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A Rose in Old El Paso Mystery #1
Death in the Time of Pancho Villa
The in-laws are aghast when Rose Westmoreland boards a train alone, bound for the far edge of the country in search of her missing husband. Unthinkable for a lady in 1911. Now she’s in El Paso, a city holding its breath, anticipating a spectacle. A decisive battle of the Mexican Revolution is about to erupt right across the Rio Grande. Rose’s husband, Leonard, sent there by his employer, Stoneman Petroleum, apparently first went native, then disappeared, leaving behind a fiery mistress and rumors he was sent to offer the rebels money in exchange for favorable drilling rights.
Alone in this liminal place, Rose is befriended by two women, a retired thespian and a young Mexican expatriate, who suggest coping methods that would throw the folks back in Shaker Heights into a tizzy. A reporter recruits Rose, who is a talented amateur photographer, to immortalize the Mexican leaders: a sardonic, strawberry soda-sipping Pancho Villa and visionary Francisco Madero, who communes with the shades of Napoleon and Beníto Juárez.
Rose is caught up in the intrigue of the Revolution, the unfamiliar culture of the borderlands, and the deadly competition between international oil companies. When the only person to offer real information about Leonard is killed by what is, perhaps, a stray bullet, she finds her own life in danger. Her determination to uncover the truth reveals hidden secrets, calling into question everything she thought she knew about her life back home, and threatens the well-being of everyone she holds dear.
Alone in this liminal place, Rose is befriended by two women, a retired thespian and a young Mexican expatriate, who suggest coping methods that would throw the folks back in Shaker Heights into a tizzy. A reporter recruits Rose, who is a talented amateur photographer, to immortalize the Mexican leaders: a sardonic, strawberry soda-sipping Pancho Villa and visionary Francisco Madero, who communes with the shades of Napoleon and Beníto Juárez.
Rose is caught up in the intrigue of the Revolution, the unfamiliar culture of the borderlands, and the deadly competition between international oil companies. When the only person to offer real information about Leonard is killed by what is, perhaps, a stray bullet, she finds her own life in danger. Her determination to uncover the truth reveals hidden secrets, calling into question everything she thought she knew about her life back home, and threatens the well-being of everyone she holds dear.
249 pages, Kindle Edition
First published August 25, 2020
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Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews
October 3, 2026
This didn’t quite match up with what I like in a mystery but it was well enough written and if you like slightly cozy it might suit you just fine. I did especially like the author’s use of history and details on El Paso TX in 1910, the details on clothing, speech, and her knowledge of the Mexican Revolution, which weaves in and out of the story.
The main character has come to El Paso to try to find her missing husband. In the span of a couple weeks she makes friends, finds unhelpful people and makes the acquaintance of Revolutionaries such as Pancho Villa and his henchmen. El Paso is directly across the Rio Grande from Juarez MX and the characters move back and forth between countries sometimes in the midst of gunfire and cannons.
The main character has come to El Paso to try to find her missing husband. In the span of a couple weeks she makes friends, finds unhelpful people and makes the acquaintance of Revolutionaries such as Pancho Villa and his henchmen. El Paso is directly across the Rio Grande from Juarez MX and the characters move back and forth between countries sometimes in the midst of gunfire and cannons.
February 6, 2024
Women Writing the West recognized Death in the Time of Pancho Villa as a Willa Literary Award Finalist. Here is the book's description on Amazon:
"The in-laws are aghast when Rose Westmoreland boards a train alone, bound for the far edge of the country in search of her missing husband. Unthinkable for a lady in 1911. Now she's in El Paso, a city holding its breath, anticipating a spectacle. A decisive battle of the Mexican Revolution is about to erupt right across the Rio Grande. Rose's husband, Leonard, sent there by his employer, Stoneman Petroleum, apparently first went native, then disappeared, leaving behind a fiery mistress and rumors he was sent to offer the rebels money in exchange for favorable drilling rights.
