The Sun: a Mystery (The Sun Ranch Saga)

Something is amiss in the New West... A murdered ranch employee. A vanished suspect. A stolen rodeo horse. A black helicopter. Angry environmentalists. Menacing oil-and-gas developers. A Sasquatch hunter gone astray. A mysterious billionaire. A missing can opener...

Without warning, Dr. Bryce Miller, a young doctor in Boston, inherits a large, historic ranch in northern New Mexico from a wealthy uncle she barely knew. She flies out to sell The Sun to the highest bidder, but things get complicated when a body is found murdered on the ranch. Is it a warning meant for her? Meanwhile, she must choose among a colorful cast of suitors who want to turn the working cattle ranch into either: an upscale housing development with golf courses, an oil-and-gas field, a nature preserve, a casino resort, the underground home for a doomsday cult, or the plaything of a shadowy business mogul. Each is willing to pay a large sum of money - and maybe do anything - to get the ranch.

She has seven days to decide.

"I am not at all a mystery reader, but I absolutely loved The Sun and I can't think of a better person than Courtney White to tell this tale of the New West. The Sun is a true pager turner and very informative about the West whether you live in the region or hope to visit. A very engrossing read indeed!" - Deborah Madison author In My Kitchen and Vegetable Literacy

“J. Courtney White’s The Sun is at once an entertaining murder mystery and an earnest look at the many crises confronting the American West. As it sweeps us into a compelling tale of suspense and intrigue, it also teaches us about the dangers that anthropogenic threats like real estate development, fossil fuel production and chemical pesticide use pose to both natural ecosystems and human health. The world of the novel feels real, its characters and plot locations meticulously realized. The answer to its core mystery, however, remains deliciously elusive until the book’s finale. A longtime environmental advocate with a focus on fostering land health, White has previously written several nonfiction books. The Sun is his first foray into fiction, and it’s a solid debut.” – Frank Kaminski, Mud City Press

“I really loved this book and literally could hardly put it down. It reads as a genuinely authentic tale because Courtney White has been there, living and wrestling with all this stuff for decades. It was fantastic to read about herds of cattle and electric fence in the context of a mystery novel—first time, I’m sure, that’s ever happened! I appreciated how Courtney weaved a wide range of complex elements and issues of the New West into such an intriguing storyline, and loved the authentically rich cast of characters. I also appreciated so much Courtney's sane and balanced treatment of political differences—obviously so needed in our current climate. I’m REALLY looking forward to the next installment of the Sun Ranch Saga.” – Jim Howell, rancher

The Sun Ranch Saga is a contemporary mystery series. It is centered on a large cattle ranch in northern New Mexico, near the fictional town of Alameda, and takes places during the tumultuous years of 2008-9. The murders happen against a backdrop of Wall Street collapse, conflicts over cattle and wildlife, rising political and economic tensions - and a possible Sasquatch sighting!

J. Courtney White writes hopeful stories about land and people. For twenty years, he helped create a radical center among ranchers, conservationists, agencies, and others to build economic and ecological resilience in working landscapes. His nonfiction books focus on land-based solutions to food, water, and climate challenges. They include Forewords by Wendell Berry, Michael Pollan, and Wallace Stegner. He lives in Santa Fe, New Mexico.
 
For more information about J. Courtney White: jcourtneywhite.com