Billy the Kid: The Legend of El Chivato

by Elizabeth Fackler

When young Englishman John Tunstall arrived in Lincoln County, New Mexico Territory, in 1876, he felt he had found the true frontier at last. Here was the toughest little spot in America, and he jumped eagerly into the game of getting rich. Lawyer McSween coated his own ambition with pious motives, but his worldly wife predicted disaster. Their marriage, and McSween's alliance with Tunstall against the local kingpin of the corrupt Santa Fe Ring, set the fuse for the bloody Lincoln County War. In the explosion of violence that followed, Billy Bonney slowly rose from obscurity to become 'the' Kid of American legend. This is how it happened.

Genres: Historical Fiction, Westerns

512 pages, Paperback

First published August 1, 1995

About the author

Elizabeth Fackler is an American author known for her works in the Western and mystery genres. Writing under both her own name and the pseudonym Eli Fackler, she has crafted multiple series, including the Seth Strummar Western series and the Devon Gray mystery series, as well as standalone novels. Her writing is recognized for its deep character development, moral complexity, and suspenseful narratives.
Born in Lansing, Michigan, Fackler pursued a career that combined her literary talents with her academic background. She graduated from the University of California, San Diego, and worked as a librarian for the Santa Fe Reporter before dedicating herself to writing full-time. Her Western novels, particularly those featuring the gunfighter Seth Strummar, aim to present a more nuanced and realistic portrayal of the frontier, exploring themes of redemption and personal transformation. She has stated that her goal was to depict the evolution of a morally corrupt man into a responsible member of society.
In the mystery genre, Fackler has gained a dedicated readership with her Devon Gray series, centered around a homicide detective in El Paso, Texas. The series, praised for its psychological depth and gripping storytelling, often delves into dark themes, including crime, justice, and the consequences of personal choices. Notable entries include Patricide, When Kindness Fails, Endless River, and Lucinda’s Summer Vacation, with critics highlighting her skillful character development and suspenseful plots.
Beyond her series fiction, Fackler has also written historical novels, such as Billy the Kid: The Legend of El Chivato, offering a fresh take on the legendary outlaw, and Texas Lily, a Western romance. Her works reflect a keen understanding of human nature, often depicting flawed yet compelling characters navigating complex moral landscapes.
Fackler continues to be recognized for her contributions to Western and crime fiction, crafting stories that blend historical authenticity with engaging narratives

Reviews

[Elizabeth Fackler-Sinkovitz · Rating 5 out of 5]

Beautiful and wonderful!

[Robyn Kiser · Rating 5 out of 5]

I’ve read several fictional books regarding Billy, although this was not the most historically accurate that I’ve read, it did stay extremely close to the known facts. Extremely entertaining all the way through, and it was very refreshing to read the story from a woman’s point of view. Excellent read!

[RockyMountain Swede · Rating 4 out of 5]

Once I got past the beginning of the book, Elizabeth Fackler wanted to turn Wm. Henry McCarty into a serial killer, which I don't believe he was, by having him kill and mutilate a cat, I put the book down for awhile thinking about how this book was going to be lousy all the way through. But past the cat the book was not bad. Follows the story of Billy the Kid as it has been written, not necessarily what really happened to him and his life.
Good book, Elizabeth lose the hurting the cat ~ no one hurts a cat or a dog on my watch.

[Rieka Long]

Very Good