For fans of C.J. Box, Nevada Barr, and Craig Johnson — a Summer 1977 Wyoming wilderness thriller in which a canoe trip with eleven children goes very, very sideways. Dr. Patrick Flint rents canoes in Jackson, Wyoming for a family vacation on the Tukudika River — himself, his wife Susanne, his children Trish and Perry, his brother Pete's seven kids, and both sets of grandparents. A dead body floats past on the first day. This is not the warning he takes it for. Gold prospectors in the backcountry have already killed their partner and aren't interested in witnesses. Trish and five-year-old Bunny get lost and captured. Perry suffers a serious head injury at the waterfall. Patrick's brother Pete stumbles across a hidden gold cave and nearly gets killed for it. When Patrick reaches the guard station, he finds all eight tires on both vehicles slashed and the radio destroyed. Someone is systematically trapping them in the wilderness — and then the grizzly gets into their food. Scapegoat is the Patrick Flint series' most sprawling adventure — a two-family wilderness ordeal with a twelve-year-old standing guard over an unconscious prisoner, a grandfather navigating nighttime rapids without life jackets to rescue the girls, and a Tukudika Indian elder who appears from nowhere at exactly the right moment. Set in the Bridger-Teton Wilderness along the Tukudika (Sheep-Eater Shoshone) River. Scapegoat is the fourth Patrick Flint novel, based on the real Wyoming wilderness that author Pamela Fagan Hutchins explored as a child. The eleven children are loosely autobiographical. The gold prospectors are not. Complete series: 9 novels. Eleven children, a dead body, gold prospectors, a grizzly, slashed tires, and a destroyed radio. Dr. Patrick Flint was not warned about any of this at the canoe rental office. Complete series: 9 novels Reader Praise: “A Bob Ross painting with Alfred Hitchcock hidden among the trees.” - “Edge-of-your-seat nail biter.” - “Unexpected twists!” - “Full of action, suspense, and heart. I was scared, mad, and relieved all at once!” - “Absolutely unputdownable.” Buy Scapegoat today for a white-knuckle adventure in the wilds of Wyoming. "Transports readers deep into the mountains of Wyoming for a thriller that has it all--wild animals, criminals, and one family willing to do whatever is necessary to protect its own. Hutchins writes with the authority of a woman who knows this world. She weaves the story with both nail-biting suspense and a healthy dose of humor. You won't want to miss it." -- Danielle Girard, Wall Street Journal-bestselling author of White Out "As many twists and turns as a high-country trail. Every parent's nightmare is the loss or injury of a child, and this powerful novel taps into that primal fear." -- Reavis Z. Wortham, two time winner of The Spur and author of Hawke's Prey "Starts at a gallop and had me holding on with both hands until the riveting finish. Highly atmospheric and nearly crackling with suspense. Highly recommend!" -- Libby Kirsch, Emmy awardwinning reporter and author of the Janet Black Mystery Series "Best book I've read in a long time!" -- Kiersten Marquet, author of Reluctant Promises What Amazon readers are saying: "A Bob Ross painting with Alfred Hitchcock hidden among the trees." "Edge-of-your seat nail biter." "Unexpected twists!" "Wow! Wow! Highly entertaining!" "Beautifully descriptive, with an underlying story of human connection and family." "Well drawn characters, great scenery, and a kept-me-on-the-edge-of-my-seat story!" "Absolutely unputdownable wonder of a story." "Must read!" "Gripping story. Looking for book two!" "Intense!" About Pamela: 2020 Amazon Top 15 Best Seller 2020 Amazon Top 100 Author 2018 USA Today Best Seller 2017 Silver Falchion Award, Best Mystery 2016 USA Best Book Award, Cross-Genre Fiction 2015 USA Best Book Award, Cross-Genre Fiction 2014 Amazon Breakthrough Novel Award Quarter-finalist, Romance Praise for Pamela's other books: What Doesn't Kill You: Katie Connell Texas-to-Caribbean Romantic Mysteries "An exciting tale . . . twisting investigative and legal subplots . . . a character seeking redemption . . . an exhilarating mystery with a touch of voodoo." -- Midwest Book Review Bookwatch "A lively romantic mystery." -- Kirkus Reviews "A riveting drama . . . exciting read, highly recommended." -- Small Press Bookwatch"Katie is the first character I have absolutely fallen in love with since Stephanie Plum!" -- Stephanie Swindell, Bookstore Owner What Doesn't Kill You: Emily Bernal Texas-to-New Mexico Romantic Mysteries "You won't be able to put it down." -- Ken Oder, author of Old Wounds to the Heart "Full of heart, humor, vivid characters, and suspense." -- Gay Yellen, author ofThe Body Business "Hutchins is a master of tension." -- R.L. Nolen, author of Deadly Thyme "Intriguing mystery . . . captivating romance." -- Patricia Flaherty Pagan, author of Trail Ways Pilgrim "Everything about it shin