WEATHERFORD, TEXAS – Author Brett Shayler announces that his new Western mystery thriller, A Missing Future: A Cade Mercer Thriller, is now available in print and e-book formats. The novel continues the story of horseman Cade Mercer, introduced in Blood on the Reins.
Set against the cutting-horse world and the rugged landscape of the Texas Panhandle, A Missing Future follows Cade Mercer into a mystery that begins with the disappearance of a highly valuable champion stallion and quickly becomes something far more dangerous.
The novel opens with the theft of High-Dollar Remedy, one of the most recognizable gray stallions in West Texas, taken from a horse trailer at a truck stop under circumstances that point to a carefully planned operation rather than an ordinary theft.
As Cade joins Deputy Lila Boone in the search, they discover evidence suggesting the horse was deliberately sedated, the transport route manipulated, security systems compromised, and the theft staged by people who knew exactly what they were doing.
What begins as a search for a missing horse soon leads Cade into a world of hidden laboratories, altered bloodlines, financial corruption, and secrets tied to the powerful Rusk family. The investigation also forces him to confront unanswered questions surrounding the death of Dalton Rusk and the tragedy that changed Cade's life years earlier.
The story draws heavily on the atmosphere and traditions of the cutting-horse world. Shayler's novel reflects the precision, trust, instinct, and partnership between horse and rider that define the sport.
A Brazen Horse Theft. A Ransom. A Murder. Time Is Running Out.
A Missing Future combines Western culture, equestrian authenticity, crime, conspiracy, and fast-paced suspense in a story centered on one overriding question:
How far will powerful people go to protect a legacy built on a lie?
At the center of the investigation is Cade Mercer, a horseman whose knowledge of horses and the people surrounding them allows him to notice what others miss. When he realizes the missing stallion may be more than stolen property, the investigation becomes a race to uncover the truth before the evidence—and the people who know too much—disappear.
Special Weatherford Book Signing
To celebrate the release of A Missing Future, Brett Shayler will host a special book-signing event in Weatherford, Texas.
Saturday, November 21, 2026
11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Heim Barbecue – Weatherford
1910 S. Main St.
Weatherford, TX 76086
Readers are invited to come by, meet Brett Shayler, purchase a copy of A Missing Future, and have it personally signed. The book signing is open to the public.
Guests who wish to dine during their visit may purchase food and beverages directly from Heim Barbecue. Food and beverages are not included with the book signing or book purchase.
The event is intended to be a relaxed celebration for readers, horse enthusiasts, mystery fans, members of the local community, and anyone who enjoys a good Texas story.
Come for the book. Stay for the BBQ.
Shayler said the Weatherford event offers an ideal setting to celebrate the novel's launch.
“I’m excited to introduce readers to A Missing Future and bring Cade Mercer back for another mystery. Having the opportunity to meet readers in Weatherford, sign books, and talk about horses and storytelling at a place known for great Texas barbecue makes this a very special way to celebrate the new release.”
A Thriller Rooted in the Horse World
The horse world is more than a backdrop in A Missing Future. It is central to the mystery.
The novel explores the enormous financial and emotional stakes surrounding elite horses, breeding programs, bloodlines, competition, and reputation. Cade's investigation begins when High-Dollar Remedy disappears from beneath security cameras at a Texas truck stop, setting into motion a chain of events that exposes a much larger conspiracy.
For Cade, however, the case becomes personal.
Years earlier, he witnessed the catastrophic death of the stallion Ghost during a championship cutting event—an experience that left him with questions that never completely disappeared.
Now another horse has vanished, old names are resurfacing, and Cade may finally have the opportunity to discover what really happened.
But finding the truth could make him the next person someone wants silenced.
Now Available
A Missing Future: A Cade Mercer Thriller is now available in print and e-book formats.
Where to Buy
Readers can find A Missing Future: A Cade Mercer Thriller in print and e-book formats at Bookshop.org, Barnes & Noble, Amazon, and other booksellers. Readers can also visit ShaylerandShayler.com for purchasing information.
An audiobook edition will be available soon through Apple Audiobooks.
Readers may also check with The Full Cup in Weatherford and The Reading Rabbit in Azle for Brett Shayler's books. Store inventory can change, so please contact the bookstore to confirm availability before visiting.
Blood on the Reins Availability
Blood on the Reins is available through major online booksellers and digital reading platforms, including Amazon, Apple Books, Barnes & Noble, Kobo, Everand, Smashwords, Tolino, Gardners, Fable, and Bookshop.org. Readers may also find the book through participating library services, including OverDrive, cloudLibrary, BorrowBox, Hoopla, and Vivlio Libraries. Formats and availability vary by platform.
Signed copies will also be available at the November 21 book signing at Heim Barbecue in Weatherford.
Readers can join Brett Shayler for the Weatherford book signing on Saturday, November 21, from 11:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. at Heim Barbecue. Guests may purchase food and beverages directly from the restaurant during the event.
Justice rides. The truth catches up.
About Brett Shayler
Brett Shayler is an author and screenwriter whose lifelong connection to horses, ranch life, and the natural world shapes his storytelling. Raised on a ranch, he developed an early respect for horsemanship, open country, animals, and the bond between people and the creatures in their care.
A member of the National Cutting Horse Association (NCHA), National Reined Cow Horse Association (NRCHA), American Cutting Horse Association (ACHA), and American Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), Shayler has firsthand experience showing cutting horses and competing in NCHA Non-Pro and Amateur classes. That experience brings authenticity to the people, horses, competition, and culture portrayed in his fiction.
The Cade Mercer Mystery Series
A Missing Future continues the story of Cade Mercer, the horseman and investigator introduced in Blood on the Reins. In the first novel, Cade investigates the suspicious death of cutting-horse judge Dalton Rusk at the Legacy Cup Finals, uncovering corruption and long-protected secrets in the sport. Blood on the Reins has been recognized by the International Impact Book Awards, where Brett Shayler was selected as a Distinguished Author for the novel. The honor recognizes work that meets the program's Standard of Excellence and reflects a meaningful impact on readers and communities. Together, the novels establish an ongoing Western mystery series rooted in the world of horses, ranching, competition, and the people whose lives revolve around them.
Blood on the Reins and A Missing Future are only the beginning. Drawing on Shayler's firsthand cutting-horse experience, additional Cade Mercer mysteries are planned, continuing a Western series built around authentic horse culture, crime, mystery, and suspense.
Media & Event Information
Brett Shayler
Author & Screenwriter
Phone: (817)247-4438
Website: www.shaylerandshayler.com
Email: Brett.Shayler@ShaylerandShayler.com
Social Media:
www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61575203752171
instagram.com/shaylerandshayler
Book: A Missing Future: A Cade Mercer Thriller
Availability: Now Available
Book Signing: Saturday, November 21, 2026
Time: 11:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.
Location: Heim Barbecue – Weatherford
Address: 1910 S. Main St., Weatherford, TX 76086
Website: ShaylerandShayler.com
Come for the book. Stay for the BBQ. Guests may purchase food and beverages directly from Heim Barbecue.
