Terror on the Cliffs.

The author has published three books over the last four years.
They are listed below, the latest book, "Terror on the Cliffs", follows:







Extract from book:

They stood around in random fashion, the sheriff and his officers, a few park rangers, two civilians and a helicopter pilot. Many of the faces, particularly the eyes, aimed a little off to the side of the subject. Their work was partly complete. The body before them was female—unfortunately, the remains of a woman. The clue regarding gender revealed itself in the clothing. Although the khakis she wore were unisex, usually making it more difficult to differentiate, parts not soaked in blood revealed a woman’s curves and style. Even hardened officers approached reluctantly. Limbs protruded at all angles, twisted, bent and broken. The smashed head looked like a papier-mâché model. Brain matter continued to leak, to drip slowly from the large hole in the cranium, adding to the pools of congealed blood that formed under and around the body. The head had twisted so that the face hung pathetically, chin resting on the left shoulder, not unlike a puppet put through its motions. It amounted to a pile of broken, no, make that smashed bones, torn flesh and hair colored mostly red, blood red. It was a disastrous and cruel ending for the poor woman. Dare it be asked: Another failure of mankind?

Death is harsh, tragic and final. At least, one could expect, even in a cruel world, death with some dignity. This woman was not afforded that. She died without a shred of dignity and alone, increasing the pain and shame of it all. If it could be considered somewhat of a consolation, the flesh-eaters had yet to arrive.

The civilian woman observing the scene with the rest of the males reached out and embraced the man standing next to her. Her sobs, emanating from somewhere deep inside the soul, filled the space with the only sound in this vast open and attractive terrain, save for the occasional croaking frog and buzz of crickets. The uniformed men seemed relieved to divert attention from the former human form to the heart-broken, living woman.

Accidents of this nature were not uncommon, although not occurring frequently, thankfully. Accident or foul play, nobody knew, but the next few days might reveal the truth. Whatever the cause, the horrific result would not change. The woman was broken, broken beyond repair—dead.

                                                                               Angels Landing summit.

                                                                             Jenni uses chains for the final approach.

A character list

Whereas best-selling authors name friends and acquaintances as characters and have them make donations to charities for the acknowledgment, the lesser ‘knowns’ have to pay characters for that right. To those who are mentioned in ‘Terror on the Cliffs’, your checks are in the mail. Kindly note that many friends’ names were used in previous books, thus taking a break from this one. (As an aside, we have run out of friends). In order to try something a little different, the character list is set out below in order of appearance (at times):

Fiona Lazenby L-our sister-in-law and victim

Clive M-famous thinker

Mike Fabtex  (Michael K)-quintessential macho man

Brian M-Ranger/’wannabee’ detective

Derek L-Dentist turned Sheriff of Washington County

Jonny B -Deputy-sheriff and mountain climber

Bernice Dov (Bernice and Dov B)-a single police officer

Mannie E-Park Ranger

Irv S-attorney and concerned friend

Sandy S-Interrogating wife of Irv

Betty H-attorney

Natalie J-our daughter and female gumshoe

Errol G-banker turned bar proprietor and ‘freelance editor’

Elsie (Ellie J)-our granddaughter, Robbie’s girlfriend

Ellie Lael J-our granddaughter, police officer and fashion model?

Robbie Lasow (Robbie L)-our son, hiker and part-time comedian

Gavin Dean L-our son, hiker and police officer

David D-coffee café manager and part-time accountant

Jackie D-of ‘Jackie’s Gem Café’, David’s gem, too

Kevin S-close friend of Mike Fabtex and assistant

Lynn S-interesting, wife extraordinaire of Kevin

Judge Harold S-feisty judge

Shirley S-Understanding wife and confidante of feisty judge

Dani M-committed defense attorney

Gavin S-suave prosecutor

Mark Stephen L-our brother and judge’s clerk

Denise and Gary S-cameo role after appearances in earlier books

Linda B-courageous office manager

Sean B-stock broker assistant

Mr. Mario B-a thug in the book but in life, a true gentleman

Benjamin J-Grandson and soldier in Iraq

Aubrey M-soldier in Iraq

Colyn L-skeptical soldier in Iraq

Jade Melissa (Jade L)-our niece and TV reporter

Jenni Bernice L-Secretary, editor-in-chief, and above all, wife

Nathan L-incendiary device manufacturer

Celia L-police officer

Jerry B-police officer

Fane R-optical illusion expert

Cap Dud R-judge

Alas, for security/privacy reasons, last names have been omitted. Perspective on the main setting for Terror on the Cliffs : ‘Angels Landing, Zion National Park’.
Near the summit of Angels Landing-choosing a setting.

When the idea for the book crystalized, the choice of a setting, an action point, was critical. After a little consideration, it seemed obvious that there were few positions as ideal as this one. One late afternoon, we had decided to attain a sunset view above the cliffs of Angels Landing. Along the way, we spoke to a couple from Europe. They had returned recently from Peru and were telling us of their feats in the Andes. They left us in haste to continue hiking towards the summit of Angels Landing; we brought up the rear, perhaps, not unlike a pair of tortoises, in their minds. We were impressed with the speed in which they had hiked up the initial two-miles as well as their oozing confidence and enthusiasm in attacking the impending vertical slab.

A few minutes later, we caught up with them. They were studying the obstacle in front: the half-mile climb ahead that appears vertical. We smiled and moved on towards crossing the first rock bridge. We never did see them again.


Looking down at the trail, the part before the vertical climb.

On another occasion, we witnessed terror through the eyes and cries of a young woman. Upon commencing the climb, perhaps a quarter-way above the second base of the final challenge, we came across the woman lying on the rock, face down, crying bitterly, peppered with screams every few seconds. She was terrorized. We were able to glean from her that she was so frightened she did not know what to do. Her husband had left her in that position and continued. We tried to pacify her, finally convincing her to return down to the base whether her husband would be disappointed or not.

Prior to our first hike at this amazing place, we read of a woman who had plunged to her death the previous week. Following our third or fourth hike, we again read of a death. Although we are always deeply saddened to learn of tragedies, we could not help but recognize what the early Mormons saw in Angels Landing. It was the natural, first choice for the setting of the book.

Other hikes undertaken by characters in the book:



Autumn colors in Zion, from Observation Point hike.



Approaching Helen Lake on Mount Shasta, California.