Nemesis: A Novel of Old California

by Joe Yogerst

Forget Deadwood, Dodge, and Tombstone, the biggest, baddest boomtown of the 1880s was San Diego, California. The attraction wasn’t gold or silver but cheap land, the promise of an oceanfront paradise where it never snows and rarely rains, and the too-good-to-be-true deals offered by local real estate merchants. In the wake of bona fide settlers came the hucksters, con artists, and snake oil vendors—so many flimflam men (and women) that those duped called the town “Scam Diego.” Abetting the crime and chaos was the nearby Mexican border, a convenient refuge for the rustlers, ex-Rebels, and banditos who floated back and forth across the unmarked frontier.    

Caught up in this perfect storm are two men: U.S. Marshal Cradoc Bradshaw and San Diego Times reporter Nicholas Pinder. Best friends growing up, Bradshaw and Pinder are now sworn enemies—all because of a woman. Having once cooperated to catch bad guys, Bradshaw and Pinder now compete—Pinder with his quill pen or Bradshaw with his sawed-off shotgun and Colt single action Army revolver. The competition heats up when someone starts killing the town’s movers and shakers. As the bodies pile up, the question becomes which of the former friends will track down the killer first?

322 pages, Kindle Edition

First published October 30, 2018

About the author

During three decades as an editor, writer, photographer and speaker, Joe Yogerst has lived and worked in Asia, Africa, Europe, and North America. His writing has appeared in Conde Nast Traveler, CNN Travel, Islands magazine, the International Herald Tribune in Paris, Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, San Francisco Examiner, and 37 National Geographic books including the best-selling "50 States, 5000 Ideas." His latest National Geographic book — "100 Drives, 5000 Ideas" — was published in March 2020. His next project is a special issue of National Geographic magazine on Yosemite National Park, which hits newsstands this June. Yogerst wrote and hosted a new National Geographic/Great Courses video series on America's state parks. He also writes historical fiction. "Nemesis" — a murder mystery set in 1880s California — was published in 2018. Yogerst is the recipient of four Lowell Thomas Awards from the Society of American Travel Writers. Joe is currently working on books about global cities and perfect weekends.

Reviews

[Beverly · Rating 5 out of 5]

Anybody who's interested in history, mystery, and good writing is going to have a great time with Nemesis. It's sort of touted as a western (which wouldn't be my first genre choice) but there is so much charm and wit, good literary writing, characterization and most of all, a terrifically clever whodunit involved, that I was swept into a San Diego of the 1800's where Wyatt Earp and his lady Josie are just real life sweethearts with no blazing guns and no shoot'emups. I loved it! But there was plenty of crime, never fear. It was just smarter, and more fun that a western has any right to be.
Do yourself a favor, check out this book. It's a sleeper, and you'll thank me later.

[James of the Redwoods]

I have decided to not include a star rating on this book.

I enjoyed reading this book because it is set in late 19th century San Diego, California. Since I live in San Diego county, I am very familiar with the locations described.

There were, however, a few glitches that I found distracting. The dialog would occasionally slip into present day jargon and speech patterns that snapped me out of what was otherwise a plausible tale. I have noticed lately that this is a trend used in some television series’ dialogues on AMC & SYFY networks. I’ve heard it is supposed to make them more relatable for younger generations.

As to plot, the first three quarters of the story was great. Then the last quarter got a bit wobbly without the wheels coming completely off. The mystery was solved but was not very clever and left many questions unanswered.

Two characters that could have been left out completely were Wyatt Earp and his common law wife, Josie. Wyatt seemed to get trotted out whenever some investigation by the police might need help. The main protagonists seemed to be doing ok without this Wild West version of a superhero.

If you are from San Diego, I recommend reading. It is carried in the SD County Library system.

[Jeff Tankersley · Rating 1 out of 5]

A recent thriller, 2018's "Nemesis" is a serial-killer psychological murder mystery set in the old west, more a modern thriller than a western, and is a disappointment for fans of either. It starts with the tortuous murder of a rich guy in 1888 San Diego by an unknown fame-hunting man seeking revenge on four men for incidents in years prior. Marshall Cradoc Bradshaw is on the case and a well-connected reporter named Nick Pinder is also drumming up facts on the killing for his newspaper when the killer starts writing him letters about why he did it.

It was a trope-filled working mystery for the first 200 (of 400) pages, mostly POV narratives from Bradshaw and Pinder with eye-rollingly bad but brief adult content and violent murders among the investigations and then almost out of nowhere a descriptive assault by a priest on a captured minor ended this one for me on page 225. My copy of this book went straight into the garbage.

I set aside a Saturday to read "Nemesis" and quit before lunchtime - five hours down the drain. I want my money back.

Verdict: Sick trash. If you know the author Joe Yogerst or anyone on Goodreads who rated this one five-stars (there are a few) keep them away from your kids.

Jeff's Rating: 0 / 5 (Garbage)
movie rating if made into a movie: NC-45

[Jim Shaver · Rating 5 out of 5]

A great book. It establishes the mystery early on and leads to an “ I didn’t see that coming” conclusion.

[Susie James · Rating 4 out of 5]

I found a paperback Western at the Carrollton, Miss., library not long ago and decided I'd try and see if I could read Joe Yogerst's "novel of old California". Indeedy -- a well-done historical novel with that twist, not quite a spaghetti type Western or mystery...I plodded along with the old style newspapermen and women and "photogs" rather neatly, as I AM one. Not quite that old, but I could relate to a lot of the shared lore. I shouldn't say, maybe, but I shall: my suspicions wore borne out...

[Thelma · Rating 3 out of 5]

Set in old San Diego in the early 1900s, I found the description of the town and environs to be real and the characters mostly well-drawn. With plenty of familiar faces (ie, Wyatt Earp, who lived in San Diego for some time; Kate Sessions; Horton) and true details probably known mostly to natives, the book kept me interested. Unfortunately, I could see the ending coming a mile away and it's outlandishly predictable. For those reasons, I don't particularly recommend the book.

[Michael Gardner · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great read

Must read for any fans of historical fiction. That said certainly don't need to be a fan of any particular genre to appreciate this well written mystery. Books are only as good as their endings and the author wrapped this one up beautifully. Thanks for a great read. When do we get the sequel?

[MBG · Rating 4 out of 5]

Really interesting read, did not want to put down. History of San Diego late 1800s murder mystery enticingly intermingled w historical fact and fiction. Wyatt Earp after Tombstone AZ, Alonzo Horton and Kate Session’s influences on the businesses and horticulture of San Diego. Delightfully interesting. Book Group May 2019

[Ericka Wood · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Very Very Good Historical Novel

Obviously written by a professional writer. Each character is very well developed. Obviously written by someone who is very knowledgable about San Diego. The are a few times when it gets a little wordy and feels like filler, but overall an extremely well written novel and easily deserving of a five star rating.