Atticus by Ron Hansen

Patron Comments: Atticus Cody, a Colorado rancher/oilman, has two sons. Reminiscent of the Prodigal Son parable, the elder son, Frank, is a state senator, while Scott, the younger son, leaves home and "wastes his substance in riotous living." Scott and his father love each other deeply but are unable to say so. Notified of Scott's suicide in a remote Mexican town, Atticus goes there to claim the body. However, from his own observations, he becomes convinced that the death is murder rather than suicide, and risks his own health and safety to exonerate his beloved son from the
stigma of suicide.

The descriptions of the Mexican countryside leave me wanting to see it, but the descriptions of the seamier side of life in the town have the opposite effect.

While not especially bloo-curdling, this is a well-written mystery
with a satisfying ending. Check Status at GPL