A Troublesome Affair

IN 1916 MORGAN WESTPHAL, INVESTIGATING A BLACK ARMY SERGEANT ACCUSED OF RAPING AND ATTEMPTING TO MURDER A WHITE OFFICER'S WIFE, IS CAUGHT UP IN RACIAL TENSIONS THE ARMY PREFERS TO KEEP HIDDEN. The year is 1916 when Morgan Westphal, a private investigator, is asked to investigate the rape and attempted murder of Sophia Parmenter, the wife of an army major assigned to Fort Huachuca, Arizona. The accused is Rueben LeCroix, a highly decorated Negro stable sergeant assigned to the 10th Cavalry Regiment. As a civilian, Morgan at first has no wish to become involved in what he believes is a purely army affair until he is told LeCroix is the man who saved his life in Cuba during the Spanish American War. Morgan's investigation has barely started when the regiment is suddenly deployed to Mexico as part of the Punitive Expedition in pursuit of Pancho Villa. By the time Morgan solves the crime, he will make a long, solitary, and dangerous horseback ride deep into a turbulent Mexico, risk his life during a deadly encounter with Mexican bandits, and re-examine his own feelings concerning racial equality. A Troublesome Affair is a mystery with intricately connected characters caught up in a turbulent current of racial tension and armed conflict between the United States and Mexico. WHAT READERS ARE SAYING ABOUT "A TROUBLESOME AFFAIR." "...transcends the clash of culture and race of the period, and delves into the psychological evolution of not just the U. S. Military, but America writ large."-Michael Bartelle Command Sergeant Major, U. S. Army Retired. "... An engaging plot, with multiple twists and turns, moves along at a crisp pace and keeps readers guessing until the last few pages."-Michael M. Alvarez, author of "The Last Place God Made." "...a good read! It is an interesting story with strong characters and held my attention from beginning to end."-Edward Smallman, Ph. D. "...well-researched...true-to-life characters, struggling with real-life passions and prejudices...a keeper! Not only will it "keep you guessing" until the end but "keep you thinking" long after you turn the last page.-Ann Parker, Author, award-winning Silver Rush mystery series "Mercury's Rise."