Friday, 27 March 2015

STARK HOLBORN - NUNSLINGER 2: THE GOOD, THE BAD AND THE PENITENT (2013)


Synopsis/blurb…..

The year is 1864. Sister Thomas Josephine is on her way from St Louis, Missouri, to Sacramento, California. During the course of her journey, however, she'll find that her faith requires her to take off her wimple and pick up a gun...

NUNSLINGER Book II relates the true tale of how Sister Thomas Josephine of St Louis, Missouri, comes to be wanted for murder and faces the hangman's noose in Carson City, Nevada. Only by relying on the help of an armload of fancy women and a wily old friend does she have any hope for escape!

Another 60 page episode and another blast, as our heroine rides straight out of one crisis and into another. Sister Josephine rocks up in a backwater settlement and happens upon a young starving child who is heavily pregnant. A blast from a shotgun leaves our bride of Christ sitting in prison, awaiting certain execution – especially as the dead child rapist, Wade happens to be the brother of our local lawman – Sheriff Paxton.

Intervention in the form of some curious and kind-hearted good-time girls and a fire at the jail sees our nun, taking refuge at the local knocking shop. With Paxton incensed and tearing around the town trying to recapture our nun, fortune temporarily shines on our nun, as Abe Muir (remember him from episode 1? Outlaw, deserter, nun kidnapper and enemy of Lieutenant Carthy) happens to be enjoying the attentions of some of the local beauties.

Coitus interruptus and the unlikely pair attempt to flee town again, only for disaster to strike. Sister Josephine soon finds herself back in clink and Paxton is determined to have his revenge.

Another 4 from 5 and another notch on the scoreboard.

Ex-Net Galley expiree – cum - Library copy with 2 instalments down and 10 episodes to go.

Stark Holborn (who are you?) has a website here and is on Twitter  @starkholborn


       

8 comments:

  1. Sister Josephine sounds like just a great character, Col! And this story sounds gritty, but at the same time a great Western story. Glad you enjoyed it.

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    1. Cheers Margot - I think I'll enjoy these tales on and off over the next few weeks

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  2. The nun is pulling me in - that's what they're meant to do isn't it? (Though more into religion than crime fiction of course.)

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    1. I quite expected you would have over-taken me by now - I have been dawdling on it of late! Did I mention the rosary beads?

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  3. Col, I hope I can lay my hands on physical copies of both books one and two.

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    1. Prashant, I'm unsure if the individual episodes can be bought as print pieces or if they are just digitally available. My paperback from the library has all 12 combined.

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  4. I like the cover (of the paperback) a lot. But so far, the story is not calling to me.

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    1. Should have used a skull, obviously, haha

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