The Blue Horse is the third entry in this series by Bruce Borgos. The first two books were titled The Bitter Past, and Shades of Mercy. I have not read either of these though I may now go back to them.
This is a story in which a lot (!) is happening. Much unravels following upon a planned horse roundup. There is murder. Also, there is lithium. To add to this, there are kids at risk who are on a wilderness trip.
Pick up this book to find out how each strand of this plot works out. Enjoy spending time with the characters and getting to know (or become reacquainted) with Sheriff Porter Beck and those around him. Also note the well described settings. All of these will offer a good use of some reading time.
This book will, I think, appeal to those who have enjoyed novels by Nevada Barr, as well as Paul Doiron and Craig Johnson.
Many thanks to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press-Minotaur Books for this title. All opinions are my own.
Pub date: 08 July 2025
Post first published on 7 December 2025
Description:
from the publisher
An USA Today bestseller!
A controversial wild horse round-up in the high desert of Nevada results in two murders and too many suspects for Sheriff Porter Beck to deal with.
A helicopter driving a controversial round-up of wild horses suddenly crashes and the pilot is found to have been shot. Then the person coordinating the round-up for the Bureau of Land Management is savagely murdered, buried up to her neck and then trampled to death by the very same wild horses. And there’s no lack of suspects—with the wild horse advocacy group having sworn to protect the horse At Any Cost! Now the state and federal agencies are showing up looking for answers or at least a scapegoat.
Sheriff Porter Beck has had better days.
Porter Beck’s new girlfriend, Detective Charlie Blue Horse, arrives to help with the investigation, which leads them to Canadian Lithium mining operation near the round-up area that sets off Beck’s mental alarm bells. Brinley, Beck’s sister, is leading a group of troubled kids in a wilderness program, when one of them, Rafa, bolts one night. When Brinley catches up to him, they’re just outside the mine—in the wrong place, at the wrong time.
With his personal life in turmoil, too many suspects and too many secrets, the feds pushing for a quick resolution, and his impetuous (if skilled) sister in the mix, one wrong step could be deadly for Porter Beck.
About the Author:
from Amazon
BRUCE BORGOS lives and writes from the Nevada desert where he works hard every day to prove his high school guidance counselor had good instincts when he said “You’ll never be an astronaut.” He has a degree in political science which mostly served to dissuade him from a career in law while at the same time tormenting his wife with endless questions about how telephones work. When not writing, you can usually find him at the local wine store. He is the author of The Bitter Past
Joyce's mystery and fiction book reviews with some non-fiction too! 