Novelist Richard Martin Stern (1915-2001) wrote 6 books on an American southwest policeman called, “The Johnny Ortiz Mysteries.” They are set in a small town called ‘Santo Cristo’ in the state of New Mexico. Johnny is a half-breed Apache Indian who has the uncanny ability to solve homicides using his own instincts. His friends & colleagues say that he has spiritual Indian ‘visions.’ His mother is from the Apache Indian tribe. His father was part Anglo & Spanish. The 6th book in this series is called, “Interloper.” The ‘Mystery Writers of America’ organization called this book - “Johnny Ortiz is a natural sleuth. - At one with the desert he loves and the lovely city of Santo Cristo. - He is splendid!”
According to ‘Pocket Books’ the synopsis of “Interloper” is right here - “A body fell to earth in the New Mexico wilderness - and for a cop named Ortiz the crime had just begun.”
An FBI agent’s body was found by hikers near a secluded desert mountain. He was shot & there was a wristwatch that had a code number engraved on it. His body was dropped from a helicopter. Johnny Ortiz investigates a rich Cuban gentleman in town who uses money to showcase his power. A killer hit man is sent from Miami to kill Johnny as he gets closer to the truth.
The wife of the dead FBI agent has plans of her own to find out why he was murdered. At first glance - She is a timid & scared woman who turns out to be smart & an expert shot with a hand gun. She gets back her husband's wrist watch & the code number brings her to the Bahamas. The drug enforcement agency is contacted. The local congressman attains background checks. Another man is killed in a freak water accident or was it? As the story unfolds - Johnny is stumped & yet he walks around the city seeking out answers. Does it all come to him in a spiritual vision? - “Interloper” is an intense & thrilling mystery.
Below are The Johnny Ortiz Mysteries in chronological order. They were written by Richard Martin Stern.
- Murder in the Walls (1971)
- You Don't Need an Enemy (1972)
- Death in the Snow (1973)
- Tangled Murders (1988)
- Missing Man (1990)
- Interloper (1990)
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