Welcome
Hello hello! Whether you are a newcomer to my Silver Rush historical mystery series or have spent some time in the past exploring the world of the “Victorian West” with my protagonist Inez Stannert and me, I am glad you’ve stopped by. Please, come on in and take a look around the site (designed by the amazing folks of xuni.com). The history section has lots of fun links to explore, while the appearances page lets you know where I’ll be (in person and virtually). There’s a books page where you can find out more about the series, as well as a short stories page for other writings. Also, please check out my blog, where I post every Wednesday. You can also sign up for my very random, very occasional newsletter (and it is, I promise, very occasional). If you have a question or a comment or just want to say “howdy,” there’s a contact page for that as well. I love hearing from readers, so feel free to drop me a line, any time…
The Secret in the Wall
Winner of the Will Rogers Medallion, Western Writers of America Spur, and Foreword Magazine’s INDIE Awards
Sometimes you can’t keep your gown out of the gutter…
Inez Stannert has reinvented herself―again. Fleeing the comfort and wealth of her East Coast upbringing, she became a saloon owner and card sharp in the rough silver boomtown of Leadville, Colorado, always favoring the unconventional path―a difficult road for a woman in the late 1800s.
Now living in San Francisco, Inez works hard to keep a respectable, loving home for her young ward, Antonia. But risk is a seductive friend, difficult to resist. When a skeleton tumbles from the wall of her latest business investment, the police only seem interested in the gold coins that fell out with it. With her trusty derringer tucked in the folds of her gown, Inez uses her street smarts and sheer will to unearth a secret that someone has already killed to keep buried. Yet, the more she digs, the muddier and more dangerous things become.
Praise
Awards
WINNER (bronze level) of Foreword Magazine’s INDIE Award for Best Mystery
WINNER of the Western Writers of America Spur Award for Best Traditional Novel
Finalist for the Macavity Sue Feder Memorial Award for Best Historical Mystery
Finalist for the Killer Nashville Silver Falchion Award for Mystery
Lefty Finalist for Best Historical Mystery Novel
(The Bill Gottfried Memorial for books covering events before 1970)
“Editors’ Choice” from the Historical Novel Society
“Editor’s Pick” for Best Mystery, Thriller, & Suspense on Amazon