Overview

As Neil settles into her new house in Albuquerque's North Valley, she befriends thirteen-year-old Cheyanne Morales, who lives in a nearby trailer with her mother and her younger half brother. Cheyanne's teenage angst is complicated by the pressures that gang culture imposes on her and her peers. Neil gets a harrowing glimpse of these pressures when a fifteen-year-old is shot to death not far from Neil's new home. The cops suspect a rival gang member, but late one night, a battered Cheyanne shows up at Neil's front door to confess that she was the shooter. The authorities are reluctant to accept Cheyanne's story-as a minor she'd get only a slap on the wrist-and Neil is dubious too, but she agrees to represent her young friend. With Cheyanne in custody, Neil uncovers chilling evidence that the girl's family and friends intend to take justice into their own hands. Only Neil and her lover, the Kid, can prevent another tragedy from playing out along the ditches of her new neighborhood. With its intricate, timely plot, deft characterizations, and artful evocations of place, Ditch Rider confirms Judith Van Gieson's reputation as one of the foremost writers of Southwestern suspense.

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9780792794974

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Reviews

Van Gieson's deftly written story not only offers up an appealing heroine and an inventive plot, but it opens the reader's eyes to one of today's most frightening social problems-teen gangs-in a no-nonsense, informative way. A solidly entertaining mystery. -- Booklist Suffused with melancholy, Van Gieson's moving exploration of the depredations of gang culture contributes a poignant chord to this richly characterized and atmospheric series. -- Publishers Weekly

Author Information

Judith Van Gieson is the author of a children's book, a collection of poetry and short stories, and more than a dozen mystery novels. The Lies That Bind was a finalist for the Shamus Award for best detective novel, and both of her mystery series have been regional and IMBA bestsellers. AudiobookStore.com recently cited her as one of their most popular audiobook authors. Judith lives in Albuquerque's North Valley. Meredith Mitchell is an actress who has performed in such films as Mona Lisa Smile and The Reunion, on stage with Shakespeare & Company and the New Repertory Theatre, and on television on Good Morning America. She received her BA in psychology from Emory University and her MFA in acting from Brandeis University.

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