Alone in this liminal place, Rose is befriended by two women, a retired thespian and a young Mexican expatriate, who suggest coping methods that would throw the folks back in Shaker Heights into a tizzy. A reporter recruits Rose, who is a talented amateur photographer, to immortalize the Mexican leaders: a sardonic, strawberry soda-sipping Pancho Villa and visionary Francisco Madero, who communes with the shades of Napoleon and Beníto Juárez.
Rose is caught up in the intrigue of the Revolution, the unfamiliar culture of the borderlands, and the deadly competition between international oil companies. When the only person to offer real information about Leonard is killed by what is, perhaps, a stray bullet, she finds her own life in danger. Her determination to uncover the truth reveals hidden secrets, calling into question everything she thought she knew about her life back home, and threatens the well-being of everyone she holds dear."
Death in the Time of Pancho Villa
"The in-laws are aghast when Rose Westmoreland boards a train alone, bound for the far edge of the country in search of her missing husband. Unthinkable for a lady in 1911. Now she's in El Paso, a city holding its breath, anticipating a spectacle. A decisive battle of the Mexican Revolution is about to erupt right across the Rio Grande. Rose's husband, Leonard, sent there by his employer, Stoneman Petroleum, apparently first went native, then disappeared, leaving behind a fiery mistress and rumors he was sent to offer the rebels money in exchange for favorable drilling rights.
Alone in this liminal place, Rose is befriended by two women, a retired thespian and a young Mexican expatriate, who suggest coping methods that would throw the folks back in Shaker Heights into a tizzy. A reporter recruits Rose, who is a talented amateur photographer, to immortalize the Mexican leaders: a sardonic, strawberry soda-sipping Pancho Villa and visionary Francisco Madero, who communes with the shades of Napoleon and Beníto Juárez.
Rose is caught up in the intrigue of the Revolution, the unfamiliar culture of the borderlands, and the deadly competition between international oil companies. When the only person to offer real information about Leonard is killed by what is, perhaps, a stray bullet, she finds her own life in danger. Her determination to uncover the truth reveals hidden secrets, calling into question everything she thought she knew about her life back home, and threatens the well-being of everyone she holds dear."
Death in the Time of Pancho Villa
July 26, 2024
I am new friends with the authors husband here on Goodreads. He saw I liked mysteries and asked me to give this book a read and see how I liked it.
This book sounds like an old school western a bit from its description, I was hesitant about reading it since that's not one of my favorite things to read. However, it doesn't read that way or have that feel at all. I am so glad I read it. It's actually a great mystery! I completely got wrapped up in the story of Rose and her search for her missing husband. The theory of why her husband Leonard went missing is so out in left field that I loved it. Plenty of twists and turns throughout the story to always keep you on your toes. And a big reveal and your head exploding from it at the end. Everything I love in a mystery. Her husband George is a historian and the real characters for the timeline were spot on. Even though their parts were completely fiction in the story. Props to George and Sandra for an excellent book. Very expertly written, a real page turner you don't want to put down. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
This book sounds like an old school western a bit from its description, I was hesitant about reading it since that's not one of my favorite things to read. However, it doesn't read that way or have that feel at all. I am so glad I read it. It's actually a great mystery! I completely got wrapped up in the story of Rose and her search for her missing husband. The theory of why her husband Leonard went missing is so out in left field that I loved it. Plenty of twists and turns throughout the story to always keep you on your toes. And a big reveal and your head exploding from it at the end. Everything I love in a mystery. Her husband George is a historian and the real characters for the timeline were spot on. Even though their parts were completely fiction in the story. Props to George and Sandra for an excellent book. Very expertly written, a real page turner you don't want to put down. I highly recommend this book to everyone.
August 11, 2021
I was given an advanced reader copy of Death in the Time of Pancho Villa when the novel first came out. Being from New Mexico, I was immediately interested in the topic as Pancho Villa is a notorious legend. Sandra Marshall brings Pancho Villa to life. Imagine a young woman, 26-years-old travelling from Ohio to El Paso, Texas in the year 1911, by train--unchaperoned. Rose Westmoreland has her hands full. Her husband has disappeared and Rose is out to find him. Her timing couldn't be worse, as she arrives on the eve of the Mexican Revolution.
