Camelback Falls

By Jon Talton

When his friend Peralta, newly sworn in as sheriff, is shot by a sniper, historian-turned-deputy-sheriff David Mapstone can’t keep a cool, academic distance. And he’d better not: while Peralta lies comatose in the hospital, the powers-that-be appoint Mapstone acting Sheriff in his place. Peralta feels unqualified, but he’s the only person whose temporary appointment won’t infuriate all the other candidates who want the Sheriff’s position permanently. Meanwhile, a cryptic note scrawled by Peralta before the shooting forces Mapstone to confront his own personal history, which has unwittingly drawn him into danger. As Mapstone discovers, the past has deadly consequences, and the mean streets of the New West have never been more sinister.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Poisoned Pen Press
• Release date: May 27, 2010
• ISBN: 9781615952076

Jon Talton

Jon Talton is a fourth-generation Arizonan who grew up in the same neighbourhood that Mapstone calls home. He is the author of nine novels, including the Mapstone mysteries, The Pain Nurse and Deadline Man.

Reviews for Camelback Falls

[cknikka · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

"Who do you think shot my son, Sheriff?" he demanded. He didn't wait for an answer. In a higher softer voice he said, "Policemen make a lot of enemies. Good ones and bad ones. Just like lawyers. I know I did. And when all this comes out, they won't hesitate to crucify my son, just like they tried to do me. Whatever the truth." "What do you think the truth is Judge?" His breathing fell back inot a wheeze. He said evenly, "Lawyers and history professours, both wordsmiths, Both truth-seekers. When we're young we think truth is something that can be bottled and preserved, like some specimen in bilology. Now, they tell us everything is relative, that there is no truth, and that's crazy. What do I think? I think a revolution happended in the 1970's, and if that's where your evidence comes from all rules were off."............. Historian turned Deputy David Mapstone gets the call to be interim Sheriff (its a little improable but...) when his freind Peralta gets installed as Sheriff and then shot at the installment... the story twists and turns on the past and what is true on the outside might not be the real truth..... another interesting fun read that captures the new and old west... his girlfreind calls him the "History Shamus"

[macabr_1 · Rating: 5 out of 5 stars]

In the second book in the David Mapstone series by Jon Talton, David and his friend, mentor, boss, Mike Peralta are talking at a reception in Mike’s honor. He has just been sworn in as sheriff of Maricopa County and he is letting David in on some of his plans now that he is in charge. “But we need to make some changes in the department,” he said. “People may not like it. And I am serious when I say I expect you to step up when asked….Come by my office tomorrow. I really do need to talk to you about something.” Seconds later, Peralta and David are on the floor. The sheriff has been shot.David and Peralta had been partners 20 years before when David was a twenty-something deputy and the slightly older Peralta had been a sergeant. David was at loose ends and joined the sheriff’s department because he really couldn’t think of anything else to do. Then he decided what else he wanted to do. Earning a master’s degree and a Ph.D in history, David had taught at a university and had written a book. But the study and the teaching of history had moved in a direction Mapstone couldn’t make himself go so he returned to Phoenix and moved back into his grandparents’ house, the house in which he had been raised.Peralta had made David a job offer: he would be a member of the department who would focus on solving cold cases. It was a perfect job for David but he soon realized that Peralta wouldn’t waste David’s talents on cold cases when there were so many hot cases that needed attention.Now Peralta is in a coma and David learns that the deputy chiefs of the Maricopa County Sheriff’s Office had chosen him as acting sheriff because he was the only one every one else was speaking to. Each was determined to be the new chief deputy sheriff or, if the worst happened, have the inside track to become the new sheriff.When David goes into Peralta’s office he sees his name on the desk calendar. Next to it is written, “Camelback Falls”. The only person David believes he can trust is Deputy Lindsey Adams, the woman he plans to marry. Lindsey is the go to person for information on the internet. She can find anyone with only the smallest bit of information but she can’t find anything on Camelback Falls.Then, David is pulled into the past. Twenty years ago, two deputies had been killed when they came upon a drug transaction. Peralta and David had been the first two deputies on the scene. The two men loading the cocaine into the trunk blew out the front window of the cruiser. Peralta and David shot back and then there were four dead men in the alley. There were two teenagers in the backseat of the car. Marybeth Watson and Leo O’Keefe are arrested, both claiming they had no idea that they were going to be involved in drug activity. Marybeth was rich, Leo was not. Marybeth got probation and was sent back to her home in Oklahoma. Leo went to jail. He was sentenced to a year but many more years were added when he killed another prisoner.David learns quickly that Leo O’Keefe has just escaped from jail. He becomes the prime suspect in Peralta’s shooting. The sheriff’s department finds themselves enmeshed in another killiing that ties to the department. Dean Nixon, a former deputy, is found dead, killed by the same gun used in the attack on Peralta. As David and Lindsey investigate, they learn about a group of cops who called themselves the River Hogs. There is a log book that lists the badge numbers of deputies who had taken bribes twenty years ago. Peralta’s number is on the list.Jon Talton writes very readable, logical, and interesting police procedurals. The books have a bonus – Talton includes information about the history of Phoenix.