Peter Bowen

Cruzatte and Maria Peter Bowen

A deputy discovers Meriwether Lewis's journal in this modern-day mystery by an author who "writes about the rural West better than anyone" (Rocky Mountain News).

When he's asked to serve as a consultant for a documentary about the bicentennial of Lewis and Clark's expedition up the Missouri River, Gabriel Du Pre's impulse is to flee. Eastern Montana isn't accustomed to getting much attention, and its residents prefer it that way. But the director of the film is dating Du Pre's daughter Maria, so this hard-bitten fiddler's hands are tied.

The Metis Indian lawman agrees to act as a guide and help the filmmakers navigate the river, which is as deadly now as it was in 1805. The Missouri has claimed nine lives in the past three years-a suspiciously high death toll the FBI wants Du Pre to investigate. While trolling the riverbanks, Du Pre stumbles upon a national treasure: Meriwether Lewis's lost journals, which the American government will do anything to get back. Meanwhile, when members of the film crew start dying, Du Pre begins to wonder if the locals hate outsiders so much they might be willing to kill to keep them out.

"Bowen's exuberant storytelling mines the rich cultural history of the West . . . [and features] delightfully extravagant characters" (Publishers Weekly).

Cruzatte and Maria is the 8th book in The Montana Mysteries Featuring Gabriel Du Pre series, but you may enjoy reading the series in any order.