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Queen of All Mayhem: The Blood-Soaked Life and Mysterious Death of Belle Starr, the Most Dangerous Woman in the West
A riveting, deeply researched, blood-on-the-spurs biography of Belle Starr, the most legendary female outlaw of the American West.
On February 3, 1889, just two days shy of her forty-first birthday, Myra Maybelle Shirley—better known at that point by her outlaw sobriquet “Belle Starr”—was blown from her horse saddle and killed by a pair of shotgun blasts, delivered by an unseen assailant, only a few miles away from her home in the Indian Territory of present-day Oklahoma. Thus ended the life of one of the most colorful, authentic, and dangerous women in the history of the American West.
While today’s household names like Annie Oakley and Calamity Jane had dubious criminal bona fides, Belle’s were not in any doubt. She led a gang of horse thieves (a very serious crime in an era when horses were often the basis of one’s livelihood); was romantically involved with two of the West’s most legendary outlaws, Cole Younger and Jim Reed (her first husband); and participated in stickups and robberies across present-day Texas and Oklahoma. When Reed was murdered, Belle crossed into Indian Territory, where she assimilated into the Cherokee tribe, a matrilineal society, and soon married Sam Starr, a direct descendant of Nanye’hi, the greatest female warrior in Cherokee history.
Dane Huckelbridge, acclaimed author of No Beast So Fierce, probes a life rich in contradictions and intrigue. Why did a woman who had considerable advantages in life—a good family, a decent education, solid marriage prospects, a clear path to financial security—choose to pursue a life of crime? The life of Belle Starr is one of almost endless trauma: the horrors of the Civil War, which destroyed her hometown and killed her beloved brother, Bud; the untimely deaths of her first two husbands, both of them murdered; a stint in Detroit’s notorious women’s prison. Her career coincided with those of Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and yet Belle Starr was a very different sort of feminist icon.
Queen of All Mayhem is a triumph of biography, revealing one of the most-mythologized figures of Western lore as she truly was.
On February 3, 1889, just two days shy of her forty-first birthday, Myra Maybelle Shirley—better known at that point by her outlaw sobriquet “Belle Starr”—was blown from her horse saddle and killed by a pair of shotgun blasts, delivered by an unseen assailant, only a few miles away from her home in the Indian Territory of present-day Oklahoma. Thus ended the life of one of the most colorful, authentic, and dangerous women in the history of the American West.
While today’s household names like Annie Oakley and Calamity Jane had dubious criminal bona fides, Belle’s were not in any doubt. She led a gang of horse thieves (a very serious crime in an era when horses were often the basis of one’s livelihood); was romantically involved with two of the West’s most legendary outlaws, Cole Younger and Jim Reed (her first husband); and participated in stickups and robberies across present-day Texas and Oklahoma. When Reed was murdered, Belle crossed into Indian Territory, where she assimilated into the Cherokee tribe, a matrilineal society, and soon married Sam Starr, a direct descendant of Nanye’hi, the greatest female warrior in Cherokee history.
Dane Huckelbridge, acclaimed author of No Beast So Fierce, probes a life rich in contradictions and intrigue. Why did a woman who had considerable advantages in life—a good family, a decent education, solid marriage prospects, a clear path to financial security—choose to pursue a life of crime? The life of Belle Starr is one of almost endless trauma: the horrors of the Civil War, which destroyed her hometown and killed her beloved brother, Bud; the untimely deaths of her first two husbands, both of them murdered; a stint in Detroit’s notorious women’s prison. Her career coincided with those of Susan B. Anthony and Elizabeth Cady Stanton, and yet Belle Starr was a very different sort of feminist icon.
Queen of All Mayhem is a triumph of biography, revealing one of the most-mythologized figures of Western lore as she truly was.
336 pages, Hardcover
Published May 13, 2025
128 people are currently reading
12277 people want to read
About the author
Dane Huckelbridge
6 books234 followersDane Huckelbridge was born and raised in the American Middle West. He holds a degree from Princeton University, and his fiction and essays have appeared in a variety of journals, including Tin House, Literary Hub, The Wall Street Journal, Time Magazine, and The New Republic. His debut novel CASTLE OF WATER was published by St. Martin's Press in 2017, and his book NO BEAST SO FIERCE was published by HarperCollins in 2019. His next book, QUEEN OF ALL MAYHEM, a biography of the outlaw Belle Starr, will be released in 2025. He currently lives in Paris, France, although he comes back to New York whenever he can.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 97 reviews
March 3, 2025
There is a huge problem with writing about the Wild West. Ultimately, you have to decide how you will handle the lies, exaggerations, and tall tales. One of the perfect examples of this problem is the subject of Dane Huckelbridge's Queen of All Mayhem. Belle Starr was a criminal. There is no question there. However, how much of a criminal was she? Parsing through the stories is a gargantuan task.
If there is one thing I can say about Huckelbridge's work, it is that his research is impeccable and he doesn't present anything as truth that he can't prove. Starr's life a lot more conjecture than fact and Huckelbridge is not afraid to admit what we don't know.
The problem is that the narrative gets drowned in multiple possibilities for nearly every aspect of Starr's life. She was truly one of a kind and Huckelbridge proves that well enough. However, as a reader, it is just too tough to read a book and feeling like the subject is still a mystery at the end. I am not sure a biography about Starr can be told in a satisfying way. Huckelbridge does his best, and I do enjoy his writing. However, Starr seems like the type of subject who probably can't be written about in a non-fiction narrative and needs to be written about entirely as historical fiction.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and William Morrow.)
If there is one thing I can say about Huckelbridge's work, it is that his research is impeccable and he doesn't present anything as truth that he can't prove. Starr's life a lot more conjecture than fact and Huckelbridge is not afraid to admit what we don't know.
The problem is that the narrative gets drowned in multiple possibilities for nearly every aspect of Starr's life. She was truly one of a kind and Huckelbridge proves that well enough. However, as a reader, it is just too tough to read a book and feeling like the subject is still a mystery at the end. I am not sure a biography about Starr can be told in a satisfying way. Huckelbridge does his best, and I do enjoy his writing. However, Starr seems like the type of subject who probably can't be written about in a non-fiction narrative and needs to be written about entirely as historical fiction.
(This book was provided as an advance copy by Netgalley and William Morrow.)
June 11, 2025
Queen of All Mayhem is a biography of Belle Starr, a remarkable woman from the Old West. She defied the standards of her own day for womanly conduct, but doesn’t comfortably fit within modern standards either. She was a mother, but became an outlaw, and eventually the leader of an outlaw gang. Belle Starr married a Cherokee man, yet was a supporter of the Confederacy during the Civil War. And her untimely murder is shrouded in mystery to this day.
The author, Dane Huckelbridge, uses conjecture mixed with the historical facts we know about Belle Starr to give this nonfiction book a literary feel.. Due to lack of sources for parts of Starr’s life, and many unreliable early sources, Huckelbridge is forced to use quite a bit of conjecture. But the reader still gets a fairly full, and reliable picture of Belle Starr, told in an engaging manner.
Thanks to Harper Audio through NetGalley who allowed me to listen to the audio version of this book. The narrator, George Newbern, did an excellent job! Nonfiction narrators tend to have a rather lifeless delivery, but Newbern’s narration has real personality.
The author, Dane Huckelbridge, uses conjecture mixed with the historical facts we know about Belle Starr to give this nonfiction book a literary feel.. Due to lack of sources for parts of Starr’s life, and many unreliable early sources, Huckelbridge is forced to use quite a bit of conjecture. But the reader still gets a fairly full, and reliable picture of Belle Starr, told in an engaging manner.
Thanks to Harper Audio through NetGalley who allowed me to listen to the audio version of this book. The narrator, George Newbern, did an excellent job! Nonfiction narrators tend to have a rather lifeless delivery, but Newbern’s narration has real personality.
April 1, 2025
The title of this book truly tells it all. Dane Hucklebridge’s book, Queen of All Mayhem, The Blood-Soaked Life & Mysterious Death of Belle Starr, the Most Dangerous Woman in the West, recounts the life of a woman who was ahead of her time. From her early days learning everything there was to learn about horses on her Daddy, John Shirley’s farm in Missouri, Myra Maybelle Shirley was a force to be reckoned with. By the side of her adored older brother Bud, she learned to ride like the wind, how to chose the best stock, and how to break horses. He also taught her how to shoot like no other. When the Civil War broke over the state of Missouri, She helped her brother, who had joined a local Confederate militia group, by spying on the Yankees and riding through their lines to inform on the Federal troop movements. When Bud was killed in a skirmish with Union Troops, Myra was devastated.This was one of the main contributing factors as she headed into a life of crime. Her family had a history of providing shelter for the Confederate guerrilla fighters who ranged up and down the Kansas, Missouri borders. After the war, these connections and her talents for riding and shooting naturally led to her becoming involved with some of the most notorious outlaws in the West. She was romantically involved with Cole Younger and Jim Reed at various times. She befriended and rode with the likes of Frank and Jesse James. She married Sam Starr, from whom she took her famous name. She rode through town side saddle, dressed all in black with a white wide brimmed hat and a brace of .45’s on her hips. She held her own against the hardest of men, be they bandits or lawmen. The author blends fact and myth to give a very detailed picture of life at the height of the Old West.
