An Unhappy Country: A Novel of Old New Mexico
Young and pretty Jessie Milbank finds herself in the uncomfortable position of being an American in New Mexico when that Mexican state is invaded by U.S. troops at the start of the Mexican-American War. Her Mexican friends now question her loyalty while the newly arrived U.S. authorities don’t look kindly on Jessie’s sympathy with the natives. Insurrection and murder follow soon after, stirring irrepressible curiosity and determination in Jessie—curiosity about the crimes, and determination to right the wrongs she sees being perpetrated before her eyes. With the help and friendship of a few select Americans and New Mexicans, she must navigate a treacherous path of investigation to get at the truth while avoiding the sinister powers that have already caused at least two deaths.
Prolific author Loretta Miles Tollefson weaves a story that is part mystery, part romance, and part commentary on racial antagonism and national pride. She captures the chaos and uncertainty of the abrupt change Santa Fe underwent, going from an established part of northern Mexico to a frontier outpost of the expanding United States, virtually overnight. The story ends rather abruptly, and a more fully developed conclusion would have been beneficial. That criticism aside, An Unhappy Country is an enjoyable, well-paced mystery, rich in historical ambience and strong on characterization.
