The Wham Curse

Deputy Allred & Apache Policeman Victor, Book 1

By: Virgil Alexander

Narrated by: Curtis Michael Holland

Length: 8 hrs and 20 mins

Publisher's summary

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.

©2023 Virgil Alexander (P)2024 Tantor

Fantastic story, but the performance could be better

The story is well written and hard to put down. I've read the book several times, and love it. I have a hard time putting it down once I start, just like with this author's other books. They are compelling and just fun to read.
But the vocal performance here falls very flat. Most of the book is delivered in monotone, and with little to no emotion. I appreciate that he tried to change his voice for different characters, but he unfortunately doesn't do this consistently or remember which characters he's using which inflection for. And that is NOTHING compared to how wrong he gets LITERALLY every non-English word. It feels intentional. Like have you never heard any Spanish at all?
I'm not gonna penalize an amazing book for the unfortunate choice of vocal performer. This book deserves 5 stars but please fix the issues with the voice actor. Either that or replace him with someone else who can give these amazing books the treatment they deserve.

Great book

Reader did a good job of voicing the different characters however he continually mispronounced “Gila”. It is not a hard G. It is pronounced “he-la” not Gee-la.