Sandy M’s review of Cantua Crossing by Mary Martin Benton
Historical Fiction published by CreateSpace Independent Publishing Platform 16 Apr 15
I met Mary Martin Benton last spring by chance. We both live in the San Joaquin Valley of Central California, have done so all our lives. We were at the same “artistic” event and the tables where we were hawking our wares placed us just across the room from each other. Since I love to read, I decided to head over to the author table to see what they had to offer. Mary told me she really believed in this book, her newest release at that time, and asked if I would review it when she found out I’m an online reviewer. Because of my renewed interest in history due to my genealogical research and the fact the story takes place here in the Valley, I told her I would be happy to review it for her. I meant to read it immediately, so I’m not sure what life, karma, fate, God – whatever source you’d like to choose – had in mind with the events that happened after that.
When I finally made a point to sit down and start reading, I couldn’t find Cantua Crossing anywhere. I looked in all the boxes I had packed up at the event – nothing. Went back out to the car in case I left it there – nothing. Checked the TBR stacks of books I keep at the ready – nothing. I decided to suspend looking, since we all know you find what you’re looking for when you least expect it and you’re not actively seeking it any longer. However, it wasn’t until last month, just around Christmas, that I finally uncovered the book – in the wrong stack of books, which were ready to be stored for a while. I immediately began to read this intriguing historical story of the area where I grew up.
Harry Caldwell is a rancher who keeps to himself, enjoying the peace and quiet of his ranch just outside Visalia. But his solitude is about to go by the wayside when Harry’s closest neighbor, Tolbert Hughes, rides in with news that the stage has once again been robbed by local outlaw Tiburcio Vasquez. That’s not all, though. Tolbert’s Aunt Cora Belle was on the stage and is now missing. Harry’s help is needed on the posse being formed to find Cora, Vasquez, and the stolen money.
While the main character of the story is the long and rich history of the San Joaquin Valley, which Ms. Benton wonderfully researched, I have to say that I really like Harry. He’s his own man, doesn’t cotton to just anyone, has a logical outlook, which keeps him alive during these few days on the trail of a wily and squirrely outlaw. He’s even thinking of finally settling down, and the man is thrown for a loop a time or two when it comes to the two women who may or may not end up becoming Mrs. Caldwell. I would have liked to know a bit more about him though, why he’s able to think so fast on his feet to get out of the trouble that hounds him on this journey, along with a few other tidbits.
Cora Belle is a very colorful character. You never know what to believe when she’s about, which is also a problem for Harry. He tries again and again to wash his hands of the whole thing and return home, but he keeps getting pulled back in. Even more so after he meets a lovely senorita he can’t seem to get off his mind. There’s an action-packed chapter or two where a shoot-out occurs, and Ms. Benton doesn’t give an inch when it comes to who’ll make it out alive.
The story takes place in 1871, just a year before Tulare County, where Visalia is located, became a county. So the area was definitely wild and untamed, plenty of places for shoot-outs and ambushes and outlaw hideouts. Most of the action takes place near Elkhorn Station, however, a couple days’ ride on horseback. The Overland Stage made its way from Visalia to the Pacheco Pass, a good little journey with a lot of opportunities for those roaming bandits. You can tell Ms. Benton definitely did her research, in conjunction with her knowledge of the Valley, I’m sure. She makes you feel as though you’re right there on the hacienda or standing along the stagecoach line in the rain or dodging bullets in outcroppings at the bottom of a canyon.
So the reason I gave you that little story at the beginning of my review? After reading the book and getting ready to let Ms. Benton know my review was forthcoming, I discovered she passed away November 7, 2015. Just a couple of months ago. So it’s the timing of everything that happened that has me perplexed. Why I came across the book again when I did, to read it and write the review after her passing? There has to be a reason, of which I’m obviously not privy to at this point, but when it comes I’m sure it will be a doozy.
A job well done, Ms.Benton. You have every reason to be proud of this book. Thank you for the opportunity to read it, late though that may be.
Grade: B
Summary:
The year is 1871. Stagecoaches are being held up in alarming numbers. A woman passenger is reported missing after the Visalia Overland Stage is robbed above the Elkhorn Station by the notorious outlaw, Tiburcio Vasquez. Harry Caldwell runs a small spread east of Visalia in California’s Central Valley. The woman’s nephew pressures Harry to join the posse that is being formed in Visalia to pursue the bandit and aid in the search for the missing passenger. Harry allows that the missing woman, Cora Belle Skinner, could most likely make Salt Water Taffy out of the bandit’s hide, but that doesn’t mitigate the fact that she’s missing. Taking into account that he had enjoyed a short dalliance with her when she first arrived in the area, he feels obliged to help with the search. But finding Cora Belle, and unraveling the mystery surrounding her disappearance, proves to be as difficult as capturing the elusive outlaw, Vasquez. This fictional story is woven around historical facts and established landmarks in the region known as the Arroyo de Cantua located on the Westside of the San Joaquin Valley.
No excerpt available.