July 4, 2025
Not a bad history, but his take on Pizarro was so embarrassingly poor it should have never gone to print.
October 4, 2025
Who knew Belle Starr was a woman ahead of her time, a woman who did what she wanted despite social norms of the 1800's, a woman who was the brains behind a number of thefts and robberies in the Wild West. A woman who was not well known outside of Texas until after her death, which is an unsolved murder to this day. The author paints quite the picture of this enigmatic woman. He really brings the history of the American West-primarily Missouri, Texas and Oklahoma to life. I learned not only about Belle Starr, but the world she lived in and the background of how the settlement of those lands affected her life. I found it extremely well written, entertaining, and full of a part of American history I didn't know much about.
June 27, 2025
2025 Butler Library Bingo [Summer Reading] #5
This was a very interesting book that I mostly liked. Belle Starr was an interesting [but deeeeeeeply flawed] character with a wild life and learning about her was VERY eye-opening [learning about the women, good AND bad, of the 'wild west' has been an absolutely fascinating experience for me] and I was constantly amazed at all that Belle did and accomplished [good AND bad].
My main issue with this book was the repetition - that got old quickly and the book could have been a bit more palatable and less annoying [I lost count to how many times I said "DID WE NOT just read this?" during this read] if it had had better editing and was perhaps 30-40 pages shorter.
Overall, I would still recommend this book because Belle and her life IS fascinating and it was a pretty cool read that people who are interested in this time frame would really enjoy.
George Newbern is one of my absolute favorite narrators and he was a real joy to listen to as he read this fascinating book and I highly recommend this audiobook because of his fantastic narration. He is never to be missed.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dane Huckelbridge, George Newbern - Narrator, William Marrow, and HarperAudio Adult/HarperAudio for providing the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.
This was a very interesting book that I mostly liked. Belle Starr was an interesting [but deeeeeeeply flawed] character with a wild life and learning about her was VERY eye-opening [learning about the women, good AND bad, of the 'wild west' has been an absolutely fascinating experience for me] and I was constantly amazed at all that Belle did and accomplished [good AND bad].
My main issue with this book was the repetition - that got old quickly and the book could have been a bit more palatable and less annoying [I lost count to how many times I said "DID WE NOT just read this?" during this read] if it had had better editing and was perhaps 30-40 pages shorter.
Overall, I would still recommend this book because Belle and her life IS fascinating and it was a pretty cool read that people who are interested in this time frame would really enjoy.
George Newbern is one of my absolute favorite narrators and he was a real joy to listen to as he read this fascinating book and I highly recommend this audiobook because of his fantastic narration. He is never to be missed.
Thank you to NetGalley, Dane Huckelbridge, George Newbern - Narrator, William Marrow, and HarperAudio Adult/HarperAudio for providing the eBook and audiobook ARC's in exchange for an honest review.
May 24, 2025
Thank you to the publisher for the gifted copy of this book; all thoughts are my own!
📖 Book Review 📖 How did I live in Texas and not know about the Queen of Mayhem?!? Of all the hours I spent studying Texas history for the teacher certification test, there were no questions about the infamous Belle Starr and I am disappointed, though I totally get why she is probably not covered in elementary school social studies. Dane Huckelbridge brings the past to life in this riveting read. Belle Starr’s wild story is brilliantly layered into the context of the American milieu of the time, with parallels drawn to the modern era. Whether or not you are familiar with the history of the second half of the nineteenth century, this book lays it all out in an easy to read, digestible, and fascinating manner. Queen of Mayhem is one captivating tale that brings the Wild West to life through the lens of this notorious outlaw.
📖 Book Review 📖 How did I live in Texas and not know about the Queen of Mayhem?!? Of all the hours I spent studying Texas history for the teacher certification test, there were no questions about the infamous Belle Starr and I am disappointed, though I totally get why she is probably not covered in elementary school social studies. Dane Huckelbridge brings the past to life in this riveting read. Belle Starr’s wild story is brilliantly layered into the context of the American milieu of the time, with parallels drawn to the modern era. Whether or not you are familiar with the history of the second half of the nineteenth century, this book lays it all out in an easy to read, digestible, and fascinating manner. Queen of Mayhem is one captivating tale that brings the Wild West to life through the lens of this notorious outlaw.
February 13, 2025
This book was so fun to read. Every chapter would bring a wild new aspect to Belle Starr. Whenever I think of outlaw she will always be the first person I think of.
July 1, 2025
Lots of interesting period background in addition to biographical info.
July 16, 2025
Wonderful non-fiction/biography about Myra Maybelle Shirley better known as Belle Starr, the most dangerous female in the West. I really enjoyed it. Biography
September 29, 2025
I learned a lot about the person behind the myth.
November 6, 2025
Too much context that wasn’t needed— felt like padding.
June 17, 2025
love a wild west biography that centers a woman, doesn't glorify harmful behavior, and calls out colonization and displacement of indigenous people for what it is - horrifying violence and genocide.
January 26, 2025
I received this book from a goodreads giveaway.
The prologue pulled me in. After showing a map of Belle Starr’s stomping grounds (which I did not have to refer to because I am familiar with the area) the death of Belle Starr is described as an ‘it was bound to happen’ but all also sudden demise. I wanted to know the whole story of how this Wild West queen came to be lying in a puddle unbeknownst of who pulled the trigger.
Much of this story could be any woman’s story. Living to sow your wild oats while doing what you need to in order to provide financially for your family. Belle’s story isn’t much different from the modern woman aside from the fact that she was one of the very few women of that time period living in such a way. I was eager to know all about her life and related to many parts of her story.
I am the type of reader that imagines the story as I am reading. I can see it clearly in my head as if I am watching a TV show. The only downfall of this story is how broken up it is. Just I was seeing Belle or her colleagues in some sort of episode of their life the story would draw back to narration that did not paint a picture. It was like going back and forth from adventure novel to a reference book. I did not prefer that as I wanted to put the book down once the exciting part was over. There were also a few times where vocabulary and quotes were repeated which felt like filler words and phrases.
Overall I enjoyed the story but wish Belle was more in the spotlight.
The prologue pulled me in. After showing a map of Belle Starr’s stomping grounds (which I did not have to refer to because I am familiar with the area) the death of Belle Starr is described as an ‘it was bound to happen’ but all also sudden demise. I wanted to know the whole story of how this Wild West queen came to be lying in a puddle unbeknownst of who pulled the trigger.
Much of this story could be any woman’s story. Living to sow your wild oats while doing what you need to in order to provide financially for your family. Belle’s story isn’t much different from the modern woman aside from the fact that she was one of the very few women of that time period living in such a way. I was eager to know all about her life and related to many parts of her story.
I am the type of reader that imagines the story as I am reading. I can see it clearly in my head as if I am watching a TV show. The only downfall of this story is how broken up it is. Just I was seeing Belle or her colleagues in some sort of episode of their life the story would draw back to narration that did not paint a picture. It was like going back and forth from adventure novel to a reference book. I did not prefer that as I wanted to put the book down once the exciting part was over. There were also a few times where vocabulary and quotes were repeated which felt like filler words and phrases.
Overall I enjoyed the story but wish Belle was more in the spotlight.
August 25, 2025
I love learning about impressive females in history, thus this detailed accounting of the life and death of the Queen of the Wild West, Belle Starr sounded like a fascinating read!
Overall, the information I gleamed from this was relatively interesting, but the amount of detail into the lineage and minutia of surrounding figures in her story, made it hard to fully immerse yourself in the law of Belle Starr.
The writing of this history feels very firsthand and somewhat of a retelling when it is not the authors personal retelling. The vibe was off for your standard history.
The narration provide provided by George Newbern was enthusiastic. Newbern captured the interest and dedication to the subject that the author put forth in their writing.
Overall, I didn’t find this history to be that engaging to myself, and I wish there was more focus on Belle Starr the person instead of all the acts leading up to her final demise.
Overall, the information I gleamed from this was relatively interesting, but the amount of detail into the lineage and minutia of surrounding figures in her story, made it hard to fully immerse yourself in the law of Belle Starr.
