The P. K. Pinkerton Mysteries: The Case of the Deadly Desperados

Virginia City in 1862 is a mining camp sitting above a rich vein of silver in America's Wild West. It's a dangerous place, full of gamblers, hurdy girls and gunmen - all of them on the make!

When twelve year-old P.K. Pinkerton arrives there, homeless, penniless and hunted, things don't look good. But P.K. soon finds allies in Sam Clemens, a newspaper reporter, Poker Face Jace, a gambler who can tell when someone is bluffing, and Ping, a Chinese photographer's apprentice. With the help of these friends - and armed with a Smith & Wesson seven-shooter and a knack for disguises - P.K. takes on the tricksters and desperados and tries to become a detective.

Fast, furious and funny - an utterly entertaining mystery adventure from an author who knows exactly how to grip and thrill her readers.

Winner of Lancashire School Library Service Fantastic Book Award 2013 (UK)
Short-listed for Shrewsbury Children's Book Award 2012 (UK)
Short-listed for The Hillingdon Primary School Book of the Year Award 2012 (UK)

“What we have here is a rip-roaring tale of the Wild West, with tons of credible local colour, a bunch of villains every bit as wicked as those to be found in Ancient Rome, and a likeable lead character... Original, intriguing, and a lot of fun, this book is well worth reading.”

I Love, Love, LOVE it!!!! Pinky is a wonderful creation - authentic and lovable. It's exciting (I love all the cliffhangers) and funny and sometimes truly moving. - Sophie McKenzie, author of Girl, Missing

Scalpings, six shooters, saloons and stage coaches. Clear your calendar because you'll want to read this in a single sitting! - Robert Muchamore, author of the Cherub series

- THE BOOKBAG

Lawrence swaps Ancient Rome for the whip-cracking Wild West in a new historical series. The Western Mysteries is set in an 1860s mining camp, which sees 12-year-old P K Pinkerton determined to outwit the outlaws and become a detective. The Roman Mysteries have an outstanding track record. - THE BOOKSELLER

I enjoyed this rip-roaring, yee-hah adventure and I particularly liked the characters... I really liked this book! - FIRST NEWS - Delilah Ferry-Swainson, age 11

I felt like I had stepped instantly back into Virginia City, right into the middle of a gun fight. I could almost hear the gun shots... this book is extremely detailed and keeps you on your toes the whole way through. The chapters are short, sharp and each one is finished off with an excellent cliff-hanger. All the characters come alive... - SERENDIPITY BLOG

A gripping yarn, ideally suited for boys or girls aged 9+ - WE LOVE THIS BOOK

Pinky is one of the most engaging heroes I have come across. - TELEGRAPH

Caroline Lawrence is American. She won a scholarship to Cambridge to read Classical Archaeology, then did a degree in Hebrew and Jewish Studies at University College, London. She lives with her husband, a graphic designer, by the river in London and is active as a speaker in schools and at book festivals. She is the winner of the 2009 Classics Association Prize for 'a significant contribution to the public understanding of Classics'.

[Please use pic of P.K.'s face from HB front flap] My name is P.K. Pinkerton and before this day is over I will be dead. My foster parents were scalped & killed a few days ago, on my 12th birthday. I came to this lawless town of Virginia City to escape their fate but now I find myself trapped down the deepest shaft of a silver mine, with three desperados hot on my trail. Before they find me, I am going to write this account so you will know What Happened & Who Done it. [please set this quote in the way it appears on the back cover of the HB] 'Scalpings, six shooters, saloons and stage coaches. Clear your calendar because you'll want to read this in a single sitting!' Robert Muchamore, author of the CHERUB series 978 1 4440 0325 3

Virginia City in 1862 is a mining camp sitting above a rich vein of silver in America's Wild West. It's a dangerous place, full of gamblers, hurdy girls and gunmen - all of them on the make!When twelve year-old P.K. Pinkerton arrives there, homeless, penniless and hunted, things don't look good. But P.K. soon finds allies in Sam Clemens, a newspaper reporter, Poker Face Jace, a gambler who can tell when someone is bluffing, and Ping, a Chinese photographer's apprentice. With the help of these friends - and armed with a Smith & Wesson seven-shooter and a knack for disguises - P.K. takes on the tricksters and desperados and tries to become a detective.Fast, furious and funny - an utterly entertaining mystery adventure from an author who knows exactly how to grip and thrill her readers.

This item is eligible for free returns within 30 days of delivery. See our returns policy for further details.