Over the Edge

June 06, 2024

Over the Edge

Over the Edge: A Novel
by Kathleen Bryant

About Over the Edge

Over the Edge: A Novel
Traditional Mystery
Setting – Sedona, Arizona
Publisher ‏ : ‎ Crooked Lane Books (June 4, 2024)
Hardcover ‏ : ‎ 304 pages
ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1639107541
ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1639107544
Digital ASIN ‏ : ‎ B0CH9KTJ6C

In Sedona’s red rock canyons, a former reporter must piece together her shattered memories in time to stop a killer in this cat-and-mouse thriller, perfect for fans of CJ Box and Anne Hillerman.

After a disastrous mistake ended her career as a crime reporter, Del Cooper returns to Sedona and takes a gig with a down-on-its-luck tour company while she rebuilds her life. Her peaceful small-town escape ends when, hiking in a remote red rock canyon, she finds the broken body of a murdered man.

At first, she believes the murder is connected to a proposed land trade that will pave the way for a luxury development on the edge of town, but it seems money isn’t the killer’s only motive. As she digs deeper, she uncovers the small town’s darkest secrets, all leading her to Lee Ranch, a former filming location for Western movies. Two women disappear after Del interviews them, and rumors begin to spin faster than Sedona’s famed energy vortexes. But she knows the truth: Someone is watching her from the shadows.

About Kathleen Bryant

Kathleen Bryant turned her boots-first exploration of the West’s landscapes and cultures into a career as a travel writer and novelist. Her publishing credits include romance novels, travel guides, magazine articles, an award-winning children’s picture book, and a cookbook highlighting National Parks. An avid hiker and history buff, she’s led tours of ancient rock art sites, participated in field school digs, and guided yoga experiences in the red rocks of Sedona. Today, Kathleen lives with her musician husband in California, where she continues to seek out new adventures. When she’s not writing or researching her next book, you might find her on a hiking trail taking photos of wildflowers or driving down a country lane to visit a dairy farm or vineyard.

Q&A With the Author:

What was your inspiration for writing this book?

I lived in Sedona, Arizona, for twenty years. It’s hard not to be inspired in a place so full of natural beauty and interesting people, from nature geeks and forest rangers to artists and healers. The red rock landscape is other-worldly. The history is fascinating. And mystery is everywhere: remote canyons and secret trails, ancient ruins and enigmatic rock art, not to mention local lore about earth energy sites, and places where the veil between past and present might lift momentarily.

What did you enjoy most about writing this book?

Naturally, I loved revisiting my favorite places and thinking about the all the details that make Sedona so magical. But the characters surprised me. Most of them work ten or more hours a day at a struggling Jeep tour company, and still they managed to find time to write themselves. They became like familiar friends who every now and then say or do something shocking. They kept me on my toes.

Do you have any other books you are working on that you can tell us about?

I’m working on a second Sedona mystery involving Del Cooper and her crew at Blue Sky Expeditions. I’m also working on a history-mystery with a Grand Canyon backdrop. A few other works-in-progress tempt me, usually at the most inconvenient moments.

Can you tell us about what you have planned for the future?

My future will look a lot like my present: Reading good books, exploring new trails, enjoying a creative and curiosity-fueled life with my musician husband … and writing until the power runs out.

Anything more you would like to say to your readers and fans?

Yes, thank you for reading books. You’re not only helping creators and booksellers but also carrying the torch of civilization forward. We’re surrounded by the temptations of quick and easy entertainment, while books require attention and intention, a commitment of time and imagination. Readers are powerful—able to visualize worlds, to synthesize new information, to empathize with others, and to be swept away again and again. As a writer, I’m grateful. As a reader, I’m right there with you, happily waiting for the next adventure to unfold.