Tate was accused of shooting cattle in a herd that belonged to Vernon as part of a protest about land use. Environmentalists are very concerned about saving the yellow backed minnows in the area, but Vernon and his rancher friends are more concerned about saving their livelihoods than a tiny fish.

Maggie is very concerned that her stand on environmental issues will be closely scrutinized because of the murder, and Sam begins looking into the investigation, trying to find the truth before it costs Maggie the election.

Endangered is a mystery for those very interested in environmental issues and concerns. Readers looking for intense political maneuvering will be disappointed and left wondering why a three-term Senator would be so concerned that the press would latch on to this murder as political and that it would cost her the election. The fourth estate is portrayed in a negative light which many readers will consider stereotyping.

The characters are very basic and without a lot of sides. Readers will find themselves neither rooting for Maggie to win the election nor for Sam to bring a murderer for justice. The mystery is easily solved early on, and readers may lose interest. Readers fond of a southwestern setting may enjoy the atmosphere and description of small town life in the southwest.

--Jennifer Monahan Winberry