FINISHED:
Lawrence, Caroline. (2012). The Case of the Deadly Desperados: Western Mysteries, Book One. New York: Putnam.

[ P.K. Pinkerton, a 12-year old, half Lakota indian living out in the Wild West in 1862, comes home one afternoon to find his foster parents slain and now on the run from outlaws who are after a piece of paper that P.K.’s mother entrusted to him on her deathbed; a piece of paper that would grant the bearer land believed to contain a large natural deposit of silver.   After hopping a stagecoach, P.K. finds himself in Virginia City and continually getting side-tracked on his way to get his paper notarized by engaging in a host of adventures including spending the night in an opium den while keeping watch over a prostitute, helping a guy cheat at poker, dodging bullets while disguised as a girl, and, ultimately, deep in a mine.  The first paragraph of the book reads, “My name is P.K. Pinterton and before this day is over I will be dead,” and it’s full speed ahead from there on out, with most chapters ending in classic “How will he possibly get out of this situation?” cliffhangers.  Lawrence draws a vivid and realistic depiction of the old West by including the rampant racism against Native Americans and Chinese during that time, and not shying away from gruesome details (scalping, chopping off a finger, etc.) or the fact that “soiled doves” (prostitutes) and opium dens existed in the city.  And, P.K.’s character is kept interesting and given depth by the fact that, although it is never explicitly spelled out – likely because it was never identified at the time – he is clearly operating somewhere on the autism spectrum, having a photographic memory, an amazing talent with numbers, and constantly having to consult his mental notes on what people’s various facial expressions might indicate about their motivations.  This is an explosive, nonstop beginning to what should be a rip-roaring, fun new series.  Includes a glossary of colloquial language used at the time and places and people (including Sam Clemens [a.k.a. Mark Twain]) referenced in the novel [Review based on ARC.] .]

STARTED:
Dumon Tak, Bibi. [Laura Watkinson, translator] (2011). Soldier bear. Grand Rapids, MI.: Eerdmans.

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