All God’s Sparrows and Other Stories: A Stagecoach Mary Fields Collection

by Leslie Budewitz

Finalist for the 2025 High Plains International Book Awards!

Born into slavery in Tennessee, the remarkable “Stagecoach Mary” Fields was a larger-than-life figure who cherished her independence, yet formed a deep bond with the Ursuline Sisters, traveling to their Montana mission in 1885 and spending the last thirty years of her life living there or in nearby Cascade. Mary is believed to have been the first Black woman in the country to drive a U.S. Postal Star Route, the source of her nickname.

In All God’s Sparrows and Other Stories, Agatha Award-winning author Leslie Budewitz brings together three short stories, each originally published in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, imagining the life of Stagecoach Mary in her first year in Montana, and a novella exploring her later life,

All God’s Sparrows, winner of the 2018 Agatha Award for Best Short Story; Miss Starr’s Goodbye, a nominee for the Short Mystery Fiction Society’s Derringer Award; Coming Clean, a finalist for the Western Writers of America’s 2021 Spur Award for Best Short Story; and A Bitter Wind, a brand-new novella in which Mary helps a young woman newly arrived in the valley solve the mystery of her fiancé's death and his homesteading neighbors’ bitterness toward him.

Includes an abbreviated bibliography and historical notes from the author.

Praise for All God’s Sparrows and Other Stories:

“Budewitz captures a complex and complicated Mary Fields and comes closer to the truth than the caricatures that have evolved around the remarkable life of this singular woman of the West.” —Quintard Taylor, PhD., Founder of BlackPast.org

“Finely researched and richly detailed, All God’s Sparrows and Other Stories is a wonderful collection. I loved learning about this fascinating woman . . . and what a character she is! Kudos to Leslie Budewitz for bringing her to life so vividly.” —Kathleen Grissom, New York Times bestselling author of Crow Mary

“In All God’s Sparrows and Other A Stagecoach Mary Fields Collection, Leslie Budewitz masterfully illuminates the life of ‘Stagecoach Mary’ Fields with a deft hand and empathetic eye. Budewitz vividly portrays the remarkable journey of this little-known woman of the West, shining a light on her courage, resilience, and unyielding commitment to justice. Budewitz’s exceptional storytelling prowess is evident throughout this captivating collection of short stories.” —Ann Parker, author of the award-winning Silver Rush mystery series

“In this beautifully drawn portrait of Mary Fields and life in 1897 Montana, Leslie Budewitz weaves stories of hardship and dedication, mystery and love. From a half-Blackfeet child to a forthright lady of the night to active and former missionary nuns, you’ll read rich studies of human hearts, the tough life of the frontier, and the contemplative mind of Stagecoach Mary. All God’s Sparrows and Other Stories is a must-read by a master writer.” —Edith Maxwell/Maddie Day, Agatha Award-winning author of the historical Quaker Midwife Mysteries and A Case for the A Dot and Amelia Mystery

“Impeccably researched and written with clear fondness and respect for the once-living people who inspire the characters.

Genres: Fiction, Anthologies

161 pages, Kindle Edition

Published September 17, 2024

About the author

*Also publishes as Alicia Beckman*

Leslie Budewitz is the three-time Agatha Award winner and bestselling author of the Food Lovers’ Village and Spice Shop mysteries, continuing with the 9th installment, LAVENDER LIES BLEEDING (July 2025). Her historical short mystery collection, ALL GOD'S SPARROWS AND OTHER STORIES: A STAGECOACH MARY FIELDS COLLECTION (September 2024), featuring a remarkable figure from Montana history, is a finalist in the 2025 High Plains International Book Awards. She also writes standalone moody suspense as Alicia Beckman.

–

What a delight to return to the Spice Shop, a fictional shop in Seattle’s Pike Place Market, a place I fell in love ages ago as a college freshman. I made it my mission to eat my way through the place, and since it’s constantly changing, I’ll never be done!

In LAVENDER LIES BLEEDING, Spice Shop owner Pepper Reece is shocked when vandals destroy the greenhouse at her friend Liz Giacometti’s lavender farm. But then Liz is killed, and Pepper digs in to solve the crimes. As her questions threaten to unearth secrets others desperately want to keep buried, danger creeps closer to her and those she loves. Can Pepper root out the killer, before someone nips her in the bud?

