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Legends of Tsalagee #1
Treasure Kills
Legends from a small town come in many forms. Near Tsalagee, Oklahoma a monster lurks and an infamous 19th Century outlaw's booty lays hidden. When two renegade bikers ride into town looking to find the Lost Treasure of Belle Starr, local legends Hayward Yost and Socrates Ninekiller suspect the ruffians' involvement in the murder of a local farmer; a man rumored to have knowledge of the lost treasure's location...and its curse. As events unfold, others in the community are drawn into the hunt - a Wiccan who moves to town to pursue her New Age lifestyle; her bumbling, socially inept boyfriend women can't seem to resist; a young Iraqi War veteran home to heal his physical and emotional wounds; and a mysterious creature known in Native American lore as a forest demon whom they call "Hill Man who screams at night." Mystery, romance, comedy, and adventure await in Legends of Tsalagee.
252 pages, Paperback
First published June 3, 2011
199 people are currently reading
543 people want to read
About the author
Phil Truman
17 books173 followersI'm a Heartland American who still believes in God, country, and apple pie (ummm). I've been married to the same woman for 40 years and plan to remain so as long as she and God permit it. I'm a father of two, grandfather of two, a Protestant, a veteran. Some would call me a curmudgeon (and have); I prefer conservative. I left the business world in 2007 to become a full time writer. I have three published novels - RED LAND OUTLAW, LEGENDS OF TSALAGEE, GAME, all of which have been #1 Best Sellers on Amazon. The 4th & 5th novels are in the pipe. I am a regular contributor to the Western Fictioneers blog http://westernfictioneers.blogspot.com/ . I never read books about teenage vampires, probably because I'm a former high school teacher; and have not, nor will I ever, read a Harry Potter book. The thought of flying, magical children frightens me.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews
June 27, 2023
Another fine tale from Phil Truman
Phil Truman of Oklahoma writes an eclectic mixture of genres, many set in Oklahoma of the past and present. There are westerns, horror, mysteries, adventure, romance and more. All that I have read are well written and entertaining.
TREASURE KILLS is a modern Oklahoma western, mystery, creature feature, and a hunt for the hidden treasure of real-life western outlaw legend Belle Star. A heavily character driven story featuring a variety of types - eccentric, unusual, funny, hapless, clueless, incapable, capable, noble, ignoble, criminal, dangerous, essentially harmless and I'm sure I left out some.
The Oklahoma setting was an extra bonus for me as my mother was born somewhere there in 1926 while my grandfather was an itinerant share cropper, oilfield worker and jack of all trades before eventually returning to Mississippi. He was an acquaintance and coworker of a number of interesting people including Woody Gutherie and Pretty Boy Floyd with whom he shared a last name if not relatives.
Phil Truman of Oklahoma writes an eclectic mixture of genres, many set in Oklahoma of the past and present. There are westerns, horror, mysteries, adventure, romance and more. All that I have read are well written and entertaining.
TREASURE KILLS is a modern Oklahoma western, mystery, creature feature, and a hunt for the hidden treasure of real-life western outlaw legend Belle Star. A heavily character driven story featuring a variety of types - eccentric, unusual, funny, hapless, clueless, incapable, capable, noble, ignoble, criminal, dangerous, essentially harmless and I'm sure I left out some.
The Oklahoma setting was an extra bonus for me as my mother was born somewhere there in 1926 while my grandfather was an itinerant share cropper, oilfield worker and jack of all trades before eventually returning to Mississippi. He was an acquaintance and coworker of a number of interesting people including Woody Gutherie and Pretty Boy Floyd with whom he shared a last name if not relatives.
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March 11, 2018This is a good book but I can’t help thinking it could have been a great novel.
Some people might enjoy the to-ing and fro-ing through time frames but I suspect they are actually card-holding Time Travellers.
At times I wondered if I had wandered into the wrong novel, so different was the style. Then it would wander back into the novel I thought I was reading. None of this really diminishes the story, it means it takes a long time to cover the journey. IMHO, the author could have cut this novel by a third. Like heavy pruning bringing benefit to a rose bush, he could have enhanced this novel.
Other readers might disagree. They might think you get a lot of bang for your buck with this novel, and I would have to agree.
Some people might enjoy the to-ing and fro-ing through time frames but I suspect they are actually card-holding Time Travellers.
