Whiskey Creek

Darby Buckingham, known as the Derby Man, the popular hero of a series of westerns ( The Rail Warriors ), returns in his first adventure in a decade. A Bat Masterson-like character, Darby is a bare-knuckle boxing champion turned dime novelist and detective. He is joined here by Austin Applegate, a wealthy young Easterner who worships the Derby Man and has tried to emulate him. The last thing Darby wants is a sidekick, but he tolerates Austin's presence and eventually grows fond of the young man. The two set out to find Dolly Beavers, Darby's lover, who has failed to show up on their appointed wedding day. Is it cold feet or foul play? The search takes them from Nevada to Whiskey Creek, Wyo., a once-booming rail town, now all but deserted. McCarthy is guilty of some sloppy exposition at the outset of the book as he tries to inform readers about events in the previous volumes. The main problem, however, is that the abduction of Ms. Beavers is not enough of a mystery to propel the story. Readers new to Darby's adventures may wonder why they should care about these characters. Fans of the series, however, will undoubtedly find this latest installment satisfying. (July)