The story title "Singing Wires" a Western Story, is about the stringing of the telegraph wire. The story takes place in Nevada at the end of the Pony Express era. The book begins with Clay Roswell heading to Nevada to work for the Pony Express. His journey had been interrupted for a year and his arrival coinsides with the ending of the one era and the beginning of another. The interruption plays a big part in the story and is laid out fairly early on.
The book takes you on Clays' journey from one dream to another. Along the way he meets Katherine Casement and her father Jack Casement. The events that lead Clay into Jack's employment are a fun read, as is the meeting between Clay and Katherine or 'Kitts' as she is called in the book.
Of course any book worth reading must have someone for the hero to fight against. Here there are more than one or two, but the primary opposition to Clay is a gentleman called Reed Owen. This opposition takes many forms from the job to the love of Kitts.
The story involved me in the magnificence of the growth of the west and how each little part led to the greater story. The one thing I love about the author is his use of inner dialogue. In the case of this book, you are with Clay as he struggles to find his way through the obstacles both outward and inward. It was a journey I enjoyed.
"Singing Wires" is not a lengthy book, but Holmes puts a lot into a few pages. The one discordant note that caught me was Holmes idea of a young man. Roswell is in his mid-twenties. I find each author has their own idea of what is young or immature. Perhaps, having read so many coming of age stories in my youth, the age seemed a bit old. Still, overall this offering was enjoyable and fun.
Photo and text copyright 2012 by Doris McCraw
