"As told by the Kidd sisters in 1867, Josie and Clementine, on the occasions of murder and romance, tragedy and redemption, not necessarily in that order, but their true account, to the best of their recollection." I had a blast writing this historical mystery inspired by verses from the American folksong, "My Darling Clementine." It won the 2010 Idaho choice for the National Book Festival in Washington, D.C., sponsored by the Library of Congress, under the title My Darlin' Clementine.
Summary: Sixteen-year-old Clementine Kidd dreams of becoming a doctor. But her hopes are complicated by the lawlessness of a mining town in 1866 Idaho Territory, prejudice against the Chinese, and the affections of handsome Boone Reno. When tragedy strikes, a chain of desperate events is unleashed. What must Clementine risk to save her family and follow her dreams?
[excerpt]: It was long after midnight, but saloons were still aglow. Cigar smoke drifted out over their swinging doors, along with music from fiddles and pianos. As I hurried past in the shadows, I could see flashes of color from the dance girls, their dresses a-twirl with plenty of petticoat. Where Main Street turned into the road leading out of town, my path once again was in darkness. When I came around the bend, I wished I had stayed in the cabin with my mother and sister.