At times I wondered if I had wandered into the wrong novel, so different was the style. Then it would wander back into the novel I thought I was reading. None of this really diminishes the story, it means it takes a long time to cover the journey. IMHO, the author could have cut this novel by a third. Like heavy pruning bringing benefit to a rose bush, he could have enhanced this novel.
Other readers might disagree. They might think you get a lot of bang for your buck with this novel, and I would have to agree.
April 6, 2018
My wife read this book first and told me how good it was. So I decided to read it also. Now I should say that I grew up in Oklahoma and know a lot of the legends about Oklahoma. Also I know about the residents of small towns in Oklahoma as my parents were from small towns in Oklahoma. So the characters in this book were true to life for me and that was one of the best points in this book. I saw that some people thought it started slow, but that is how life is in Oklahoma. Then just when you think everything is going smoothly it picks up speed and it gets a little crazy, but that just life. The people in this story came off the page and got you involved. If you like a story with a lot of flavor to it then this one is it. Just more thing if you don't have to worry about the Hill Man he ain't real maybe.
April 9, 2012
When you have a small town in Oklahoma with a treasure being hunted and a mystery of a Bigfoot in the woods and romance you have a great combination for a successful book and this one proved that. This story started off a bit slow but quickly picked up speed. The characters were well-written, interesting and believable. This was an enjoyable book with a great ending anf gave me quite a few laughs throughout.
November 9, 2021
I absolutely loved this book. It was a fun read and the humor wasn't over the top like a lot of other authors write. I prefer the more subtle humor, much more believable! Mr. Truman you need to keep writing books like this. It was a blast to read and I would continue to read all your books like this. Please please write another, sequel? Thank you for a fun read.
March 26, 2013
very cute book. Didnt know what to expect when I first began reading.. maybe scary urban legend, supernatural reading maybe ??
Instead I found myself laughing at the things these character got themselves into..even with best intentions.
Fun book, fun characters :-)
Instead I found myself laughing at the things these character got themselves into..even with best intentions.
Fun book, fun characters :-)
September 16, 2022
Treasure Kills
Loved this story! Still laughing over the characters and their adventures. This author had the dialect of country folks down pat and wove a great story! Going to look for more adventures of the Hill Man
Loved this story! Still laughing over the characters and their adventures. This author had the dialect of country folks down pat and wove a great story! Going to look for more adventures of the Hill Man
March 19, 2022
very nice
I enjoyed the mixture of legend and storyline in this book. The use of local facts, legends and just plain good storytelling kept it very fun to read.
I enjoyed the mixture of legend and storyline in this book. The use of local facts, legends and just plain good storytelling kept it very fun to read.
November 20, 2022
Great read
This was a great read. The author did a great job keeping my attention. Couldn't put it down. You won't be disappointed.
This was a great read. The author did a great job keeping my attention. Couldn't put it down. You won't be disappointed.
August 6, 2021
Ramblings
This may be the worst book that i have ever finished. I lived in the part of the country where the story takes place. the descriptions of the area are very nice. But the characters are all odd, not very well developed and none of them were likable. The dialogue, mostly broken english- an attempt at humor, was not entertaining.
Spend your time on a better book.
This may be the worst book that i have ever finished. I lived in the part of the country where the story takes place. the descriptions of the area are very nice. But the characters are all odd, not very well developed and none of them were likable. The dialogue, mostly broken english- an attempt at humor, was not entertaining.
Spend your time on a better book.
August 5, 2024
Treasure of Tsalagee
This book was hard to finish.
It started off with the murder of Paul and trying to find who murdered him. But it jumped around too much for me.
Once you got to the last 3rd of the book it piqued your interest with a treasure hunt!
4 stars because it finished out strong!
This book was hard to finish.
It started off with the murder of Paul and trying to find who murdered him. But it jumped around too much for me.
Once you got to the last 3rd of the book it piqued your interest with a treasure hunt!
4 stars because it finished out strong!
October 13, 2019
Treasure kills
Great book. There are a lot of characters to keep track of but about half way through they seem to sort themselves out. I really enjoyed the book.
it would make a wonderful movie.
Great book. There are a lot of characters to keep track of but about half way through they seem to sort themselves out. I really enjoyed the book.
it would make a wonderful movie.
November 20, 2020
Fun Book
I loved the small town setting and quirky characters. The author does a wonderful job, they seem like real people. The mystery is great and the humor was outstanding. I’ll be reading more of this writer’s books.
I loved the small town setting and quirky characters. The author does a wonderful job, they seem like real people. The mystery is great and the humor was outstanding. I’ll be reading more of this writer’s books.
