Reluctantly agreeing to succeed his ailing sheriff father, former LAPD homicide detective Buddy Steel investigates the disappearance of a renowned television minister's wife, only to become embroiled in a case involving con artists, gangs and corruption.

"When San Remo County Acting Sheriff Buddy Steel is deputized by the California Coastal Commission to investigate a reclusive Russian billionaire who has repeatedly violated state law by obstructing public access to his vast beachfront property, he makes a shocking discovery. And learns that the politicos, some with a history of corruption, some just chicken, will not back up enforcement. This makes Buddy, a former LAPD cop dragged home by his Sheriff...

"Graves finds new gold in dem hills by setting her tale in Oregon mining country and drawing upon personal experience to create a unique protagonist...a small, strong gem of a book."-Entertainment Weekly While recovering from breast cancer, journalist Jeneva Leopold seeks solitude and healing at her missing uncle's gold mine in the Eastern Oregon desert. As her interest in life returns, so do Jeneva's journalistic habits. She soon overcomes the distrust...