Over the course of twenty-eight books in any series, there will certainly be some that are better than others. While Steven F. Havill leaves readers guessing whether Reverse is the last in his Posada County mystery series, this one is certainly one of the best in recent years. It brings together all the sheriffs and undersheriffs of the New Mexico county in an absorbing police procedural. Havill’s latest is a complex story showing the effects of tragedies and crime on a small, close-knit community.
Undersheriff Estelle Reyes-Guzman is responding to a call from one of her officers when she hits two elk and is trapped in her car. The scene in which the police and EMTs respond to her accident is fascinating, an indication of the dedication and professionalism of the first responders in this border county. Although Estelle is just weeks away from retirement, she’s determined to hobble around and respond to calls.
She also responds to a request for lunch with her current boss, Sheriff Jackie Tabor, and her first one, Bill Gastner. Tabor has news of her own to add to Estelle’s plans for retirement, and the three agree to an end around the county commission so they can keep the sheriff’s department running smoothly as some of the top veterans retire or move on. But, Estelle still has calls to deal with. There’s one from the local priest who is worried about a 1957 Corvette that’s the prize in an auction with proceeds to benefit the three small community churches. He’s worried he didn’t see the car at the local dealer. There’s a call from the airport, where it appears someone vandalized an airplane scheduled to fly to a museum. Then, there’s the hardest one to deal with.
On a Sunday morning, the Corvette is missing from the dealership. The police have to search for it. But, before they can do much, woodcutters report the discovery of a teen, injured and almost dead near the old Consolidated mine quarry. How did he get there? It’s not long before he’s identified that they discover the missing car, half sunk in the water of the quarry, with another teen inside. It’s an engrossing scene as past and future officers join together to bring up the body and then the car.
What can’t be forgotten is that this case involves people, family members of people that Estelle and the other officers know. She and Sheriff Tabor head up a careful investigation, keeping people in mind, as they search for answers.
Is Reverse the final book in the Posadas County series? It’s hard to say, but Havill carefully plotted this story, bringing together favorite characters from past books. And, if he chooses to keep this riveting series going, one that combines community and police procedural, he’s introduced us to the departmental team that will keep the work going. Police work is never finished. Hopefully, this series isn’t either.
Reverse by Steven F. Havill. Severn House, 2026. 253p.
FTC Full Disclosure – I received a digital galley from the publisher through NetGalley, with no promise of a review.
It’s annoying me that my library still doesn’t have this book. But then, they only seem to get one copy of each of his books, so we’ll see. I’ve read them all since the beginning, and though they vary in interest level (for me), I’m looking forward to reading it as I have all the rest. I like these regional mysteries.
I like regional mysteries, too, Jeff. This series is one of the best, although quality does vary. This book is released Tuesday, so, hopefully, your library will get one.
I haven’t read any books in this series, but I love southwest settings. I’d like to travel to New Mexico, so these books might hold me over until I can actually go. Do you recommend starting at the very beginning or is this the type of series where you can jump right in?
Either one, Kate. Each book is a standalone. However, if you want to actually see the changes in the sheriff’s department, and watch the characters age, with women added to the department, so changes in time are society are reflected, I’d start at the beginning.
Here’s a warning. Posadas County is a border county, with the desert environment and the problems a county bordering Mexico might have. The police also have a good relationship with Mexico. I’ve been to Santa Fe, and this series doesn’t reflect Santa Fe or Albuquerque.
Also, if you jump in, you won’t immediately understand why people love and respect Bill Gastner, why the undersheriff is important, and relationships in the small county. I’d start with Heartshot if you can.
I’d definitely recommend starting at the beginning. There is so much back story you’d have to pick up on – Estelle’s kids, for one thing – that it’s better starting with the first.
Thanks so much to both of you for the advice! It looks like Heartshot is the first in the series, so I’ll track that one down–or I’ll at least look for one of the earlier books to start.
I did a little looking around again this morning and could not find anything definitive as to if it will keep going. My only hope is that usually we get a warning when the final book is about to be out and there has been no warning on this one. I felt like the way it was written, and in the time frame of the story, there could be another one BEFORE the reads would again change to the new leaders.
For what that is all worth.
I enjoyed the heck out of it. I back my review out of the Blogger Garage on Tuesday.
I know Havill is older than I am, Kevin, so it could go either way. You’re right. I didn’t see a warning either that this was the last one. It was written either way (clever!). It could have been a wrap-up, or as you said, one more before the new leaders, or the new team could take over. He did an excellent job with this series, and I’ll miss the characters if that was the end.