Writing about Seattle and its surroundings never gets old. Plus it's an excuse to keep up with places I love, and to make regular research trips. And by research, you know I mean eat!

ALL GOD’S SPARROWS AND OTHER STORIES imagines the life and heart of Mary Fields (1832-1914), a real-life woman born into slavery who spent her last 30 years in Montana, where she found freedom and community, and her own place in the West, bringing solace and justice to those in need. The collection brings together three stories originally published in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, and a new novella, “A Bitter Wind,” set in 1897 and 1914, in which Mary helps a young picture bride solve the mystery of her fiancé’s death, his homesteading neighbors’ bitterness, and her own future. The title story won the 2018 Agatha Award for Best Short Story; others were finalists for awards from the Short Mystery Fiction Society and the Western Writers of America. The collection is a finalist for the 2025 High Plains International Book Awards.

I’m also the author of the Food Lovers' Village Mysteries, set in fictional Jewel Bay, Montana. DEATH A DENTE, first in the series, won the 2013 Agatha Award for Best First novel. My guide for writers, BOOKS, CROOKS & COUNSELORS: How to Write Accurately About Criminal Law & Courtroom Procedure, drawing on my long career as a lawyer, won the 2011 Agatha for Best Nonfiction.

I’m a past president of Sisters in Crime and former regional and national board member of Mystery Writers of America. I love to cook, eat, hike, travel, garden, and paint—not necessarily in that order. My husband and I live in northwest Montana.

For regular updates, please visit my website, http://www.LeslieBudewitz.com, and click on the newsletter tab to sign up for emails crammed with book news, peeks inside the writing life, and more, along with two free short stories.

Readers are my favorite people. Drop me a line at Leslie at LeslieBudewitz.com. Join me at my website, LeslieBudewitz.com, or on Facebook at Leslie Budewitz & Alicia Beckman.

Reviews

[LORI CASWELL · Rating 4 out of 5]

Dollycas’s Thoughts

“Stagecoach Mary” Fields had such an interesting life. She was born into slavery in Tennessee and when she was freed she developed a true relationship with the Ursuline Sisters in Ohio. She didn’t think twice about traveling to their mission in Montana in 1885. She was an independent black woman who wore men’s clothing, smoked, drank alcohol, sometimes at the local tavern, carried at least one gun, and did everything the sisters asked and more. She later added U.S. Postal Carrier to her duties driving a route around Cascade and the surrounding area.

I enjoy reading fictional stories about historical figures. I had not heard of Mary before reading these stories. I did some research after reading this book and was happy to see how closely the author stayed to known facts and theories of this woman’s life. She then took what was known, and told what I assume were fictional stories about the people Mary helped or fought for. She hated how men used their power against women. She had great instincts, was resourceful, and had a huge heart. She inspired people to be their better selves.

Three short stories and a novella comprise All God’s Sparrows and Other Stories. They are informative and entertaining well-written stories I read all in one evening. Ms. Budewitz’s attention to detail shows she researched Stagecoach Mary Fields’ life fully to bring her to life within these pages. Anyone interested in women’s history in our country would enjoy this book.

I voluntarily reviewed an Advance Reader Copy. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review. Thank you to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for providing me with an ARC.

[Phyllis | Mocha Drop · Rating 3 out of 5]

This is a delightful collection featuring the imagined life and times of the whisky-drinking, pipe-smoking, gun-toting “Stagecoach” Mary Fields as she supports a Christian mission in the Wild West Montana. Her mail (and other sundry) delivery service proves invaluable as life stories, information, and neighborly concern is traded amongst the townsfolk and homesteaders. Mary interacts with infamous personalities and lives her best life given the harsh set of circumstances she’s born into. Her encounters with settlers reflect on the unique circumstances that drew people to settle West and highlights their dreams, the overbearing hardships, and sadly the disappointments that came more frequently than naught.

This is an easy read about the life and times of common folk. There is underlying goodness in Mary and the vibe of the stories.

