Tenoclock Scholar: A Johnnie Baker Mystery

Unexpected events figure large in the second book set in Tenoclock, the Colorado resort town that Miles, writing as Arthur Williams, introduced in Missing at Tenoclock. It's been a bad spell for Sheriff Johnelle ``Johnnie'' Baker: an African lion walked down Main Street; arson destroyed the courthouse annex, killing the watchman; an unusual tremor shook the earth south of town; a dead man was found with an antique Indian arrow through his neck; and a barroom brawl was broken up by a man in a wet suit and flippers. It's been so bad that folks are muttering about an ancient Anasazi curse. Johnny and her deputies, including former sheriff Butt Peabody, slowly find explanations for most things but must investigate carefully since the town bigwigs who appointed Johnny are worried about the effect of bad publicity on the ailing tourist industry and also have some secrets of their own to protect. As Johnny and Butt slowly piece together the arson and murder, Miles scants characterization in favor of unusual action, turning his crime story into an inoffensive tale about the value of sacred Indian sites. British Commonwealth, translation and first serial rights: Dominick Abel Literary Agency. (Jan.)