St. Louis Sam and the Desperados

Set in 1874, this amiable tale from Paranya (Raven Woman) takes 28-year-old Sam Brody and her younger brother, Garth, from St. Louis to Powder Keg, Arizona Territory, where they intend to make trouble for their evil uncle and guardian, Millard Tremayne, who owns property in the little town, but is back east. To assist in Millard’s downfall, Sam, who disguises herself as a man, and Garth recruit a ragtag band of thieves, including a retired British major who rides a steam-powered motorbike and a gay stage coach robber. At first, as Sam and Garth and their team run around, cheerfully stealing money and accumulating evidence of Millard’s crimes, it all feels like a game. The mood darkens with the arrival of Millard and his gunslinger bodyguards. Meanwhile, Sam is discovering she really likes living out west, and comes around to thinking she could more than like stuck-up accountant Clarence J. Westcott, if she could trust him. The happy ending comes as no surprise. This is sure to appeal to fans of lighter western historicals. (Aug.)