Customer Reviews

One Perfect Shot: A Posadas County Mystery (Posadas County Mysteries (Hardcover))

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In 1987 in Posadas County, New Mexico, Sheriff Eduardo Salcido considers hiring nineteen year old Estelle Reyes-Guzman as a deputy. His Undersheriff Bill Gastner agrees to serve as the rookie's trainer and quickly becomes her mentor as he appreciates her energy and intelligence.

Her first major case under Bill's tutelage is the investigation into the shooting murder of county road grader Larry Zipoli while he sat in his vehicle. The evidence points to the deceased knowing his assassin; so the two law enforcement officials look into the victim's wife, neighbors, boss, and construction peers. Bill and Estelle also inquire into the youngsters Zipoli took boating.

The latest Posadas County police procedural is a terrific prequel that focuses on the first teaming of the series protagonists. The case is deftly handled so that the mentor trains the mentee (and readers). Besides a strong timely (with what has happened at Penn State) investigation, the key to Steven F. Havill's powerful thriller is long time fans will see clearly the traits that make Bill and Estelle strong law enforcement leaders and caring family members while newcomers will be introduced to these endearing heroes.

Harriet Klausner

I have read and reread the 'Posadas County' series many times. I think that they are very well written. This one is not up to the high standards of the other books. It's as though it had been assembled from a lot of scraps of story lines that had been kept in a file somewhere for later development. I liked the premise of the book and running into the early days of many of the characters was a treat. The pieces of the whole thing just don't fit together very well.

Steven Havill's One Perfect Shot is the newest in the Posadas, New Mexico Sheriff Department series of novels. This book, however, is a prequel and introduces newly appointed deputy, Estelle Reyes - now, the main character in the series. This books main character, Bill Gastner, Under-Sheriff and fatherly curmudgeon, is on the hunt for a suspect in the killing of one of the towns long-time residents. The victim, who was sitting high atop a road grader, is killed by what seems like one perfect shot. Gastner and his team of deputies try and tinker together a solution. Its a very good police procedural with the team trying to solve a crime in a small rural town near the Mexican border. So, heat up your green chili burrito and pull up your favorite chair!

Havill has done it again !! ;)
Excellent read ! :)
Wonderful story , that flows and is entertaining too .

Visiting Undersheriff Bill Gastner is like going to an old friends home and settling in for a comfortable visit. This mystery starts by going back and telling the story of the introduction of Estelle and how she became a deputy and her training under Bill Gastner. He details her family history, her demenor and her physical description. Within several paragraphs you feel as if you have known her for years and then he drops you into the mystery. A man employed by the city is working in the streets moving dirt and suddently he is shot between the eyes. The work up and pace of this crime is solid police procedure and although the ending is a surprise there is a sense of satisfaction that case is solved and right is done.