The writing of this history feels very firsthand and somewhat of a retelling when it is not the authors personal retelling. The vibe was off for your standard history.
The narration provide provided by George Newbern was enthusiastic. Newbern captured the interest and dedication to the subject that the author put forth in their writing.
Overall, I didn’t find this history to be that engaging to myself, and I wish there was more focus on Belle Starr the person instead of all the acts leading up to her final demise.
Read
July 25, 2025This wasn’t exactly what I expected based on the title. While it does cover Belle Starr, there is a lot of focus on the Wild West in general and major historic incidents involving the indigenous people as the white settlers moved west and forced them off their land. Interesting information, but it made Starr feel like a background character in her own biography. The author acknowledges upfront that there is a lot we can’t confirm about Starr’s life and it’s clear he did a ton of research. Because there are questions of what actually happened, it started to feel very drawn out by listing the numerous possible outcomes each time. There were some repetitive things that also made it drag a bit as well. I think if you enjoy reading about history and have an interest in this time period and the Wild West you will really enjoy this, but as a Belle Starr biography it left me wanting a bit more out of it.
I did the majority of this on audio and thought the narrator did a great job. He kept me listening even when the material became dry textbook vibes.
I did the majority of this on audio and thought the narrator did a great job. He kept me listening even when the material became dry textbook vibes.
June 12, 2025
Very well written history of a legend of the Wild West. The author paints a very colorful picture of the life of Belle Starr. Lots of great information detailing her and those around her. Thank you NetGalley for the advance audiobook copy. #NetGalley
March 27, 2025
My thanks to NetGalley and William Morrow for an advance copy of this book that is both a biography of a woman who lived life as she wanted it, and history of the times in which she lived, tumultuous, lawless, and filled with people who loved to print the legend than the truth.
The idea of woman on the frontier seems to be a popular one today. Mostly it seems to be a marketing scheme an idea to sell products on, or for traditional wives influeners to promote the simple life, while making money on clicks and hits. The idea seemed to be that woman watched the homestead, raised, home schooled and feed the children, of which there seemed to be many, and well as a husband who did all the work. Occasionally they would man the rifle to battle Indigenous people, or during the or even bushwackers trying to fix the vote for slavery. The bushwackers don't come up much. Nor the hard work of farming that women had to do. The onl work outside the home acceptable seemed to be schoolmarm, maybe, until marriage came. Those that tried something new, that stuck out were called witches, whoops different era, same idea. Society looked down at them, while the penny press made up stories about them. Especially if they were outlaws, and tough enough to lead. Belle Starr was one of those women, whose fame was spread after parts of her spread across the landscape by a shotgun. A woman who married bad men, was a bad one, and ruled her gang with an iron hand. Of course the truth is far different, but this is America where legends are taught in history class. Even when the truth is far more exciting. Queen of All Mayhem: The Blood-Soaked Life and Mysterious Death of Belle Starr, the Most Dangerous Woman in the West by Dane Huckelbridge is a biography of a woman born with a genteel education, who became a legend shooting, looting and being true to herself, and the times in which she lived.
Belle Starr was born Myra Maybelle Shirley on a small farm close to the city of Carthage Missouri in 1848. Myra was called May by her family, and May's father had dreams and hopes bigger than being just a simple farmer. John Shirley was able to acquire a large block of land sell, it to various people and turn that real estate deal into a mini empire in Carthage. Soon he owned the finest hotel, a blacksmith and a few other businesses. May loved horses and riding, and never lost the taste for farm life, but had an education fit for a young woman of society, learning etiquette, and piano. The years leading up the Civil War were difficult in Missouri, with neighbors taking sides, and the May's family, leaned toward the Confederacy. Bud, May's brother, and her hero, became a bushwacker, a Confederate guerrilla and May might have aided in his work. Bud was killed by Union forces, and the loss combined with the destruction of business caused the family to move to Texas. May began a series of relationships with bad men, which lead to crime, something May, or Belle was quite good at, as well as shooting sidesaddle on a horse. From here the legends and truth really begin.
I have heard the name Belle Starr in a lot of books about the West, but knew very little about her, and her criminal activities. Most it seems that I read was legend, or made up by unscrupulous reporters trying to sell papers. This is not just well researched, but very well written, with a good overview of the situations, range wars, Civil Wars, peacekeeping and more. Huckelbridge doe a good job of printing the legend, and breaking it down, pointing out what might be true, what couldn't be true, and what the real story is. So much of Starr's life is known, but so much more is not, as criminals are good at not sharing, or not lasting long as criminals. I enjoyed this quite a bit, not just for Starr, but because of the history, and how it was presented.
Recommended for people who enjoy history books about the west, outlaws and more. Also for people who enjoy books about women, and how life really was, not the imagined life, men like to assign them. A very well written account about a fascinating women.
The idea of woman on the frontier seems to be a popular one today. Mostly it seems to be a marketing scheme an idea to sell products on, or for traditional wives influeners to promote the simple life, while making money on clicks and hits. The idea seemed to be that woman watched the homestead, raised, home schooled and feed the children, of which there seemed to be many, and well as a husband who did all the work. Occasionally they would man the rifle to battle Indigenous people, or during the or even bushwackers trying to fix the vote for slavery. The bushwackers don't come up much. Nor the hard work of farming that women had to do. The onl work outside the home acceptable seemed to be schoolmarm, maybe, until marriage came. Those that tried something new, that stuck out were called witches, whoops different era, same idea. Society looked down at them, while the penny press made up stories about them. Especially if they were outlaws, and tough enough to lead. Belle Starr was one of those women, whose fame was spread after parts of her spread across the landscape by a shotgun. A woman who married bad men, was a bad one, and ruled her gang with an iron hand. Of course the truth is far different, but this is America where legends are taught in history class. Even when the truth is far more exciting. Queen of All Mayhem: The Blood-Soaked Life and Mysterious Death of Belle Starr, the Most Dangerous Woman in the West by Dane Huckelbridge is a biography of a woman born with a genteel education, who became a legend shooting, looting and being true to herself, and the times in which she lived.
Belle Starr was born Myra Maybelle Shirley on a small farm close to the city of Carthage Missouri in 1848. Myra was called May by her family, and May's father had dreams and hopes bigger than being just a simple farmer. John Shirley was able to acquire a large block of land sell, it to various people and turn that real estate deal into a mini empire in Carthage. Soon he owned the finest hotel, a blacksmith and a few other businesses. May loved horses and riding, and never lost the taste for farm life, but had an education fit for a young woman of society, learning etiquette, and piano. The years leading up the Civil War were difficult in Missouri, with neighbors taking sides, and the May's family, leaned toward the Confederacy. Bud, May's brother, and her hero, became a bushwacker, a Confederate guerrilla and May might have aided in his work. Bud was killed by Union forces, and the loss combined with the destruction of business caused the family to move to Texas. May began a series of relationships with bad men, which lead to crime, something May, or Belle was quite good at, as well as shooting sidesaddle on a horse. From here the legends and truth really begin.
I have heard the name Belle Starr in a lot of books about the West, but knew very little about her, and her criminal activities. Most it seems that I read was legend, or made up by unscrupulous reporters trying to sell papers. This is not just well researched, but very well written, with a good overview of the situations, range wars, Civil Wars, peacekeeping and more. Huckelbridge doe a good job of printing the legend, and breaking it down, pointing out what might be true, what couldn't be true, and what the real story is. So much of Starr's life is known, but so much more is not, as criminals are good at not sharing, or not lasting long as criminals. I enjoyed this quite a bit, not just for Starr, but because of the history, and how it was presented.
Recommended for people who enjoy history books about the west, outlaws and more. Also for people who enjoy books about women, and how life really was, not the imagined life, men like to assign them. A very well written account about a fascinating women.
June 8, 2025
I honestly don’t Know where to start.
So first of all some background on myself, I grew up in Lawrence, Kansas and have spent the majority of my academic life studying Bleeding Kansas. If I’m not studying Bleeding Kansas I’m studying Native American History or women in history that have been overlooked.
I went into this book quite excited for it, one of my favorite types of historical books to read is ones about women who have been overlooked when it comes to history or stories told. I gave this book a solid chance, I let multiple things go in the beginning, just little things that were slightly off about Bleeding Kansas as for I have an in depth knowledge on the topic and know that not everyone is going to and the point of this book is not Bleeding Kansas it’s supposed to be Belle Starr. Chapter 4 is where I solidly draw the line however.
