. This is such an incredibly good series I just love it!!
November 4, 2022
Gamble Loves Words
The author has a very poetic way of artfully describing scenes, making them come alive. The plot is full of twists and turns, with a very satisfying unanticipated conclusion. I thoroughly enjoyed reading his books. There were very few mistakes with words, which helped the flow.
The author has a very poetic way of artfully describing scenes, making them come alive. The plot is full of twists and turns, with a very satisfying unanticipated conclusion. I thoroughly enjoyed reading his books. There were very few mistakes with words, which helped the flow.
January 1, 2023
Great!
Zack’s first case since gaining his new job title. A murder mystery from the 1880’s is seemingly part of Zack’s present day murder. Eagle Feather joins Zack as they try to figure out what is happening.
This series is excellent! Looking forward to the next book!
Zack’s first case since gaining his new job title. A murder mystery from the 1880’s is seemingly part of Zack’s present day murder. Eagle Feather joins Zack as they try to figure out what is happening.
This series is excellent! Looking forward to the next book!
October 25, 2023
Good present day Western.
Las Cruces was a good, imaginative, story. We’ll plotted with good character formation. Nothing was as expected and a constant level of tension was sustained.
Las Cruces was a good, imaginative, story. We’ll plotted with good character formation. Nothing was as expected and a constant level of tension was sustained.
January 10, 2020
Good
This book is one where the FUN agent and his native American friend are ask to slove a crime that
This book is one where the FUN agent and his native American friend are ask to slove a crime that
July 1, 2021
Riveting
I could not put this down. Action was so smooth I had to keep reading. Well written and well edited
I could not put this down. Action was so smooth I had to keep reading. Well written and well edited
August 20, 2021
Another 5 Star Adventure
Zack and Eagle Feather make a Five Star team
I hope to read all their adventures. Keep'm comin' , Mr Gamble!!!
Zack and Eagle Feather make a Five Star team
I hope to read all their adventures. Keep'm comin' , Mr Gamble!!!
August 12, 2023
Another fun, uninvolved read from this author. Enough to keep you guessing about a very old murder, a new murder, plus intrigue about oil pipelines along 101 near Buellton.
June 9, 2024
Another goid story!
Enjoy these so much! Zack Tolliver is definitely one of my favorite fictional characters and so is his friend Eagle Feather.
Enjoy these so much! Zack Tolliver is definitely one of my favorite fictional characters and so is his friend Eagle Feather.
July 20, 2019
Las Cruces - a review by Rosemary Kenny
They say history repeats itself and it seems that's the case in Zack Tolliver's 7th Mystery of the eponymous series, by the wonderful R Lawson Gamble.
Zack's now head of a new FBI department, looking into an 1864 cold case, when two white settlers were murdered and the wife's corpse burned, fusing the hoops of her crinoline to her charred remains. The reason he's been called into the town of Las Cruces, is tied in with the seemingly identical occurrence, when a similarly mutilated woman's corpse is discovered in the canyon where the original event took place. and where a young couple have been living peacefully until...
Why have night-time sightings of a burning figure dancing on the cliff tops brought a supernatural element to the investigation?
When an oil pipeline is struck by a 'detonator' bullet who stands to lose the most?
What do we learn about Eagle Feather's otherworldly contacts?
Who else helps Zack? Who's trying to kill him - and why?
A too-long awaited Book 7 in the Zack Tolliver Mystery series by R Lawson Gamble, Las Cruces is, as always, an outstanding addition to any Western adventure thriller fan, that's sure to win a new multitude of fans for Zack, Eagle Feather and their creator. Don't wait, grab yourself a copy today and why not enjoy the previous 6 equally great books too? I guarantee you'll enjoy all these 5-star winners, as will your friends, so tell them all soon!
They say history repeats itself and it seems that's the case in Zack Tolliver's 7th Mystery of the eponymous series, by the wonderful R Lawson Gamble.
