Unearthing the Bones: A Warbonnet Mystery
Unearthing the Bones is fifth in Kresge’s Warbonnet series. Warbonnet is in Wyoming, and in 1874 it’s under the protection of Marshal Monday Malone. Malone also serves as deputy sheriff of Albany County, and in that position he is sent out of town to investigate a murder at a fossil digging site. In fact, there are rival sites, and Malone has to untangle who is selling secrets to whom.
While Malone is at the diggers’ camp, schoolteacher Kate Shaw takes his place at Turnabout Day. Thankfully, it’s an uneventful day, but she has to assume his duties again when a trial takes him out of town again. This next round with Miss Shaw as marshal is more fraught with danger when her good friend is kidnapped.
This is definitely a book in a series, alluding to events which happened in previous books and ending on a note that leaves the reader waiting for the next installment. This makes it a little less satisfactory as a stand-alone. Kresge has created engaging characters, however, and a love triangle that still needs to be resolved. And, what’s a western without Native Americans? Lakota Indians take refuge at Malone’s ranch, and Miss Shaw must convince the town of Warbonnet to overcome their prejudices and accept them. This is a rather gentle story; no grave harm comes to characters we know, and life is fairly civilized for the Wild West. I’ll admit to wanting to know how the love triangle turns out so yes, I’ll be looking for the sixth.
