The ski resort of Tucker Peak has been experiencing a rash of condo burglaries that has the (mostly non-resident, non-Vermonter) owners quite upset. At least one owner is threatening to go to the governor if the perpetrator is not found soon. The local sheriff, Snuffy Dawson, realizes the security of his job is directly related to the political scene. Thus, reluctant though he is to ask for help, he knows a swift resolution to the case is more likely if he seeks Joe’s assistance.

Joe’s first move is to interview the most recent burglary victim, and the relevant staff at Tucker Peak. It soon becomes apparent to Joe who is responsible for the thefts, but the aforementioned person is nowhere to be found, and his girlfriend has just been discovered dead at her residence. Obviously things are more complicated than Joe originally anticipated and the “swift resolution” is going to take a while longer.

Though the plot of Tucker Peak is carefully and meticulously rendered, Archer Mayor’s real forte is his power of description and the skillful manner in which he acquaints his readers with Vermont - its customs, weather, and outlook on life. He vividly contrasts the rich condo owners from New York and Boston with their expensive automobiles with the more down to earth Vermonters in their four-wheel drive vehicles made for the terrain and the weather.

The Vermonters relationship with the Flatlanders is an implied love-hate one. The local economy depends on the tourist trade of the out of state homeowners, but the Flatlanders way of thinking and lifestyle is poles apart from the Vermonters. Mayor also introduces us to the social structure that exists in a ski resort - the managers, ski patrol and instructors, the snow makers and lift operators, as well as the usual staff of a resort community. The pecking order is as rigid as any caste system.

Although Tucker Peak is the twelfth in a series of books headlining Joe Gunther and his crew, it is not necessary to have read the previous eleven to fully enjoy this volume. (Though they are well worth your time and effort) The author does a fine job providing enough background information to put the first time reader at ease without boring the veteran series reader. There are a few references to previous cases, but they do not distract from the story at hand. The characters reactions to events and each other allow the readers to learn how the characters think. They behave consistently and logically throughout the book. Those individuals unique to this novel tend to be more stereotypical, the ecology nuts in particular. However, these same characters come up with some interesting ways of subverting a ski resort.

Tucker Peak is a solid entry in the Joe Gunther series. The meticulous description of Vermont and her people are the high points of the book. Those with a love for winter might easily be enticed to visit the state, but I suspect us winter haters would rather view its delights through Mr. Mayor’s eyes.

--REVIEWER NAME