The Negatives
- for a nonfiction book to so blatantly have so many historical inaccuracies is crazy
-The author is all over the place with the timeline, if you are writing a book about one's life and you have decided to follow her life chronologically don’t go off on tangents that take place in 1529
- This is a book about “The Blood-Soaked Life and Mysterious Death of Belle Starr, the Most Dangerous Woman in the West”, I disagree. This is actually a book about the broad history of the time Belle Starr was alive, with off branches of other times in history that the author has decided to input for one reason or another
- The amount of contradictions are mind boggling
- let's not make excuses for colonizers
-Let’s not downplay colonization
-let’s not imply or say that colonization is destined
- of course every history book is going to have some of it’s authors biases, that's just human nature, however this book has SO many of the authors opinions
-his opinions about a bunch of things that felt very unnecessary, like why go off on a tangent about the Incas if not just to implant the opinions of the author
- Um no the Cherokee Tribe’s organization of itself is NOT comparable to medieval europe, there are in fact way more differences than similarities
-While we are on this topic, why compare Native way of life to whites way of life at all in this way??? Its yucky
- There was A LOT of use of white terminology when referring to Native way of life and the Native people in not okay to me ways
I can not say if the book narrows in and focuses more on Belle Starr after chapter 4, but I do know it very much feels like in the first four chapters that the book did not feel like it was a biography of Belle Star.
The down playing of colonization, and use of inaccurate terms and historical accuracies got to me too much by the end of chapter 4 and I had to put the book down. I normally would not review a book I did not finish but I felt as if I needed to review this book. I knew that I would feel okay reviewing it as long as I clearly stated that I did not finish it, state where I stopped and why I did, and stay within the information I have from those first 4 chapters.
I would say that a positive was some of what I did learn about Belle, but after the historical inaccuracies I encountered I felt a need to fact check the information that stuck in my brain. So I did such, and while yes I am glad I know more about Belle Starr and what I did learn about her is a positive of the book I feel like a historical nonfiction book should not make me feel a need to fact check information in it.
I thought the narrator did a good job with narration and keeping me in the book, and keeping me fully paying attention to the information that was being read.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio for this Audiobook ARC.
So first of all some background on myself, I grew up in Lawrence, Kansas and have spent the majority of my academic life studying Bleeding Kansas. If I’m not studying Bleeding Kansas I’m studying Native American History or women in history that have been overlooked.
I went into this book quite excited for it, one of my favorite types of historical books to read is ones about women who have been overlooked when it comes to history or stories told. I gave this book a solid chance, I let multiple things go in the beginning, just little things that were slightly off about Bleeding Kansas as for I have an in depth knowledge on the topic and know that not everyone is going to and the point of this book is not Bleeding Kansas it’s supposed to be Belle Starr. Chapter 4 is where I solidly draw the line however.
The Negatives
- for a nonfiction book to so blatantly have so many historical inaccuracies is crazy
-The author is all over the place with the timeline, if you are writing a book about one's life and you have decided to follow her life chronologically don’t go off on tangents that take place in 1529
- This is a book about “The Blood-Soaked Life and Mysterious Death of Belle Starr, the Most Dangerous Woman in the West”, I disagree. This is actually a book about the broad history of the time Belle Starr was alive, with off branches of other times in history that the author has decided to input for one reason or another
- The amount of contradictions are mind boggling
- let's not make excuses for colonizers
-Let’s not downplay colonization
-let’s not imply or say that colonization is destined
- of course every history book is going to have some of it’s authors biases, that's just human nature, however this book has SO many of the authors opinions
-his opinions about a bunch of things that felt very unnecessary, like why go off on a tangent about the Incas if not just to implant the opinions of the author
- Um no the Cherokee Tribe’s organization of itself is NOT comparable to medieval europe, there are in fact way more differences than similarities
-While we are on this topic, why compare Native way of life to whites way of life at all in this way??? Its yucky
- There was A LOT of use of white terminology when referring to Native way of life and the Native people in not okay to me ways
I can not say if the book narrows in and focuses more on Belle Starr after chapter 4, but I do know it very much feels like in the first four chapters that the book did not feel like it was a biography of Belle Star.
The down playing of colonization, and use of inaccurate terms and historical accuracies got to me too much by the end of chapter 4 and I had to put the book down. I normally would not review a book I did not finish but I felt as if I needed to review this book. I knew that I would feel okay reviewing it as long as I clearly stated that I did not finish it, state where I stopped and why I did, and stay within the information I have from those first 4 chapters.
I would say that a positive was some of what I did learn about Belle, but after the historical inaccuracies I encountered I felt a need to fact check the information that stuck in my brain. So I did such, and while yes I am glad I know more about Belle Starr and what I did learn about her is a positive of the book I feel like a historical nonfiction book should not make me feel a need to fact check information in it.
I thought the narrator did a good job with narration and keeping me in the book, and keeping me fully paying attention to the information that was being read.
Thank you NetGalley and HarperAudio for this Audiobook ARC.
April 12, 2025
Firstly, I would like to thank the people at Shelf Awareness and the people at William Morrow Press for this ARC.
This book is one that is pretty far from the spectrum of books I typically read, but something about the allure of a woman outlaw in the Wild West just seemed too much fun to pass up. That being said…
Cutting the review tension…the things I didn’t like about the book:
1. For a book focused on Belle Starr, she appeared almost as a background character in her own story. Nearly half of the book focuses on historical incidents of American and Native American history.
2. While this book does include the sources at the back, the index is not included. (I know that this is an ARC so obviously they’ll fill that in prior to publication. It’s concerning that it’s not already there and this book publishes in the rapid near future.)
3. There are countless examples throughout the book where terms/names aren’t defined. For someone who doesn’t read this genre regularly, this would have been extremely helpful.
4. Still some last minute edits to do, but again, ARC understood, rapid release in very near future.
5. Timeline bounced all over at times it felt like, a timeline of dates referenced would be a great addition to the final copy released for future publication.
Now for the good stuff:
At first, I was a little hesitant to read this because of the pov. However, the author’s implicated lineage made it more of a push to do so. Is he related to Belle Starr or not? Well, the majority of the book the reader questions, “Is he ever going to answer it?” And he does, at the end. I am agreeable into the way he chose to address this.
Additionally, I struggled at first with his writing style. It appeared as if it was reading like a traditional man would tell the story of a woman and then mansplain why she wasn’t a force to be reckoned with. Much to my surprise, I appreciated the way he wrote this story. He would give you all the options with all the facts he could. This left little room for speculation (at least on the facts he could prove). For the incidents where there has been no historically authentic artifacts to prove/disprove Huckelbridge clearly lays out all the possibilities, and just as one starts to rebut it, he explains furthermore the pros/cons of each situation.
Honestly this inspires the reader to do further research on the interesting stories/legends/facts on his pages. Personally, I enjoyed learning about things that I don’t recall being taught in history class. No doubt, probably due to the literal white-washing of history. (Specifically the Comanche’s brutality, again this is something I think would have benefited from the source/index referencing er fact checking. But I liked his statement (pg 151 & 153) that is worded more professionally than I have chosen to do so.) Also, “Boggy Bayou” Texas’ red light district.
My question is why has the author chosen to not mention the Black Indians, as he narrates a handful of Native American tribal history, particularly since he mentions the Cherokee owning slaves, Louisiana, and Andrew Jackson. I would encourage him to read up on the Mardi Gras Indians (located in New Orleans) and their ancestral routes that were aided by the Native Americans in those areas, and presumably by other Native tribes as well.
However, if this book featured very little actually about Belle Starr and more about history of the Wild West as a whole. Why choose the title, but not really focus on her?
While, I gave the book a 3 ⭐️ review, I chose to do so because of the amount of information and knowledge I gained from it, putting aside the title/focus of the book, which is confusing me still?!
This book is one that is pretty far from the spectrum of books I typically read, but something about the allure of a woman outlaw in the Wild West just seemed too much fun to pass up. That being said…
Cutting the review tension…the things I didn’t like about the book:
1. For a book focused on Belle Starr, she appeared almost as a background character in her own story. Nearly half of the book focuses on historical incidents of American and Native American history.
2. While this book does include the sources at the back, the index is not included. (I know that this is an ARC so obviously they’ll fill that in prior to publication. It’s concerning that it’s not already there and this book publishes in the rapid near future.)
3. There are countless examples throughout the book where terms/names aren’t defined. For someone who doesn’t read this genre regularly, this would have been extremely helpful.
4. Still some last minute edits to do, but again, ARC understood, rapid release in very near future.
5. Timeline bounced all over at times it felt like, a timeline of dates referenced would be a great addition to the final copy released for future publication.
