Step into the rugged, windswept world of the High Country Mystery series, where Wyoming’s mountains hide secrets and Sheriff Jeff McQuede unravels them with grit and heart! Crafted by sisters Vickie Britton and Loretta Jackson, this cozy mystery series blends modern detective work with the haunting allure of the American West, delivering tales that feel like a campfire story crossed with a classic whodunit.
With its vivid Wyoming backdrop and tales of greed, justice, and Old West legends, High Country Mystery invites readers to saddle up for a thrilling ride through small-town crimes and big-time suspense.
How High Country Mystery Began
The High Country Mystery series sprang from the imaginations of Vickie Britton and Loretta Jackson, Kansas-based sisters with a passion for the West’s untamed beauty. Inspired by their time in Wyoming—Loretta taught on the Pine Ridge Reservation, while Vickie lived in Laramie—the duo wove their love for rugged landscapes and Old West lore into a modern mystery series. Their goal? To craft plot-driven, character-rich stories that sidestep gore and profanity, focusing instead on the human heart behind every crime.
With over fifty novels under their belts, including the Ardis Cole archaeological mysteries, the sisters launched High Country Mystery to bring Wyoming’s high country to life. Sheriff Jeff McQuede, named after a frontier lawman, became their modern-day hero, tackling crimes in the fictional Coal County with a nod to the past.
The Heart of High Country Mystery
The series kicks off with Murder in Black and White, where McQuede investigates a museum theft that uncovers a decades-old murder tied to a missing student. In Stealer of Horses, a $200,000 painting sale leads to a disappearance and a deadly scheme. Whispers of the Stones dives into Native American legends, with McQuede chasing a killer linked to the mysterious Pedro Mummy. Crying Woman Bridge blends ghostly folklore with a kidnapping, as McQuede probes a spectral figure called Mirabella.
Set against Wyoming’s stark mountains and endless plains, the series explores themes of greed, justice, and the moral gray areas that drive good people to crime. The sisters’ cozy mystery style—light on violence, heavy on suspense—pairs with historical tidbits, like Shoshone legends or outlaw artifacts, to create a unique flavor. McQuede, a dogged yet relatable sheriff, battles foes like the slippery criminal Ruger while navigating personal dramas, like his on-again, off-again romance with archaeologist Loris Conner.
Each book stands alone, offering a complete mystery wrapped in Wyoming’s chilly, evocative atmosphere. Fans praise the fast-paced prose and vivid characters, with reviewers noting McQuede’s Colombo-like charm and the series’ ability to make Wyoming a living, breathing co-star.
Why High Country Mystery Resonates
High Country Mystery has carved a niche in the cozy mystery world, blending the West’s rugged spirit with small-town intrigue. Its appeal lies in its balance: thrilling yet accessible, historical yet fresh. Readers love escaping to Coal County, where McQuede’s investigations feel like puzzles you can’t put down. The series’ nod to Native American culture and Old West history adds depth, making it a standout for fans of both mysteries and Westerns.
With ten books and counting, the series has built a loyal following, with titles like Rapid River Hoax earning accolades for their rich storytelling. Britton and Jackson’s knack for crafting relatable characters and twisty plots keeps readers coming back, proving that even a lesser-known series can leave a big mark.
- First book published: 2011 (Murder in Black and White)
- Number of books: 10, including Blame it on Bigfoot
- Authors: Vickie Britton and Loretta Jackson
- Setting: Coal County, Wyoming
Ready to ride into a Wyoming mystery? Grab Murder in Black and White and join Sheriff McQuede in the thrilling, legend-soaked world of High Country Mystery!