Author and former NMSU president J. Michael Orenduff will discuss and sign his newest addition to the popular southwest mystery series set in Old Town, The Pot Thief Who Studied Ptolemy ($14.95), which features the wry treasure hunter (and arguable thief) Hubert Schuze, who this time is stealing for a good cause: to recover sacred pots stolen from a mysterious New Mexico pueblo closed to outsiders. The trouble is, these pots aren't underground - they're 150 feet above it in the top-floor apartment of Rio Grande Lofts!

The Albuquerque Journal calls Orenduff's series "A thinking man's whodunit," and the Gallup Herald called his debut a "first step" towards filling the shoes of famed southwest mystery writer Tony Hillerman.

Additionally, Orenduff will appear on a New Mexico State Library bookmobile June 16.

"The Pot Thief Who Studied Pythagoras has all the components of a great read - an intricate plot, quirky characters, crackling dialog, and a surprise ending. What's more, Orenduff successfully captures the essence of New Mexico through humor, romance, and even a little philosophical musing. New Mexico 's rich history, people, food, and landscape come alive on its pages."

- Bill Richardson, Governor of New Mexico