Now for the good stuff:
At first, I was a little hesitant to read this because of the pov. However, the author’s implicated lineage made it more of a push to do so. Is he related to Belle Starr or not? Well, the majority of the book the reader questions, “Is he ever going to answer it?” And he does, at the end. I am agreeable into the way he chose to address this.
Additionally, I struggled at first with his writing style. It appeared as if it was reading like a traditional man would tell the story of a woman and then mansplain why she wasn’t a force to be reckoned with. Much to my surprise, I appreciated the way he wrote this story. He would give you all the options with all the facts he could. This left little room for speculation (at least on the facts he could prove). For the incidents where there has been no historically authentic artifacts to prove/disprove Huckelbridge clearly lays out all the possibilities, and just as one starts to rebut it, he explains furthermore the pros/cons of each situation.
Honestly this inspires the reader to do further research on the interesting stories/legends/facts on his pages. Personally, I enjoyed learning about things that I don’t recall being taught in history class. No doubt, probably due to the literal white-washing of history. (Specifically the Comanche’s brutality, again this is something I think would have benefited from the source/index referencing er fact checking. But I liked his statement (pg 151 & 153) that is worded more professionally than I have chosen to do so.) Also, “Boggy Bayou” Texas’ red light district.
My question is why has the author chosen to not mention the Black Indians, as he narrates a handful of Native American tribal history, particularly since he mentions the Cherokee owning slaves, Louisiana, and Andrew Jackson. I would encourage him to read up on the Mardi Gras Indians (located in New Orleans) and their ancestral routes that were aided by the Native Americans in those areas, and presumably by other Native tribes as well.
However, if this book featured very little actually about Belle Starr and more about history of the Wild West as a whole. Why choose the title, but not really focus on her?
While, I gave the book a 3 ⭐️ review, I chose to do so because of the amount of information and knowledge I gained from it, putting aside the title/focus of the book, which is confusing me still?!
September 22, 2025
Do you like to read about outlaws? If so, who are some of your favorite outlaws? I have always found outlaws of the old west to be intriguing such as Belle Star, Billy the Kid, Jesse James, Cole Younger, etc.
In 1889, Belle Starr was murdered only a few miles from home at the age of 41. Belle Starr is an infamous Western outlaw, but what does one really know about her? This biography fills in the details.
My thoughts on this book:
• I haven’t read a book about Belle Starr since I was a teen reading about the Old West. I learned so much in the book.
• The book does a great job of detailing the tumultuous times that Belle Starr grew up in.
• In 1848, the year Belle Starr was born, there was a large influx of German and Irish immigrants fleeing their homelands and looking for refuge in the United States. There was a refugee crisis unlike anything the world had ever seen. There was hatred and violence by American born citizens against these immigrants.
• Missouri had a terrible time in the Civil War. Instead of being able to join the Confederate army, teens and young adults were roving bands of marauders. They weren’t given amnesty after the war as they were not part of the regular Confederate Army. This started many lives of crime.
• Belle is linked with Cole Younger and her first husband outlaw Jim Reed. A later husband was Sam Starr of the Cherokee Tribe. Sam and Belle continued the life of crime.
• Belle was a criminal and participated in stealing horses and other crimes. Author Dane Huckelbridge tries to present facts as they are known and sort through the many legends that have grown up over time about Belle Starr.
• It was interesting that Belle grew up in wealthier than normal family and was educated. The Civil War changed the course of her life. Her beloved brother was killed, her town annihilated and many of her friends and family were now outlaws.
• The “wild west” of Belle Starr was Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.
• Belle was sent to prison at one point to Detroit Michigan, which is hard to believe. It was one of the only female penitentiaries at the time.
• The hardcover book has a great section of pictures and an informative index at the end. As I flipped through the pictures and saw the picture of Cole Younger and Belle’s daughter Pearl, I decided I think they were more than friends.
Favorite Quotes:
“But as much as we may wring our hands or clutch our pearls while lamenting the discord of modern American life, the truth of the matter is thing: the climate-controlled, cable-news-watching country of today is a pale and placid shadow of the brutal dystopia that stretched and burned between these two oceans in the middle years of the nineteenth century.”
“Exact figures are unknown, but scientific and historical studies have consistently reached the conclusion that around 90 percent of the total Indigenous population of the Americas died from Eurasian diseases in the decades that followed first contact.” - This is horrifying to contemplate.
“Nearly as long as the legend of Belle Starr has circulated throughout the American consciousness, there have also been naysayers and detractors who have sought to diminish her criminal reputation.”
Overall, Queen of all Mayhem by Dane Huckelbridge is a fascinating look into the life of one of America’s most infamous outlaws as well an intriguing look into America at the time. I highly recommend it.
This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2025...
In 1889, Belle Starr was murdered only a few miles from home at the age of 41. Belle Starr is an infamous Western outlaw, but what does one really know about her? This biography fills in the details.
My thoughts on this book:
• I haven’t read a book about Belle Starr since I was a teen reading about the Old West. I learned so much in the book.
• The book does a great job of detailing the tumultuous times that Belle Starr grew up in.
• In 1848, the year Belle Starr was born, there was a large influx of German and Irish immigrants fleeing their homelands and looking for refuge in the United States. There was a refugee crisis unlike anything the world had ever seen. There was hatred and violence by American born citizens against these immigrants.
• Missouri had a terrible time in the Civil War. Instead of being able to join the Confederate army, teens and young adults were roving bands of marauders. They weren’t given amnesty after the war as they were not part of the regular Confederate Army. This started many lives of crime.
• Belle is linked with Cole Younger and her first husband outlaw Jim Reed. A later husband was Sam Starr of the Cherokee Tribe. Sam and Belle continued the life of crime.
• Belle was a criminal and participated in stealing horses and other crimes. Author Dane Huckelbridge tries to present facts as they are known and sort through the many legends that have grown up over time about Belle Starr.
• It was interesting that Belle grew up in wealthier than normal family and was educated. The Civil War changed the course of her life. Her beloved brother was killed, her town annihilated and many of her friends and family were now outlaws.
• The “wild west” of Belle Starr was Missouri, Oklahoma, and Texas.
• Belle was sent to prison at one point to Detroit Michigan, which is hard to believe. It was one of the only female penitentiaries at the time.
• The hardcover book has a great section of pictures and an informative index at the end. As I flipped through the pictures and saw the picture of Cole Younger and Belle’s daughter Pearl, I decided I think they were more than friends.
Favorite Quotes:
“But as much as we may wring our hands or clutch our pearls while lamenting the discord of modern American life, the truth of the matter is thing: the climate-controlled, cable-news-watching country of today is a pale and placid shadow of the brutal dystopia that stretched and burned between these two oceans in the middle years of the nineteenth century.”
“Exact figures are unknown, but scientific and historical studies have consistently reached the conclusion that around 90 percent of the total Indigenous population of the Americas died from Eurasian diseases in the decades that followed first contact.” - This is horrifying to contemplate.
“Nearly as long as the legend of Belle Starr has circulated throughout the American consciousness, there have also been naysayers and detractors who have sought to diminish her criminal reputation.”
Overall, Queen of all Mayhem by Dane Huckelbridge is a fascinating look into the life of one of America’s most infamous outlaws as well an intriguing look into America at the time. I highly recommend it.
This review was first posted on my blog at: https://lauragerold.blogspot.com/2025...
May 19, 2025
Two days shy of her 41st birthday, two bullets tore into Belle Starr while she rode on her horse. The first shot knocked her to the ground, while the second served as the death blow. The assailant receded into obscurity, their identity only guessed at in the 100+ years since the assassination. Upon her untimely death, the legend of Belle Starr would be spread far and wide, the newspapers and book industry pushing truth mixed with wild exaggerations. Hyperbole aside, her eventful life represents that of a quintessential outlaw.
Belle Starr (born Myra Maybelle Shirley) was descended from a mixed heritage of German and Scots-Irish. Her ancestors had immigrated to the United States in the 17th century, settling in Pennsylvania before relocating further south and west as new economic opportunities arose. By the time of Belle’s birth, her parents --- John “Judge” Shirley and Eliza Pennington --- had moved to Carthage, Missouri. John earned his living through various vocations, from farming to running a hotel. He also was known to own a couple of slaves who assisted him in keeping his business running smoothly. As Belle grew up, Missouri would be fraught with tension over the inhumane institution of slavery and would become a battleground state during the Civil War.
Belle was a product of her time and environment, as she was raised among boys who enjoyed engaging in rough-and-tumble activities. Her horseriding skills had been honed under the tutelage of her older brother, and she utilized her talents in the years to come. The Civil War arrived during Belle’s formative years, and the clashes between Union and Confederate soldiers were often fierce. As the latter retreated South, the Union assumed control of Carthage. Belle started her foray into clandestine activity during Union occupation as she began relaying intelligence to Confederate forces. The death of her brother, Bud, in 1864 at the hands of Union forces wounded Belle and her family. The war’s outcome forced them to move to Texas as they feared reprisals for wartime actions.
