A panther pursuit adventure

This is a campfire story on steroids.

It is so much fun!

I need to have children so that I can have the enjoyment of reading this book to them.

It’s a big adventure with big characters.

The setting is 1860s Texas shortly after the Civil War.

Benjamin and his tenacious sister, Sam, are hunting a panther known as El Demonio de Dos Dedos (the demon with two toes). This is the very same panther which scarred Sam’s face and killed her mother.

As Sam and Benjamin pursue the panther, they are pursued by a villainous Confederate soldier. Clarence Hanlin wants revenge and money, since Sam shot off his finger you see.

The story is told in Benjamin’s voice, complete with an authentic twang.

Elizabeth Crook’s storytelling is best described as clever. Beautifully, exceptionally clever.

The scraggly characters are charming and funny.

The plot kept surprising me around every turn. It is fast moving with a natural flow and balance. It’s light-hearted but with enough gore to make you squeal ‘ewww!’

And the ending! Very satisfying, a little poignant, and still makes you wish for more.

5 out of 5 dedos del demonio

FYI: Sam is mixed race; racial slurs and reference to her low social status are mentioned a handful of times.

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