Zack's now head of a new FBI department, looking into an 1864 cold case, when two white settlers were murdered and the wife's corpse burned, fusing the hoops of her crinoline to her charred remains. The reason he's been called into the town of Las Cruces, is tied in with the seemingly identical occurrence, when a similarly mutilated woman's corpse is discovered in the canyon where the original event took place. and where a young couple have been living peacefully until...
Why have night-time sightings of a burning figure dancing on the cliff tops brought a supernatural element to the investigation?
When an oil pipeline is struck by a 'detonator' bullet who stands to lose the most?
What do we learn about Eagle Feather's otherworldly contacts?
Who else helps Zack? Who's trying to kill him - and why?
A too-long awaited Book 7 in the Zack Tolliver Mystery series by R Lawson Gamble, Las Cruces is, as always, an outstanding addition to any Western adventure thriller fan, that's sure to win a new multitude of fans for Zack, Eagle Feather and their creator. Don't wait, grab yourself a copy today and why not enjoy the previous 6 equally great books too? I guarantee you'll enjoy all these 5-star winners, as will your friends, so tell them all soon!
August 15, 2019
Tolliver and Eagle Feather are easy to like, but what sets this series apart is the author's love for the desert southwest. By coincidence, I've been working with a customer in this very remote part of California, so it was helpful to see this beautiful land through Gamble's eyes.
Las Cruces blends historical land disputes with current events - what had once been a fight over a stagecoach station becomes an oil pipeline issue in our time. The Chumash are concerned about disturbance of ancient burial grounds and archaeological sites not yet excavated. A husband and wife have built a life on land that will be ploughed for the new pipeline, and the devasting effect of accidents on both people and the natural surroundings is making the locals nervous. And, oh yes, there's a bit of First Nations mythology playing a part.
The only reason I gave three stars instead of four is that we get a fairly good idea of what is going on at a rather early point in the book, but the ending takes a bit of a left turn that I thought should have been hinted a bit sooner. I do appreciate that Lawson dealt with a difficult topic without becoming didactic, and the prose more than makes up for any deficiencies in the plot.
Las Cruces blends historical land disputes with current events - what had once been a fight over a stagecoach station becomes an oil pipeline issue in our time. The Chumash are concerned about disturbance of ancient burial grounds and archaeological sites not yet excavated. A husband and wife have built a life on land that will be ploughed for the new pipeline, and the devasting effect of accidents on both people and the natural surroundings is making the locals nervous. And, oh yes, there's a bit of First Nations mythology playing a part.
The only reason I gave three stars instead of four is that we get a fairly good idea of what is going on at a rather early point in the book, but the ending takes a bit of a left turn that I thought should have been hinted a bit sooner. I do appreciate that Lawson dealt with a difficult topic without becoming didactic, and the prose more than makes up for any deficiencies in the plot.
July 6, 2019
Awesome series.
The past keeps creeping up on the present. Agent Took over heads a new Special group consisting of him and the intrepid Eagle Feather. Drawn into body remains of burned woman. Leads the FBI on a wild chase with a twisted ending.
The past keeps creeping up on the present. Agent Took over heads a new Special group consisting of him and the intrepid Eagle Feather. Drawn into body remains of burned woman. Leads the FBI on a wild chase with a twisted ending.
July 11, 2019
Book 7
I love this series. I have read all the books in this series and I recommend them to mystery lovers and those who enjoy history and native American culture.
I love this series. I have read all the books in this series and I recommend them to mystery lovers and those who enjoy history and native American culture.
August 25, 2019
Interesting plot
I'm not not a mystery fan, but this story had good characters and kept me turning pages. I'll read more of this author.
I'm not not a mystery fan, but this story had good characters and kept me turning pages. I'll read more of this author.
October 24, 2019
A series of excellence.
I have really enjoyed all if these books and where they have taken my imagination. Zack and Eagle Feather are extremely unique and I want MORE!!
I have really enjoyed all if these books and where they have taken my imagination. Zack and Eagle Feather are extremely unique and I want MORE!!
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews