The Hollandsworth Ranch, by Michael Giles

Set in Floyd County, Virginia, the story centers on the long-established Hollandsworth Ranch and its owners, Ralph and Alice Hollandsworth. Their life is measured by the changing seasons, hard work, and the quiet beauty of the Blue Ridge Mountains. Everything changes when mysterious strangers begin trespassing on the ranch. Fresh footprints, anonymous warnings, and the discovery of a forgotten government survey from 1924 draw Sheriff Mike Norman and Chief Deputy Wendall Duncan into an investigation unlike anything they have ever faced. As hidden survey markers, missing field books, and long-buried records begin to surface, it becomes clear that someone has spent years trying to erase the truth. Rich in historical detail and authentic Appalachian atmosphere, The Hollandsworth Ranch is a classic 1920s mystery filled with suspense, memorable characters, and unexpected twists. Fans of traditional detective fiction, historical mysteries, and small-town crime novels will enjoy this first installment in the Mystery in the Mountains series. Journey into the Blue Ridge Mountains, where every trail hides a story, every ridge guards a secret, and one faithful dog helps uncover a truth that time could not erase.