The Search for Temperance Moon [Paperback]

Douglas C. Jones (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: April 1994

The suspects were tried and the case of the murder of Temperence Moon, legendary female outlaw, was closed. But the mystery of Temperence's violent death is far from solved as far as her daughter, Jewel Moon, is concerned. Here is a page-turning mystery that brings the post-Civil War frontier vividly to life.

Editorial Reviews

From Publishers Weekly

Again proving himself master of his craft, Jones ( Come Winter ) contributes another outstanding novel set in the American West. This adroitly written story of murder, revenge, frontier culture and history takes place in Arkansas and the Indian Nations territory of the early 1890s. Celebrated madam Temperance Moon has been brutally slain. Her daughter, bordello superstar Jewel Moon, is dissatisfied with the purported resolution of the crime and, although the case has been proclaimed closed by "hanging judge" Isaac Parker of the Federal District Court in Ft. Smith, she hires former U.S. deputy marshall Oscar Schiller--debadged because he shot up a whorehouse while in a drunken rage--to investigate further. Oscar engages the services of an extraordinarily talented array of individuals on both sides of the law, who help him ferret out the real culprits. Witty, literate, resounding with employ ing ear-perfect dialect, and thoroughly absorbing, the novel excels as a depiction of the rapidly vanishing frontier, accurately reflecting the interaction of whites and Native Americans, the rising dominance of railroads and the devotion of rough-and-tough lawmen to their duties. Not least among the author's stellar achievements is his full-bodied, insightful character portrayal, as Oscar and his motley crew pursue justice in their inimitable and picturesque ways.
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From School Library Journal

YA-- The time is 1892 in Fort Smith, Arkansas, and Oscar Schiller has just been hired to find the killer of the "legendary outlaw queen, Temperance Moon." The murder happened years ago, and the federal authorities felt justice had been done, but now that doesn't seem to have been the case. Jones spins a tale in which justice triumphs over duplicity in one of the last territories to be "civilized." He brings the post-Civil War Great Plains world to life with his vivid characters: Asians, Indians, whites, ladies of pleasure, politicians, pillars of the community, railroaders, drifters--all contribute to the rich tapestry that was the American frontier. An intriguing and well-documented story. --Dolores M. Steinhauer, Thomas Jefferson Sci-Tech, Fairfax County, VA
Copyright 1991 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 400 pages
• Publisher: Harpercollins (Mm) (April 1994)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0061007552
• ISBN-13: 978-0061007552
• Product Dimensions: 6.8 x 4.1 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 10.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #776,215 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Excellent period feel and well drawn characters, July 12, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: The Search for Temperance Moon (Paperback)

The Search for Temperance Moon presents an outstanding look into the turn of the century west, and Jones presents life in the Indian Territory and neighboring Arkansas through an intricate and fascinating mystery. Jones' writing, although stylistically different from the Caleb Carr in The Alienest, evokes a similar feel and submerses the reader into the time and place of his story. Additionally, Jones' characters are rich and well-drawn with the personality of the title character acting as a omnipresent ghost throughout. Of particular interest are the living women characters -- Jewel Moon and Tishacomsie Redstripe. These women are refreshingly strong characters and make the book a real page-turner. The only negative about the book is the somewhat quick resolution in the trial phase of the underlying mystery. However, the ultimate uncertainty of who was telling the truth leaves the reader with alot to chew on well after the book is finished. All in all a great summer read.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent narrative and historical content., January 15, 1999

By 

[e-mail] (Central Oregon Coast) - See all my reviews

This review is from: The Search for Temperance Moon (Paperback)

This book was simply delightful in plot, narrative and historical content. An exetremely well done period piece!