Longshot into the West by Keith R. Baker

Longshot Into The West by Keith R. Baker

[image error]I have noticed that men write a lot of detail and for history buffs who wants to learn about the Pinkerton Agency and the West during 1862-1863, this book will appeal to them.

Plenty of real characters are sprinkled among the fictional ones.

Baker shares backstories for most of his main characters, and they read like family histories recorded in family genealogy accounts.

The basic story is about Rob Finn, a Union sharpshooter who works for Alan Pinkerton and is given an assignment to go west and find out if gold is being shipped to the Confederacy by the knights of the Gold Circle.

The story focuses more on the journey than any story plot. He hires Lonnie, a free black man, and a young William Cody as a guide. They experience a buffalo hunt and Indian guides replace Cody, who wants to join the Union army. Rob is mauled by a bear and is treated by the Indians for a brain bleed. They meet Henry Plummer and hire him to oversee gold shipments, completing his mission. Back home he has to resolve personal matters with his stepdaughter and choose one woman to marry after his sweetheart marries another.

Baker conveys the events in a matter-fact manner like a family history or memoir would be written, but it doesn’t contain the elements of a story with a conflict, climax, and resolution. Those looking for a history lesson will like the book. Those looking to connect to Rob may be disappointed.