False Trail (The High Country Files)

Jake Mercer thought he had left his past behind.

After years as a decorated Army Ranger and championship rodeo cowboy, he returns home to rebuild the family ranch and live a quiet life. But when his father's sudden death is ruled an accident, Jake discovers a single clue that doesn't add up—and someone is willing to kill to keep the truth buried.

As powerful interests quietly buy up neighboring ranches and longtime families begin to disappear, Jake uncovers a conspiracy reaching far beyond county lines. Every answer leads to another lie, every ally could become an enemy, and the only thing more dangerous than the truth is the land it's buried beneath.

With time running out and nowhere left to hide, Jake must rely on his instincts, his grit, and the skills that once kept him alive in combat. Because in the high country, justice isn't handed down—it has to be fought for.

False Trail is a gripping modern western thriller packed with relentless suspense, unforgettable characters, and explosive action—the first novel in the Jake Mercer series.