She Was Sheriff
In 1872, thirty-five-year old Maud Overstreet is made sheriff of Dry Creek, California. She accepts the position reluctantly, knowing it is temporary until the elections in a few months. Her only responsibilities since she was a little girl have been cooking and cleaning for her father, the local bank president. She is soon tested by those who wish to see her fail. Meanwhile, she is still waiting to hear from her boyfriend, who left the town a couple of years ago, and promised to marry her upon his return. When she captures and locks up two desperadoes who try to rob the mail wagon, she is blamed for their escape. She then learns of a possible bank robbery by the James Mooney gang over the July 4th holiday celebration, and knows she must foil the attempt and regain people’s respect. Although its premise is unusual, a lady sheriff in a 19th-century western town, the story itself is entertaining. I’m not sure I buy the reason she was made sheriff in the first place, but the character interactions and the chase against the bad guys make the book an enjoyable read.
