Crime Scene At Cardwell Ranch (Harlequin Intrigue) [Mass Market Paperback]

B.J. Daniels (Author)

Book Description

Series: Harlequin Intrigue | Publication Date: February 14, 2006

After Hudson Savage betrayed her, Dana Cardwell hoped never to lay eyes on the seductive cowboy again. Until a bunch of old bones showed up on her family ranch. Suddenly her former lover was back in her life in a big way—to investigate a decades-old crime.

Five years ago, Hud left town with a heart load of regrets. But now, as acting interim marshal, he had a job to do. And this time he wasn't walking away. Because now Dana's life was on the line—as the unsuspecting target of a killer who still walked the canyon. Hud would do whatever it took to keep Dana close. Even if it meant risking his own heart for a second chance for both of them....

--This text refers to the Kindle Edition edition.

Product Details

• Mass Market Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: Harlequin (February 14, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 037322897X
• ISBN-13: 978-0373228973
• Product Dimensions: 6.6 x 4.1 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (175 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,090,038 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

B.J. Daniels was born in Texas but moved with her family to Montana at the age of five. Her first home was a cabin in the Gallatin Canyon and later a lake house on Hebgen Lake outside of West Yellowstone.
Most of her books are set in Montana, a place she loves. She lives now in a unique part of the state with her husband and two Springer Spaniels.
When she isn't writing, she loves to play tennis, boat, camp and snowboard.
There is nothing she enjoys more than curling up with a good book.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

151 of 152 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars 3.5 stars for a very enjoyable book., May 26, 2009

By 

J. Lesley "(Judy)" (Midsouth, United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Crime Scene At Cardwell Ranch (Harlequin Intrigue) (Mass Market Paperback)

I haven't read a Harlequin book in years but when I saw this on offer as a free download for my Kindle I decided to give it a try. I was very pleasantly surprised at how well it was written and how much I enjoyed it.

Dana Cardwell and Hudson Savage were engaged to be married until something happened which caused Dana to loose all her trust in Hudson. He left the Gallatin Canyon area of Montana and moved to Los Angeles where he had been a policeman for the past five years. Dana's siblings were forcing her to sell the ranch she loved so much and divide the proceeds with them because she could not find the copy of the will her Mother had made just prior to her death. That will had deeded ownership solely to Dana. When human bones were found in an unused well on the Cardwell Ranch original homestead the newly appointed temporary Montana Marshal arrives to work the crime scene. And that man is none other than Hud Savage.

This is the tried-and-true big misunderstanding plot but thankfully the author allows the characters to work through their problem naturally and the heroine is not so incredibly stubborn that it takes until the last page of the book for her to admit that she just might have made some hasty decisions. This book is definitely a mystery and that mystery is written very well. I've never read anything by B. J. Daniels but I can tell you that I am hard to please when it comes to mysteries and I think she did a fine job with this one. It was so well written that the villain is not obvious - or, maybe just a tiny bit obvious.

This book is not a deep, complex novel. It is a pleasurable, short reading experience which will likely give most readers enjoyment. There is one sex scene described, just so you will know in case that isn't something you want to read in a romance.

Edit 12/29/10: A comment on this review recently brought me back to look at it and I found that the remainder of the review had to do with a rant of mine about the Kindle. Looking back almost 18 months later that rant was absolutely erroneous and was a direct result of me not knowing how to operate my new Kindle. Because it was not relevant (and sounded rather juvenile also) I have removed those comments from the review. I still remember this book and will probably read it again some day, once enough time passes for me to forget who the villain is.

130 of 139 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars LOVE THAT COVER! [grin] love to meet him., February 28, 2007

By 

M. Hartmann "abayyan" (Milan, Michigan United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Crime Scene At Cardwell Ranch (Harlequin Intrigue) (Mass Market Paperback)

Ah, Murder in Montana!
Dana Cardwell had caught Hud Savage in her sister's bed - no explanations necessary. She broke their engagement. He left town. Guilty as sin??

Well what do you know? Warren Fitzpatrick gets Dana up early and takes her to the old homestead on the ranch. The old well had never been filled in - yup! there were bones at the bottom.

They called for the Marshal of the area. Turns out that Hudson Savage is now in charge. Dana wants to avoid him at all costs. She can never forgive him. Yet now there is a murder to be solved. And like it or not her family might be involved. Hud even suspects his own father.

Lanny Rankin, a lawyer, is angry that Hud has returned as he had hopes of marrying Dana.

There is Jordan, Clay and Stacy Cardwell, siblings of Dana's, that want her to sell the ranch. Was it possible that they were involved in some way? Stacy seems to know something, but what?

Rupert Milligan make a disturbing discovery, the same gun was used in the robbery and murder of Judge Raymond Randolph. About the same time that Hud had left the area.
The Judge hated Brick Savage, the former Marshal. Was Brick involved?

Excellent plot, excellent twists and great characters.

HIGHLY RECOMMENDED -m - I would keep it for the cover alone. Those eyes!

33 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars wonderful story, February 15, 2009

By 

S. adams (macungie pa) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Crime Scene at Cardwell Ranch (Harlequin Intrigue) (Kindle Edition)

This is my first book by B. J. and will not be the last, I am looking forward to reading more of her books. It was a fast pace book, and you could never really tell who did the crimes till the end, she had you thinking it was one person or another.
Dana and Hud were a great couple, would love to see them show up in another book together.