Embedded Files
A Nick Drake Novel, Book 10
Mystery, Contemporary Western, Native American Literature
Date Published: 04-30-2026
Publisher: Jackdaw Press
Nick Drake returns in his most volatile role yet in the 10th book in the bestselling series. As the newly-elected sheriff, his tenure begins with a bloodbath, not a handshake, when he discovers a husband and wife shot dead. As he peels back the layers of the crime, he uncovers a web of secrets that proves the couple are far from the only victims.
Taglines for Your Book (Please try to list a few as we use these for graphics) Some shovels are buried deep in the High Lonesome. Nick Drake brings more than a shovel to his new job as sheriff.
Excerpt
Chapter 1
Potholes on a road I’d never traveled before grabbed at the wheels like a bad conscience seeking redemption. It led to a ranch east of Burns surrounded by withered hayfields scratched out of a dead sea of sage scrub. Tumbleweeds hung on rusty strands of sagging barbed wire. The wind-scoured house and barn looked ready to give up the ghost. If the call that brought me out proved true, the owners already had.
A brand new 1980 Cadillac Sedan de Ville was parked out front. The color made me think of the old saw about red skies in the morning. The driver’s door opened and released a cloud of cigar smoke followed by a big man wearing a pearl snap-button shirt and stockman boots. He set a summertime Stetson atop his crew cut and eyed the seven-point gold star on the door of my rig.
“I take it you’re the new sheriff,” he said. “I heard Harney County had a special election to fill the boots of the old one who got hisself killed.”
“Nick Drake,” I said. “And you are?”
“Red Caldera.” He chuckled. “Yup, I know, heckuva moniker. My folks idea at being clever. Pleased to make your acquaintance, though the situation inside is none too pleasing. Couple been dead a week, be my guess.”
When I didn’t make a move toward the house, he clicked his cheek. “I woulda thought you’d charge right in, but maybe you don’t know you’re s’posed to on account you’re new to sheriffing.”
“If they’re dead like you say, what I need to know first is why you went inside uninvited.”
The straw cowboy hat reared back as he aimed his double chin at me. “Now, hold it right there. I didn’t do nothing wrong. I’m the one called it in and I’m the one been cooling my heels on a hotter than a firecracker morning waiting for you to show up.”
Teaser - April 6th
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
17.
18.
19.
20.
Dwight Holing is the award-winning author of twenty books, including the bestselling Nick Drake Mysteries and the popular Jack McCoul Capers. He is a member of Mystery Writers of America, Sisters in Crime, and Western Writers of America. He lives beside a coastal river in California with his wife and two dogs who’d rather swim than walk.
Contact Links
Website: dwightholing.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/dwight.holing.com
Goodreads: https://www.goodreads.com/show/412201.Dwight_Holing
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/dwight_holing
Purchase Links
Amazon: http://www.amazon.com/Yellow-Hair-Nick-Drake-Mysteries-ebook/dp/B0G5WPTN83
Apple: https://books.apple.com/au/book/the-yellow-hair/id6756324018
B&N: https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/the-yellow-hair-dwight-holing/1148919827
Kobo = https://www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/the-yellow-hair?sId=c37571
Page updated
Report abuse