If you were not at the library Saturday January 6th you missed a great—or should I say a Dickens of a—time!
The book reading an history event, sponsored by the Dickens County Historical Commission and with food catered by the amazing Beverly Pickett of Spur, was entertaining and informative. Fans of Arthur Conan Doyle’s character Sherlock Holmes could tell you January 6th, the fictional character’s birthday, was the perfect date to celebrate the release of author Will Brandon’s (aka Barbara Brannon) latest in the award-winning Derrick Miles western mystery series, “A Study in Crimson: The Tale of the Red Man.”
The first book of the series, “The Wolf Hunt: A Tale of the Texas Badlands,” the Sherlock Holmes classic The Hound of the Baskervilles is transported to Dickens County, Texas circa 1891, author Will Brandon reimagines Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s thrilling tale with a Texas twist on a murderous beast, a fugitive outlaw, greed and grit, affairs of the heart, and a landscape yet untamed.
“A Study in Crimson: The Tale of the Red Man” is fast-paced and laced with authentic local detail. This second book in the series will satisfy Western enthusiasts everywhere, as well as devotees of the Great Detective. There were a few such devotees in the diverse group assembled together for the evening. You could see heads nodding up and down in recognition to references made to Doyle’s character in Brannon’s reading from the latest release.
Although I have moved away and lived in many places from North Dakota to Southeastern New Mexico, this area of Texas has been my family’s home for generations. We had locals in attendance whose lineage and knowledge of the area could fill several books. I learn something new about the place I call home every time I am around any of them. This evening was no exception.
During a break between readings from the author, details of why it took so long for this area to be settled were discussed. The railroad came into discussion. I have no memory of the railroad other that stories from others. Eric Swenson told of riding the train with his father from Spur to Stamford when he was a boy. His father would have business in Stamford, and young Eric would walk to his grandparents’ house just a few blocks from the station.
Linda Swenson rode to Abilene on the train from Spur. She also recalled wedding gifts for her and Eric arriving from places like New York on the train I can just imagine the view of such a train ride. It had to be breathtaking.
Pick up your own copy of either book and I’m sure the author would be glad to autograph it for you, or come by the library and check out our copies of all of the books by Will Brandon. While you are here I highly recommend you check out the Paragraph Ranch series also written Barbara Brannon along with Kay Ellington.
Check it all out at the library!
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