Forced into retirement by a bullet, former Los Angeles homicide detective Mike Wire has settled into life in Montana where he runs the Square C for Jeanette Coulter, the widow who owns the ranch.

The discovery of a few dinosaur bones brings a paleontologist to the ranch, seeking permission to dig for more bones. Soon Mike, Jeanette, her son, Ray, and Ray's girlfriend, Amelia, are all part of the dig. But when things turn deadly, will Mike be able to save the fossil-hunters and the bones they’ve uncovered?

Anchored by a strong sense of place, this story unfolds from Mike’s point of view. Well-developed characters fill the pages of this story: strong, take-charge Jeanette; teen sweethearts Amelia and Ray; smarmy nouveau-riche pseudo-rancher Cade; eco-environmentalists Philip and Brian; quirky dinosaur-hunter Norman Pickford; Hawaiian-shirt-wearing Russian mobsters. They’re not all likable, but they are strong, dogged, determined, and believable.

The unfolding story combines adventure, mystery, and murder with fossil-hunting and dinosaur bones. The compelling and imaginative narrative keeps the pages turning as unexpected revelations heighten the suspense. Meticulously researched, atmospheric, engrossing . . . readers will find much to appreciate in this inventive foray into dinosaur-hunting.

Highly recommended. ( )

As I said earlier, the plot wasn't anything spectacular. Cowboys and dinosaurs sounds like a cool concept except the main character spent most of his narration telling you how something happened only to then tell you "Oh actually it happened this way." For a former cop, he only remembers to be on once a dead guy is found and only then he does it in a half-assed manner. The paleontology parts would be interesting if they didn't seem so contrived and the ending was complete with a Jaws moment where a 65 million year old T-rex skull pops out of the mud to save the day teeth and all. ( )

Not my favorite Homer Hickam book, but it was a reasonably good read. I guess I just expected a bit more depth from the characters. The change in setting from coal miner country to a Montana ranch was interesting, but considering that the author likes to dinosaur hunt in that area himself, he was quite familiar with the process and the landscape, and that really showed. In fact the dinosaur hunting was the most interesting part of the book. ( )

Taking place in Montana on BLM land and Square C Ranch this mystery has lots of twists and turns. Mike (ex LAPD and current ranch hand of the Square C) gets involved in bone hunting with "Pick" who is a Paleontologist looking for the bones of a baby T-Rex.

Everyone is not whom they appear to be or involved in the dig for the reasons they give. There are other factions at work that want the bones for their own reasons.

The book never slows and the reader wants to keep turning pages to find out what happens next! ( )

Mike Wire, retired L.A. homocide detective traded his badge for cowboy boots, working as foreman for the Square C Ranch in Montana. Dr. “Pick” Pickford has received permission to dig for dinosaur bones on the property and Mike is there to help and make sure everything goes smoothly. Just as they make a discovery that will revolutionize paleontology a murder takes place. Mike is torn between the discovery and trying to solve the murder.

The story was interesting enough to keep me reading. Dinosaurs and cowboys seem like a strange combination, but it all works to make for an interesting story.
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