Alan Caruba at
Bookviews writes:
"When
it comes to westerns, novels that evoke a fabled period, few do it better than
Jim Best. His latest is Murder at Thumb Butte ($12.95,
Wheatmark, Tucson, AZ, softcover) and I guarantee that you will also want to
read The Shopkeeper and Leadville. These are part of a “Steve Dancy” series
and, in the case of Murder at Thumb Butte, it is the spring of 1880 and Dancy
has traveled to Prescott, Arizona to gain control of a remarkable invention. He
has barely unpacked when he learns that his friend, Jeff Sharp, has been
arrested for a midnight murder and Dancy launches an investigation to find who
really did it. The problem is, the whole town of Prescott wanted him dead! He
turns to another old friend, Captain Joseph McAllen of the Pinkerton National
Detective Agency to sort out the suspects and find the real killer before Sharp
ends up swinging from the gallows. Best is best at dialogue and his novels move
along at a swift pace with some of the best dialogue you’ll find. Nothing
fancy, but it reflects real people in real situations. Treat yourself to one or
all three of the series."