Seldom Traveled is the 15th book in the Deputy Tempe Crabtree series. Tempe Crabtree is a Native American with ties to Bear Creek Indian Reservation.
In Seldom Traveled, the tranquility of the mountain community of Bear Creek is disrupted by a runaway fugitive, a vicious murderer, and a raging forest fire. Deputy Tempe Crabtree is threatened by all three.
Introducing Deputy Tempe Crabtree
Tempe is the resident deputy of the mountain community of Bear Creek located in the southern Sierra of California. She is a Native American (though she and other members of the Yokut tribe prefer to be called Indian.) Married to a Christian pastor, at times her use of Indian mysticism causes problems in an otherwise happy marriage.
She is often called upon by the Violent Crimes detectives to help with murder cases involving Indians, the Bear Creek Indian reservation, or those that happened in or around the town of Bear Creek.
Her best friend is another Indian, Nick Two John, who, along with his significant other, owns the local Inn. He’s the one who has educated her in Native American ways and often offers her insight into cases she’s working on.
Though most of the mysteries she’s been involved in have happened in her local area, at times she’s had to find answers in other places.
Tempe is brave, intelligent, and level-headed.
In this scene from the latest book, Seldom Traveled, Tempe has teamed up with a fugitive to try to escape from a forest fire:
She moved toward the front door and opened it. Things had changed in the short time she’d been inside the cabin. “Oh, dear God, we’re in big trouble.”
The fire had worsened considerably. Black smoke billowed up from the valley. The wind blew fiercely. The air felt hot against her face. Embers fell all around. She couldn’t see any flames, but it wouldn’t be long.
Delano let loose with a string of swear words. “We’re doomed.”
“Don’t give up yet. Let’s get in my truck and see if we can make it back to the main highway.” She galloped toward her vehicle.
“I’m right behind you. Don’t try any funny stuff. Remember, I’ve got your gun.”
She didn’t bother to answer, the smoke made breathing hard. Pulling open the driver’s door she hopped in.
Within seconds, Delano was beside her. “Get us out of here.”
She hoped that she could. She knew better than to drive too fast because of all the potholes in the road, but if they didn’t hurry they weren’t going to make it.
Maneuvering around the curves as fast as she thought safe, wasn’t fast enough for Delano.
“Step on it.”
“I can’t go any faster. If we break down, we’ll be in a worse mess than we are now.” She eased around one curve and then the next.
When she came to the place where she thought the road started to straighten, she knew they couldn’t get through. She braked.
“What are you doing?”
“We aren’t going to make it. Not this way anyway. Take a look ahead.”
A wall of flames crossed the road. The tree tops on either side blazed. Sparks flew high into the sky.
Tempe put the truck in reverse, going back the way they’d just come.
Delano gasped. “The whole mountain is on fire. We’re doomed.”
About the Author:
I’m the author of the Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series and the Rocky Bluff P.D. crime series under the name, F. M. Meredith. Reading and writing have been a part of me since I was a little girl–a very long time ago. I love to hear from readers who have enjoyed my books. I’ve made many new and good friends among the readers and writers at various mystery conventions and conferences. Hubby and I live in the foothills of the Sierra much like the place where my heroine Tempe Crabtree lives. And we once lived in a beach community that resembles Rocky Bluff.
I love to hear from my readers or have them visit my webpage at http://fictionforyou.com
The Deputy Tempe Crabtree mystery series by Marilyn Meredith:
(latest to first.)
Seldom Traveled
Not as it Seems
River Spirits
Raging Water
Bears With Us
Invisible Path
Dispel the Mist
Kindred Spirits
Judgment Fire
Calling the Dead
Wing Beat
Intervention
Unequally Yoked
Deadly Omen
Deadly Trail
Rocky Bluff P.D. series, as written by F. M. Meredith
(latest to first)
A Crushing Death
Violent Departures
Murder in the Worst Degree
Dangerous Impulses
Angel Lost
No Bells
An Axe to Grind
No Sanctuary
Smell of Death
Fringe Benefits
Bad Tidings
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