Edge of the Sawtooth: A Gripping Riveting Mystery Set in the Mountains of Montana (A Rick Morrand Mystery)

CHLOE MORRAND HAD TURNED HER LIFE AROUND

She’d been taking her meds. She’d kicked her drug abuse. And she loved her new job at Yellowstone National Park

Life was looking up.

Her father, Rick Morrand—local attorney—is hopeful that Chloe is finally on the right track. But on the morning she fails to show up at his house to pick up her nine-year-old daughter, Abby, alarms ring in his head.

His greatest fear becomes reality when Chloe’s body is found at the base of the Sawtooth in Montana’s rugged backcountry. Authorities assume suicide— for good reason. But Rick doesn’t buy it.

For good reason.

First, former law partner Reiff Metcalf arrives in town to warn Rick about a disgruntled client headed to Montana in search of revenge. Then there’s Draper Townsend, fresh out of prison and eager to settle an old score. Rick also sets his sights on Chloe’s meth-head ex-boyfriend, Chase Rettick, who violently argued with her the day before she disappeared. And he can’t rule out Chloe’s supervisor at Yellowstone, who clearly was more than just her boss.

Local sheriff Caleb Tidwell brushes off Rick’s concerns, but as events unfold in a dark and menacing manner, Rick is certain Chloe was murdered.

And it seems as if the murderer is now after him.

Set in the spectacular backdrop of rural Montana, Edge of the Sawtooth takes us on a gripping journey through the torment of mental illness and addiction, the trials of parenthood, and the anguish of broken relationships and personal loss. Suspense abounds in this riveting and entertaining mystery, which is filled with engaging characters and unexpected twists.

Whether you are a fan of C.J. Box, or you enjoyed The Girl on the Train by Paula Hawkins, you will love reading Edge of the Sawtooth. Clear your schedule when you read this thriller – once you pick it up, you won’t want to put it down.

Here is what they're saying about Edge of the Sawtooth:

"I love books that take you into the action and this author does a fantastic job of doing just that. Ryan’s descriptive prose makes you feel like you are right there beside the characters, witnessing every event for yourself. His characters are rich and believable and the storyline is riveting, keeping you captivated wondering what is going to happen next.

Ryan writes a suspenseful thriller with characters that you'll easily connect with, and who are more developed than your average mystery players. Chloe, instead of being a typical, two-dimensional victim, is a complicated and conflicted woman. She's torn between hatred for her medications, which she feels confine and suffocate her true self, and her desire to be a good mother and daughter. Rick, our protagonist, isn't perfect either. He loves Chloe deeply, but is often unable to reconcile his anger towards her and her erratic, often dangerous behavior. This is a satisfying and nail-biting novel. The suspects are plentiful, and you won't know who to place your bets on until the end.

Peter J. Ryan has put together a cast of characters that are compelling and detailed. Then, he put them in a picturesque and adventure-soaked backdrop. I love a good mystery, but this one has some special significance and draws the reader from the very beginning as Rick Morrand searches for the reason that his daughter Chloe was found dead. This is not your typical detective story. It is personal.

Mystery, Thriller and Suspense

Crime Fiction

Crime Thrillers

Mysteries

“This mystery takes us all on a wild ride straight out of the gate. Readers will see the breathtaking beauty of Montana’s country communities combined with the hard, sometimes cruel underbelly of the struggle to survive in it. I know the characters in this book. They are real genuine people who struggle with current issues involving parenting, addiction, trust, hope and enduring love. You’ll be captured by Ryan’s intelligent turn of phrase in this mystery, his humor, and his sense of the consuming intrigue. The suspense keeps us turning pages. I didn’t want this thriller to end.”

“A thrilling whodunit—Edge of the Sawtooth will keep you guessing until the last page! From the gripping prologue to the final thrilling twist, we follow Rick Morrand, the take-charge mourning father, doggedly searching for the truth in his daughter Chloe’s mysterious death. With each new character we meet, we realize the truth is complicated, and everyone is a suspect. The author never tips his hand though, and will keep you in suspense until the very end. Ryan’s first novel is a suspenseful well-crafted modern mystery,  filled with a rich cast of characters that we can’t wait to hear more stories about. Lucky for us, it won’t be the last we see of Rick Morrand or the Montana community in which he lives. I absolutely can’t wait to see what Ryan has for us next!”

"With relatable characters, a solid plot, and gut-wrenching twists throughout, Ryan has created a gripping story that truly sticks with the reader. I found myself unable to put this book down—every spare moment I had was dedicated to finishing this book because I absolutely had to find out what would happen next!”