A Spur Award-Winning Author
Shortly after Dunbar goes to work at the Hook ranch, a ranch hand who aspires to marry the cook's niece is found dead. The niece, Vivian, works at the mercantile, and her boss seems to be fond of her. Another cowhand on the ranch also fancies her, but he, too, ends up dead. Dunbar and Ryerson, the cook who tells the story, go to a local brothel to learn more. Back in town, Dunbar and the narrator learn that Madeline, a street girl, has been killed. From there, they go to the Blue Diamond brothel and pursue the killer and his accomplice across a snowy landscape.