cover image The Sheriff and the Folsom Man Murders

The Sheriff and the Folsom Man Murders

Doris Meredith, D. R. Meredith. Walker & Company, $16.95 (203pp) ISBN 978-0-8027-5663-3

Texas Sheriff Charles Matthews is told that his deputy, Raul, is being held for murder in northern New Mexico. The victim, an archeologist and Raul's cousin, was killed at a dig on Capulin Mountain National Monument, and the weapon, an ancient spear-thrower, is found in Raul's room. Raul and the victim had a fierce argument the night of the crime. Matthews decides to act as Raul's lawyer, and in short order his hotel room is searched, he's knocked unconscious and his cover is blown. Matthews and crusty Sheriff Lindman work their way through a mixed bag of suspects: amateur and pro archeologists, students, prehistoric groupies and their ""Leader.'' The victim, a nastily manipulative character, had lots of enemies. There's another murderwith Raul the chief suspect againand not until after Matthews and Lindman uncover a red herring-ish conspiracy is the solution found. Even with an effective background and nice touches of humor, the story is rather plodding. Meredith won Oppie Awards for The Sheriff and the Branding Iron Murders and The Sheriff and the Panhandle Murders, but he won't acquire new fans with this one. (January)