Book Review
The Adventures of Johnny Vermillion
By LOREN D. ESTLEMAN
The cover of The Adventures of Johnny Vermillion says helpfully that Loren Estleman is a "five-star Spur Award winner." I confess that I do not know what the Spur Award is, but I think we can figure it out. Estleman also writes a good mystery novel, but this is the first western of his that I have read. Obviously, I've been missing out.

Johnny Vermillion is an actor and leader of an acting troupe in the notso wild West. He is also a bank robber. The author's tongue is firmly in his cheek, as they say, and the reader is on the side of these criminals because they are so charming and engaging. The group is composed of Johnny, April Clay (who plays the heroine), Major Evelyn Davies, Mme. Elizabeth Mort- Davies, and Mr. Cornelius Ragland.

Before narrating how Johnny gathers his unusual gang, Estleman sets the scene: "It was the West of legend . . . where red-lacquer Concords barreled down the western face of the Divide, pulled by teams of six with eyes rolling white, whips cracking like Winchesters above their heads. . . ." "The U.S. Cavalry was invincible, and bandits and gunfighters were celebrities. . . ." "This was Johnny Vermillion's West; a West that should have been, but never quite was."

The towns that the Prairie Rose Repertory Company visits are thrilled to be entertained by such a talented group. They are especially enchanted by Miss April Clay. She was "a dainty daub, in the language of the day; a strawberry blonde with skin like milk, dressed to the fashion in a tweed traveling suit and cape, with an adorable little hat pinned to her upswept hair."

The local newspapers extol the performances. "The review would have claimed the entire first column had not someone robbed the Pioneers Bank & Trust midway through the second act." No one seems to make the connection, though occasionally the local sheriff searches their baggage just to make sure. Of course, nothing untoward is found.

However, those newspaper articles are of interest to the other main character in this saga. Far away in Chicago, a man is collecting interesting data. On his office door we may read, "Pinkerton National Detective Agency." As Estleman says, "Well, you knew it had to make its appearance sometime." Philip Rittenhouse is not charming or handsome, but he is clever and careful, and he is soon on the track of the Prairie Rose Company.

The plot thickens yet again with the entrance of the Ace-in-the-Hole Gang, who happen to be on much the same route as Johnny and his friends. They are neither charming nor lovable and will soon tangle with our favorites Don's suppose, either, that you will be on the side of the law, but we do not want Black Jack Brixton of this gang to triumph. He is clearly a dastardly villain.

"This is an entertainment, and not a historical tale." Enjoy The Adventures of Johnny Vermillion. It is available at the Mary Willis Library.

Reader Comments

No comments have been posted. Be the first!

Other Stories With Comments:
Article	Comments
The Office Cat	2
Neighborhood vandalism is out of control	1
The Office Cat	1
Drug problem growing; little is being done	1
The Office Cat	1
Family escapes death in semi hit-and-run	1
Feed a family of four for $10 a week	1