In a world locked in a relentless winter, the once fertile Rio Grande Valleys of Colorado have become a frozen frontier where survival is never guaranteed. Herbert Keys, a man shaped by war and haunted by loss, patrols this unforgiving landscape as both protector and witness to the strange and savage forces stirring in the cold. From brutal beasts to mysteries that drift through the skies, he clings to the fragile threads of family as the world around him grows darker. Years later, his grandson Buddy inherits not only Herbert’s badge but the heavy legacy that comes with it. As new threats rise — more cunning, more ruthless, and far more human — Buddy must confront dangers that test the limits of courage, loyalty, and bloodline.

About the Author:
Charles “Dusty” Dieterich grew up surrounded by animals, open spaces, and the quiet rhythms of rural life. His father, a retired veterinarian who later founded a wildlife rehabilitation facility in southern Colorado, helped shape Dieterich’s lifelong connection to the natural world. His writing draws heavily from his time exploring the Rio Grande valleys and much of Colorado’s backcountry by jeep, motorcycle, and on foot.