Murder in the Steens — Ron Lovell

The southeast corner of Oregon is dry, flat, and, in certain areas, spectacularly beautiful. It probably has as many cows, sheep, and horses as people. The southeast corner of Oregon is not the usual place where a former investigative reporter turned college professor hangs out. When Margot Tateman, an old high school friend, calls Thomas Martindale for help in finding her missing husband, however, it is to this remote part of the state that he goes. In and around the tiny town of Frenchglen and Steens Mountain, Tom tries to find Michael Tateman. During his search, he encounters men who try to stop him. All trails lead to the remote Kiger Gorge, home to a herd of wild mustangs, descended from horses brought to the West by Spanish conquistadores in the 17th century. Tom wants to find the missing man, the men want the horses, and will do anything to get them... including murder.