Dust-Covered Lies

by Catherine O'Connor

Set in Texas during the 1870s and in the 1930s at the height of the Dust Bowl, Dust Covered Lies tells the story of Frances Abbott, or Frannie, an orphaned immigrant who faces a terrible choice that will haunt her the rest of her life. Frannie is a teenage champion markswoman when she and her autistic and artistically gifted brother, Juan Esteban, set off on a scientific hunting expedition on the Colorado River led by a dangerous con man who claims to be a French zoologist. 

When a murder is committed and Juan Esteban’s life is in danger, Frannie lies to protect him. Determined to take her secret to the grave, Frannie and her brother flee to the dust-covered Texas panhandle to escape the one person who could reveal the truth about their past. 

222 pages, Paperback

Published September 1, 2024

About the author

Catherine O’Connor is a writer and landscape architect. Her novel Dust Cover Lies won two 2025 Spur Awards from the Western Writers of America-- Best Traditional Novel and Best First Novel.

She holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Literature from Duke University and a Master’s in Landscape Architecture from Harvard University’s Graduate School of Design. A native Texan and Austinite, she is the founding principal of Co’design, LLC and has served as an adjunct faculty member at the University of Texas School of Architecture.

Reviews

[Annie Tate Cockrum · Rating 4 out of 5]

A wonderful debut from Catherine O’Connor! We follow Frannie in dual timelines of her adolescence in the 1870s and later in her life in the 1930s. The story follows her and her brother Juan Esteban and the powerful connection they share. It’s set up as equal parts mystery and adventure novel which makes the book highly readable. O’Connor writes with empathy and compassion. By the end of the book I was fully in it with Frannie and Juan Esteban and was left crying.

[Robb R · Rating 5 out of 5]

Some books have characters and settings that you will never forget. This is one of those books. A story that you don't want to end - and when it does it is absolutely satisfying.

The fierce and courageous young woman, the brilliant artist whose mind simply works differently, the enthusiastic young man, the evil individuals who haunt the story -- they all come to life in this excellent book.

I was able to order directly from the publisher at https://tcupress.tcu.edu/9780875658834/

[Tim Goettel · Rating 5 out of 5]

Gripping plot and compelling characters!