The mysterious deaths of bees, birds, and an archeology professor puzzle Relic, a recluse who roams the Canyonlands National Park. He does not know that Deputy Dawson, the man investigating the professor’s death, is after him because he is the main suspect. Meanwhile, Parker, a man who started work as an intern at a law firm, is being hunted down by gunmen when Relic saves his life. Parker does not understand why they are after him, but with the new information he receives from Relic, the two strangers try to solve the mystery of the gunmen and the deaths. Get a copy of Moonshine Mesa by A.W. Baldwin and join these three men on their quest for answers.

Moonshine Mesa is a fast-paced and entertaining tale. The story combines comedy, drama, action, suspense, and witty characters. I love reading books with clever characters. Everyone was making smart moves in this story, whether it was the good guys or the villains. I loved getting to know the characters and their motives. A.W. Baldwin provided unique details about each character, such as Parker’s family tragedy, Relic’s love for nature, and Betty consistently checking her makeup. These details made the characters memorable and made the story intriguing. I could not wait to see what each character would do next. Parker’s near-death experiences had me on the edge of my seat. Dawson’s determination to arrest Relic was formidable, and then it turned into pure comedy. The story also addresses serious issues about environmentalal protection and human greed. I enjoyed reading this book and recommend it to anyone who loves mystery novels with a dose of action, suspense, and comedy.

Moonshine Mesa by A.W. Baldwin is an introspective suspense novel involving Relic, a man of Hopi and Scottish heritage, and Parker, a property manager in the depths of a personal tragedy. When Relic discovers a corpse near the Cedar Flute ruins on the Colorado Plateau, it sets off a chain of events involving an archaeological investigation and a confrontation with academics. As this is happening, Parker is sent to Moonshine Mesa, a disused oil field in Utah, and tasked with an assignment that relates to its pressure gauges. As the story unfolds their paths cross, leading to a deeper understanding of the mysteries surrounding these locations, historic ruins, and links to the past, and a series of events affecting multiple characters, including a sheriff, a lawyer, and an entire ecosystem.

I love an action and suspense story that paces itself at a near sprint, and author A.W. Baldwin achieves exactly this in Moonshine Mesa. From the word go there isn't any question that the combination of the history of America's indigenous past and the contemporary outlook of those who inhabit the land now would lend to the overriding mystery of the story. Baldwin makes this book so many different things. It is an action mystery, but it is also eco-fiction with a heavy dose of ancient wisdom that ties it all together. Relic, who is perfectly named, is a character that a reader can get on board with and I could absolutely see him in a fully-fleshed-out series. Parker is equally intriguing and the dichotomy of both men together in a quasi-buddy cop pairing is exceptional. The book might not be huge but it certainly packs a mighty punch and I look forward to seeing what Baldwin has planned next.