Deadly Currents

Book excerpt: A new series from award-winning author Beth Groundwater The Arkansas River, heart and soul of Salida, Colorado, fuels the small town's economy and thrums in the blood of river ranger Mandy Tanner. When a whitewater rafting accident occurs, she deftly executes a rescue, but a man dies anyway. Turns out, it wasn't the rapids that killed him—he was murdered. Tom King was a rich land developer with bitter business rivals, who cheated on his wife, refused to support his kayak-obsessed son, and infuriated environmentalists. Mandy's world is upended again when tragedy strikes closer to home. Suspicious that the most recent death is connected to Tom King's murder, Mandy goes on an emotionally turbulent quest for the truth—and ends up in dangerous waters. Praise: "Groundwater kicks off a new series that combines outdoor action with more than a modicum of old-fashioned detection."—Kirkus Reviews "With a fresh locale and a spunky if at times too emotional heroine, this is a promising new series by the author of the gift-basket designer Claire Hanover mysteries (A Real Basket Case)."—Library Journal "Readers who enjoy fast-moving stories and wilderness environments will keep turning the pages of this promising series debut."—Booklist "The amiable cast, along with Groundwater's fascinating firsthand knowledge of rafting, makes this a series worth watching."—Mystery Scene "An entertaining read...[Deadly Currents is] a classic and well-written murder mystery, you won't be able to put it down."—Colorado Country Life "Groundwater's novel is filled with river lore, vivid descriptions, and loving depictions of the varied characters who make up the tight-knit community."—Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine "A remarkable book by an author who clearly knows and loves her territory. Don’t miss it!"—William Kent Krueger, New York Times bestselling author "Comes rushing at you from the first page like roiling whitewater, and culminates in a riveting climax that lives up to this book's name. If you like outdoor adventure and gripping characters, this one's a must-read."—Sandi Ault, Mary Higgins Clark and WILLA Award-winning author of the Wild Mystery Series "A heart-racing debut with as many twists and turns and unexpected upsets as a ride through the rapids itself."—Margaret Coel, author of The Silent Spring