Painted Women (Warbonnet Mysteries Book 2)

Malone never intended to become a lawman. We don't know what their futures hold, but we do know they will handle it well.

Despite their differences, they are both intrepid. You read through the story in a single setting because you care about what happens to Monday Malone and Kate Shaw. Indeed, all the characters are endearing. In Painted Women , Monday's brother only by adoption as Monday was taken in by the family who swindled him out of his inheritance is in jail in Laramie accused of murdering a "painted woman" or "soiled dove" at the local brothel. Monday is not surprised that Tom seems headed to a bad end, and his initial response is to let the law take its course. But Kate, as always, urges him to search his conscience.

Monday goes to see Tom who admits he was so drunk that he doesn't know if he murdered the woman or not. Monday's investigation leads him to believe Tom is innocent. Finding the truth proves tricky as does wrestling with demons from his past. Painted Women has something for everyone - humor a case of switched ladies frillies is classically funny , adventure in Yellowstone, and Albert Bierstadt and Thomas Moran.

Kate thinks of becoming a Painted Women in the sense of an artist's model, not a saloon girl. There are bad guys you love to hate, innocence, love, courage, and more atmospherics than an Annie Oakley traveling show. Malone has matured in this story, but he is not yet the man he is destined to be. I hope there are many forthcoming volumes to be enjoyed. Orenduff, author of The Pot Thief. Rob Kresge expertly weaves terrific characters, mystery, and Old West Wyoming into a plot that kept me turning the pages in this latest adventure featuring small-town schoolteacher Kate Shaw and Marshal Monday Malone.

An author to watch. Nobody has a better feel for murder and mayhem in the Old West than this master of high country crime! As with most romances, Kate and Monday have conflicting goals, and other potential beaus come into the mix. However, by the end of this first installment in the series, there is at least a promise of Kate and Monday someday getting together as a couple, the killer has been identified and dealt with, and they are making a pact to never get into this situation again.

Looking forward to reading the next installment. Murder for Greenhorns is a clever and funny romp through the Old West where bad guys abound and must be stopped from committing murder. For outdoor mystery, or just good old-fashioned storytelling, take a ride with Kate and Monday and experience the real West. So great, in fact, that it did something I didn't think any book could do - change my mind about an entire genre.

I've gone from just liking historicals to being a big fan. Now I know why. Virgil Cole and Everett Hitch seem like characters from a Spenser novel victimized by time travel. Parker was too good a writer to make an obvious mistake like having them use contemporary slang or use a gadget not yet invented at that time, but there is something about their demeanor that blocked the disbelief I am usually able to suspend.

His work made me realize that an authentic historical can be a great read. And when it comes to the old west, Kresge does it better than Parker. Kresge did all the research required to get the horses, six-shooters, food, dress, wagons, miners, buildings, soldiers, music, dances, and every other detail of life in that era correct.

More importantly, he captures the ethos of the people and the time, and that is the charm of the book. All his characters are well-drawn, even the youngsters, something many authors struggle with. Monday Malone is a cowboy headed to Montana looking for work. Kate Shaw is the beautiful young woman from back East traveling to Warbonnet to be the town's first teacher.

Sam Taggart is a lawman who will be the little town's first marshal. Taggart is to accompany Miss Shaw on the ride from Laramie. It is not a plot spoiler to say that romance eventually blooms.

You know this from the start, and seeing the twists and turns along the way is part of what makes the reading so much fun. About halfway to Warbonnet, Sam Taggart is gunned down by an unseen assailant using a long-range rifle. Help us improve our Author Pages by updating your bibliography and submitting a new or current image and biography. Learn more at Author Central. Popularity Popularity Featured Price: Low to High Price: High to Low Avg. Saving Lincoln Dec 03, Available for download now. Available to ship in days. Only 1 left in stock - order soon. Only 3 left in stock - order soon.

Only 1 left in stock more on the way. Painted Women by Robert Kresge Provide feedback about this page. There's a problem loading this menu right now.

This book was no exception, and that was disappointing. On the plus side, no matter your gender, this book should interest you. It has both a strong female and male protagonist. There is some social commentary that applies even to today's issues in this story, but it's not enough to turn a person off. And because this is set in the mid's, the characters are antiquated in their social and by default, race, beliefs. This issues can turn me off, but because it is a period piece, I can accept that, especially since Kate is smart, intelligent and struggles internally with herself about these topics.

All in all, a great escapism read. Even if you don't normally like Westerns, you'll probably like this one.

Account Options

A a pretty fast read too! A solid three stars. Sep 16, Timothy VanderWall rated it liked it Shelves: A nice mystery, but not as good as the first one. I will probably read the third book in the series though. Joseph Badal rated it it was amazing Mar 29, Jean rated it liked it Jun 10, Joseph Badal rated it it was amazing Sep 26, Avid Series Reader marked it as to-read Mar 18, Tracy Brogan marked it as to-read Aug 21, Priscilla marked it as to-read Nov 08, Ashley marked it as to-read Apr 06, Leo Laursen marked it as to-read Apr 19, Garrett-delre Kringen added it Apr 22, L-D added it Apr 27, Cindy marked it as to-read May 09, Jerry G added it Jun 01, Courtney marked it as to-read Jan 21, Delre added it Jan 16,