Thanks to the publisher, Beyond the Page Publishing, and NetGalley for an opportunity to review.

[Marty Tool · Rating 4 out of 5]

Well written stories about Stagecoach Mary. A real person that these are fictionalized about what her life would have been like in the mid 1800s in Montana. A quick read for each story, however, each has something concerning the human condition including in the final story a mystery involving land transfer and a death. I received a copy for an honest opinion thanks to the publishers and NetGalley.

[Ryan Hoffman · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was a different read and collected of short stories about real life Mary Feilds (1832-1914). It was great and entertaining. Loved these stories.

[S Sande · Rating 4 out of 5]

A Montana treasure she was. Tales spun around her life in Montana will, hopefully, keep generations aware of her many contributions to the settlement of this state.

[SundayAtDusk · Rating 4 out of 5]

Mary Fields (1832-1914) was born into slavery in Tennessee. When the Civil War ended, she started to work on steamboats and later for a judge in Ohio. She then followed the judge's sister, a Mother Superior at an Ursuline mission, to Montana. There Ms. Fields proved herself a jack-of-all trades, and a much-appreciated member of the mission and town. She also became the first black woman to deliver mail in the area.

Furthermore, she was a crack shot, smoked and drank liquor in and out of bars. Was she trying to be like a man? Not at all, according to the fictionalized stories in this book. Many men did not impress her, because she saw the way they abused their power over women, and how they had abused slaves. Mary Fields was just being herself, exactly how she wanted to be. She was no longer a slave or being told what to do by anyone, except maybe the Mother Superior.

These stories are relatively short and easy to read, although sometimes a bit cluttered. They were all interesting until the endings. It was easy to imagine them being turned into episodes for a television series about Mary Fields. She was tough but kind. Smart but not arrogant. Resourceful as any person could be, man or woman. She never gave up, either. Never surrendered to fears or doubts. Never rested until the day she died.

P.S. Exactly how long did her dog live? :)

(Note: I received a free e-ARC of this book from NetGalley and the author or publisher.)

[Cheryle · Rating 5 out of 5]

Montana author, Leslie Budewitz has taken a departure from her usual genre and penned this story based on a real person in history. Historical fiction is my usual reading and this small volume of stories featuring Stagecoach Mary. I hope the author writes more historical fiction.

Born into slavery in Tennessee, the remarkable “Stagecoach Mary” Fields was a larger-than-life figure who cherished her independence, yet formed a deep bond with the Ursuline Sisters, traveling to their Montana mission in 1885 and spending the last thirty years of her life living there or in nearby Cascade. Mary is believed to have been the first Black woman in the country to drive a U.S. Postal Star Route, the source of her nickname.

In All God’s Sparrows and Other Stories, Agatha Award-winning author Leslie Budewitz brings together three short stories, each originally published in Alfred Hitchcock Mystery Magazine, imagining the life of Stagecoach Mary in her first year in Montana, and a novella exploring her later life,

[Deborah Payne · Rating 4 out of 5]

All God’s Sparrows and Other Stories

A Stagecoach Mary Fields Collection

By: Leslie Budewitz

Publish Date: September 17,2024

Publisher: Beyond the Page Publishing

Historical Fiction/Mystery and Thriller/Novellas and Short Stories

#AllGodsSparrowsandOtherStories#NetGalley

200 Book ReviewsProfessional Reader

I would like to thank both NetGalley and Beyond the Page Publishing for allowing me to read and review this book. All opinions are my own.

Book Review:

I gave this book 4 stars. I never heard of Mary Fields before, and it was nice to learn something new. I have read from this author before, but this was a different style for her, and I enjoyed it. This is a quick read with four different chapters or stories.

In this book you learn who Mary is and how she got to Montana. You get to understand her and how she does things. She is also a nice person deep down and is willing to help even when she doesn’t really want to.

You get to view the life back in the 1800’s and how rough things were. Some people could take it, and others just couldn’t.

