The P. K. Pinkerton Mysteries: The Case of the Deadly Desperados
Lancashire SLS Fantastic Book Awards, 2013
From the author of the bestselling Roman Mysteries, a new series set in the Wild West, packed with danger and deadly desperados at every turn!
Virginia City in 1862 is a mining camp sitting above a rich vein of silver in America’s Wild West. It’s a dangerous place, full of gamblers, hurdy girls and gunmen – all of them on the make!
When twelve year-old P.K. Pinkerton arrives there, homeless, penniless and hunted, things don’t look good. But P.K. soon finds allies in Sam Clemens, a newspaper reporter, Poker Face Jace, a gambler who can tell when someone is bluffing, and Ping, a Chinese photographer’s apprentice. With the help of these friends – and armed with a Smith & Wesson seven-shooter and a knack for disguises – P.K. takes on the tricksters and desperados and tries to become a detective.
Fast, furious and funny – an utterly entertaining mystery adventure from an author who knows exactly how to grip and thrill her readers.
Virginia City in 1862 is a mining camp sitting above a rich vein of silver in America’s Wild West. It’s a dangerous place, full of gamblers, hurdy girls and gunmen – all of them on the make!
When twelve year-old P.K. Pinkerton arrives there, homeless, penniless and hunted, things don’t look good. But P.K. soon finds allies in Sam Clemens, a newspaper reporter, Poker Face Jace, a gambler who can tell when someone is bluffing, and Ping, a Chinese photographer’s apprentice. With the help of these friends – and armed with a Smith & Wesson seven-shooter and a knack for disguises – P.K. takes on the tricksters and desperados and tries to become a detective.
Fast, furious and funny – an utterly entertaining mystery adventure from an author who knows exactly how to grip and thrill her readers.
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Reviews
Featuring real historical characters, as well as convincingly portrayed fictional ones, you get the feeling that Lawrence had a whale of a time immersing herself in the lore and ephemera of the era. Her enjoyment leaves you exilherated and throroughly entertained.
Recreating life in the 'Wild West' during the time of the American Civil War, this series is all set to be another triumph!
I enjoyed this rip-roaring, yee-hah adventure and I particularly liked the characters... I really liked this book!
A gripping yarn, ideally suited for boys or girls aged 9+
I Love, Love, LOVE it!!!! Pinky is a wonderful creation - authentic and lovable. It's exciting (I love all the cliffhangers) and funny and sometimes truly moving.
The story moves along at a pace, is very exciting and is full of twists and turns
Scalpings, six shooters, saloons and stage coaches. Clear your calendar because you'll want to read this in a single sitting!
Lawrence swaps Ancient Rome for the whip-cracking Wild West in a new historical series. The Western Mysteries is set in an 1860s mining camp, which sees 12-year-old P K Pinkerton determined to outwit the outlaws and become a detective. The Roman Mysteries have an outstanding track record.
...vivid, alive and detailed... the book is full of humour... This book is quirkily different, fast-paced and great fun and I recommend it.
... a fast, funny adventure that cracks along as smartly as a cowboy's whip
Pinky is one of the most engaging heroes I have come across.
I felt like I had stepped instantly back into Virginia City, right into the middle of a gun fight. I could almost hear the gun shots... this book is extremely detailed and keeps you on your toes the whole way through. The chapters are short, sharp and each one is finished off with an excellent cliff-hanger. All the characters come alive...
I really enjoyed this rip-roaring, yee-hah adventure. I really liked this book!
What we have here is a rip-roaring tale of the Wild West, with tons of credible local colour, a bunch of villains every bit as wicked as those to be found in Ancient Rome, and a likeable lead character... Original, intriguing, and a lot of fun, this book is well worth reading.
the action hurtles along at break-neck speed.... It's fast, action-packed
I have a great fondness for first person narrative and for books with a really clear and unusual voice, so I was hooked o this story from the first page! ... I can't wait to see what PK does next.
We were only saying the other day that it is about time the Wild West came back into literary fashion, and blow me, ace historian and writer, Lawrence, inspired by the brilliant grown-up telly series Deadwood fires off the first of the PK Pinkerton mysteries, featuring a short gunslinger with a long list of disguises.
