Celebrated author JJ Rusz is set to introduce his latest novel, “Mule Ears,” in a grand unveiling at Front Street Books, Alpine’s much-loved independent bookstore specializing in regional works, on August 10, 2023.
Front Street Books, a full-service literary hub nestled in the heart of the Big Bend and Borderland region in Texas, will open its doors to the local and wider reading community as it hosts the launch of the newest installment in Rusz’s riveting Big Bend Country Mysteries series.
Rusz, whose real name is John J Ruszkiewicz, is a retired academic from the University of Texas at Austin. Over his 40-year teaching career, he authored popular college textbooks and cultivated a profound appreciation for literature and composition. After retiring, Rusz turned his skills towards fiction, highlighting the charm and complexities of West Texas, his adopted home in Brewster County, through his compelling mystery series.
“Mule Ears” promises another page-turning addition to Rusz’s acclaimed series. The novel opens at a local bookstore event where two fiery West Texas ranchers, Tilda Quigg and Beatrice Shoot, turn a calm gathering into chaos. The drama heightens when days later, one woman is found unconscious at the bottom of her mansion’s staircase with the other ominously present at the scene. The ensuing mystery leaves readers questioning whether it was an accident, attempted murder, or something darker.
The book launch, to be held at 121 E Holland Ave, Alpine, TX, is expected to draw a large crowd of fans eagerly awaiting their first look at “Mule Ears.” Front Street Books, revered for its unique collection of regional works, offers the perfect locale for the release of a story deeply embedded in the West Texas landscape.
Rusz’s affinity for the Big Bend region, which he first fell in love with in 1992, is expected to shine through at the launch event. Those who enjoy a gripping mystery set against the unique backdrop of West Texas should mark their calendars. With Rusz’s rich academic background and his passion for the Big Bend region, “Mule Ears” is set to provide readers with a thrilling literary adventure.
