This is Jeanne's second book. The first was Acid and Bribery, also a young adult mystery. Cowboy on the Wrong Train is a fictional story based on Jeanne's experience growing up on Colorado Middle Park cattle ranch and her imagination. It is a mystery for young adults, all mystery readers, those interested in ranch life, and those who like reading novels without profanity.
Professional Richard S. Rose, M.A., read this book and wrote:
"Jeanne Ann Off has written a combination cattle-ranching murder mystery, which is enhanced by being dialogue-driven. The exposition is kept to a minimum except to explain some of the bee-keeping intricacies. It has a fast-paced plot that never drags. Even the cattle-raising scenes are informative. When a young (18-year-old) cowboy's curiosity gets him on a stopped train in the middle of nowhere while looking for stray cattle and he is kidnapped, the action gets even more exciting.
"Throw in a little bit about bees and beetles, and you have a well-rounded story. And of course, there's the boy-girl buddy relationship. The book could have used some basic punctuation editing, but there's nothing serious enough to distract the reader.
" This is a fine Young Adult book, with nothing to deter an older reader from enjoying it. Mrs. Off even includes a glossary of terms used in the book.
"She follows that with a post-script of biblical quotations, mostly dealing with ethical behavior. Having little to do with the story and nothing to do with the basic plot, although there is a religious discussion at the end between the boy and the girl, these quotations can be savored or ignored."
"A certified page-turner, an endearing and suspense-driven tale of mystery in a novel."
- Hollywood Book Review
"An eventful Christian thriller with an evangelical element."
- Clarion Book Review