Belle was never far removed from desperadoes in her life, whether it be Cole Younger or Jim Reed. Her involvement in illegality went from espionage to harboring fugitives to participating as a sentry during a robbery. While being married to Reed, Belle had to flee to California as his involvement in a deadly gang war put his family at risk of retribution. Danger was omnipresent in being an accessory to Reed’s crimes, but Belle didn’t recoil from the unlawful. As years passed, it was evident that she relished being an outlaw.
QUEEN OF ALL MAYHEM is a well-executed book chronicling the life and times of a legendary figure who made her name in the Wild West. Belle Starr was a woman who refused to live her life according to anyone’s conventions. She was a rebel through and through. Her legend was created when newspapers were the dominant medium, and the lurid and fantastical sold the most copies. This continued through the early 20th century via books and movies, yet dissipated as Belle’s image didn’t conform to Hollywood’s vision of women.
Dane Huckelbridge, the acclaimed author of NO BEAST SO FIERCE, admirably tackles the arduous task of separating fact from fiction in reconsidering a larger-than-life personality. His work serves as both a revealing biography and a fascinating true-crime mystery.
Reviewed by Philip Zozzaro
Belle Starr (born Myra Maybelle Shirley) was descended from a mixed heritage of German and Scots-Irish. Her ancestors had immigrated to the United States in the 17th century, settling in Pennsylvania before relocating further south and west as new economic opportunities arose. By the time of Belle’s birth, her parents --- John “Judge” Shirley and Eliza Pennington --- had moved to Carthage, Missouri. John earned his living through various vocations, from farming to running a hotel. He also was known to own a couple of slaves who assisted him in keeping his business running smoothly. As Belle grew up, Missouri would be fraught with tension over the inhumane institution of slavery and would become a battleground state during the Civil War.
Belle was a product of her time and environment, as she was raised among boys who enjoyed engaging in rough-and-tumble activities. Her horseriding skills had been honed under the tutelage of her older brother, and she utilized her talents in the years to come. The Civil War arrived during Belle’s formative years, and the clashes between Union and Confederate soldiers were often fierce. As the latter retreated South, the Union assumed control of Carthage. Belle started her foray into clandestine activity during Union occupation as she began relaying intelligence to Confederate forces. The death of her brother, Bud, in 1864 at the hands of Union forces wounded Belle and her family. The war’s outcome forced them to move to Texas as they feared reprisals for wartime actions.
Belle was never far removed from desperadoes in her life, whether it be Cole Younger or Jim Reed. Her involvement in illegality went from espionage to harboring fugitives to participating as a sentry during a robbery. While being married to Reed, Belle had to flee to California as his involvement in a deadly gang war put his family at risk of retribution. Danger was omnipresent in being an accessory to Reed’s crimes, but Belle didn’t recoil from the unlawful. As years passed, it was evident that she relished being an outlaw.
QUEEN OF ALL MAYHEM is a well-executed book chronicling the life and times of a legendary figure who made her name in the Wild West. Belle Starr was a woman who refused to live her life according to anyone’s conventions. She was a rebel through and through. Her legend was created when newspapers were the dominant medium, and the lurid and fantastical sold the most copies. This continued through the early 20th century via books and movies, yet dissipated as Belle’s image didn’t conform to Hollywood’s vision of women.
Dane Huckelbridge, the acclaimed author of NO BEAST SO FIERCE, admirably tackles the arduous task of separating fact from fiction in reconsidering a larger-than-life personality. His work serves as both a revealing biography and a fascinating true-crime mystery.
Reviewed by Philip Zozzaro
December 5, 2024
Going back to my childhood when I loved the antics of Doris Day as “Calamity Jane”, crazy gals from the pioneering days in the Wild West have continued to fascinate me. Hence, my interest in this latest biography of Belle Starr. She was likewise featured in movies in 1941 and in 1980, plus numerous other TV shows, novels and biographies.
Hollywood’s spin on gun-toting women like Calamity Jane, Annie Oakley and Big Nose Kate, has tended to sanitise, romanticise, fantasise or otherwise obscure their real stories. But finding the truth about these women is another matter. None of them looked like movie stars yet each had her own form of magnetism.
Perhaps Belle was the most alluring of all, having had several husbands and lovers. Born in 1848 in Carthage, Missouri, as Myra Maybelle Shirley, she had a conventional upbringing and even went to a prestigious ladies’ school.
It would be difficult, as the author states: “… to pinpoint any one moment or event that signaled [her] transformation from an educated, well-bred young lady from a respectable family into a gunslinging, horse-thieving, bandit-carousing outlaw.” However, it may have been the death of an older brother that was the initial trigger. The traumatic effects of the Civil War and the family’s subsequent move West also contributed. “And while she may not have realized it … encounters with guerrilla-trained outlaws and Cherokee war parties …” would also reshape her destiny and make her determined to establish her own financial security and not be dependent on men, even if it involved criminality and murder.
There is much to admire in this biography with its meticulous research into the background of Belle as well as the political, social and cultural history of the West with its focus on historical events that may not be well-known, such as the chaos caused by the irregulars among the Confederates and the changing status of the Comanche, Cherokee, Osage and other Native American tribes during this era. Belle’s involvement with the Cherokee is particularly interesting. The latter chapters of the book present various scenarios as to who ultimately gunned her down in 1889, and why.
Although we discover much about Belle’s character and reasons as to why she chose the lawless and ruthless path she did, the facts repeatedly clash with the legend and it is difficult to establish her true essence solely through academic findings. Ironically, Belle’s life was so outrageous and full of mysteries that a good novelist might tell her tale just as honestly, and perhaps reach a wider audience than non-fiction.
Three-and-a-half stars
With thanks for Edelweiss for the ARC. The book is due for publication in May, 2025.
Note: The ARC that I have reviewed has no images of Belle and other individuals, or relevant places, but it is hoped that the final publication will have these or other illustrations and maps in order to enhance the reading experience.
https://www.marinamaxwellauthor.com/b...
Hollywood’s spin on gun-toting women like Calamity Jane, Annie Oakley and Big Nose Kate, has tended to sanitise, romanticise, fantasise or otherwise obscure their real stories. But finding the truth about these women is another matter. None of them looked like movie stars yet each had her own form of magnetism.
Perhaps Belle was the most alluring of all, having had several husbands and lovers. Born in 1848 in Carthage, Missouri, as Myra Maybelle Shirley, she had a conventional upbringing and even went to a prestigious ladies’ school.
It would be difficult, as the author states: “… to pinpoint any one moment or event that signaled [her] transformation from an educated, well-bred young lady from a respectable family into a gunslinging, horse-thieving, bandit-carousing outlaw.” However, it may have been the death of an older brother that was the initial trigger. The traumatic effects of the Civil War and the family’s subsequent move West also contributed. “And while she may not have realized it … encounters with guerrilla-trained outlaws and Cherokee war parties …” would also reshape her destiny and make her determined to establish her own financial security and not be dependent on men, even if it involved criminality and murder.
There is much to admire in this biography with its meticulous research into the background of Belle as well as the political, social and cultural history of the West with its focus on historical events that may not be well-known, such as the chaos caused by the irregulars among the Confederates and the changing status of the Comanche, Cherokee, Osage and other Native American tribes during this era. Belle’s involvement with the Cherokee is particularly interesting. The latter chapters of the book present various scenarios as to who ultimately gunned her down in 1889, and why.
Although we discover much about Belle’s character and reasons as to why she chose the lawless and ruthless path she did, the facts repeatedly clash with the legend and it is difficult to establish her true essence solely through academic findings. Ironically, Belle’s life was so outrageous and full of mysteries that a good novelist might tell her tale just as honestly, and perhaps reach a wider audience than non-fiction.
Three-and-a-half stars
With thanks for Edelweiss for the ARC. The book is due for publication in May, 2025.
Note: The ARC that I have reviewed has no images of Belle and other individuals, or relevant places, but it is hoped that the final publication will have these or other illustrations and maps in order to enhance the reading experience.
https://www.marinamaxwellauthor.com/b...
September 22, 2025
Throughout all of my readings, I never explored the "Wild West" as it was a period of time that was both incredibly short and highly dubious at best. Dane Huckelbridge acknowledges this fact as he begins his search into his family's ancestry and it is very important to keep in mind as Belle Starr was her own kind of gunslinger and the narrative that Huckelbridge was able to provide includes much information that is virtually unverifiable.
