PUMPKIN BUTTES | AMAZON REVIEWS
Steven Max Finkelstein
Mary McIntosh, the prosecutor from Sheridan, Wyoming who is known as Mac to her friends, is back for another helping of criminal mayhem. This time, she has teamed up with Sheriff Burgess, who informs Mac that multiple crimes have taken place which seem to connect to each other. Rare earth elements are being excavated. At the same time, two individuals charged with illegal uranium exporting make their presence known. Meanwhile, three hardened criminals escape from prison. These seemingly disparate events all converge in the region of Wyoming known by the colorful name of Pumpkin Buttes. It is there that the sheriff and prosecutor must figure out how all the pieces fit together.
Pumpkin Buttes, by Maureen Meehan, is another novel belonging to the Mary McIntosh crime series. These tales, set in the Western United States, are a guilty pleasure. So is spending time with Mac, a woman with flaws but a deeply held sense of justice that drives her every action.
Pairing her with the stolid figure of lawman Sheriff Burgess was a stroke of genius. The two play off of each nicely, first ruffling each other’s feathers, but soon coming to have a grudging respect. They’ll need to get along, because this case is so baffling that neither of them has a prayer of solving it on their own.
What’s so impressive about Meehan’s writing, other than her spare, restrained prose, is that she’s able to weave together complex narratives that seem structurally simplistic but that unfold in increasingly complex ways the further the reader progresses in the narrative. That is undeniably the case here, as the way everything fits together gradually reveals itself in the novel’s second and third acts. It’s like an origami figurine that impresses through of the intricacy of its final form.
Though there have never been any weak installments of this series, this is perhaps the best of them to date, which is really saying something. Woe betides anyone who chooses to commit a crime near the fictitious town of Sheridan, Wyoming, as you will have Mary McIntosh to contend with.
Megan Brame
Maureen Anne Meehan’s “Pumpkin Buttes” is a wild ride through the rugged landscape of Wyoming, where three separate crimes collide in one explosive plot. This action-packed novel follows Mary Macintosh and Sheriff Burgess as they find themselves caught in the crosshairs of some seriously shady characters.
Meehan does a great job of weaving together multiple storylines, from prison escapees to illegal uranium exports and rare earth element extraction. It’s like a crime buffet, and the author serves it up with style! The remote setting of Pumpkin Buttes adds an extra layer of tension to the story, reminding readers of the area’s outlaw history with nods to Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid.
The dynamic between Mac and Burg is a highlight of the book, with their teamwork and determination driving the investigation forward. Meehan keeps readers on their toes with plenty of twists and turns, making it hard to put the book down. While the multiple plot threads can be a bit overwhelming at times, the overall story is engaging and fast-paced.
If you’re looking for a thriller that combines contemporary crimes with a touch of Wild West flavor, “Pumpkin Buttes” is definitely worth checking out. Meehan has crafted a suspenseful tale that’ll have you rooting for Mac and Burg while keeping you guessing until the very end.
Lenore
With high stakes and twists galore, this suspenseful novel keeps you hooked from start to finish!
Pumpkin Buttes by Maureen Anne Meehan takes readers to the rugged, remote landscape of Wyoming, where three true crimes unexpectedly collide. The story involves escaped prisoners, illegal uranium exports to Russia, and the extraction of rare earth elements crucial to modern technology. Prosecutor Mary Macintosh and Sheriff Burgess are soon targeted after Mac’s involvement in a high-profile case. As they team up to investigate, danger looms at every turn.
A gripping tale with plenty of twists, this novel will keep you on the edge of your seat!