Over the Edge: A Novel
by Kathleen Bryant
About Over the Edge
Over the Edge: A Novel
Traditional Mystery
Setting – Sedona, Arizona
Publisher : Crooked Lane Books (June 4, 2024)
Hardcover : 304 pages
ISBN-10 : 1639107541
ISBN-13 : 978-1639107544
Digital ASIN : B0CH9KTJ6C
In Sedona’s red rock canyons, a former reporter must piece together her shattered memories in time to stop a killer in this cat-and-mouse thriller, perfect for fans of CJ Box and Anne Hillerman.
After a disastrous mistake ended her career as a crime reporter, Del Cooper returns to Sedona and takes a gig with a down-on-its-luck tour company while she rebuilds her life. Her peaceful small-town escape ends when hiking in a remote red rock canyon, she finds the broken body of a murdered man.
At first, she believes the murder is connected to a proposed land trade that will pave the way for a luxury development on the edge of town, but it seems money isn’t the killer’s only motive. As she digs deeper, she uncovers the small town’s darkest secrets, all leading her to Lee Ranch, a former filming location for Western movies. Two women disappear after Del interviews them, and rumors begin to spin faster than Sedona’s famed energy vortexes. But she knows the truth: Someone is watching her from the shadows.
Dollycas’s Thoughts
Del Cooper made a serious mistake on a story that ended her crime reporter career. Needing to rebuild her life she returns to Sedona, Arizona, and gets a seasonal job at Blue Sky Expeditions which offers off-road excursions in the red rock canyons. While hiking with another guide she makes a tragic discovery, the body of a homeless man who had gone missing. There has been a big push and opposition to a proposed land deal that would change the peacefulness of the area. Did the death have something to do with the land deal or is there something else going on?
Del starts digging into the death and uncovers secrets and clues that all lead to a location where Western movies used to be filmed, Lee Ranch. Then two women she had talked to go missing and she feels someone is watching her. Will she be the next woman to disappear?
Ms. Bryant has a very descriptive writing style and her words paint beautiful pictures of the Sedona red rock canyons. Throughout the story, the characters travel all around the canyons, all the crevices, caves, and cliffs. It is easy to get lost when you get off a trail. I enjoyed the ability to virtually travel to such grand places but sometimes Del got lost and so did I. She was searching for a certain spiral petroglyph that she remembers from her childhood adventures and I was intrigued by that from the start. The author also includes Native American lore and info about the area’s vortexes.
Del (Delilah) is an interesting protagonist with a curious nature which suits her well as she learns her new job and looks into the murder and missing persons. There is a large supporting cast and characters brought in for the mystery. Ms. Bryant does a good job of introducing all the players but it is hard to give them a lot of depth when there are so many. I do hope this book becomes a series because I would like to get to know these characters better.
The mystery unfolded at a leisurely pace with twists and turns and many moments of misdirection. Del suspected almost everyone and right up until the last moments she didn’t know who she could trust. Ms. Bryant plotted the mystery very well because I was astonished when all was revealed.
Over the Edge is a stirring mystery surrounded by the vivid imagery of the scenic areas of Sedona. It was like a mini vacation with a mystery to solve. I hope we get to visit these characters and the area again.
I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, Crooked Lane Books, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.
About Kathleen Bryant
Kathleen Bryant turned her boots-first exploration of the West’s landscapes and cultures into a career as a travel writer and novelist. Her publishing credits include romance novels, travel guides, magazine articles, an award-winning children’s picture book, and a cookbook highlighting National Parks. An avid hiker and history buff, she’s led tours of ancient rock art sites, participated in field school digs, and guided yoga experiences in the red rocks of Sedona. Today, Kathleen lives with her musician husband in California, where she continues to seek out new adventures. When she’s not writing or researching her next book, you might find her on a hiking trail taking photos of wildflowers or driving down a country lane to visit a dairy farm or vineyard.
Author Links
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Disclosure of Material Connection: I received this book free from the publisher. I was not required to write a positive review. The opinions I have expressed are my own. Receiving a complimentary copy in no way reflected my review of this book. I am disclosing this in accordance with the Federal Trade Commission’s 16 CFR, Part 255: “Guides Concerning the Use of Endorsements and Testimonials in Advertising.” “As an Amazon Associate, I earn a commission from qualifying purchases.”
You are a new author for me-after reading the book excerpt I would like to read this book-thanks