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Death in Cantera

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A Spur Award-Winning Author A stranger named Dunbar comes to Cantera and shows interest in the Frenchman's Quarry and the death of the owner's son twenty years earlier. Dunbar also asks about the town marshal and about Dolores Carreau, the Frenchman's widow. Bodies begin to mount up. First is that of a young man who had asked questions about the boy's death.Next is Tim Sexton, the person who was sent to prison for the boy's death and who has returned to town.Shortly thereafter, Dolores tells Dunbar she believes someone is spying on her. Then she dies. Dolores's sister, Regina, comes to town. After telling of a letter Dolores left behind, she sets up a public meeting. She reads the letter aloud, revealing secrets that have lain silent for many years. Now it is Dunbar's mission to pursue the perpetrator and bring him to justice.

214 pages, Hardcover

Published March 16, 2016

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About the author

John D. Nesbitt

155 books19 followers
John D. Nesbitt is the author of more than forty books, including traditional westerns, crossover western mysteries, contemporary western fiction, retro/noir fiction, nonfiction, and poetry.

He has won the Western Writers of America Spur Award four times–twice for paperback novel, once for short story, and once for poem. He has been a finalist for the Spur Award once as well as for the Western Fictioneers Peacemaker Award twice and the Will Rogers Medallion Award four times. He has also received two creative writing fellowships with the Wyoming Arts Council (once for fiction, once for nonfiction).

John has had a distinguished career as a college instructor, most notably for thirty-eight years at Eastern Wyoming College. He lives in the plains country of Wyoming, where he stays in touch with the natural world and the settings for his work. He writes about lifelike people in realistic situations, people who deserve justice and a fair shake in life.

Recent works include Castle Butte, a young adult novel; Dusk Along the Niobrara, a frontier mystery; and In a Large and Lonesome Land, a CD of western songs for which he wrote all the lyrics.

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Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews
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2,649 reviews62 followers
October 8, 2024
Fellow readers, here is the second book in the Dunbar Western Mystery series!

John Nesbitt's "Death in Cantera" marks the thrilling continuation of the Dunbar Western Mystery series, a narrative that transports readers back to the rugged landscapes of 1896 Wyoming. The story unfolds in the small, seemingly tranquil town of Cantera, where the arrival of a stranger named Dunbar sets a series of mysterious events into motion. The town, shadowed by the histories of two quarries, becomes the backdrop for a gripping tale of intrigue and murder. The novel's strength lies in its richly detailed setting and the depth of its characters. Owen Gregor, a solitary figure owning a small lodging establishment, becomes an unlikely ally to Dunbar as they delve into the town's dark past. The Frenchman's Quarry, with its idle stones and haunting history, holds secrets that have led to several deaths, drawing our protagonists into an investigation that the town marshal seems all too keen to avoid.

Nesbitt's storytelling is methodical, much like the pace of life in Cantera, allowing readers to immerse themselves in the era's Western lore. The slow burn of the narrative might test the patience of some, but the meticulous layering of mystery ensures a compelling read. As Dunbar becomes more entwined with the community's fate, the urgency to solve the crimes crescendos, leading to a chase that promises to keep readers on the edge of their seats. "Death in Cantera" is more than just a western or a mystery; it's a journey into a time where justice was often a personal endeavor, and the line between right and wrong was as blurred as the dusty trails leading out of town. Nesbitt has crafted a world where the landscapes are as complex as the characters who inhabit them, and the resolution is as satisfying as it is surprising. For those who revel in the intertwining of history and suspense, "Death in Cantera" is a must-read. Embark on an unforgettable journey—grab your copy now!

• ASIN: B0DFQGSWVS
• Publisher: Wolfpack Publishing
• Publication Date: 10/8/2024
• File Size: 5073 KB
• Print Length: 225 pages
• Genre: Louis L'Amour Westerns - Western Fiction Classics - Historical Mystery, Thriller & Suspense Fiction
2,584 reviews12 followers
February 3, 2017
I haven't read a western murder mystery in quite some time. This one is set maybe in the late 1800's or early 1900's in the plains and eastern foothills of the US Rockies, maybe Wyoming where the author lives and teaches English in addition to writing in a number of genres. Easy to read, well done from point of tension and more laid back style of writing which might be more true to the era.
Displaying 1 - 2 of 2 reviews