Jamie Mason’s highly entertaining new Western series continues with DIRTY TRICKS, the second adventure of trickshot artist, card sharp, and undercover Pinkerton operative Jack Tricke. The year is 1858, and the Pinkertons are working for the United States government, keeping an eye on things in Arizona Territory. There’s plenty to keep an eye on, too, what with building tension between pro- and anti-slavery factions, rampaging Apaches, and a rogue Mexican general who might just try to turn the territory into his own little empire.
Tricke travels with the Hamlin & Crowe Medicine Show, a motley but colorful
collection of eccentric characters led by Doc Hamlin, who is also an undercover
Pinkerton operative. Before this adventure is over, all of them will be
involved in foiling a scheme that could well affect the entire country, not
just Arizona Territory.
Mason keeps the action moving along at a satisfying pace, and the long,
climactic battle involving a train is great. (Most of you probably have
realized by now that I have a fondness for train scenes.) Jack Tricke isn’t
necessarily the most likable protagonist you’ll ever encounter—he’s definitely
a rogue—but his character is evolving as he continues his assignment for the Pinkertons.
In fact, the way the plot and all the characters are developing, I think it
would be a good idea to read this series in order. Luckily, that’s very easy to
do. The first book is available on Amazon here, and this second one is here. If
you’re a Western fan and haven’t checked out this series yet, I think it’s well
worth reading.
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