May 27, 2017
very good
May 31, 2017
Great story
This was some fun reading. Murder, mayhem, romance, suspense, mystery., and a liberal dose of humor. UhThe all around perfect novel.
This was some fun reading. Murder, mayhem, romance, suspense, mystery., and a liberal dose of humor. UhThe all around perfect novel.
September 24, 2017
Treasure Kills: Legends of Tsalagee Book 1
Good story of hidden treasure, bad guys, forest creatures and hero's.
Everything you would need for a to create the tale.
Good story of hidden treasure, bad guys, forest creatures and hero's.
Everything you would need for a to create the tale.
March 7, 2018
I enjoyed the book. It was interesting to me because I recognized places from around where I live.
July 22, 2019
Lack of continuity
Story rambles hither and yawn, could not hold my interest, interesting title , not born forth in the book . Disarray in spades .
Story rambles hither and yawn, could not hold my interest, interesting title , not born forth in the book . Disarray in spades .
December 17, 2020
3.75 stars
September 10, 2022
Just boring!
I hate r give bad reviews, but I thought this story just sucked! I found it boring and pretty much meaningless.
I hate r give bad reviews, but I thought this story just sucked! I found it boring and pretty much meaningless.
September 8, 2011
Legends of Tsalagee – Review by Martha A. Cheves, Author of Stir, Laugh, Repeat and Think With Your Taste Buds – Desserts
“One day I was out looking, as I did pretty regular back then. It was in November. A rainstorm had come through the night before and left it cold and damp. The woods dripped, and dark thick clouds still filled the day. Anyway, I was climbing up the side of this wooded hill. My feet kept slipping on the thick fall of wet leaves, and I had to grab saplings as I went so’s not to slide down the hill. All of a sudden, this feeling come over me that I was being watched, so I stopped and looked around. Didn’t see a thing. I then noticed how quiet it had gotten. Now in November in the woods around here you don’t hear a lot anyway, but this was beyond that. No birds, no wind, no nothing. It was down right spooky. And things just didn’t smell right. I tell ya, I’ve done a fair amount of hunting in these woods, and when a bear or a cougar or bobcat came around, I knew it; even came up on a small pack of wolves once. But this wasn’t like them times. Something in the woods was watching me that day, and I had no idea what. What I did know was that a little voice inside was yelling at me to skedaddle. So that’s what I did, and I ain’t gone back to look for that treasure since. Don’t really care about that sort of thing any longer, though. I figure I’ve got all I need right here. I wouldn’t know how to act if I’uz rich, anyway.”
In 1889, the famous outlaw Belle Starr was killed. Rumor had it that she had a rather large stock of money and gold hidden, which had been acquired through her robberies, but where? Her son Ed knew where it was stashed so after his mother was killed, he divided it between his sister and lit out before the law decided to pin the murder on him, of which he just might be guilty. Belle Starr lived - and died in Younger's Bend on the Canadian River, near the town of Eufaula, OK. After her 'death' Ed decided to ride up further northeast into the Cherokee Nation where the town of Tsalagee is located. There he met Ned Starr and settled down. But in the back of his mind he still felt the law was looking for him. He decided the best thing for him to do was to not spend any of his mother’s money but to hide it somewhere instead. Thus, the legend of the Belle Starr Treasure took on its beginning.
It turns out that the Starr Treasure wasn’t the only legend floating around the area. The Choctaw and the Cherokees had a legend of their own. All the way back to 1850, the tribal stories of a large hairy man-beast roaming the woods and hills was passed on generation after generation. The Choctaw called him “Hill Man Who Yells at Night” while the Cherokee called him “He Who Lives in the Hills” with the name later being shortened simply to “The Hill Man.” They also believed that the Belle Starr treasure was cursed and protected by the Hill Man. But of course, that didn’t stop many a man from striking out with the desire to find this famous treasure, town’s people included.
Once in a while I’ll read a book that simply hits me as being Great! This is one of those books. In the beginning you have your traditional murder prompted by greed giving the book a bit of “catch me if you can” but the more I read, the more I had to remind myself that there was a murder. The characters are so down-to-earth, even the bad guys. They are comical as well as serious. Author Phil Truman has created characters that I will never forget. He even has me believing in the “Hill Man.” I couldn’t get enough of this book and really hated to have it end. It left me wanting more!
