This is the first book I have read in this series but it could well be a stand alone novel. It is very well written and researched. I enjoyed the characters and will definitely be looking for other books in the series.
Many thanks to Kobo Writing Life and to NetGalley for providing me with a galley in exchange for my honest opinion.

A flag-down on a remote Canadian highway thrusts Hunter into another mystery/adventure. This author skillfully twists this ex-Canadian Mounted Policeman into twisted intrigue. A burly French-Canadian flags him down to help with a spooked horse. Leon Rousseau is a good Samaritan trying to save the animal's life! Hunter gives him a hand.

A blood trail leads back to the horse's former rider and Leon’s dog Blue leads the way. Ms. Donald has put together a great read including a grifter, a manipulated young lady, and a ranch owner. The tale will mesmerize you as you try to figure out exactly what happened! Was it a hunting accident?

Leon, the good Samaritan, is arrested for the murder. Hunter takes care of Leon’s dog Blue while trying to solve the crime. He juggles the investigation with his current job of long- haul trucker.

The characters involve the reader immediately in a drama of love, greed and a young female Mounty, Bianca Morrison; trying to establish herself in the remote Canadian setting. This book is fun, engrossing and hard to put down. I was certainly not disappointed with this entry to the series and this may be her best of the series so far. The novel would work fine as a standalone, the characters are immersive, the setting atmospheric. She spins a terrific yarn!

We received this digital download from the publisher and NetGalley and really appreciated the opportunity to read and review. Totally recommended for anyone who enjoys a well-plotted mystery with a unique and beautiful setting. You won't be disappointed either.

Yellowhead Blues is the 5th book in the Hunter Rayne Highway mystery series by R.E. Donald. Released 21st July 2019, it's 315 pages and available in paperback and ebook formats.

This is a well written murder mystery featuring a former RCMP officer who believes in this case that the Mounties -didn't- get their man, or at least not the real guilty party. This series has a unique hook; a retired homicide inspector who is a long-distance trucker, working alongside law enforcement to solve a murder and bring the real murderer to justice.

The characterizations are well done and the characters' motivations and actions are believable. The dialogue is well paced and flows smoothly. The plot arc is well written and the denouement sensitively presented.

The language is somewhat rough (but used in context). There is some racism, sexism, possible sexual abuse, and violence (again, in context). The setting might as well have a starring role and it's clear that the author is intimately familiar with the area. I love the Pacific NW, and especially books with wilderness themes, and First Nations characters, sensitively handled are appealing. I liked seeing the subtext and subtle sexism/racism in the dialogue between the Francophone and English speaking RCMP officers. Constable Bianca Morrison is Hunter's assistant in this installment and I hope to see her making an appearance in future books in the series.

Really enjoyable. I wasn't familiar with the author or the series before this (it works quite well as a standalone). I'll be searching out the previous books in the series as soon as possible.

Four stars.

It’s not often I’m left struggling trying to find the best in a book I’ve read, but unfortunately, Yellowhead Blues is one such book. Hunter Raine is a former member of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) who now drives a truck across Canada and the US. It’s on one of these runs that he comes across a frightened horse in the middle of the road with a bloodied saddle and a French Canadian cowboy trying to calm it down. The horse leads Hunter and the cowboy to what looks like a hunting accident, with a man leaning against a tree, dead. But its no hunting accident and the dead man was a wealthy ranch owner. However, when the cowboy is arrested Hunter is sure the RCMP have the wrong man, as does the rookie local RCMP officer and together they investigate whilst trying to avoid the ire of the RCMP.

The story sounds ok and the plot interesting, but it's not. There is so much repetitive language with names and place names and the book could be a lot shorter. I kept going but ultimately whilst the concept of a former RCMP officer travelling Canada and the US highways getting involved in investigations amongst the incredible scenery sounds great, it is quickly smothered by the constant barriers put up to the flow of the book.

This was a unique book for me. A great premise, an interesting mystery and fascinating characters, each one stands out in their own way. Definitely on my re-read list! I understand it's part of (or will be) a series. I enjoyed this one so much, I'll be hunting down the rest of the series!

This is a very well written story with excellent characters set in an interesting location. I hope the Canadian justice system is better than this, but the plot makes great fiction.

This is the first of this series that I've read....but it won't be the last! I will now go back & start at the beginning of the series, altho reading the 5th book into it... it was fine, I didn't feel hindered at all by beginning here. This story takes place in the later 1990's, & I could relate to the time references mentioned. The main character is a retired RCMP & now works as a truck driver & it's obvious that the author has spent time in the trucking industry, I also liked those references to that business. A nice little mystery is woven in there too. There was no overt sex or bad language or gory violence.....but I wouldn't quite categorize this as a 'cozy' mystery either. I enjoyed the 'ride'/read.....& will recommend it to others!
I received an e-copy of this book, compliments of Kobo Writing Life via NetGalley, in return for reading it & posting my own fair/honest review.

YELLOWHEAD BLUES by R.E. Donald is a well-written murder mystery filled with lots of suspects as well as giving us a great sense of place. While this is the fifth book in the series, it worked well as a standalone novel.

The story mainly takes place in western Canada. Hunter Rayne is a former RCMP murder investigator who now drives an eighteen-wheeler for a living. He is flagged down by Leon to help with traffic control as a frightened horse with a bloody saddle is on the road. They look for the missing rider who ends up dying before he can be gotten to a hospital. Leon is arrested for his murder, but Hunter believes he may be innocent. With this scenario, the story is off and running.

The author did a fantastic job of bringing both the characters (including several secondary characters) and the scenery to life. Additionally she brought up several themes ranging from murder to domestic violence to theft to women in traditional male roles. I hope a couple of those themes get fleshed out even more in future books in the series. I was immediately drawn into this book and the pace, action and characters kept me fully engaged.

While this is the first book I have read by R.E. Donald, I look forward to reading more of her novels. Overall, I was immediately drawn into the story and enjoyed unraveling the mystery of who the murderer was.
Many thanks to Kobo Writing Life, R.E. Donald and Net Galley for a digital ARC of this novel in exchange for an honest review. Opinions are mine alone and are not biased in any way.