When a U. S. senator and his young family join the list of savaged victims of the "Rest-Stop Ripper," Texas lawman Rhett Richtor, the formidable Medina County Constable is mysteriously conscripted. It becomes Richtor's responsibility to thwart the maniac as the body count mounts. Rhett Richtor, his war buddy and colleague Ron Hasting, and Rhett's "Girl Friday" Janett Kiestler must hunt the facts to face down a diabolical and murderous fiend. As Rhett employs the full force of his fierce wit and skill to solve the case, this warm, funny and tough trio give gutsy new meaning to the "boom" part of "boomer." To safeguard the next targeted victims, Rhett must foray into the past. West of Bandera is rich in historic detail, painting an evocative backdrop of a Texas gone by, folding it seamlessly into the contemporary narrative. It is up to Rhett, with more-than-able assists from Ron and Janett, to span centuries, parse forensics, and fend off near-fatal attacks in order to resolve the crime, and end the killing spree before the Texas Hill Country and perhaps much more, is tragically, irredeemably altered. Along the way, Rhett hones his razor wit in spirited exchanges with Janett. This equally-matched, Texan-style "Nick and Nora" infuse the fast-paced plot with quick comebacks and a generous dash of spice. As the dark deeds of the psychotic suspect reveal themselves in this high-octane, fantastical thriller, West of Bandera also lets in the Texas sun, resulting in a rollicking read that is as garrulous and gutsy as the singular state that sprung the story. Fully loaded with true grit and true-to-life law enforcement detail, Farrell L. Tucker's West of Bandera takes readers on a heart-racing chase through the Texas Hill Country, past and present, drawing from the author's extensive background as a Texas Peace Officer, counter-intelligence agent and university lecturer.