Reviewed by Susan Sewell for Readers' Favorite
A forest fire sweeps through Colorado's Rio Blanco county along the White River, and while the flames ravage the pristine wilderness, the ugliness of greed, murder, and revenge are exposed in the exciting suspense novel, Crime Unsolved (A Buck Taylor Novel) by Chuck Morgan. A fishing lodge, constructed despite a controversial land swap between the Forest Service and a wealthy developer, is ground zero for an out-of-control wildfire. An environmentalist group is claiming responsibility for the blaze, and the governor feels the need to call in CBI investigator Buck Taylor. With a murder victim found among the ruins of the lodge and as murder isn't their usual mode of operation, Buck isn't convinced the environmentalists are the culprits. Working together with the local authorities, Buck combs through the remains of the lodge, looking for clues to the cause of the fire. The more evidence they uncover, the more it points to other suspects who have more pressing motives. Their leads indicate other fires recently started in the area may be related. When an item discovered at one of those sites reveals there are more to the fires than environmentalists gone wild, the investigation takes a turn. A scheme which endangers the community and the environment is taking place, and someone is willing to kill to keep it hidden.
Professionally written in the style of a best-selling crime novelist, such as Tom Clancy, Crime Unsolved (A Buck Taylor Novel) by Chuck Morgan is a spell-binding suspense novel with an environmental flair. Intriguing subplots of fraud, survivalist paranoia, and murder weave their way through the fabric of the plot, creating a dynamic story. This is an action-filled, stimulating tale which contains fascinating details that are relevant in our present climate. The heroic efforts of those who confront the destructive forces of raging forest fires are beautifully portrayed, along with alarming environmental issues, such as chemical dumping. The chemical dumping factor is frighteningly eye-opening and increased the intensity of the story line. I was captivated by the subjects presented within the text, and even though it was an exciting fiction story, I felt I came away from the book more knowledgeable than I was before I picked it up. I love it when that happens! Fire, environmental issues, murder, and arson are the keynotes for this thrilling novel, and if any of these topics interest you, then you will want to read this book!
Reviewed by Amanda Rofe for Readers' Favorite
Crime Unsolved: A Buck Taylor Novel by Chuck Morgan is a crime novel set in Colorado. CBI Agent Buck Taylor, who recently lost his wife to breast cancer, is eased back into work with an important assignment. He needs to find those responsible for an arson attack on a multi-million dollar fishing lodge development. While Buck is attempting to solve one crime, he uncovers others including a scheme to dispose of illegal chemical waste, murder and a prescription drug ring. The plot thickens when Buck's brother-inlaw, Hardy, becomes implicated. Buck and his team work hard to bring the perpetrators to justice. In a dramatic conclusion, Buck ends up fighting a wildfire that threatens a local town.
Chuck Morgan writes a gritty crime drama with a solid main protagonist in Buck Taylor, a character I warmed to immediately. Buck has great depth and was the perfect leading man. He was aided and abetted by a number of powerful and interesting women characters including a close colleague, a casual love interest and a feisty daughter who works as a firefighter. His daughter, coincidentally, was part of a hotshot team that fought the wildfire that threatened the town. The crimes themselves were complex and provided a satisfying plot line that I felt one could really become immersed in. I loved the spiky relationship between the volatile Hardy (Buck's brother-in-law) and the calm and measured Buck. Crime Unsolved has all the ingredients of a good crime novel and was a pleasure to read. I look forward to exploring more in this series of books.
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐This book kept you guessing until the end. Action packed. Great insight into forest fire. Great book at the end. Amazon Reader
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Packed with thrills, danger, violence, and subterfuge Crime Unsolved is a winner from page one until the last word. Amazon Reader
⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐Intriguing subplots of fraud, survivalist paranoia, and murder weave their way through the fabric of the plot, creating a dynamic story. Reader’s Favorites review.