Death in the Time of Pancho Villa (a Rose in Old El Paso Mystery #1) is filled with historical facts and real life personalities. The setting is amazing and I learned so much about this rich border history. I happily can recommend Death in the Time of Pancho Villa to historical fiction fans.
Death in the Time of Pancho Villa (a Rose in Old El Paso Mystery #1) is filled with historical facts and real life personalities. The setting is amazing and I learned so much about this rich border history. I happily can recommend Death in the Time of Pancho Villa to historical fiction fans.
March 2, 2021
I really liked this book. Looking forward to the next in the series!
September 25, 2020
A plot that sends a naïve young woman from the East into the wilds of the American West may have been done before too many times, but in the debut novel of archeologist and architectural historian Sandra Marshall it becomes a fresh, new thing. Marshall sends Rose Westmoreland west to El Paso in 1911—unaccompanied, which was scandalous in the day—to search for her husband who’s mysteriously gone missing on an assignment as a CPA. Rose, by turns bold and insecure and questioning, finds herself in the midst of the Mexican Revolution. Cameo appearances by Pancho Villa and Pascual Orozco add veracity to the careful research behind this story. Time and place are accurate here down to the tiniest detail. At first, I thought the indoctrination of Rose into border culture was a bit simplistic—I mean, who doesn’t recognize a tortilla? But then I realized that in 1911 a young woman from Ohio wouldn’t know a tortilla, wouldn’t expect alligators in the midst of a city, and wouldn’t know one word of Spanish..
Both historical fiction and a mystery rolled into one, this is a good read. A likely candidate for some regional awards. Watch for a sequel.
Both historical fiction and a mystery rolled into one, this is a good read. A likely candidate for some regional awards. Watch for a sequel.
September 21, 2020
very entertaining, I think I especially liked it because I have visited El Paso and Las Cruces and love historical fiction based there.
May 6, 2025
Fun read. The mystery was always present in the story line, but I loved the history of the time. The weaving of the historical characters was perfect. This is a fun read.
November 30, 2020
Death in the Time of Pancho Villa, a novel by Sandra Marshall, blends the Mexican Revolution’s real-life people and facts together with compelling fictional characters and situations. The story takes place in the Texas/Mexico border town of El Paso, 1911.
Rose Westmoreland travels by train from Ohio in search of her missing husband, Leonard. His well-to-do parents are disapproving of a woman traveling alone, but Rose must know what has happened, good or bad. All Rose knows is that Leonard, an accountant, was sent to El Paso by his employer to audit the company books, and a short time later he disappeared.
Rose is fortunate to find a woman’s boarding house where she is befriended by the owner and another guest, a young Mexican expatriate. The three women plot together how Rose might find her husband. The further she delves into the mystery, the more complicated and dangerous the situation becomes. As it happens, Rose’s arrival coincides with a critical Mexican revolutionary battle that takes place in Juárez, directly across the Rio Grande River.
Rose’s investigation gets even more puzzling when it appears her husband’s reason for being there was far more complicated than auditing books. Drilling rights among competing international oil companies enter the fray and Rose’s situation becomes even more dire as she gets closer to the truth.
I very much enjoyed Death in the Time of Pancho Villa, the first in “A Rose in Old El Paso” series. The author weaves historical people and events into a realistic, captivating mystery. When I’m reading fiction, I always enjoy learning more about real- life characters and the author’s portrayal of Francisco "Pancho" Villa, a Mexican revolutionary general, made me want to learn more about him.
Rose Westmoreland travels by train from Ohio in search of her missing husband, Leonard. His well-to-do parents are disapproving of a woman traveling alone, but Rose must know what has happened, good or bad. All Rose knows is that Leonard, an accountant, was sent to El Paso by his employer to audit the company books, and a short time later he disappeared.