[Mary · Rating 5 out of 5]

All God’s Sparrows and Other Stories by Leslie Budewitz
The parable of the starfish is much loved by teachers, so many stranded on the sand, “You can’t make a difference.” The kind soul picks one up, tosses it back into the water, “It made a difference to that one.” This work of historical fiction highlights that aspect of “Stagecoach” Mary Fields’ life, the people she helped, those inspired by her example to persist and help others, and the countless lives that those people might go on to help. May we follow in her footsteps, each in our own way.
At a time when women seldom got to choose their own paths, she was staunchly independent, a beacon for others who wanted that same freedom.
Nor is she presented as a saint; she smoked, drank, and had a temper she worked to contain, proof that one doesn’t have to be perfect to make a difference.

[Cynthia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Excellent historical fiction! This is a group of stories about Mary Fields, a real person....often called 'Stagecoach Mary'. I'd never heard of her accomplishments, & now want to read more about her! This is another great example of historical fiction telling of real history in a fun/interesting way. And it wasn't just Mary I learned about...there is also early Montana history, & the artist Charles M. Russell. I especially liked the newspaper article/notice of her death, & then the 'Historical Notes & Acknowledgments' at the end........very informative! I highly recommend this for anyone liking adventure, & American history....it's a great read! Probably appropriate for 14 y/o & older, no blood/gore or bad language.
I received an e copy of the book from Beyond The Page Publishing via NetGalley for review purposes. This is my own fair/honest review.

[Denice Langley · Rating 5 out of 5]

What a wonderful book, each story centered on Mary Fields, a bright star in history that so little is written of. Born a slave, once free she would find her voice as the first black woman to deliver mail on a Star route. Her amazing life is an example of rising above hardships and refusing to be held back by circumstances beyond your control. This is an excellent book, my first in Leslie Budewitz' library. Now I'm on my way to see what else she has written.

[Annarella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Gripping and fast paced short story about Stagecoach Mary aka Mary Field, a woman who was born into slavery who became a mail-carrier.
It was an intriguing and entertaining read. Well done and well researched
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

[Milana Marsenich · Rating 5 out of 5]

Mary Fields was a true American hero. She arrived at the Ursuline Sister’s Montana mission in 1885 and stayed in the area until her death. Mary drank whiskey in dusty taverns, smoked a pipe along rolling creeks, and carried a gun. Believed to be the first black woman to drive a US postal route, she drove her wagon in the heat of summer and the brutal cold of winter. Fiercely independent, she delivered food, supplies, people, and general good will, repeatedly standing for justice. From the title to the last line, All God’s Sparrows is some of the most stunning writing I’ve read. There were lines in it that took my breath away, lines I had to go back and read again. With extraordinary skill, poetic beauty, and good heart, Leslie Budewitz has brought Mary Fields fully to life, courage and integrity intact.

[Sherry · Rating 4 out of 5]

a fast and fun read about a remarkable woman.

[Donna · Rating 5 out of 5]

Stage Coach Mary Fields is born in Tennessee after being freed she heads to Montana and spends the next 32 years there with the Ursuline nuns of the region. She is a one of a kind character.

[Chelsea Kleinmeyer · Rating 1 out of 5]

DNF

[Grace Koshida · Rating 4 out of 5]

The author brings real-life historical figure “Stagecoach Mary” Fields to life in three short stories and a novella in this anthology.

[Jenna Thompson · Rating 5 out of 5]

“Stagecoach Mary” Fields was such a fun, inspirational, strong character to read about, and I greatly appreciated reading these short stories of her life. Throughout the stories, I felt like I really started to know Mary, and was rooting for her and fighting for her the entire time. I appreciated the historical aspects of the stories, from racism to abject poverty to the human condition in the 1800s. They were all powerful stories, and I was fascinated by the life that Mary was able to live.

Thanks to Beyond the Page Publishing & NetGalley for the opportunity to read an advanced copy of this book.

[Cathy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a collection short stories featuring Stagecoach Mary Fields. In a twist on the Western hero type, Mary is not only a woman but a former slave. Mary is based on a real person who really did help the women at a school for Native American girls and delivered mail. Known for her drinking and smoking, Mary was a strong woman who carried a gun and knew how to take care of herself and others. The stories in this collection show Mary’s compassion for helping others and her cleverness, two characteristics that might not be expected in a woman with her rough background.