This book is typical of John Riggs. It seems like you know who did it but the twists and turns make it uncertain as who is really the guilty party. And there's always a surprise at the end. His novels aren't long but easily merit a "hard to put it down" status. Give him a try but be prepared to want every book in this series of mysteries. Thank you.

I started reading this book because I was planning on visiting Wisconsin. When doing a search at the library this book of fiction came up. I enjoy reading mysteries, so I thought I would give it a try. The book was very good. I enjoyed the author's writing style, and plan on reading other mysteries by the same author. My only complaint was that there were many characters in this story and it was hard to remember them all. Give it a try this book if you like mysteries and are planning on visiting Wisconsin or like stories about small town America.

Snow on the Roses continues the fine underrated series about Garth Ryland, publisher and editor of the Oakalla Wisconsin newspaper. As in most books in this series, there are surprises that happen with major characters which make it advisable for readers to read the books in the order of publication to really follow the developments. In this book, one of Ryland's old friends is found dead in his bed, Garth's latest romance hits a snag, and a little more of Garth's background is revealed. This series reminds me of James Lee Burke's more heralded novels although the setting is small town Wisconsin rather than bayou Louisiana. Snow on the Roses is a fine addition to the series.

Once again we meet up with Garth Ryland, editor of the Oakalla Reporter and sheriff's deputy. This time he faced with a task of finding a killer of a man who was found dead in his own elevator. The victim was a 400 pound man with a knack for collecting rare items from flea markets.

Once Garth realizes a painting is missing he assumes that this murder was a robbery gone wrong. And as he starts his investigation he quickly finds evidence of a hidden past and violence.

Another great read from a terrific author. You will not be let down from this novel or the series.

Garth Ryland begins his second enrty when he walks into his barn and sees a stranger carrying an axe. As Garth gets to know this unknown stranger he realizes that she cannot speak but she can sing...like a nightingale.

The town of Oakalla is in awe of this mystery woman, some think she may be a missing student from years before, but no one can get her to talk.

When two locals become missing its apparent that what they had in common may have killed them. They were both lovers with the missing girl Annie.

Garth is faced with several questions, is this stranger Annie? If so did she kill those two men?

A fine mystery set in an unforgetable place. John Riggs is a great writer.

When reading a Riggs' book I always start to wonder why this guy has never created a following. He is, on occasion, better than the big name mystery writers. This book is no different.

He Who Waits lets the reader see into a world that seems so real and so close to your home. The small town of Oakalla is the center point of the story. Like the other novels by Riggs he creates a cast of memorable charcters and settings. This time the main character Garth Ryland is woke up from his sleep to find out that the a nearby house is on fire. Has he rushes to the scene he realizes that it was not a house on fire, but a cross.

So begins Garth's search for the truth. He helps carry the cross from the yard with a friend Stevey La Fountaine. Stevey like Garth is shocked by this event and latter Garth is haunted by Stevey's words "It's come home at last." Only later Stevey turns up dead and sends Garth into his hometown searching for a clue as to who would have killed Stevey. Only to realize he is searching for a killer in his own backyard.

The novel depicts the imagine of racial hatred showing no boundries nor time frame. John Riggs' novel is definatly a book not to pass up.