The Wham Curse

Written by Virgil Alexander

Narrated by Curtis Michael Holland

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.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Tantor Media, Inc
• Release date: Mar 12, 2024
• ISBN: 9798855531862

Virgil Alexander

Virgil Alexander is an award-winning author who bases his writing in the American Southwest, where he has lived and worked his entire life. In addition to his five-book Deputy Allred & Apache Officer Victor series, Alexander has written about Western history for numerous magazines, newspapers, webpages, museums, and the Arizona History Convention. He was also the co-editor of Miami: A History of the Miami Area, Arizona.