An Easy Death (Gunnie Rose)

An Easy Death is the first book in the Gunnie Rose series by popular American author, Charlaine Harris. It's not what her mother, Candle wanted, but nineteen-year-old Lizbeth Rose is a gunnie with the Tarken Crew. They have a good reputation for safely transporting newly landless ranchers from Mexico through Texoma to New America. Gunnies are needed because bandit attacks are common.

When such an attack sees Gunnie Rose without her crew, she's sought out by a pair of grigoris from the Holy Russian Empire (on the west coast of their altered continent). People generally don't trust grigoris (who prefer the term wizard) and Lizbeth has more reason to be wary than most, but something about their quest draws her in. And if this strange pair aren't altogether forthcoming about their mission, neither is Lizbeth sharing all she knows.

Set in the 1930s in a very different America, this is a fast-paced adventure with guns and magic and a high body count. Lizbeth is a fiercely independent protagonist, quick and clever and brave. Her support characters are interesting and sometimes enigmatic, and Harris's worldbuilding is subtle and seamless. This novel is billed as Gunnie Rose #1 and more of this feisty heroine would definitely be welcome. Very enjoyable.