Tom Holm Livres

Corrupt lawmen, insatiable businessmen, and an oil boom on Indian land. This is the milieu in which Tom Holm sets his gritty and provocative detective novel.Life is looking easy for J. D. Daugherty, a crusty ex-cop who has set up his own PI firm in Tulsa, Oklahoma, just after World War I. J. D. expects to make a straightforward living off the intrigues of the city’s wealthy socialites, but then Rose Chichester, a privileged young white woman, runs off with Tommy Ruffle, a young Indian who is heir to Osage oil. Hired by Rose’s father to track down the young pair, J. D. and his associate, a Cherokee named Hoolie Smith, find themselves caught in the cross fire of a deadly scheme. When Tommy turns up murdered and with Rose still missing, J. D. and Hoolie must navigate a twisting maze of deception, race riots, and gun battles in their unrelenting search for the truth—a search that ultimately leads to an intimate secret no one suspected.Tom Holm writes a true private-eye mystery, yet he entwines the story’s layers of conspiracy and deceit with the realities of prejudice and hatred that existed during the early years of Oklahoma statehood. Rooted firmly in its time, Holm’s well-researched novel tells a complex and compelling story of individuals struggling to find justice at any cost in a world still caught between modernity and its Wild West legacy.

Set in Prohibition-era Oklahoma, the story unfolds in Anadarko, a small town disrupted by the investigation into the disappearance of oilman Frank Shotz. J.D. Daugherty, an Irish ex-cop, teams up with Hoolie Smith, a Cherokee war veteran, to uncover the truth. The narrative confronts racial prejudice while delivering a suspenseful and richly detailed portrayal of life in Indian Country, showcasing Tom Holm's skillful storytelling.

Ira Hayes, a Native American icon and World War II hero, is portrayed in a gripping narrative that explores his struggles with the burdens of fame and the haunting memories of war. Despite his legendary status, Hayes faced profound challenges in the latter half of his life, grappling with the impact of his heroism and the societal expectations placed upon him. This forgotten tale sheds light on his complex legacy and the personal demons he battled after the war.