Cracking. Set in Kansas in the 19th century, Cottonwood tells the story of the saloon-keeper of the town, and how the town is changed by an influx of money anticipating the new railroad. Throw in appearances by real-life serial killers, the Benders of Kansas, and several infidelities, and you have an entertainingly bawdy read.

I don't normally read books set in this period, for no particular reason, but I enjoyed this book because there's a lot going on, and I found it very well written, though I've never read anything else by the author. A welcome change from the norm. ( )