With all of that being said, we are taken on a journey into the short life and wild exploits of a woman who DID in fact, create a life for herself outside of the societal norm. She grew up educated and with hobbies other than needlecraft and the life she would have had would have been quite dull. It seems telling that she spied during the Civil War and her father really didn't have much of a problem with it, knowing that there was little he could do to stop her.
Seeing her evolve from a girl who felt directionless to a highwayman was circumspect but considering how many friends and allies she had working in "gangs" after the war makes it pretty obvious that that path was definitely an option and out of all other choices, the most likely to a girl like Belle. Being an outlaw has many downfalls, but seeing that Belle's biggest disappointment was her inability to reconcile her wild ways with her motherhood ripped at my heartstrings. Mother guilt is such a real experience in modern life that it never occurred to me that it was just as significant in the 1800s.
Knowing that her death is a relatively unsolved mystery makes the story that much more enticing. Someone would have loved the street cred for killing Belle Starr, but breaking their silence was most certainly a ticket to lockup, if not death by hanging. Many people stood to gain from her death but it could also have just been a wild fluke, someone starting trouble with a lone woman out on the road and having it go sideways.
While a lot of the story told includes speculation, it was still an interesting read to me and I plan on reading a few other books on the underrepresented people of the Wild West. If you want a pat ending, look elsewhere. But if you want to dream bigger, you can't get better than Belle Starr.
With all of that being said, we are taken on a journey into the short life and wild exploits of a woman who DID in fact, create a life for herself outside of the societal norm. She grew up educated and with hobbies other than needlecraft and the life she would have had would have been quite dull. It seems telling that she spied during the Civil War and her father really didn't have much of a problem with it, knowing that there was little he could do to stop her.
Seeing her evolve from a girl who felt directionless to a highwayman was circumspect but considering how many friends and allies she had working in "gangs" after the war makes it pretty obvious that that path was definitely an option and out of all other choices, the most likely to a girl like Belle. Being an outlaw has many downfalls, but seeing that Belle's biggest disappointment was her inability to reconcile her wild ways with her motherhood ripped at my heartstrings. Mother guilt is such a real experience in modern life that it never occurred to me that it was just as significant in the 1800s.
Knowing that her death is a relatively unsolved mystery makes the story that much more enticing. Someone would have loved the street cred for killing Belle Starr, but breaking their silence was most certainly a ticket to lockup, if not death by hanging. Many people stood to gain from her death but it could also have just been a wild fluke, someone starting trouble with a lone woman out on the road and having it go sideways.
While a lot of the story told includes speculation, it was still an interesting read to me and I plan on reading a few other books on the underrepresented people of the Wild West. If you want a pat ending, look elsewhere. But if you want to dream bigger, you can't get better than Belle Starr.
June 2, 2025
For those who enjoy reading about the Old West in America, here's something different. Normally, you think about Jesse James, Billy The Kid and other desperadoes - all of whom were men. But, how about a female outlaw? Admittedly, there weren't many, but the name Belle Starr always leaps to the forefront when thinking about ladies who lived outside the law. This is her story.
There are some drawbacks to this book, but at least they're interesting. Too much time - as in too many pages - are devoted to the history of the American Indian tribes and the wars in which they took part. Some of it later in Belle's life becomes relevant since she hid out on Indian lands in Oklahoma, but a lot of it is spent in explaining how and why the various tribes ended up in that state.
But, as mentioned, it is interesting.
Belle Starr was not the girl you'd want to bring home to meet Mom and Dad. For one thing, she was married something like 4 times, 2 of which left her as a widow. And, she had a wild streak and enjoyed cavorting with the likes of Jesse James and the Younger brothers, not exactly the type of guy you'd want her to bring home to meet the folks.
When she tried to go straight and raise her kids (she had two), it was next to impossible because of her checkered past, so inevitably it was back to the outlaw life. Lest you get the wrong idea, she wasn't a gunslinger who went around killing people (at least that can be verified, she may have), her stock in trade was offering sanctuary to fellow former Confederate sympathizers and guerilla fighters, and livestock.
Eventually, like so many others, she met an early end and the cause of her death, while known, still remains a mystery as to who did it. There are a number of suspects, but no one ever came forth and said they killed her.
Overall, an interesting read for those who are interested in the American West following the Civil War, and who are looking to learn about someone other than just the male outlaws who seem to get all the publicity.
There are some drawbacks to this book, but at least they're interesting. Too much time - as in too many pages - are devoted to the history of the American Indian tribes and the wars in which they took part. Some of it later in Belle's life becomes relevant since she hid out on Indian lands in Oklahoma, but a lot of it is spent in explaining how and why the various tribes ended up in that state.
But, as mentioned, it is interesting.
Belle Starr was not the girl you'd want to bring home to meet Mom and Dad. For one thing, she was married something like 4 times, 2 of which left her as a widow. And, she had a wild streak and enjoyed cavorting with the likes of Jesse James and the Younger brothers, not exactly the type of guy you'd want her to bring home to meet the folks.
When she tried to go straight and raise her kids (she had two), it was next to impossible because of her checkered past, so inevitably it was back to the outlaw life. Lest you get the wrong idea, she wasn't a gunslinger who went around killing people (at least that can be verified, she may have), her stock in trade was offering sanctuary to fellow former Confederate sympathizers and guerilla fighters, and livestock.
Eventually, like so many others, she met an early end and the cause of her death, while known, still remains a mystery as to who did it. There are a number of suspects, but no one ever came forth and said they killed her.
Overall, an interesting read for those who are interested in the American West following the Civil War, and who are looking to learn about someone other than just the male outlaws who seem to get all the publicity.
June 13, 2025
✦ Book Review: Queen of All Mayhem by Dane Huckelbridge
✧ ���ʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰʀᴇᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ, @William Morrow
➤ 𝚂𝚈𝙽𝙾𝙿𝚂𝙸𝚂
Queen of All Mayhem is a gripping, blood-soaked biography of Belle Starr—an outlaw who lived hard, fought harder, and died violently in the lawless shadowlands of the American West. Unlike the glamorized legends of Calamity Jane or Annie Oakley, Starr’s criminal résumé was the real deal: leading horse thieves, robbing with outlaws, and marrying into Cherokee royalty. Dane Huckelbridge digs deep into her life, peeling back myth to show a woman shaped by war, loss, and rebellion. It’s a story of grit, trauma, and the kind of raw defiance that made Starr both feared and unforgettable. If you want the West without the whitewash, this is it.
➤ 𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚄𝙶𝙷𝚃𝚂
Queen of All Mayhem tackles the life of Belle Starr, the so-called most dangerous woman of the Wild West, with solid research and an honest admission of just how murky her story really is. Dane Huckelbridge does an admirable job separating myth from fact, presenting conflicting accounts and outright tall tales without losing the reader. The historical context, Civil War trauma, Reconstruction politics, and the cutthroat chaos of the frontier, adds depth and makes the book more than just a biography. That said, the book often feels like it’s chasing shadows. Starr’s life, for all its intrigue, may be too tangled in legend and hearsay for a clean nonfiction narrative, and the endless possibilities can wear thin by the end. While Huckelbridge never overpromises, and his writing is strong, the gaps in hard fact are noticeable, and the modern commentary at times feels more performative than necessary. Still, this is a well-executed, thought-provoking look at a rare female outlaw who defied expectations, even if she remains partly a mystery. Take it for what it is, and you’ll come away entertained and a bit more informed about the real Wild West.
#book #bookreview #bookrecs #tbr #non-fiction #western #history
✧ ���ʜᴀɴᴋ ʏᴏᴜ ꜰᴏʀ ᴛʜᴇ ꜰʀᴇᴇ ʙᴏᴏᴋ, @William Morrow
➤ 𝚂𝚈𝙽𝙾𝙿𝚂𝙸𝚂
Queen of All Mayhem is a gripping, blood-soaked biography of Belle Starr—an outlaw who lived hard, fought harder, and died violently in the lawless shadowlands of the American West. Unlike the glamorized legends of Calamity Jane or Annie Oakley, Starr’s criminal résumé was the real deal: leading horse thieves, robbing with outlaws, and marrying into Cherokee royalty. Dane Huckelbridge digs deep into her life, peeling back myth to show a woman shaped by war, loss, and rebellion. It’s a story of grit, trauma, and the kind of raw defiance that made Starr both feared and unforgettable. If you want the West without the whitewash, this is it.
