Peace at Battle Mountain, a sequel to Marshland, the first novel written by Alystair West, is a murder mystery set in Texas at the beginning of the 21st century. Arthur Stone, a successful trial lawyer in Houston, is faced with a wrecked marriage, a family in crisis, an ex-wife who is married to a business and legal adversary, a murder that must be solved, and litigation that must be won. Demands at the law firm involve a scandal surrounding the accounting irregularities of a large energy corporation. Familiar characters from the first novel appear, inviting readers to learn more about their backgrounds, victories, and failings. Newly introduced characters bring light and darkness, allowing tensions to push some beyond their stamina to survive.