cover image Cowboy’s Legacy

Cowboy’s Legacy

B.J. Daniels. HQN, $7.99 mass market (384p) ISBN 978-0-373-80370-5

This complex, action-filled continuation of Daniel’s Cahill Ranch series (after Cowboy’s Reckoning) is pure thriller with barely a gloss of romance. Sheriff Flint Cahill plans to propose to Maggie Thompson, but she’s vanished, and he suspects foul play. Thanks to Flint’s wealthy, troublemaking ex-wife and Maggie’s dangerous past, there’s a long list of possible contributors to her disappearance. And with the harsh winter threatening Gilt Edge, Mont., it’s imperative they find her quickly. Flint’s boyfriend status not only removes him from the investigation but puts him under suspicion, since it’s common for the significant other to be the culprit in cases like this. But Flint refuses to sit idly by. He launches his own investigation with no backup and very little ammunition, while Maggie fights for her life and struggles to come to terms with her kidnapper’s motivation. Daniels successfully resolves a cliff-hanger from a previous book and uncovers a lot of secrets. This fast-paced whodunit has a wealth of subplots, but fans of romance will be disappointed that the story doesn’t focus on the relationship; Daniels keeps the lovers apart for most of the book and tacks on a weak ending. (Dec.)