Publication Date: January 21, 2025
For fans of Western mystery novels like C. J. Box’s Joe Pickett series and Craig Johnson’s Walt Longmire Mysteries comes a witty, thrilling mystery fueled by diverse characters and set against the stunning backdrop of the Arizona desert.
Nick Cameron is a PhD geologist of independent means who boxes for fun, packs a Colt Commander, and has a knack for finding bodies—dead and alive.
When an agate heiress arrives in Quartzrock, Arizona, on the eve of a gem show, she asks Nick for help selling some gemstones—and soon becomes a suspect in the bizarre murders of two prominent lapidaries. Stalked by the mysterious killer, she and Nick dodge police while Nick works with his friend Frankie Benally—a Navajo jewelry artist and brilliant armchair detective—to unravel the case. But even Frankie is stumped—until, at an isolated hacienda deep in the Sonoran desert, Nick meets the great-granddaughter of a soldadera who served with Pancho Villa’s División del Norte.
Along the way, Nick gets help from an old-fashioned gentleman sheriff, a crusty army retiree, and a clutch of feisty dames. He navigates plot twists and red herrings that would make Sam Spade reach for the aspirin. And he does it all with deadpan humor that’ll make you spit up your bourbon.
Solving mysteries may not be Nick Cameron’s primary job, but he certainly has a knack for it.
Author Logan Terret serves up the first installment of what promises to be an intriguing series in Agates are Forever. The lead character, Nick, is a geologist, which seems like a fairly tame occupation.
However, he stumbles upon an agate heiress who wants to sell gemstones. When she becomes a suspect in a double murder, Nick and his connections launch an investigation. Yet, there are a number of twists and turns that will keep the reader guessing.
The author’s writing style features a definite humorous twist while calling to mind mysteries of long ago with terms such as “dame,” “a real dish,” and “little chippy.” The story is told in the first person from Nick’s perspective and includes some illustrations.
Agates are Forever offers a western-themed mystery that introduces a diverse cast with plenty of spirit.
Logan Terret grew up in Northern Michigan but has lived in the Southwest for the last twenty years. Formerly the chief software architect for one of America’s largest financial firms, he is now retired and devotes himself to desert wanderings, mystery novels, machine learning, dog walking, and other pursuits. He is an inventor and licensed attorney. He lives in Phoenix, Arizona.
