Created by James C. Mitchell
Years before Trump’s ICE Capades came along and gave immigration enforcement a really bad rep, we had Tucson-based gumshoe ROSCOE BRINKER, a former INS agent, as the stand-up hero in a series of books by James Mitchell.
Considered a star in the making at the time, Roscoe was an appealing detective who showed surprising depths at times, even as he worked his cases along the Mexico/Arizona frontera in typical true tough-guy fashion, following the clues wherever they lead — eventually bringing him to Mexico and Los Angeles.
Of course, drug smuggling, illegal immigration, and corruption (on both sides of the border) are frequent refrains.
That emotional and psychological complexity, plus a nice sense of paranoia (Roscoe was shot while working as a border guard, possibly due to “friendly fire”), some strong secondary characters and the finely rendered settings go a long way to making what should come off as pretty standard private eye routine surprisingly fresh and original.
Wes Lukowsky of Booklist was particularly enthusiastic in his review of the first book in the series, 2003’s Lovers Crossing, proclaiming “Brinker is the real deal, folks, and he’ll be around a long, long time.”
Sadly, a “long time” was only three books.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
James C. Mitchell, a former attorney, journalism professor and former news anchor, seems to have come up with a winner here. In fact, the first two novels nabbed Shamus nominations. Not too shabby, not too shabby at all…James C. Mitchell has worked as a television journalist, a lawyer, and a college professor. He and his wife, children’s author Marianne Mitchell, live in Tuscon, Arizona.
UNDER OATH
- “Set along the Arizona/Mexico frontera, Mitchell’s impressive, well-crafted debut captures the gritty reality of border life. ”
— Publishers Weekly on Lovers Crossing - “A first novel as satisfying as the debuts of such classic series heroes as Parker’s Spenser and Grafton’s Kinsey Millhone. The instantly likable Brinker is full of surprises, and the secondary characters who surround him also have great depth… outstanding.”
— Wes Lukowsky (Booklist) on Lovers Crossing
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY BLOWS THE WHISTLE
- “Utah’s Monument Valley, depicted on the jacket, bears no resemblance to the novel’s actual locale hundreds of miles to the south, but the scene will no doubt help corral western fans.”
— Publishers Weekly on the cover of the first edition (pictured)
NOVELS
- Lover’s Crossing (2003) | Buy this book | Kindle it!
- Choke Point (2004) | Buy this book | Kindle it!
- Our Lady of the North (2012) | Buy this book | Kindle it!
COLLECTIONS
- 3 Brinker Novels (2013) | Kindle it!
FURTHER INVESTIGATION
- Arizona Eyes
The Eyes of the Grand Canyon State
THE DICK OF THE DAY
- November 10, 2026
THE BOTTOM LINE: Years before Trump’s ICE Capades came along and gave immigration enforcement a really bad rep, we had this Tucson-based gumshoe, a former INS agent and border guard, as the stand-up hero in a trio of well-received and Shamus-nominated books. Roscoe was an appealing detective who showed surprising depths at times, working his cases along the Mexico/Arizona frontera in typical true tough-guy fashion, following the clues wherever they lead. Those were the days, my friend.
Report respectfully submitted by Kevin Burton Smith.
