Rigel “Rye” Linx, an ex-investigative reporter, is traveling up the San Francisco coast to do research for an article on fly-fishing. Fired from his previous job for his refusal to give up an informant, he’s broke and desperate enough to take on this lightweight magazine assignment. Problem is, he’s never even seen A River Runs Through It much less attempted the sport himself.

Upon arrival at the little town of Pomo Bluff, Rye finds the local hotel booked, as is the inn up the road, due to some unnamed event. Amazingly, the beautiful young innkeeper takes pity on Rye’s situation and invites him home to stay with her for the night. (In this day and age? Right!)

Smitten by her kindness, Rye returns the next day with flowers to thank her, only to find her distraught with the discovery that one of her guests has been found dead in his cabin. Although it looks like an allergic reaction, Rye’s trained eye finds a few discrepancies at the death scene. When the local sheriff ignores his well-intended observations, Rye’s investigative instincts kick in, even though it takes him further from his assignment and the deadline is looming.

He sees this death as both an opportunity to impress the lovely innkeeper as well as his key back into the world of political reporting. Rye fishes a little more, both in and out of water, and has a little success in both endeavors. He meets a host of characters, including the innkeeper’s fragile sister, a homeless man and a mushroom farmer; each holds a piece of the puzzle.

Finally, thanks to a seemingly unending supply of friends in all the right places, Rye gathers enough background information on poisons, mushrooms and fly-fishing to master the latter and solve the former.

If Elkjer matures his character and finds his pace, Rye has a chance to make a return appearance, but this one’s not a keeper. Toss it back.

--K. W. Becker