2011
Deadly Niche Press
ISBN #978-0-937660-95-9
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com Stir, Laugh, Repeat
“One day I was out looking, as I did pretty regular back then. It was in November. A rainstorm had come through the night before and left it cold and damp. The woods dripped, and dark thick clouds still filled the day. Anyway, I was climbing up the side of this wooded hill. My feet kept slipping on the thick fall of wet leaves, and I had to grab saplings as I went so’s not to slide down the hill. All of a sudden, this feeling come over me that I was being watched, so I stopped and looked around. Didn’t see a thing. I then noticed how quiet it had gotten. Now in November in the woods around here you don’t hear a lot anyway, but this was beyond that. No birds, no wind, no nothing. It was down right spooky. And things just didn’t smell right. I tell ya, I’ve done a fair amount of hunting in these woods, and when a bear or a cougar or bobcat came around, I knew it; even came up on a small pack of wolves once. But this wasn’t like them times. Something in the woods was watching me that day, and I had no idea what. What I did know was that a little voice inside was yelling at me to skedaddle. So that’s what I did, and I ain’t gone back to look for that treasure since. Don’t really care about that sort of thing any longer, though. I figure I’ve got all I need right here. I wouldn’t know how to act if I’uz rich, anyway.”
In 1889, the famous outlaw Belle Starr was killed. Rumor had it that she had a rather large stock of money and gold hidden, which had been acquired through her robberies, but where? Her son Ed knew where it was stashed so after his mother was killed, he divided it between his sister and lit out before the law decided to pin the murder on him, of which he just might be guilty. Belle Starr lived - and died in Younger's Bend on the Canadian River, near the town of Eufaula, OK. After her 'death' Ed decided to ride up further northeast into the Cherokee Nation where the town of Tsalagee is located. There he met Ned Starr and settled down. But in the back of his mind he still felt the law was looking for him. He decided the best thing for him to do was to not spend any of his mother’s money but to hide it somewhere instead. Thus, the legend of the Belle Starr Treasure took on its beginning.
It turns out that the Starr Treasure wasn’t the only legend floating around the area. The Choctaw and the Cherokees had a legend of their own. All the way back to 1850, the tribal stories of a large hairy man-beast roaming the woods and hills was passed on generation after generation. The Choctaw called him “Hill Man Who Yells at Night” while the Cherokee called him “He Who Lives in the Hills” with the name later being shortened simply to “The Hill Man.” They also believed that the Belle Starr treasure was cursed and protected by the Hill Man. But of course, that didn’t stop many a man from striking out with the desire to find this famous treasure, town’s people included.
Once in a while I’ll read a book that simply hits me as being Great! This is one of those books. In the beginning you have your traditional murder prompted by greed giving the book a bit of “catch me if you can” but the more I read, the more I had to remind myself that there was a murder. The characters are so down-to-earth, even the bad guys. They are comical as well as serious. Author Phil Truman has created characters that I will never forget. He even has me believing in the “Hill Man.” I couldn’t get enough of this book and really hated to have it end. It left me wanting more!
2011
Deadly Niche Press
ISBN #978-0-937660-95-9
Review Stir, Laugh, Repeat at Amazon.com Stir, Laugh, Repeat
November 22, 2011
I loved LEGENDS OF TSALAGEE by Phil Truman! This book is engaging from page one to the last page! I found it full of quirky characters who sometimes make you laugh out loud & other times you say, "what on earth were they thinking?!" It's a great mystery novel filled with ups & downs & you never know what to expect from the characters. You'll find everything from treasure hunters to folklore about a Hill man who screams at night in it. At first you don't know if the folklore is true or not, & the book keeps you guessing almost to the very last page! I fell in love with the characters, such as Punch, who gets himself in to all kinds of trouble, including his triagled romance that he carries on with a hippy named Sunny & the local waitress in the towns local cafe. There are times that you just love Punch & other times where you would love to hit him upside the head!!!
When you look at the characters in this book, you could probably find a few with the same personalities in any small town across America! Needless to say, you will just love this book. I'm looking forward to reading more books by Phil Truman now. I wish he would write another story with these characters, because after I finished this book, I just felt that these are the type of characters that you just can't get enough of. I'm sure that Punch & Sunny & all the rest could still send us careening on more adventures! ;)
When you look at the characters in this book, you could probably find a few with the same personalities in any small town across America! Needless to say, you will just love this book. I'm looking forward to reading more books by Phil Truman now. I wish he would write another story with these characters, because after I finished this book, I just felt that these are the type of characters that you just can't get enough of. I'm sure that Punch & Sunny & all the rest could still send us careening on more adventures! ;)
August 6, 2016
Legends of Tsalagee ist so etwas wie eine Kriminalroman, jedenfalls nichts für Puristen. Etwas über den Inhalt zu sagen, ist fast unmöglich. Die Legenden von Tsalagee ranken sich um einen versteckten Schatz und den Tsalagee Hill Man, eine Art Bigfoot wahrscheinlich. Am Anfang steht ein Mord.
