Dead Man's Fancy

Dead Man's Fancy by Keith McCafferty is the third novel in the popular Sean Stranahan Mystery series, combining suspense, fly-fishing culture, and the wild landscapes of Montana. The story begins when a renowned fly-fishing guide known as the "Fly Fishing Venus" disappears from a dude ranch in the Madison Valley. The search takes a dark turn when a man is discovered impaled on the antler of a giant bull elk, leading Sheriff Martha Ettinger and fly fisherman, artist, and occasional detective Sean Stranahan into a complex investigation involving wolves, environmental activism, old grudges, and murder. 

As the mystery deepens, Stranahan and Ettinger uncover secrets tied to wolf reintroduction, wilderness survival, and a charismatic leader of an animal-rights group. Praised for its vivid sense of place and engaging characters, Dead Man's Fancy blends classic detective fiction with the outdoor adventure and fly-fishing themes that have made McCafferty's series a favorite among anglers and mystery readers alike.