Ragged Breath is the latest in Julia Keller's mysteries based in the Appalachian community of Acker's Gap which is located in West Virginia.  Bell Elkins is the prosecuting attorney in a town hit hard by drugs and lack of jobs especially mining jobs.  There have been some big changes in her personal and work life which have left her feeling lonely..  Sheriff Nick Fogelsong  has retired and his deputy Pam Harrison is the new sheriff.  At home, Bell's daughter has gone to live with her father also Bell's ex-husband to finish high school.
This case is based on a true event which happened in West Virginia 's Buffalo Creek Hollow in 1972.  After a long hard rain, water rose over the dam and mining officials did not notify the Hollow residents.  132 million gallons of black water rushed through the narrow Buffalo creek killing 125 residents and leaving 4,000 homeless.  Royce Dillard was left an orphan after the disaster and now is accused of murder 30 years later.  Since his aunt died, Royce has been living off the grid away from town with his dogs.  Unfortunately this is near the site where the body of  Ed Hackel was found.  Ed was the salesman for the Magic Mountain resort which was welcomed into the community by some who saw it as bringing in jobs.  Royce Dillard did not want to sell his land.  He planned to turn it into a dog sanctuary.  Ed Hackel was stalking him offering him more money and pushing him to sell.  Finally he tried blackmailing Royce.  So is this why Royce killed him or were there others with more to lose?  Bell misses discussing the case with Nick Fogelsong and does not yet feel comfortable with the new sheriff.  This seems to prolong the solving of the crime. 
Julia Keller's books show the beauty of West Virginia but also the despair.  She shows the beauty of the coal mines, but also the damage they do to the mountains and the health problems of those who live there.  Bell Elkins' character grows with each book as she more fully understands how the past influences the future which is also shown in the character of Royce.  I would recommend that new readers start with the first book, A Killing in the Hills.