Dust Devils of the Purple Sage

Purple Sage Mystery #2

by Barbara Burnett Smith

Dust Devils Of The Purple Sage by Barbara Burnett Smith released on Feb 21, 1997 is available now for purchase.

Genres: Mystery, Cozy Mystery

256 pages, Paperback

First published October 9, 1995

About the author

The late Austin (TX) author Barbara Burnett Smith is best known for her novels set in the fictional Texas town of Purple Sage. She wrote cozies. Titles of her books were taken from Zane Grey book titles and slightly modified.

A friend of hers, Jan Grape, says, "You don't want to make someone sound absolutely perfect, but Barbara was." She is greatly missed by the mystery writers community and her friends.

On February 19, 2005, Barbara and her husband, Gary Petry, drove to San Antonio to rescue an Airedale terrier. On the way back, they stopped at a local mystery bookstore and the dog jumped out of the car. But they had difficulty coaxing him back. It was dark and raining, and Smith, who was wearing dark clothing, stepped into the street. She was hit by a car and taken to the hospital, where she was pronounced brain-dead. On Sunday, in accordance with her wishes, her organs were donated to others.

Smith wrote mysteries, taught mystery writing, and worked as voice-over talent on Austin radio commercials. She also owned Catalyst Training & Development, a company that ran communication training classes and workshops. She was a former president of the international Sisters In Crime literary group.

Cooper, author of the Texas-based E. J. Pugh and Kimmey Kruse series of mysteries, who first became friends with Smith in 1989, remembers that she had a powerful effect on the Black Shoes. "One thing Barbara said going in was that she didn't want to do this group unless anything negative that was said, something positive had to be said to balance it out. And she was absolutely right. It was the most successful group I've ever been in. We were able to concentrate not just on the negative, as so often happens in writing groups, but on what was working, too."

Smith, whose real name was Barbara Jo Petry, is survived by her husband Gary, her son W.D., three stepdaughters, nine grandchildren and step-grandchildren and her brother, Bruce.

Reviews

[Joy Gerbode · Rating 4 out of 5]

I'm having a hard time rating this book. I found the story quite interesting and the characters were either appropriately very likable or very unlikable. The story moved smoothly, with just enough background info to fill it in. I loved that there weren't a dozen or so suspects for the murder ... but although I seemed to enjoy the book, my mind kept drifting off and I had trouble staying with it. It may have been the cave, the scenery, the old house ... all daydream material. Toward the end as things got more intense with the mystery, I really enjoyed the story, and I was especially pleased with the way the book ended.

[Linda C · Rating 4 out of 5]

Jolie Wyatt has a part time job doing the news on KSGE radio in Purple Sage, TX. When local bad boy James Jorgenson escapes from prison with the help of his sister and is presumed to be heading to Purple Sage, the town gets involved in his search. Then a well liked friend of Jolie's son, Jeremy, is murdered. Jeremy starts visiting the victim's friends asking for comments for a memorial article, but finding there was more to Tim than he knew. All this while a tornado is coming their way. Really good story. Like this series a lot.

[Lyn Soulia-Smith · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was a moving book that affects her son and she must help him deal with a loss. Good book with good characters.

[Barb · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second instalment in the Late Barbara Burnett Smith's Jolie Wyatt Mystery Series. Jolie is back with her ex-husband and has a job as a reporter at the local radio station. When a local bay escapes from prison and is expected to head back to his home, the population is on edge. When a young college student is found murdered, most people assume the escapee is the culprit, but those who know him best swear he would never have done it. As a reporter, Jolie finds herself right in the middle of the investigation, which lands her is some serious danger. Even at 20 years old, Dust Devils of the Purple Sage is a tightly plotted, vividly depicted, and truly Texas tale. It's worth the read, for sure.

[Caroline · Rating 4 out of 5]

I've been wanting this book for a long time and finally got it from Paperback Swap! I love Barbara Burnett Smith's books. Was hoping to meet her at my first Malice but unfortunately, she passed in (I think) February of that year. Besides the Purple Sage series, she also did several books in the Kitzi Camden series about beading. If you ever find any of her books, I highly recommend them! Humor, loving characters and great settings.

[Grace · Rating 3 out of 5]

It was okay. I can't put my finger on it. There is something a little uneven in her writing. Sometimes the flow, the characters, the dialogue is smooth and good. And other times, not so much. Maybe it's me.

[Helen Fleischer · Rating 4 out of 5]

very tense climax

[Melanie · Rating 3 out of 5]

Pretty decent mystery considering I paid $1 for it at Half Price Books. I loved the setting of the Texas Hill Country...

[Zachary · Rating 2 out of 5]

Good. Not as good as Writers of Purple Sage. I didn't feel like I had a good chance to guess who the killer was. Still enjoyable.