After being Sheriff of the small and dusty cattle town of Hayward, Arizona for more than 12 years, Virgil Dalton is used to, and likes his work and his ranch. His dad had been Sheriff before him, so he is familiar with the people. But the winds are blowing more than the tumbleweed and crimes are changing... not always for the good.

One of the biggest change involves this murder. Virgil can easily handle most murder investigations, but this is strange. Buddy Hinton had few enemies, if any, and why did he end up killed? Besides, why did someone put his body where they did? Is that a message?

As Sheriff Dalton gets increasingly mired in the murder investigation and his small police force stretched to their limits, how can he protect his few and very scared witnesses? Buddy often was a truck driver for the Hayward family. Normally, Virgil is quite happy to steer clear of them and especially from the very dominating and autocratic Audrey Hayward. Yet, small clues seem to point that way. Is there a connection or is he being set up because of his previous history with them? Just what is going on?

With this brilliant debut story, DEATH AT THE BLACK BULL, author Frank Hayes brings a new western scene instantly to life. Hayes definitely will have no trouble making his readers long for more. Literally, right from the first sentence, you are pulled immediately into Virgil's ranch in rural Arizona and stay totally hooked until you finally are able to put DEATH AT THE BLACK BULL down after its shocking and dramatic ending.

Hayes sets a sharp pace with fast changing plot developments; yet, fills his masterfully told story with rich and colourful dialogue and a strong and grittily realistic sense of place. I especially like the tightness of each chapter and his intriguing and often humourous "got ya" chapter endings.

Virgil Dalton, the main protagonist in DEATH AT THE BLACK BULL is an awesome character. In addition to being Sheriff, Virgil is a hard working rancher, has a background as a lawyer and law enforcement, and is half Native American from his mother's side of the family. He stays connected to his dead mother's father and family members even if he doesn't always visit. Meanwhile, he shares his home with Cesar, his outspoken and quick with the comebacks, Mexican lead hand. Their bantering back and forth is a treat and almost worth the price of the book alone.

DEATH AT THE BLACK BULL is a great story and should appeal to readers of all genders who enjoy a good mystery and/or western based stories. In particular, fans of best-selling author Craig Johnson are sure to recognize the full worth of Hayes' talent and will appreciate the strengths and differences and styles of their respective honest and very compelling professional Sheriffs as much as I do. I, for one, definitely am relishing the enjoyment of knowing that DEATH AT THE BLACK BULL is the start of a terrific and new upcoming series by the very talented Hayes. Check it out! You will be glad you did!