Penguin.com (usa)

The Case of the Deadly Desperados

Western Mysteries, Book One

Caroline Lawrence - Author

Hardcover | $16.99 | add to cart | view cart
ISBN 9780399256332 | 272 pages | 16 Feb 2012 | Putnam Juvenile | 9.25 x 6.25in | 8 - 12 years
Summary of The Case of the Deadly Desperados Summary of The Case of the Deadly Desperados Reviews for The Case of the Deadly Desperados An Excerpt from The Case of the Deadly Desperados
Introducing P.K. Pinkerton, Master of Disguise

When twelve-year-old P.K. (Pinky) Pinkerton's foster parents are murdered by Whittlin' Walt and his gang of ruthless desperados, Pinky goes on the run. He's forced into hiding with Ma's priceless last possession: the deed to a large amount of land and silver mines in the Nevada Mountains. But relying on disguises will only keep Pinky hidden for so long, and the desperados are quickly closing in . . .

Narrated by the incredibly lively Pinky, this thrilling high-speed chase through the Wild West will keep readers on the edge of their seats until the very last page.

Watch a Video
 ". . . it's clear P.K. has what today we would call Asperger's syndrome or high-functioning autism. Brilliant, touch-averse and reclusive, he 'cannot express emotions easily. Nor read them neither.' But he is endowed with 'keen observation skills' and an excellent memory. The autism conceit also reveals Lawrence's influences, most notably, Mark Haddon's Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time . . . P.K.'s journey is very much a metaphor for an autistic experience. Lawrence powerfully conveys both the difficulties of living with autism and the autistic mind's distinctive strengths. Any child who's felt like a 'Misfit' or 'Freak of Nature' as P.K. does will identify with his despair and cheer him." — The New York Times Book Review


To keep up-to-date, input your email address, and we will contact you on publication

Please alert me via email when:


The author releases another book