The Serpents Trail

(0451211227) 2004

I have not read anything by this author before. I'm not sure I'll read any others. This one is set in Grand Junction, which is why I picked it up. The "detective" in the series is Maxie McCann, a 63-year-old Alaskan widow, who travels around with her dachshund much of North America in an RV. Clever concept, and there is plenty of info about RVing included.

The mystery surrounds the death of an old college friend of hers in Junction just after she arrives in town. Maxie has been named executor of her friend's estate, instead of the son of her friend. It's all mildly complicated, but not too hard to figure out.

This is one of those mysteries that is 'safe' to give to grandmas and kids, but also vaguely entertaining for plane trips and cool spring days. I wouldn't go out of my way to read another one, but I wouldn't exclude the possibility, either.