Coyote's Shadow - Paperback

by Bob Salas (Author)

In the rugged high desert of New Mexico, Sheriff Isaiah "Tracker" Cruz is no stranger to the harsh realities of crime and survival. When a Border Patrol Officer stumbles upon a shallow grave while pursuing a migrant in the desert, the discovery sets off a chilling investigation. The body belongs to Anna Martin, a well-respected social worker and mother, whose brutal murder sends shockwaves through the tight-knit community of Mesa Blanca. Strange petroglyphs painted in animal blood near the crime scene hint at something darker; something ancient.

Anna Martin, wasn't just murdered, her death appears to be part of a sacrificial ritual detailed in the Tiwan Scrolls, a series of pre-Columbian texts that outline three sacred pillars: Family, Knowledge, and Leadership, each tied to rituals designed to invoke Coyote's Shadow, a protective spirit of legend​.

With the help of Dr. Amelia Jenkins, an expert in Indigenous petroglyphs and his loyal and dedicated deputy, Maria Sanchez, Tracker begins to unravel a mystery that stretches beyond the physical realm. The investigation leads him through the desert's treacherous terrain, a web of deceit, and a city where the balance between cultures, power, and superstition is delicate.

Amelia's research leads her to uncover disturbing evidence that suggests someone is recreating the Tiwan rituals, and that Anna's murder may have only been the first in a series​. As Amelia and Tracker piece together the ancient legends, they realize that the Circle of Echoes, a mysterious cult, may be resurrecting these lost rites for their own dark purposes.

Meanwhile, Tracker uncovers a series of land acquisitions linked to Ortero Enterprises, a company with ties to Mesa Blanca's mayor. His investigation leads to a shocking revelation: the land surrounding Whispering Rocks hides valuable lithium deposits, and powerful players are willing to kill to keep this secret buried.

As the clock ticks down, Tracker, Amelia, and Deputy Sanchez find themselves in a dangerous race to stop the next sacrifice, unravel the conspiracy, and prevent history from repeating itself. But with unseen forces manipulating events from the shadows, they must decide how far they're willing to go to uncover the truth, before they become the next victims of an ancient prophecy reborn​.