BONE DRY

More funny adventures of John Martin, amiable, estimable game warden of Blanco County, Texas.

Opening Day of the deer-hunting season is always a time of test and turmoil for Martin, but in this winning sequel to Buck Fever (2002) he finds himself particularly beset. An apparition has been causing havoc among the deer blinds of backwater Blanco. According to poor old Rodney Bauer, who first set eyes on the spectral female, she was tall, blond, and spectacularly curvy—“Like something right out of a beer commercial.” As Rodney salivated, the apparition borrowed his 12-gauge and fired away at his year-old pickup. Inga Mueller turns out to be a dedicated environmentalist, appearing on behalf of the endangered red-necked sapsucker. She means trouble for John, of course, but not nearly as much as the dead bodies that begin materializing with unhappy frequency. And as if murder most foul weren’t enough to bemuse a harassed game warden, there’s the perplexing domestic issue: What, if anything, can be done about Nurse Becky? She loves him, he loves her, but the call of career pulls him away. No matter: For now, the game’s afoot, and resourceful John Martin knows how to play it whatever the variation.

Characters to chuckle at, yes, but Rehder never forgets he’s got clues to furnish and a story to tell.