A fiction book rarely manages to both entertain and educate simultaneously. George Pintar has done so. There is enough information about the history, culture, and economy of the famous ghost town of Madrid, New Mexico, to whet the reader's appetite to want more.Once-bustling Madrid provides the backdrop of the early days of frontier-glory and problems. Now, don't you think knowing the quirks and grit of those individuals who lived there is significant to New Mexico's history?Pintar was able to weave information about Mexican weddings, gold-mining, slavery, camels in New Mexico, and the sombrero's importance into a fascinating read.The author uses questions to lead the storyteller into an intriguing set of ideas that will fascinate the reader.Solving the 1850 murder takes a backseat the whys and wherefores of New Mexico's history, culture, and economy.