The Bangtail Ghost is the eighth in Keith McCafferty's mystery series that began with The Royal Wulff Murders (unusual titles!) Its leads are occasional PI Sean Stranahan, his tough fiancée Sheriff Martha Ettinger, and the magnificent state of Montana itself.

As the episode opens, a series of deaths, apparently by mountain lions, terrorize the Madison Valley. It turns out that the man-eater is not always a lion, and Sean comes much too close to becoming prey in the dramatic crescendo of a conclusion.

It's always a pleasure to have a new Keith McCafferty book to read. His admiration for Montana and it's inhabitants, both human and animal shines through.

Another stellar Sean Stranahan mystery. I think this is an exceptional series, in the quality of the writing, the great descriptions of the wild Montana setting, the characterizations and the ingenious plots. This might work as a standalone but why not enjoy the others? If anyone has been avoiding this series because they are not interested in fishing, do yourself a favor and pick up the first book and start a great reading experience.

This time out, artist/fly fisherman/private detective Sean and his fiancee Sheriff Martha Ettinger are hunting a mountain lion that has developed a taste for humans. And the circle of people who hunt and study the mountain lions are a strange bunch, to say the least.

As the action unfolds, we also see Sean and Martha take stock of their decision to marry and make adjustments to their life together. Entertaining, suspenseful, eerie, humorous and altogether captivating. And the cover is incredible. Thanks to the publisher and to Net Galley for providing me with an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I reviewed this book for the Autumn edition of Mystery Scene Magazine please buy issue #165 available August 15th to see my entire review.

KEITH MCCAFFERTY
The Bangtail Ghost
Viking/Penguin
Hardcover, 320 pages, $26.00
penguinrandomhouse.com

Tension mounts from the first chapter as Sean Stranahan is stalked by a cougar while packing an elk quarter out of the mountains. But then, as a woman goes missing and the half-eaten remains of her body are found, he realizes he’s had a close call with a man-eating cat. Joining Sheriff Martha Ettinger in the hunt for the cat, it isn’t long until their investigation reveals more people missing in the Montana mountains. One of them is a child, presumed kidnapped by his father. But was he kidnapped or did the cat take him? This is what Sean, Martha, wildlife experts, medical examiners, dog handlers, and trackers rush to discover as the body-count adds up. And for this, they enlist the help of cat expert, Frederick (Drick) Blake.

As always in this series featuring fishing guide/artist/sometime detective and tracker Sean Stranahan, you’ll learn about the wildlife, as well as the lowlife, that populates the west. Action abounds with wonderfully depicted characters, settings, and plot. The Bangtail Ghost may be Sean's best, most surprising adventure yet.

Sean Stranahan and Sheriff Martha Ettinger are back, investigating the death of a woman at the jaws of a mountain lion.. Interesting secondary characters, and the relationship between the primary characters has developed in a very satisfying manner over the course of the series. Stranahan's character has become more interesting as he has become less of a ladies' man (although the author makes sure we know he's still very attractive to women besides his fiancee!). Highly recommended. Many thanks to NetGalley and Viking for the opportunity to read the eARC.