Death in the Desert Captivates and Outrages

This controversial, contentious novel proposes that the elusive weapons of mass destruction that Americans have waged a war against are not nuclear missiles and chemically engineered diseases. Rather, the real weapons of mass destruction grow in poppy and coca fields round the world, fields that the United States government subsidizes. An Arab-sponsored Mexican drug cartel is bent on seeing a Mexican flag waving at the White House, and Americans on their knees begging for mercy…in spanish.

Tom McDannold, Author, Publisher and Professor Emeritus, says, “Death in the Desert is a fast paced, romantic thriller taken right out of the nightly news! R.L. Coffield, the author, brings back ace investigator Ben Thomas and Chloe Littlebird, the former Alaska state trooper that fans came to love in Northern Escape. As Thomas and Littlebird investigate drug-related murders in the southwestern United States, Coffield again demonstrates her ability to combine convoluted plot, vivid characterization, and international tensions-a read that is terrifying in its implications!”

Coffield uses Detective Ben Thomas and Chloe Littlebird one last time to solve a string of bizarre murders in the Arizona desert. Complicating Thomas’ investigation is U.S. Marshal Jake Starr, a rugged, popular Arizona hero who arouses the detective’s suspicion. When Thomas’ daughter and ex-wife are kidnapped while on vacation in Mexico, Starr’s assistance in rescuing them makes Thomas doubt his reasons for suspecting the marshal. Confused by his ex-wife’s reappearance in his life and her overtures of interest in him, Thomas chooses a surprising path in dealing with Starr.

Readers will love the sad, sweet Mexican heroine Juanita Salcedo, despise the snake-like Miguel Lorenzo and positively hate the brutal, heinous Bill Passkey. Like Northern Escape, the first novel in the trilogy, readers will again be completely surprised at the totally unexpected ending. Coffield states that this is the final Ben Thomas novel.

This is the third book in a trilogy, however, with the second book being passed over. “This novel was too timely politically and socially not to proceed with it immediately. I don’t know if I’ll ever submit the second novel for publication or not,” Coffield said when asked about the order of the books. “I’m spending more of my time on nonfiction now.”

This book may make you fighting mad, but you’ve got to give it a 5 star rating.

Death in the Desert Captivates and Outrages