An elderly Seminole man paddles his kayak to a spot in the Everglades, a place known for alligators, snakes, and deadly quicksand, a place he intends to end his life. He believes the secret he brings with him will be discovered by authorities-eventually.

Meanwhile, Ben Pecos and his wife Julie have settled in south Florida, she with a great job at the Miami Herald, and Ben's connections with the Indian Health Service have assigned him to the HR department of a huge casino on Seminole land. What starts out as a job to fill new positions and oversee the wellbeing of the employees turns into something far more deadly. Julie is mugged in the parking garage, one of the young employees is murdered, and Ben is warned that he's being watched during every minute in his office. He has no idea who he can trust.

The action ramps up as the big hotel is hosting a beauty pageant, and Ben's own sons are hired for summer jobs, which will include escorting the teen contestants. Will he be able to keep his family safe, not to mention the hundreds of employees and the innocent teens he's responsible for? Or will the killer strike again before Ben can figure out who to trust enough for their help?

Praise for Susan Slater and the Ben Pecos mystery series:

"This is a wonderful book with loveable heroes." - Library Journal, (on The Pumpkin Seed Massacre)

"Susan Slater's Thunderbird is a witty, absorbing tale." -Publishers Weekly

"Slater effectively combines an appealing mix of new and existing characters ... dry humor; crackling suspense; and a surprise ending." -Booklist

"... a gripping novel. We mystery lovers hope it's the first of many." - Tony Hillerman

"A solid, suspenseful narrative and colorful glimpses of Native American life strongly recommend this ..." - Library Journal (on Thunderbird)

"... Ben Pecos-raised far from New Mexico's Tewa Pueblo-could become as lasting a fictional presence as Joe Leaphorn and Jim Chee." - Chicago Tribune