Reviewed by: Safi Abdi
Title: Palo Verde: The Wanted Poster
Author: Molly Martin
Category: Western
Publisher: PublishAmerica Type: Fiction
Pages: 205
ISBN: 1591299233
Copyright: Jan 1 2002
This is the story of one man's greed whose evil designs are aided by a whole bunch of paid cronies ready to do their boss's every bidding.
Mr. Walter has the biggest and the greenest of all the land that surrounds him and the mystery of why he is so adamant on seizing and annexingthe smaller farmers' "sulfur springs" and salty "mounds" by hook or crook is astonishing when he himself had the best and the richest graze.
But as the plot unfolds the truth behind the "poor land" comes to the surface in a way that keeps the reader hungering for more…
The protagonist, Boone, is one of a several small farmers whose comparatively small and insignificant ranch is eyed by Mr. Walter, the big boss. But when the Marshal is your brother and the Sheriff your good friend and the whole town is on your side, I guess you have little to worry about…even though the word is out for your elimination.
This is a charming story set in a time and place very different to today's Texas.
It's 1905 and there's a sense of change in the air but modernity as we know it today was as yet a marvel for thefew who came into contact with it. This is a period of time when horses and people traveled together on trains and the moon lighted the town; fancy street lamps were things that happened in other places and the people in this town still met by the "well."
The telephone was: "An amazing pick up a little thing and talk into it and hear a voice come back to you from the thing. Must be something to see."
Particularly impressive is Molly's expertise in the forensic sciences; finger printing itself a new discovery so far known only to a few. And the "thin" silent Marshal just happens to be one of them.
Particularly enjoyable is also Molly' crispy usage of the pristine American dialect, as yet unspoiled by standardization, and the skill with which the characters are brought to life will tell you…This author sure "knowed" what she's talking about. Even her animal characters have a human quality to them.
Valo Verde: The Wanted Poster is an enjoyable read. I highly recommend it (not because I happen to like the author but because this is a work that stands on it's own merit). For those of us unfamiliar with American history, this is a good reference book.
Molly Martin's imagination is as wide-ranging as the territory she explores in her most recent book, "Palo Verde: The Wanted Poster." Her ability to clearly see other worlds and convey them believably to the reader is, as always, to her credit.
She beat my own western, Calico (due from DDP Press in June), to release by a couple of months, but in the sprit of the Old West, Calico is hereby issuing a friendly warning to Boone: "Watch your back!"
Molly, the artwork is really great...dark and mysterious...a carbon copy of our hero, isn't he?
Like I mentioned above the language is just superb...like how you just plunge into the action (verbs) without any ceremonies. Interesting style.
Living in Texas herself am sure Karen would love that book.
Hope you get rich very soon. And do pray for me too:)
Thank You Safi, I had a great time researching the forensics of the time. Adobe Ridge, number 2 in the series is nearing completion.
Isn't the Palo Verde cover great? It was taken from a picture of a friend's husband on his horse.
Karen, I hope you and everyone on AD want to buy and read the book, heh heh, then I can quit my day job.
This is the story of one man's greed whose evil designs are aided by a whole bunch of paid cronies ready to do their boss's every bidding.
She beat my own western, Calico (due from DDP Press in June), to release by a couple of months, but in the sprit of the Old West, Calico is hereby issuing a friendly warning to Boone: "Watch your back!"
Great cover, by the way. Congratulations!
Dorien
Like I mentioned above the language is just superb...like how you just plunge into the action (verbs) without any ceremonies. Interesting style.
Living in Texas herself am sure Karen would love that book.
Hope you get rich very soon. And do pray for me too:)
Safi
Isn't the Palo Verde cover great? It was taken from a picture of a friend's husband on his horse.
Karen, I hope you and everyone on AD want to buy and read the book, heh heh, then I can quit my day job.
again, thank you Safi,
-m
(((HUGS))) and much love, your friend in America, Karen Lynn in Texas. :D
Your command of the English language is quite remarkable! I salute you, young lady!