Book review: Tahoe mystery author does it again

Todd Borg's series of "Tahoe" books have won over readers from all over the country, and that's without the usual promotion by a publisher. Borg does it all himself, from his home in South Lake Tahoe, to book fairs and arts festivals all over the West.

He prints his books, warehouses them and distributes them himself. And readers love his books, and enjoy the antics of his Great Dane Spot and the quiet beauty of private eye Owen McKenna's girlfriend Street.

Now comes No. 8 in Borg's Tahoe series, "Tahoe Heat." Heat is the name given a wild mustang roaming the lake area where few mustangs wander. But Heat is just part of the story.

Seems that wealthy entrepreneur Ryan Lear has received a warning note. And an experienced mountain climber dies in a fall from Cave Rock, where he shouldn't have been climbing.

Then there's the piano tuner who left a strange message while tuning a piano that Owen has problems figuring out.

And Lear, it turns out, is working on a secret project at a cabin up the hill from the Meadows, and one of his trusted employees doesn't deserve the trust given him.

No details on plot; wouldn't want to spoil the fun for readers. But as in all eight books, some of which are already in their second or third printing, Borg has a deft touch, mixing the brutal with the gentle and making it all sound reasonable and enjoyable. His characters are sharply drawn and there is a minimum of violence.

Tahoe gets a burnishing of its many beauties, making one happy to live here. You get all this at a cost of $16.95 for 350 pages (Thriller Press, see thrillerpress.com).

The book comes out this week and Borg is signing copies at 11 a.m.-1 p.m. Saturday at Borders, 911 Topsy Lane, Carson City. Look for him - he's the bearded guy with the ready smile. He'll sign your book and explain that he doesn't really have a Great Dane named Spot.