Peril by Ponytail

Marla’s honeymoon at an Arizona dude ranch turns deadly when murder threatens to disrupt her newly wedded life.



Hoping for a romantic honeymoon at an Arizona dude ranch, hairstylist Marla Vail and her detective husband Dalton arrive to find a series of mishaps plaguing the resort. A nearby ghost town is also suffering from mysterious incidents. Is it mere coincidence that Dalton’s Uncle Raymond owns both properties? When Raymond asks for their help in finding the culprit, Marla and Dalton agree to investigate. Raymond’s reluctance to discuss the past makes her wonder if their trust in him is misplaced.



With sleuthing more natural to Marla than a trail ride, she delves into the case that veers from dangerous to downright deadly faster than a speeding horse. Suspects include Dalton’s evasive relatives, local environmental activists, rare cactus poachers, and water rights opponents. Marla must saddle up, rein in the clues, and find the killer before she ends up as the next spirit on the haunted hillside.



Third Place Winner in the Arizona Literary Awards



“Peril by Ponytail ropes in the reader in Nancy J. Cohen's captivating new tale, which deftly braids together deadly secrets, long hidden resentments, and romance on the range.” Ellen Byerrum, author of the Crime of Fashion Mysteries