Rose is fortunate to find a woman’s boarding house where she is befriended by the owner and another guest, a young Mexican expatriate. The three women plot together how Rose might find her husband. The further she delves into the mystery, the more complicated and dangerous the situation becomes. As it happens, Rose’s arrival coincides with a critical Mexican revolutionary battle that takes place in Juárez, directly across the Rio Grande River.
Rose’s investigation gets even more puzzling when it appears her husband’s reason for being there was far more complicated than auditing books. Drilling rights among competing international oil companies enter the fray and Rose’s situation becomes even more dire as she gets closer to the truth.
I very much enjoyed Death in the Time of Pancho Villa, the first in “A Rose in Old El Paso” series. The author weaves historical people and events into a realistic, captivating mystery. When I’m reading fiction, I always enjoy learning more about real- life characters and the author’s portrayal of Francisco "Pancho" Villa, a Mexican revolutionary general, made me want to learn more about him.
December 2, 2021
Very entertaining mystery with lots of interesting historical events, setting details and people.
May 11, 2024
Great book!
September 12, 2024
This book was recommended to me. I loved how Rose is from my hometown. Hoping for more books.
November 28, 2022
I’ve spent a lot of time studying the Mexican Revolution and was pleased to discover Pancho Villa is a character in the book and not just a name in the title.
Fast-paced and plausible, the story takes place in El Paso, Texas, when the Mexican Revolution is about to erupt on the city’s doorstep. This is the “first” revolution, when war was still a romantic notion for both Mexicans and Americans, not the violent civil war Mexico had to slog through before peace was restored and a stable government installed.
Quirky, memorable characters fill the novel. Rose is not a heroine to sit back and wring her hands. She places herself in the thick of things. Her housemates, Marty and Louisa, are unique in every way and raise Rose’s eyebrows on more than one occasion. Pancho Villa and many other historical figures come alive on the novel’s pages. The author may have given Villa a bigger role in the book than he actually played. I can’t decide. The memoirs and histories I’ve read give me conflicting impressions. Aside from that, I believe the story stays true to the facts as they happened.
Another thing that makes Death in the Time of Pancho especially noteworthy is the role of photographers in the plot. The Mexican Revolution was when photographers became important in reporting about conflicts. Before then, photographs in newspapers were staged.
One thing disappointed me. The cover states this is “A Rose in Old El Paso Mystery,” so I assumed there would be more books in the series. Unfortunately, there have not been thus far. I would have enjoyed reading more about Rose and her exploits.
Fast-paced and plausible, the story takes place in El Paso, Texas, when the Mexican Revolution is about to erupt on the city’s doorstep. This is the “first” revolution, when war was still a romantic notion for both Mexicans and Americans, not the violent civil war Mexico had to slog through before peace was restored and a stable government installed.
Quirky, memorable characters fill the novel. Rose is not a heroine to sit back and wring her hands. She places herself in the thick of things. Her housemates, Marty and Louisa, are unique in every way and raise Rose’s eyebrows on more than one occasion. Pancho Villa and many other historical figures come alive on the novel’s pages. The author may have given Villa a bigger role in the book than he actually played. I can’t decide. The memoirs and histories I’ve read give me conflicting impressions. Aside from that, I believe the story stays true to the facts as they happened.
Another thing that makes Death in the Time of Pancho especially noteworthy is the role of photographers in the plot. The Mexican Revolution was when photographers became important in reporting about conflicts. Before then, photographs in newspapers were staged.
One thing disappointed me. The cover states this is “A Rose in Old El Paso Mystery,” so I assumed there would be more books in the series. Unfortunately, there have not been thus far. I would have enjoyed reading more about Rose and her exploits.
July 28, 2021
I really enjoyed this book. It has a wonderful combination of action, history, and humor. It takes place in El Paso Texas in the early 20th century. I live 35 miles away and found it very authentic to our border community. Rose is a believable heroine and the other characters all come alive with Sandra Marshall's writing. I'm looking forward to the next story with Rose.
Displaying 1 - 15 of 15 reviews