Historical Fiction is one of those genre’s that I have always loved reading because it has always been interesting how authors mix in fictional characters with historical events. David Bowles does that with his book The Sheriff of Starr County. The character, Will Smith is a Texas Ranger who becomes the Sheriff of a town once Texas becomes a state.
During his tenure as the Sheriff, he deals with outlaws, engages with indigenous folk among others. One of the things I liked and found interesting is how during his time as a Texas Ranger, how he was called Diablo Tejano or a devil from Texas because of how the Texas Rangers were towards Mexicans in a brutal war. It captures the historical accuracy of how they were viewed as to some they were heroes, to others they were a brutal force. Will Smith, mixes the two views in his persona as he takes pride as a Texas Ranger, but objects to being called a devil.
The author, David A. Bowles does a fabulous job mixing in historical figures that help give the story authenticity. For example, William Dryden is a real person who was the editor of a newspaper in Texas and his relationship with the main character had tried to save from a failed expedition that another real life character, Mirabeau Lamar failed to heed a warning from Smith. While the character Smith isn’t real, the events surrounding Dryden’s imprisonment in Mexico was. Very well done and crafted. One thing I liked was Smith’s using what is now called forensic science to solve the murder of a sixteen year old by a artillery man.
This story is a western and reading it made me feel like I was watching a an old school western with either Clint Eastwood, Franco Nero or Woody Strode in it with a horse’s mane flowing in the breeze. It feels like this book series could become either a TV series or movie. Interestingly enough, this book series is designed to be read in any order per the author. This format is interesting from the standpoint that one can read any book in the series and not be out of place. Overall, this book is a must read and one the reader can come back to again and again
Cover Score: 9.0/10
Book Score: 8.5/10
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Review by Robert Stubblefield
Scribble's Worth 
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