DARK SIDE OF THE RIVER is the first of the new Powder River series by B.J. Daniels and is family and ranch-oriented as many of B.J. Daniels’ books. The McKenna and Stafford families have been at each other’s throats for years now. Rumor has it that the start was when Holden McKenna broke promises with Charlotte Stafford when they were both young with love in their eyes. Holden married his wife for her ranch. Sounds cold-blooded but that is how things were done. Charlotte never got over her first love and has become angry and cold, especially when dealing with anything remotely related to the McKenna family.

Oakley Stafford is shot at while on McKenna property. Cooper McKenna was the person who found her racing out of the woods on his property. Obviously, someone was chasing Oakley, but the culprit had gotten away. There are many unknowns about the circumstances of how and why Oakley had been a target.

Now, while Oakley is in the hospital for her injuries, her sister Tilly has decided to ferret out the truth. Stu, the sheriff, would like her to let the authorities manage this case. His feelings for Tilly are at the core of his desire to keep her out of a dangerous situation. But Tilly is as stubborn as she is smart and beautiful. Oddly enough Tilly teams up with Cooper to follow their instincts about Oakley getting shot at on McKenna ranch. Why was she even there? McKennas and Staffords keep to their own sides of the fence. All that bad blood has led to friction. And now one daughter was chased and shot at on enemy territory. And another daughter teamed up with one of Holden's sons, running their own investigation into the matter.

Add in the element of drilling activity. Ranchers, for the most part, are against any drilling on their property. But some see great financial benefits from letting drilling companies have access to their land. Seemingly unaware of the greater damage done to their property, that of their neighbors, and the environment. Cooper and Tilly are getting the picture that it just might be this issue that divides the neighboring ranches that are at the core of what happened to Oakley.

As always, B.J. Daniels creates a vast collection of terrific characters. The twists and turns of this drama are well constructed. Following the plot will keep you on your investigator-toes. The dialogue is sharp and humorous when the situation calls for calm. DARK SIDE OF THE RIVER is the first of the Powder River series and it seems B.J. Daniels will be spending some quality time with these two ranching families. I never miss anything written by this talented author.