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Seashells in the Desert

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Seashells in the Desert

By Susan Tornga A Crossover Novel from

WhoooDoo Mysteries and SUNDOWNERS

Divisions of Treble Heart Books

I love historical novels, and am especially fond of those that revive a way of life long gone. Susan Tonga, with Seashells in the Desert, does just that with Tessa Crane, a Harvey Girl.

Having just watched "The Harvey Girls" movie again, I find Susan's yarn of life as a Harvey Girl to be much more in keeping with "the way it was" than the musical extravaganza pitting Angela Landsbury (wicked saloon girl) against Judy Garland (virtuous Harvey Girl).

Not only is this a Historical Western, it is also a mystery, so who could ask for more?

Tessa Crane is a waitress in the Winslow, Arizona, Harvey House restaurant, one of a chain set up by the innovative Fred Harvey to serve fine dining to passengers of the fledgling Santa Fe Railway. She gets embroiled in a murder when an elegant female passenger is found dead in an alleyway, and her roommate's brother is suspected.

I enjoyed reading this book, finding only one flaw that I would call a touch of revisionist history. Ms. Tornga has Tessa rooming with Lupe, a local Hispanic girl. Right or wrong, in the world of Fred Harvey, only "well-mannered, educated, white women, 18 to 30 years of age, of good character," need apply. While Susan does make note that Lupe is only allowed to work in the kitchen and not as a waitress, I seriously doubt Mr. Harvey would have allowed the mixing of races in the strictly run dorms. I also wonder that two girls escaped the legendery eagle eyes of the dorm mothers in order to run loose all night, but then, girls will be girls.

Historical PC aside, this a book worth reading.

If you love historical novels of the American West in the late 1800s you'll thoroughly enjoy Seashells in the Desert. Not only is the story an intriguing murder mystery, but it also takes place in the fascinating world of Fred Harvey who brought elegance in dining to travellers in the rugged, underdeveloped western states. Susan Tornga has cleverly woven an exciting tale around Tessa, the heroine, with lots of colorful and lively description about her life as a Harvey girl, making it a refreshingly easy read.

After I finished this book I had a great desire to find out more about those courageous women who helped bring a slice of civilization and a touch of class to the Wild, Wild, West. I'm hoping there will be a sequel to Seashells in the Desert.