Maya Gallo ventures into the Rockies after her teenage brother Brady doesn't return from following a treasure trail set by his special education teacher. She has his GPS signal to follow, but that only leads to his abandoned backpack. With no indication of where to go, Maya is baffled, and then a hooded figure attacks her and scares her off into the brush.

Mounted patrolman Alex Trevino has already noticed that the little family aren't in their store. Knowing the treasure hunt craze is getting some folks injured, he decides to go after them. The Eagle Crest trailhead is his starting point. His chestnut Tennessee Walking Horse called Truman means he can go faster and carry more than a hiker. What he finds makes him certain that all is not well in the woods.

Much of the story actually occurs in and around Bristle Township, working in plenty of other characters. My favourite is Deputy Kaitlyn Lanz who makes it her business to help and guard the siblings after they are stalked at night. Alex is busy investigating not only the assault but a hiker's death and spends time with the siblings hoping they can shed light on the matter, as well as keeping them safe. With a hidden fortune at stake, someone could be driven to desperate measures. This adventure does throw out certain questions, like whether someone with special educational needs can be okay to go out on trails alone or go to summer camp, and how to set things up so their guardian knows where they are without being intrusive. I think this is carefully done and Brady is a well-developed character. I admit I was cheering for him more than once. Bristle County has plenty of wide open spaces and rugged territory, yet the most dangerous predator our characters meet is the human. BURIED MOUNTAIN SECRETS by Terri Reed will keep you guessing and reading.


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