Wyatt in Wichita

A Historical Novel

By: John Shirley

Narrated by: John McLain

Length: 9 hrs and 56 mins

Publisher's summary

Author John Shirley turns his pen to the Wild West and the legendary Wyatt Earp! Wyatt in Wichita fuses historical fact with fiction, following the adventures of the young Wyatt Earp. Following the tragic loss of his first wife in the Missouri of 1870 in his early days on the dark side of the West, Wyatt eventually makes his way to Ellsworth and Wichita, where by confronting corruption he would eventually finally find his life’s work as a tough lawman. Could Wyatt Earp have known Billy the Kid when the kid was really just that? Could Wyatt have met up with Wild Bill Hickok in Deadwood? Using the sparse trails of historical evidence available to him, the lives of the famous and infamous intersect in Shirley’s novel, which revolves around Wyatt’s search for the murderer of an innocent young woman of Wichita. With Bat Masterson at his side, and bawdy girls about him in the smoky light of crowded saloons, Shirley explores the possible origins of the legendary figure who would forever remain synonymous with the Wild West. Stemming from a true passion and interest in one of the Wild West’s most indelible characters, Wyatt in Wichita is a thrilling read and an imagined glimpse into a seldom-seen side of Wyatt Earp and the untamed frontiers of early America.

©2014 John Shirley (P)2014 Audible Inc.

Nothing Short of a Masterpiece

Would you listen to Wyatt in Wichita again? Why?

John Shirley, one of the founding fathers of the cyberpunk literary genre, turns his considerable talents to the Wild West in this blend of historical fiction and fact. This is the untold story of a young Wyatt Earp, before Dodge City, before Tombstone, and before the legendary gunfight at the O.K. Corral. As frontier fiction, it's right up there with the best of Larry McMurtry and the early westerns of Elmore Leonard. As historical fiction, the story weaves it's way across the territories from Wichita to Deadwood, crossing paths with well known figures like Bat Masterson, Wild Bill Hickok, Martha "Calamity" Jane Cannary, Charlie Utter, and many others, bringing them to life as never before. The novel is dark, but uplifting; unflinchingly violent, but heartfelt. Shirley's decision to use a period voice even in his omniscient narration was bold, but flawlessly executed, and the narrator, John McClain, captures the cadence and the style perfectly. It's a thrilling, action-packed, rip-roaring tale, well told. Don't miss it!

Great story

Would you recommend this audiobook to a friend? If so, why?

yes, The reader and the story are very well done. Enjoyed it very much. The characters live on the page . A real page turner. I hope he writes another one about Wyatt and his times.

What did you like best about this story?

the characters live on the page and one can "see" what is happening at each stage of the story. Well told.

Too Much Cowboy, for me...

Just for me, this was a little too much “Death Valley Days” and “Gunsmoke.” A cowboy story from a cowboy perspective told by another cowboy. Not a bad story, but I didn’t feel I was hearing about Wyatt Earp. There are a few categorically Old-West story anachronisms (in my opinion only) that were not actual truths in the “old west” that always irritate me; but, overall it was entertaining. There were some true facts presented about Wyatt Earp (as I know them) woven in. But I’m no authority on the Old West or Wyatt Earp, just a fan of the ideology.

Engaging

This is a historical fiction western. Shirley tells the story of the early years of Wyatt Earp. The author has done extensive research on Earp which shows in the story. Shirley uses fictionalized dialogue and actions to tell about the early life of Earp.

The book starts in Ellsworth, Missouri and includes the death of Urilla Sutherland, his first wife from typhoid fever during childbirth. In real life, the tragedy led to Earp’s depression and his questionable behavior. The story proceeded on to Wichita, Kansas and to Deadwood in Dakota territory. There is also a mystery as Wyatt solves the murder of Dandy, a young girl from Louisiana. The story has action and lots of interesting characters and real life people.

John Shirley is an award-winning author. John McLean does a good job narrating the story. McLean is a voice over artist and audiobook narrator.