The Lost Dutchman Goldmine in Arizona, USA, is the stuff of legend and history. In this novel, "what if" and history are mixed to create drama, humor, and mystery. Arizona Sheriff Jake Macklebee, tired of not getting the respect he deserves, retires from law enforcement in the down-by-the-border community that was in his jurisdiction for over 17 years. Barely starting his first day of retirement with a hike down to a lake to fish, Jake snags not a weed or twig but a skeleton. The body is chained to a secret corridor hidden below the water. So begins the unraveling of the long hidden secret of the Lost Dutchman Goldmine in the Superstition Mountains. Before Jake can figure out what's going on, though, certain forces are out to attack him, even silence him, and then he's on the run, dodging bullets, caught up in another episode of finding out what he has found that those forces don't want him to know: it's the discovery of the long hidden cache of Jacob Waltz's gold

A rich man, three lost children. When these elements collide, an unforgettable life-changing experience emerges. This is a story to enchant, to love, and to warm the soul like all the fires of every wonderful Christmas. V. William Barrett lived and worked in China for six years. He is the author of two other novels, Sticks and Shovels, and McFitter's Crossing.

Jake Macklebee is back And now he's involuntary conscripted again to help solve a mystery in the desert. However, all is not as it seems. There's war on the border, but it seems the border war's coming after him Jake knows he could ignore what's going on and mind his own business. But there's too much at stake: the town he's responsible for protecting, his friends, his reputation-but most importantly-his life Fortunately Jake has a knack for criminal investigation. Federal law enforcement and border wars involving organized drug cartel can't stop small town sheriff turned amateur sleuth Jake Macklebee from trying to find out what's going on. And when he does, he learns a little more than he had anticipated, and gets more entangled than he could ever have wished for. So, strange things happening become worse than a bad dream. Now all that's left is to survive, and find his way out of the mess and re-establish peace and security in his home town. Can he do it? This is yet another novel where one's wits and sanity are tested against the tyranny of multiple, darkest, unknown forces.