Es ist ein wilder Ritt durch die Zeiten, vor und zurück, mit einem Abstecher ins 19. Jahrhundert. Die achronologische Erzählweise findet sich aber nur im ersten Viertel und ist zuerst etwas verwirrend. Ich habe mich oft gefragt: Worum geht es hier eigentlich? Das macht aber nichts, weil man merkt, dass Phil Truman die Sprache liebt, viel Freude am fabulieren und Sinn für Humor hat.
Tsalagee ist eine kleine Stadt in Oklahoma mit einer hohen Dichte von Exzentrikern, die alle sehr liebenswert sind. Schon nach kurzer Zeit fühlt es sich so an, als würde man selbst dort leben. Ich mußte auch oft laut lachen. Am Ende fügt sich alles in der Halloweennacht bei Vollmond zusammen. Diesen Roman habe ich mit großem Vergnügen gelesen.
Es ist ein wilder Ritt durch die Zeiten, vor und zurück, mit einem Abstecher ins 19. Jahrhundert. Die achronologische Erzählweise findet sich aber nur im ersten Viertel und ist zuerst etwas verwirrend. Ich habe mich oft gefragt: Worum geht es hier eigentlich? Das macht aber nichts, weil man merkt, dass Phil Truman die Sprache liebt, viel Freude am fabulieren und Sinn für Humor hat.
Tsalagee ist eine kleine Stadt in Oklahoma mit einer hohen Dichte von Exzentrikern, die alle sehr liebenswert sind. Schon nach kurzer Zeit fühlt es sich so an, als würde man selbst dort leben. Ich mußte auch oft laut lachen. Am Ende fügt sich alles in der Halloweennacht bei Vollmond zusammen. Diesen Roman habe ich mit großem Vergnügen gelesen.
July 3, 2016
Two legends exist in a small Oklahoma town. The first is of a big foot type character called the Hill Man. The second is about a buried treasure worth hundreds of thousands of dollars.
The book tells the story of these legends and how the local residents deal with intruders in their town.
I wasn't sure what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised. It's humorous and flows well. It was very easy to read and kept my attention. If comparing with another author, I think I would compare it to one of F. Paul Wilson's Repairman Jack books with a bit more country and humor. I will definitely be reading more by Phil Truman.
I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion.
The book tells the story of these legends and how the local residents deal with intruders in their town.
I wasn't sure what to expect, but was pleasantly surprised. It's humorous and flows well. It was very easy to read and kept my attention. If comparing with another author, I think I would compare it to one of F. Paul Wilson's Repairman Jack books with a bit more country and humor. I will definitely be reading more by Phil Truman.
I received this book free of charge in exchange for my honest opinion.
Read
May 29, 2016I enjoyed the variety of experiences in this book. I especially liked the Hill Man (Sasquatch guy) from Oklahoma. Belle Star's outlaw treasure was the main element of the plot along with tickling catfish and trapping racoons who were eating the local chickens. A fun book with lots of rural humor and adventure.
Read
June 14, 2016At first, it was tough to keep track of so many characters and time periods being thrown at me but, as the book went on, the author began to limit it to the main ones. Good plots throughout. I liked the development of the characters...good interaction between them. Ending was terrific. Good book. It kept my attention.
June 5, 2016
Greed Hurts
A very colorful cast of characters, a old legend and a. unbelievable myth leads to laughter and mystery. This is a must-read can't put it down book of fact(?) and fiction in a small town. Good read, great fun.
A very colorful cast of characters, a old legend and a. unbelievable myth leads to laughter and mystery. This is a must-read can't put it down book of fact(?) and fiction in a small town. Good read, great fun.
May 25, 2016
What a hoot! Broke out laughing numerous times! Not literature, as such, but well worth the silly antics of these Good Old Folks from Oklahoma. Too many characters to expand upon but each has there own quirkiness! If you are familiar with noodling catfish, take a few hours and enjoy!
July 9, 2011
A great summer read.
November 19, 2012
Not far into the book but being an Okie, how can I not like this book?!
Displaying 1 - 30 of 43 reviews