➤ 𝚃𝙷𝙾𝚄𝙶𝙷𝚃𝚂
Queen of All Mayhem tackles the life of Belle Starr, the so-called most dangerous woman of the Wild West, with solid research and an honest admission of just how murky her story really is. Dane Huckelbridge does an admirable job separating myth from fact, presenting conflicting accounts and outright tall tales without losing the reader. The historical context, Civil War trauma, Reconstruction politics, and the cutthroat chaos of the frontier, adds depth and makes the book more than just a biography. That said, the book often feels like it’s chasing shadows. Starr’s life, for all its intrigue, may be too tangled in legend and hearsay for a clean nonfiction narrative, and the endless possibilities can wear thin by the end. While Huckelbridge never overpromises, and his writing is strong, the gaps in hard fact are noticeable, and the modern commentary at times feels more performative than necessary. Still, this is a well-executed, thought-provoking look at a rare female outlaw who defied expectations, even if she remains partly a mystery. Take it for what it is, and you’ll come away entertained and a bit more informed about the real Wild West.
#book #bookreview #bookrecs #tbr #non-fiction #western #history
May 12, 2025
First and foremost, thank you to NetGalley and Harper Audio for the ALC! As always all opinions shared below are 100% my own.
I think I should start this with a confession. I may be American, and I may enjoy learning and reading about the 19th century, but for the longest time I have never been interested in Westerns. To a great extent, I found most stories and legends, fictional or not, to blend together in my head. I can safely say that I've also heard very little about women in the wild west. They always seemed to be on the sidelines or in the background adding very little to the ongoing conflicts.
That's why when I saw the cover, I found myself intrigued. "Queen of All Mayhem" by Dane Huckelbridge is the biography of the most dangerous woman in the west, Belle Starr. The woman went from the daughter of a relatively well-to-do family to an infamous outlaw who not only associated with some of the most dangerous criminals of the time, but was a terrifying figure to cross herself.
The author has done such a wonderful job not only researching the woman herself, but presenting facts, exaggerations as well as (at times) conflicting accounts in a non-confusing way. The book, also, did a wonderful job introducing the audience to both the civil war as well as a lot of the political, cultural and societal dramas that unfolded after. I can safely say I breezed through the book and didn't find a single minute boring.
While this is a non-fiction biography, the writing is far from dry. The narration by George Newbern practically transports you to the setting. All of this comes together to make sure that it's an interesting experience for the readers/listeners.
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised. While I disagree with a lot of Belle Starr's actions and views, I enjoyed learning about a female outlaw for once, but also learn about the wild west in such a well-executed manner.
Also, why don't we wear feathery white hats anymore?
I think I should start this with a confession. I may be American, and I may enjoy learning and reading about the 19th century, but for the longest time I have never been interested in Westerns. To a great extent, I found most stories and legends, fictional or not, to blend together in my head. I can safely say that I've also heard very little about women in the wild west. They always seemed to be on the sidelines or in the background adding very little to the ongoing conflicts.
That's why when I saw the cover, I found myself intrigued. "Queen of All Mayhem" by Dane Huckelbridge is the biography of the most dangerous woman in the west, Belle Starr. The woman went from the daughter of a relatively well-to-do family to an infamous outlaw who not only associated with some of the most dangerous criminals of the time, but was a terrifying figure to cross herself.
The author has done such a wonderful job not only researching the woman herself, but presenting facts, exaggerations as well as (at times) conflicting accounts in a non-confusing way. The book, also, did a wonderful job introducing the audience to both the civil war as well as a lot of the political, cultural and societal dramas that unfolded after. I can safely say I breezed through the book and didn't find a single minute boring.
While this is a non-fiction biography, the writing is far from dry. The narration by George Newbern practically transports you to the setting. All of this comes together to make sure that it's an interesting experience for the readers/listeners.
Overall, I was pleasantly surprised. While I disagree with a lot of Belle Starr's actions and views, I enjoyed learning about a female outlaw for once, but also learn about the wild west in such a well-executed manner.
Also, why don't we wear feathery white hats anymore?
February 20, 2025
I was gifted this ARC from the publisher, and am extremely grateful to have had the opportunity to read it ahead of its publication. I was very intrigued by this story because I am myself related to Belle Starr and wanted to learn more about her, in addition the stories told to me passed down from my family. Her relation to me is my 5x’s great aunt.
Dane Hucklebridge did a phenomenal job in his research of Belle Starr for this book. But there were several parts of the story that had nothing to do with Belle and felt myself lose interest at times. Although it could be argued that he was setting the scene for the time period where she would ultimately fit in, the story of Belle Star was lost in these unnecessary and at times overwhelming details that had nothing to do with her. I would normally fly through a 299 page book, but it’s took me a lot longer to finish due to the writing style. I also often found him to be repetitive in some parts of the book too.
Ultimately I gave this book 3.5 ⭐️ for its impressive research and because I genuinely enjoyed reading about my relative. It was fascinating to learn new details about her. Things I had never heard from my family before that truly piqued my interest. In some ways, it even gave me a little insight into where I might get parts of my personality… minus the criminal side of her! 😆 I do hope his book is picked up for film because it would make a fantastic movie!
Dane Hucklebridge did a phenomenal job in his research of Belle Starr for this book. But there were several parts of the story that had nothing to do with Belle and felt myself lose interest at times. Although it could be argued that he was setting the scene for the time period where she would ultimately fit in, the story of Belle Star was lost in these unnecessary and at times overwhelming details that had nothing to do with her. I would normally fly through a 299 page book, but it’s took me a lot longer to finish due to the writing style. I also often found him to be repetitive in some parts of the book too.
Ultimately I gave this book 3.5 ⭐️ for its impressive research and because I genuinely enjoyed reading about my relative. It was fascinating to learn new details about her. Things I had never heard from my family before that truly piqued my interest. In some ways, it even gave me a little insight into where I might get parts of my personality… minus the criminal side of her! 😆 I do hope his book is picked up for film because it would make a fantastic movie!
April 5, 2025
I really enjoyed the author's approach to separating fact from fiction throughout the book. So often this line was blurred so having notorious moments broken down to what is provable, probable, or out right false was a useful breakdown while allowing for some attention to be given to the outrageous stories that almost certainly were fabricated. Looking at just the provable truth of Belle's life is in and of itself a fascinating tale and she truly is a unique character. These sections were written in a more scholarly manner carefully sorting through the evidence and even arguing against some commonly held "facts" that were often self serving second hand tales from her contemporaries. It is really interesting to see what other outlaws had to say about her and added more flavor to her tale so even where these accounts are disputed it was still interesting to see. I also appreciated that the book does include some more narrative passages fleshing out the myth of Belle Starr as well. This was particularly well done in the last chapter dealing with the mystery of her death. There is no concrete evidence to this day but each theory was presented in a thought provoking way. All around the book was an interesting picture of a very complicated woman who really personified much of the mayhem of the Wild West.
May 13, 2025
Queen of All Mayhem: The Blood-Soaked Life and Mysterious Death of Belle Starr, the Most Dangerous Woman in the West by Dane Huckelbridge (book cover in image) is the story of Belle Starr (born Myra Maybelle Shirley) one of the most dangerous women in the Midwest. Covering her early life, and how circumstances in her life led her to a life of crime in pursuit of gaining her own agency, we learn that she may not have made it into the historical cannon, if she her death had not reported to the NYT by a local reporter.
I had the good fortune of being able to read and listen to the audiobook at the same time. While the narration by George Newbern was excellent, this still felt like an academic historical text and may limit the audience for this amazing account of Hucklebridge’s attempt to sort out the facts from the lore. I strongly recommend this book for those who are interested in learning about the women of the American west.
Thank you, William Morrow and Harper Audio Adult | Harper Audio, for the opportunity to read this ARC and listen to this ALC. All opinions are my own.
Rating: 5 Stars
Release Date: May 13 2025
Tags:
#WilliamMorrow
#HarperAudio
#QueenofAllMayhem
#DaneHuckelbridge
#GeorgeNewbern
#Biography
#History
#NonFiction
#BelleStar
#netgalley
I had the good fortune of being able to read and listen to the audiobook at the same time. While the narration by George Newbern was excellent, this still felt like an academic historical text and may limit the audience for this amazing account of Hucklebridge’s attempt to sort out the facts from the lore. I strongly recommend this book for those who are interested in learning about the women of the American west.
Thank you, William Morrow and Harper Audio Adult | Harper Audio, for the opportunity to read this ARC and listen to this ALC. All opinions are my own.
Rating: 5 Stars
Release Date: May 13 2025
Tags:
#WilliamMorrow
#HarperAudio
#QueenofAllMayhem
#DaneHuckelbridge
#GeorgeNewbern
#Biography
#History
#NonFiction
#BelleStar
#netgalley
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