Helpful Score: 1
This book falls into the historical fiction/mystery/western genre and it mostly satisfies on all counts. I read the book as part of a challenge on the Mystery/Thriller forum here on PBS.
The book takes place in Leadville, Colorado in the late part of the 1870s, during the silver rush. Inez Stannert is a saloon keeper who is trying to keep her head above water with her partner Abe Jackson after her husband mysteriously disappears some months before. The whereabouts of Mark Stannert are never explained but a possible sighting of him in Denver indicates that there will be more books in this series. The story revolves around the death of a seemingly upstanding citizen and a possible counterfeit ring in Denver and Leadville. There is even a bit of romance thrown in to heat up the winter though it is pretty tame.
The book is heavy on dialogue and a bit skimpy on historical detail. Although there is some sense of place, with some small changes the story could easily be transferred to the Gold Rush Sierras of the same era or even to Chicago or Brooklyn during the roaring 20s and still work. Having said that, the writing is good and the mystery is fairly solid (if a bit transparent) so it was definitely worth my time. Inez is a likable character and I'm interested to see what happens next in her world. I have no problem recommending this book.
The book takes place in Leadville, Colorado in the late part of the 1870s, during the silver rush. Inez Stannert is a saloon keeper who is trying to keep her head above water with her partner Abe Jackson after her husband mysteriously disappears some months before. The whereabouts of Mark Stannert are never explained but a possible sighting of him in Denver indicates that there will be more books in this series. The story revolves around the death of a seemingly upstanding citizen and a possible counterfeit ring in Denver and Leadville. There is even a bit of romance thrown in to heat up the winter though it is pretty tame.
The book is heavy on dialogue and a bit skimpy on historical detail. Although there is some sense of place, with some small changes the story could easily be transferred to the Gold Rush Sierras of the same era or even to Chicago or Brooklyn during the roaring 20s and still work. Having said that, the writing is good and the mystery is fairly solid (if a bit transparent) so it was definitely worth my time. Inez is a likable character and I'm interested to see what happens next in her world. I have no problem recommending this book.
