Pecos Valley Revival – 5 Stars

Alice Duncan

Five Star, 2011, 216 Pages

ISBN No. 978-1-59414-926-9

Life is good for Annabelle Blue, resident of Rosedale, New Mexico.  The only flaw in Annabelle’s life is her twelve-year-old brother, Jack, who can’t seem to stay out of trouble and tends to get on Annabelle’s nerves.  Phil Gunderson, Annabelle’s beau, has never been attracted to anyone but Annabelle but that is all about to change.

It is October 1923 and lots of excitement in Rosedale.  The fall cattle drive is in full swing.  The fall rodeo to be held at the Gunderson ranch is ready to get underway.   The most exciting news to everyone but Annabelle is the tent revival led by Reverend Milo Strickland.  Reverend Strickland is accompanied by his sister Esther. Esther has a beautiful singing voice and the looks of angel.  All the men seem to be captivated by Esther including Phil Gundersen.

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Annabelle tries to keep her thoughts regarding Esther to herself and manages to enjoy the rodeo with her best friend, Myrtle Hall, and the rest of her family. Then tragedy strikes.  Kenny Sawyer, one of the stars of the rodeo suddenly becomes ill and dies.  Kenny’s is the first sudden death in Rosedale but not the last.

Determined to figure out what is happening in her little town, Annabelle begins her own investigation and soon uncovers the murderer. 

The reader soon feels as though Annabelle is a close friend and understands her frustrations, aggravations and insecurities.  Alice Duncan takes her readers, sets them down in the town of Rosedale, and makes the reader feel as though they reside in Rosedale, 1923.

Reviewed by Patricia E. Reid