When newspaperman Sam Light drifts into the quiet desert town of Beale, California, he finds himself knee-deep in murder after an old prospector, Hickory Taite, is found dead in his hotel room. Chet Riggson, the wealthy owner of a drilling operation, vouches for him so the sheriff simply tells Sam to stay put.

That is fine with Sam because he smells the beginning of a big story and secretly informs the San Francisco Citizen. But, why was Taite killed and why is someone now trying to kill Sam? Taite had bragged about finding a Spanish treasure, but Sam figures that smuggling is behind the murder since they are so close to the Mexican border. But smuggling what? And who is behind all this trouble?

Will Sam solve the mystery and publish his story or will the murderer get him first?

Among his extensive writing credits, Jack Lewis has written nine feature films, five works for television, five novels, 6,000 magazine articles and short stories, and sixteen other books. His many jobs have included horse wrangler, newspaper reporter, movie stuntman, and private detective. He served in World War II as a machine gunner, and in both Korea and Vietnam on the front line as a Marine Corps Combat Correspondent. He lives with his wife Rueselle in a beach house in Hawaii.

Avalon Mysteries by this author:
FACE DOWN

The Charlie Cougar Mystery Series
THE COFFIN RACERS
THE SCARLET CANARY
DOUBLE CROSS

Avalon Westerns by this author:
MASSACRE MOUNTAIN
MOJAVE
RENEGADE CANYON
MANHUNTER