The Wham Curse, Virgil Alexander
The Wham Curse, Virgil Alexander
List: $19.99 | Sale: $13.99
Club: $9.99

The Wham Curse

Author: Virgil Alexander

Narrator: Curtis Michael Holland

Unabridged: 8 hr 20 min

Format: Digital Audiobook Download

Publisher: Tantor Media

Published: 03/12/2024


Synopsis

A tale of two crimes in the twenty-first century: In the rugged ranch country of eastern Arizona, Graham County Deputy Branden Allred and San Carlos Tribal Police Officer Allen Victor are investigating the death of a young Apache. At first it appears to be a freak accident, a conclusion the Sheriff likes, but the officers begin to suspect murder. Motive is the major missing element, and nothing makes sense until a one-hundred-year old unsolved crime comes to light.

In the nineteenth century: Near the end of the 1800's in the same vicinity as the present-day murder, US Army Major Joseph W. Wham, Paymaster, and his twelve-soldier escort were ambushed and the payroll in gold and silver coins was taken. Though several men went to trial for the payroll robbery, they were found not guilty. The loot was never recovered and never surfaced. Though the treasure was sought for decades it eventually faded from public memory.

In working the present-day case, the policemen must deal with politics, cultural differences, and limited resources. Two local ranchers, an environmental activist, and an unknown horseman become the primary murder suspects. In a backdrop of historic places, diverse geology, wide vistas, breathtaking scenery, Native American culture, and rural society, the mystery carries the flavor of both the old and new West.

About Virgil Alexander

Virgil Alexander was born in rural Gila County, Arizona, growing up in the area of Globe-Miami. An ardent Arizona history enthusiast he spent much of his boyhood reading about and experiencing historic sites and the natural environment. He spent most of his free time hiking, camping, fishing, and hunting. His family had horses and raised livestock, and he frequently rode on evenings and weekends.

His uncles were deputy sheriffs, one was a long-time chief-deputy, and his dad was an active reserve officer and member of the search and rescue team. Other close relatives worked in law enforcement for Border Patrol, town police, highway patrol, and state narcotics division.

Alexander continues to live in Arizona with his wife, where he is retired from mining. His work experience has taken him on extended business trips to most of the United States, Canada, Mexico, South America, and Europe. He attended Eastern Arizona College, Arizona State University, and University of Phoenix. He holds a control engineering certification and a bachelor's degree in business management. He has taught academic and vocational classes for Eastern Arizona and Gila Pueblo College.

He grew up with Latino and Apache friends. He taught college classes on the San Carlos Apache Reservation, as well as doing volunteer church work, helping with Scouting, and assisting to establish an Explorer Post there. His intimate knowledge of rural and small town culture and Arizona history is reflected in his writing, and his exposure to rural law enforcement adds realism to his stories.


Reviews

Goodreads review by Robert on December 14, 2021

I live in the area which is so accurately described in this book. I found it entertaining and hard to put down. I plan to read more of Mr Alexanders series, which takes my mind to places I love and to where I have actually been, with family names I know and respect who live here today. The writing,......more

Goodreads review by Rita on December 29, 2014

Readable but not outstanding the novel is set in the modern time with links back to the Wham Payroll Robbery of 1889 in southeastern Arizona. I've read about the Wham robbery and was looking for more history but it was interesting that the author does know the area very well and wrote strongly of th......more

Goodreads review by Stephanie R. Bradford on July 29, 2024

Old west history in a new west world. The melding of a historical robbery Intermingled with a modern day murder makes for a compelling read. I thought the plot was very well thought out. The characters are fairly well developed. I think there could be some improvement in the dialog in order to smoot......more

Goodreads review by Terri on January 15, 2025

This is the first of 5 books in the series. I am reading my 4th one now. Having lived in Arizona 56 years I really appreciate how factual these books are. I love reading about the different cultures and how they interact with each other. This book is written about a true event that happened in 1889......more

Goodreads review by Shelby on March 16, 2025

This was the first book I have read where the story takes place in my home state. This story takes place on the reservation, where an 18 year old Native American young man named Boy with fetal alcohol syndrome was murdered and the sheriff's are trying to figure out who did and what the motive was. T......more