History and Mystery Part II in Colorado's Cloud City. It's the summer of 1880 in Leadville, Colorado, and the battle over which railroad will build the line through the Royal Gorge and into Leadville is over. Or is it? Inez Stannert's good friend Susan is taking photos in the country and witnesses a murder and sabotage along the new rail line. Or does she? Where did the bodies go? Or were there any bodies there at all? President Grant is coming to town on the new rail, are some disgruntled Civil War veterans planning murder? Or is the sabotage being planned by a competing railroad line? Once again saloon owner Inez Stannert is thrown into an ever changing mystery, as one clue turns up another after another, keeping you on the edge of your seat until the final end, as she brings this sky high city and the old west to life. I enjoyed the added twist of the disgruntled Civil War veterans still suffering from the effects of that horrific war, and their involvement in the mysterious plot against Ulysses S. Grant and the new rail lines, and most especially the added wrinkles to the character of the mysterious Reverend Sands. I hope this author continues with more books on Inez, as there is still one big puzzle still left untold at the end of this book. I want more
This was assigned as this month's book club read. Having read (and had issues with) the first book, I was pleased that this one addressed some of the things that made me dislike Inez. I still didn't like her a whole lot--the book began with her wanting very much to have her son back, which is a trait that I like to see in a mother, but it fizzed to nothing. Again. The author did show us Inez's love of men, but juggling two in this book, even while she's still technically married didn't add to her likability. And how convenient for Susan to disappear from the storyline until she was needed to explain the solution to the mystery.The writing was good, with good descriptions and imagery. I still found it stilted and slow, which may be in keeping with the language of the times.
What do You think about Iron Ties (2006)?
The second book, Iron Ties, in her Silver Rush mysteries is just as entertaining as the first. I like the way she weaves history and fiction together in a plot that keeps you engaged. She does an excellent job bringing her characters alive; you wonder what they are going to say and do next. While I figured out some of the plot there was enough left I did not to keep me reading through the last page. Well done and a darn good read. Preston Holtry, author Death in Emily 3; Amazon books/Kindle: http://presholtry.webs.com
—Preston Holtry
Book 2 of a really great series (so far). Inez is a complex woman and her choices are not easy ones. She's torn between being independent and becoming more involved with someone she cares about. And always in her mind is the husband who disappeared from her life without a trace...and her family that doesn't accept her (and are they trying to keep her away from her son?). Add a mysterious explosion and haunting memories from the Civil War and you've got a mystery with lots of questions and few answers. I enjoy Parker's writing style and the fact that she includes real places and people in her books. Looking forward to book 3.
—Mirah W
Ann Parker's tales of the Leadville, Colorado community in the 1880's follow Inez Stannert, part-owner of the Silver Queen saloon, through her personal trials and the most inconvenient murders, this time just as President Grant visits in celebration of the intercontinental railroad. Parker captures the emotions of the times as Grant's visit stirs up Civil War memories and conflicts lying just under the surface of day-to-day life...and sometimes right in the thick of the day. IRON TIES is the second in the Silver Rush series and finds Inez struggling to save a friend's life, sort out the truth about her errant husband, and the overtures of the local minister. She does all this while building her business, solving a murder and worrying about her infant son, sent east to becared for by family. Parker's many threaded tales unite in a superb read.
—Arletta Dawdy
